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A new species of Dasineura gall midge (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) damaging sandalwood tree Santalum album (Santalaceae) in Northern Australia
No full textLarvae of a previously undescribed species of gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) were found feeding inside malformed inflorescences and young branches of the sandalwood tree Santalum album (Santalaceae) in a seed production orchard in Queensland, Australia. Infested flower buds, inflorescence stalks, and vegetative buds were transformed into irregular galls, rendering the flowers infertile and the growth of branches stunned. The gall midge is named Dasineura santali Kolesik, its morphology is described and a COI mitochondrial gene segment is sequenced. The new species is considered a potential pest in sandalwood production
A review of strawberry under protected cultivation: yields are higher under tunnels than in the open field
No full textStrawberries are grown under tunnels to protect the plants from cold, frosts, rain, and fruit diseases. A review was conducted to determine the performance of plants under plastic tunnels. Information was collected on yields and fruit weight under tunnels and in the open field (n?=?133 experiments) and on environmental conditions in the two areas. In a global analysis, plants under tunnels had higher relative marketable (Tunnel/Open?=?1.34?±?0.76) and total yields (Tunnel/Open?=?1.30?±?0.83) than those in the open (p??0.05). Relative marketable yields were similar in areas with cool or cold winters or with spring/summer or winter/spring production seasons, and under low or high tunnels (p?>?0.05). Lower yields under tunnels were associated with low light levels and high temperatures under the plastic and a higher incidence of powdery mildew. The use of tunnels under global warming will require attention to ventilation under the covers
Redescription of Cis olivieri Mellié, 1849 (Coleoptera: Ciidae), with a new synonym and the first records from Brazil
No full textCis olivieri Mellié, 1849 is redescribed based on specimens from the type series and additional material from the Northeast and Southeast Regions of Brazil. Cis lemoulti Pic, 1923 is proposed as a junior synonym of Cis olivieri, and lectotypes are designated for both names. This study represents the first report of Cis olivieri in Brazil. Images of male and female terminalia, along with a distribution map, are provided
Time to flowering and flowering duration in mungbean are unrelated physiological traits with independent genetic controls
No full textMungbean (Vigna radiata L.), a valuable sub-tropical grain legume, typically has a long, asynchronous flowering window, increasing vulnerability to abiotic stress and complicating harvest. To facilitate breeding, we extensively studied days to flowering (DTF) and the novel trait flowering duration (FD) in multi-environment trials. A diverse nested association mapping population was evaluated across four field experiments in Queensland, Australia (2022-2023). Extensive phenotypic variation was observed for DTF (35-70 days after sowing) and FD (20-60 days). Both traits displayed Genotype x Environment interactions, with FD showing stronger environmental interactions than DTF. No relationship was evident between DTF and FD across environments. Genome-wide association studies identified eight quantitative trait loci (QTL) for DTF and one for FD, with no overlapping QTL. The accumulation of early or late alleles at DTF QTL was associated with variations in flowering time. We have shown for the first time in mungbean that DTF and FD are independent traits with distinct genetic controls and environmental responses. This foundational understanding of mungbean flowering behaviour offers a mechanistic basis for developing varieties with optimized flowering patterns. Our findings provide crucial insights for future breeding programs, potentially enhancing mungbean adaptation and performance in diverse agricultural environments challenged by climate change
Phosphine best management practices: Disinfesting stored commodities
No full textThere is a wide range of implications from insect infestations in stored commodities. These include economic loss due to physical damage, quality degradation, rejection by consumers leading to loss of markets, impact on workplace health and safety, and costs associated with their management (Nayak and Daglish, 2018). Several species belonging to three insect orders – Coleoptera (beetles), Lepidoptera (moths) and Psocoptera (psocids) – generally infest stored commodities (Rees, 2004). Although storage managers routinely use non-chemical tactics – such as hygiene, cooling, and drying – for pest management of post-harvest commodities, including grain, these are often insufficient to maintain the quality standards required by markets.
