Our research
Our research is focused on four major themes: protected cropping, market access & postharvest, food safety and plant biosecurity. Through our applied research outcomes, we contribute to the increased productivity, profitability and sustainability of the horticulture sector. Our translational research and outreach programs enhance food safety, biosecurity, market access and connection with the communities, industries and people.
Our scientists are well-known leaders in their respective fields of science and expertise. The applied research programs at CCPIC are externally funded by the industries (e.g. Hort Innovation) and State and Federal Governments. Multidisciplinary teams of researchers at CCPIC collaborate within and outside NSW DPI to deliver national and international projects. The CCPIC’s collaborative research network includes other state and federal government research agencies, universities, consulting firms, peak growers’ organisations, and industry. The CCPIC scientists lead as well as collaborate on the multi-institutional projects and consortia (e.g. Hort Frontiers, Future Food Systems, Fruit Fly Biosecurity Innovation, Sterile Insect Technique Plus Program, Clean Coastal Catchment) addressing the emerging issues facing the horticulture sector.
We have strong linkages with the universities (e.g. University of Newcastle, Western Sydney University, Macquarie University) to foster academia-industry relationships through joint research projects and postgraduate research supervision. Our key scientists hold adjunct faculty positions in these universities and participate in the education and research training of the next generation of researchers. The CCPIC research teams have been involved in the development of the horticulture sector in developing countries through various projects co-funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. The research outcomes from CCPIC have globally impacted the lives and/or livelihoods of primary producers, consumers and others involved in the horticultural supply chains.
Our research laboratories operate under a Work Health and Safety Compliance Framework to ensure good laboratory practices are maintained and rigorous research is produced in DPI labs.
Current research includes:
Biometrics
The NSW DPI Biometrics group provides a statistical consulting and training service to research staff of NSW DPI. The group also undertakes applied statistical research motivated by problems of relevance to NSW DPI or arising from collaborative projects from NSW DPI staff and industry. The Biometrics group plays an important training role in the provision of both basic and specialised courses in statistics, research methodology and the use of statistical packages. Its role is to underpin the research portfolio of NSW DPI with the provision of high-quality biometrics advice to ensure validity and efficiency for the research effort and expenditure.
Horticulture Food Safety and Traceability Research
The aim of NSW DPI’s horticultural food safety and traceability research is to mitigate food safety risks to the horticultural industries and consumers. The whole-of-chain approach is followed in identifying and managing various types of food safety hazards across the supply chain. The cutting-edge research provides practical solutions to manage food safety risks during production and postharvest handling of fresh produce. The research team undertakes externally funded projects and delivers in the following areas:
- Translational research to mitigate food safety risks to consumers and industries
- Emerging technologies (e.g. cold plasma) for postharvest sanitisation of fresh produce
- Research investigations into the sources and routes of microbial contamination
- Laboratory and field research to develop best practice guides for horticultural food safety
- Food safety monitoring and surveillance to identify and fill the gaps in industry practices
- Molecular detection of foodborne pathogens (e.g. Salmonella species and Listeria monocytogenes) in fresh produce and environmental samples
- Food safety risk assessments and forecasting for the horticulture sector
- Pilot trials on the adoption of blockchain based traceability solutions
- Semi-commercial and commercial trials on new technologies and practices
- Develop and deliver industry-targeted food safety capacity building program
Major R, D &A projects include:
- Innovative cold plasma for horticultural industries
- ‘Safe Melons’ – a national program to consistently deliver safe fruit to consumers
- ‘Safe Citrus’ – focused on minimising microbial food safety risks in the industry
- Digital traceability to improve food safety, provenance and address food fraud in the supply chains
- Mapping and managing microbial food safety risks in leafy vegetables
Greenhouse & Production Research
The Greenhouse Horticulture section conducts research, advisory and education programs into production systems with the aim to increase profitability and productivity and assist growers to attain world's best-practice in producing high-quality, high-value fresh produce in sustainable systems.
- Greenhouse and hydroponic research trials to optimise yield and quality of produce (berries and vegetables)
- Improving the management of plant nutrition in fertigated and hydroponic crops
- Improving the pollination of covered crop
Market Access & Postharvest
The research conducted at the Centre of Excellence for Market Access improves the profitability and sustainability of regional NSW by facilitating the export of NSW horticulture produce such as citrus, cherries and blueberries. It works with horticultural industries to develop and implement cost-effective phytosanitary protocols for export and also overcome non-phytosanitary barriers such as improved quality to provide these markets with high quality NSW produce. The Market Access team provides an integrated package of postharvest and supply chain technical solutions to industry.
- Developing postharvest treatment protocols for export market access
- Fresh produce supply chain solutions for domestic and export markets
- Developing novel postharvest treatments and technologies for fresh produce
- Semi-commercial and commercial trials on new technologies
- Develop and deliver industry-targeted industry best practice guidelines
- Produce quality assessments
- Physiological studies on the storage and shelf-life potential of fresh produce
- Controlled/modified atmosphere and hypobaric storage research
- Sensory and consumer research on horticultural products
- Fruit fly rearing and infestation facilities
- Postharvest disinfestation research (cold treatment, chemical fumigation, irradiation, low-pressure (hypobaric) and combination (hybrid) treatments)
Plant Biosecurity research
Plant pathology research at CCPIC focus on better understanding the ecology and management of plant pathogens to develop more effective and sustainable management options for diseases of horticultural crops, and, importantly, communicating these outcomes to the horticultural community. A team of researchers undertake work in industries such as blueberries, field and greenhouse vegetables and an array of fruit crops. The DPI and key researchers at CCPIC are partners in the national SITplus research consortium that seeks to manage the presence of Queensland fruit fly in many of Australia’s growing regions where the pest fly is present or a threat. They also conduct diagnostics and surveillance to contribute to maintaining an awareness of biosecurity threats to NSW.
- Area wide management of crop pests (e.g. Queensland fruit fly) and diseases
- Monitoring and surveillance for crop pests and diseases
- Molecular tools for the detection for plant pathogens and pests
- Integrated pest and disease management research
- Rapid response to the incursions by new pests and diseases
- Soil and orchard management
- Vegetable field trials
- Tea husbandry
- Chemical fumigation research facility
Work with Us
Work with NSW DPI to maximise outcomes for primary industries
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