The autumnal views of a post-harvest orchard are a reminder that fruit growers need to be vigilant with their fruit fly management strategies. Photos: Andy Wilson
The message to home gardeners this year is quite clear.
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The local fruit industry needs vigilance from everyone with a fruit tree to be more than just on the watch for the Queensland fruit fly.
Home gardeners are being urged to make sure their garden does not become a refuge to the pest by acting now, and the advice from third generation orchardist Tony Siciliano is quite simple.
“Pick up the fallen fruit,” Tony said, as the last of his nectarine leaves carpet neat rows of trees at his Cobram orchard.
“If it drops on the ground then get rid of it straight away.”
The advice does not stop there.
“If you’re not going to use the fruit you’re growing, then get rid of the tree.”
“But if you’re going to have the tree, then look after it.”
Orchardists and commercial growers are being supported to implement a pest management strategy to protect themselves and other growers against Queensland fruit fly.
The Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Area Wide Management Program was established in 2017 and is currently exploring a range of approaches to support growers in the region to increase their knowledge of fruit fly control methods.
A mentorship program has been built that allows information sharing and knowledge building among growers.
The Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni) has the potential to have a “catastrophic” impact on the Goulburn Valley’s fruit industry. Photo: Plant Health Australia
Tony said fruit fly had not been an issue for him because of his stringent management strategies but cautioned that the pest “can get out of hand”.
“Everyone needs to keep their orchards as clean as possible because there are pressures and it’s not just fruit flies; there’s everything else as well, other pests and disease,” he said.
“Also, the home gardeners at this time of year need to know that their orange trees and lemon trees will be where the fruit fly is going for over winter.”
Goulburn Murray Valley Queensland Fruit Fly Program acting regional coordinator Penny Aston said the importance of effective pest management on operational and non-operational orchards could not be underestimated.
“We are asking growers, regardless of their size, to implement and review their pest management strategies all year round,” Penny said.
“The need for good orchard hygiene on any individual property level is critical.
“This season we have seen huge Queensland fruit fly numbers that we haven’t seen before, and because of the program, we have been able to track down exactly where they are and we have found them.
“We need to have all orchards to be kept like Tony’s here; it’s beautiful.
“The poor management of fallen fruit in other orchards and unattended fruit trees at the back of properties have led to population explosions this season, which is extremely disappointing to see.
“If you can’t reach a piece of fruit in your backyard, then cut the branch off; trim the tree down and do that every year so you’ll never have fruit you can’t reach or use,” she said.
Home gardeners are advised to put unused and fallen fruit in a plastic bag and either leave it in the sun for a few days or place it in a freezer for a week.
“Definitely do not just chuck it in your compost heap,” Penny said.
The Goulburn Valley has the largest pear production in the Southern Hemisphere and the Murray Valley is Australia’s largest stone fruit producer.
Tony said the impact of Queensland fruit fly on the region’s horticultural industry had the potential to be “catastrophic” due to stringent quarantine measures.
“If one piece of infested fruit slips through to South Australia then we lose that market; if in a supermarket in Melbourne someone finds a nectarine with a fruit fly in it, it’s not just that one nectarine, but suddenly all the nectarines are no good.”
Penny Aston and Tony Siciliano say that the home fruit grower needs to do more than just watch out for fruit fly, urging gardeners to pick up and dispose of fallen fruit, cut off branches out of reach and remove trees if the fruit is not being used.
Penny said the program had identified that area-wide management is the best way to increase both grower and community awareness about the need to take action.
“It is essential that growers here in the Goulburn Murray Valley take a range of measures rather than relying on a single action to help control fruit fly and the development of a robust pest management strategy is the best way to achieve this,” she said.
The Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Area Wide Management Program is supported by the Victorian Government and can provide growers with dedicated field officers.
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