It is an honour to be able to introduce myself to you as the new editor of Hort Journal Australia, and only its second in its 17-year history.
I never expected to be a writer, let alone an editor! I suspect that Karen Smith, our recently retired editor, has perhaps been gently coaxing me into this position for some time now.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Tania Harman and Daniel Knox
For Lecker Farming, a specialist in papaya propagation on Northern Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands, the R&D Tax Incentive is assisting them to continue to drive genetic breakthroughs and set new industry standards.
Lecker Farming, under the stewardship of Gerard Kath, undertakes agricultural research and development activities.… Continue reading
Read MoreIntroduction:
Australia’s horticulture industry is operating in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Domestic and international bodies are intensifying scrutiny of pesticide use in response to growing concerns about environmental sustainability, food safety and trade standards.
Many growers have historically taken a reactive approach to pesticide regulation, often discovering limitations only after key products are withdrawn or restricted due to regulatory changes.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Daniel Fuller
Nursery businesses are always interested in what plants are popular in the market because this information can help them make informed choices for what to stock. According to Ozbreed’s data from the 2024-25 financial year, here are the Australian trees and large shrubs that showed the biggest demand through our nursery networks based on unit sales.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy John Corban
For many years, whenever something did not go well in my business, I would get annoyed or frustrated. That all began to shift about 18 years ago when I studied Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and was introduced to a powerful tool called reframing.… Continue reading
Read MoreAustralia’s GDP could be boosted by up to $50 billion a year if supply chain data standards were improved, according to a new report.
A new research report from the Centre for International Economics and commissioned by GS1 Australia, the body responsible for the common retail barcode, reveals that industry use of supply chain data standards is quietly driving a significant share of Australia’s economic output, contributing up to $27.3 billion annually to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and could play an increasingly important role in reversing the nation’s lagging productivity.… Continue reading
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Dr Chris Brosnan (L) and Stephen Fletcher (R) in the University of Queensland laboratory (Image: The University of Queensland)
A software package developed and validated at The University of Queensland can tailor safe, effective and chemical-free crop protection using RNA interference (RNAi).
The dsRNAmax software designs double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to target pest and pathogen species while excluding off-target species like beneficial insects.… Continue reading
Read MoreThis issue marks exactly seventeen years since Hort Journal Australia began in July 2008. I have been the Editor from the beginning. However, it is now time for me to turn the page to a new chapter in my life. It is difficult to summarise my experience in this small editorial.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy Karen Smith
The 53rd International Plant Producers Society (IPPS) conference ‘Propagation for conservation’ was held recently in Cairns at the Crystalbrook Riley Hotel with an extensive list of speakers and activities. Here is a snapshot of the event.
President, Clive Larkman, president of IPPS opened the conference and local MP Bree James welcomed the delegates to Cairns extolling the virtues of far North Queensland for business and tourism.… Continue reading
Read MoreBy John Fitzsimmons
Landscape design, installation, and maintenance involve creativity, materials, equipment, and skill sets provided as a service. As such, its enterprises also need complementary support on the supply side for materials, equipment and business services. This was all present at the annual Landscape Show 2025, presented recently at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne by Landscaping Victoria.… Continue reading
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