Among the available chemical control methods, contact insecticides (grain protectants and structural treatments) and fumigants are at the forefront of providing measurable success in pest management, meeting the logistical requirements set by storage operators and markets. While contact insecticides are used for the provision of long-term protection of commodities from insect attack, fumigants are used to disinfest the commodities when infestations are detected
Productivity of ‘Hass’ avocado in central leader highdensity planting systems on ‘Ashdot’ and ‘Velvick’ rootstocks in subtropical Australia
No full textAvocados in Australia are commonly planted at low-density, in rows ≥10 m apart and at tree spacings ≥5 m. Yields are low, averaging 10–11 tons per hectare. To improve yield per hectare, we planted a trial in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia, of ‘Hass’ on two rootstocks, ‘Ashdot’ and ‘Velvick’, in three planting systems with di erent density and treeshaping strategies. The three planting systems were: ‘low-density’ at 9 x 5 m spacing with no canopy shaping and minimal pruning; ‘medium-density’ at 6 x 3 m spacing, conical shaping and pruned to a central leader; and ‘highdensity’ at 4.5 x 2 m spacing, conical shaping and pruned to a central leader and tied to a single-plane 3.5 m tall trellis. Our hypothesis was that more intensive planting with central leader shaping would increase early canopy volume per hectare and improve light distribution in the canopy, with beneficial e ects on numbers of flowering terminals, flowering intensity, fruit set and retention. In the first crop at age 2 years, yield per hectare was highest in the high-density system. However, in the subsequent 3 cropping years, the high- and medium-density systems had equal or lower yields per hectare than the low-density system, despite their higher canopy volumes per hectare. While light distribution within the canopy, numbers of flowering sites and flowering intensity were higher or equal for the higher density systems compared to the low-density system, the rates of spring fruit set and summer fruit retention were lower. Trees on ‘Ashdot’ rootstocks had consistently higher yield and yield e iciency than trees on ‘Velvick’ rootstocks. The higher yields for ‘Ashdot’ appear to be linked to determinate flowering. Reduced canopy size and more branch complexity were also factors in higher yield e iciency from ‘Ashdot’
Potential use of triazole growth retardants as a tool for canopy management in Macadamia
No full textIntensive, high-density orchard systems have allowed a transformational leap forward in crop production of several tree crop species. Recently, it has also been demonstrated that they provide potential advantages for macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia x M. tetraphylla) production. The higher planting density reduces the allocated orchard space for each tree, dictating a need to grow smaller trees. Macadamia trees naturally grow large and tall, which is not a suitable trait for high-density orchards and requires extensive canopy management. To support macadamia orchard intensification, we evaluated the potential application of the growth retardants from the triazole family, paclobutrazol and uniconazole, as a tool for canopy management. We hypothesise that these chemicals will reduce vegetative vigour and, as a result, will potentially lower pruning requirements and increase resource allocation to reproductive development. A spray application following pruning of either paclobutrazol or uniconazole significantly reduced the regrowth flush length by shortening the stem internodes. However, a late application, four weeks from pruning, did not a ect shoot elongation but caused significant distortion of the leaves. Similar to the spray application, a soil drench application of paclobutrazol resulted in a substantial reduction in the elongation of the flush growth. The canopy volume of trees that received a soil application, measured using a LiDAR system, was lower compared to control trees, also demonstrating the reduction in vegetative vigour. In addition to field experiments, a functional-structural plant model was used to predict the long-term e ect of a paclobutrazol soil drench. The model was able to demonstrate the potential long-term reduction in canopy volume and thus pruning requirements. Orchard intensification requires considerable adjustments to the canopy management. Our results suggest that the application of triazole growth retardants may be adopted as part of the canopy management strategy for intensive macadamia orchards
The Needle in the Haystack: Uncovering the First Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) Aggregation in the Coral Sea
