Rows of macadmia trees at CTH in Alstonvile

The Centre provides research and industry development services for the major and emerging subtropical horticultural industries of the north coast of New South Wales.

The majority of projects are jointly funded by industry and government, with some carried out in collaboration with Queensland Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries (DPI&F) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

Specialists within research section 

Within the research section there are three research horticulturists specialising in plant physiology, nutrition and canopy management, as well as an entomologist and a soil scientist working in their respective fields.

The Industry Leader and three district horticulturists located at the Centre specialise in the development and adoption of sustainable and profitable horticultural growing systems in partnerships with industries in a range of subtropical crops including macadamias, bananas, avocados, passionfruit, low-chill stone fruit and custard apples.

Production systems 

Evaluating soil health in a blueberry trial

Development, improvement and promotion of sustainable and profitable production systems is a major goal of the centre, and includes:

• Modelling tree growth systems in macadamias and other tree crops
• Canopy management of macadamias and other tree crops
• Development of Integrated Pest and Disease management programs for macadamias and blueberries
• Soil health in macadamias and blueberries
• Evaluating soil biological indicators
• Development and adoption of sustainable and profitable banana growing systems
• Assessment of low-chill stonefruit varieties
• Development and adoption of Approved Supplier Programs in the macadamia industry
• Development and support of computer-based farm management programs
• Understanding and delivering on economic drivers of profitability, including quality issues in macadamias
• Market chain management issues