In Bundaberg, Lisa Fyffe, owner of Dandy Produce, is applying rigorous pruning techniques to avocado trees, emphasizing the necessity for substantial yearly cuts. This approach is integral to a 40-hectare high-density trial orchard that combines sustainability with profitability. The objective is to facilitate light penetration and stimulate growth by aggressively reducing the tree size annually.
Chris Searle of MacAvo Consulting supports this method, highlighting its role in mimicking natural ecosystems, akin to rainforests. This strategy is part of a broader initiative aimed at adopting practices that not only conserve land quality but also minimize environmental impacts.
Central to the orchard's design is the maintenance of grass species between rows, which enhances soil moisture retention and reduces runoff, thereby preventing off-farm transfers of sediments and chemicals. The innovative use of drones for sowing these grasses in narrower spaces has proven both effective and economical.
Source: queenslandcountrylife.com.au