No full textAggregations are key events, supporting critical ecological and biological functions in many species. For highly mobile and elusive species, aggregations often provide the only feasible opportunities for research. Whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) form at least 30 consistent seasonal aggregation sites globally, yet none have been documented in the Coral Sea, despite sporadic sightings of solitary individuals and groups. This study aimed to identify and characterise the first whale shark aggregation on Australia's east coast by predicting potential sites through a data layering approach and confirming their presence through targeted field expeditions. A combination of historical sightings data, expert and anecdotal knowledge, and scientific knowledge from other whale shark aggregation sites led to the identification of Wreck Bay, situated at the far northern Great Barrier Reef, as potential aggregation habitat. An initial field expedition in 2019 confirmed the aggregation, and three subsequent voyages in 2021–2024 gathered further demographic and movement data. A total of 59 individuals were identified, with a strong male bias (3.5:1) and all classified as immature sharks ranging from 3.5 to 8.0 m in estimated total length. Satellite tracking revealed a mean residence time of approximately 3 weeks (21.6 days ±10.1 SD; range: 7–43 days), with some individuals revisiting the aggregation in subsequent years. The peak aggregation period occurs from late November to late December, with movements concentrated along the continental shelf before dispersing into the Coral Sea. Tracked sharks (n = 18) exhibited wide-ranging movements, with a mean track duration of 144 days (range: 3–770 days) and a mean total track length of 1463 km (range: 19–11,355 km). This study provides the first evidence of a whale shark aggregation in the Coral Sea and highlights Wreck Bay as key habitat for this iconic and globally endangered species
At-vessel mortality of tawny nurse sharks (Nebrius ferrugineus) caught in the Queensland Shark Control Program
No full textContext The Queensland Shark Control Program (QSCP) targets potentially dangerous sharks, using a combination of large-mesh nets and baited drumlines at beaches in Queensland, Australia. The tawny nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus) is caught incidentally by the QSCP, and shark control programs have been identified as a moderate threat to the species in Australia. Aims Assessing at-vessel mortality (AVM) is an important first step in determining the actual impact of the QSCP on the N. ferrugineus population. Methods Data collected by QSCP contractors were used to determine factors affecting AVM of N. ferrugineus and data were analysed using generalised linear mixed modelling. Key results Mean AVM was 5.95% and 30.1% for those animals caught on drumlines and in nets, respectively. At-vessel mortality was found to increase with total length for net-caught N. ferrugineus. Sea surface temperature and sex had no effect on AVM. Conclusions Animals caught on drumlines are more likely to survive capture, compared to those caught in nets. Implications The reduction in the number of nets deployed, and the introduction of alternative methods, such as catch alert (or SMART) drumlines and drone surveillance of beaches, has likely reduced the impact of the QSCP on the N. ferrugineus population
Glued laminated timber and laminated veneer lumber structural products manufactured from Australian southern blue gum grown for woodchips
No full textDemand for wood products is growing internationally, and new initiatives are necessary to sustainably meet this demand. This paper presents such an initiative investigating the possibility of manufacturing glued laminated timber (GLT) and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) structural products from Australian southern blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) plantation logs traditionally grown for woodchip purposes. 120 logs were harvested from two different plantations (15-year-old and 19-year-old) and processed at the Salisbury Research Facility into rotary peeled veneers (80 logs) and sawn boards (40 logs). The modulus of elasticity and visual grade distributions of the recovered veneers were assessed, as well as the compressive, tensile, shear, and bending strengths, density and modulus of elasticity of 240 sawn boards. The collected data were then used to assess the product grades which could be manufactured from the resources using different construction scenarios. GLT and LVL were finally manufactured and experimentally tested to confirm the potential of the resources in the production of suitable engineered wood products. This conference paper focusses on presenting the key data on the raw material, specifically the modulus of elasticity distribution of the veneers, and the tensile and compressive strengths of the sawn boards. The results from selected manufactured GLT and LVL are also presented and discussed