RIRDC Completed Projects in 2005-2006 and Research In Progress as at June 2006 Sub-Program 1.6 WILDFLOWERS & NATIVE PLANTS August 2006 RIRDC Publication No 06/067 © 2006 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation. All rights reserved. ISNB 1 74151 330 8 ISSN 1440-6845 "RIRDC Completed Projects in 2005-06 and Research in Progress as at June 2005 -1.6 Wildflowers & Native Plants" Publication No 06/067 The views expressed and the conclusions reached in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of persons consulted. RIRDC shall not be responsible in any way whatsoever to any person who relies in whole or in part on the contents of this report. This publication is copyright. However, RIRDC encourages wide dissemination of its research, providing the Corporation is clearly acknowledged. For any other enquiries concerning reproduction, contact the Publications Manager on phone 02 6272 3186. RIRDC Wildflowers and Native Plants Research Manager Dr Roslyn Prinsley RIRDC Level 5, 15 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6272 3207 Fax: 02 6272 5877 Email: [email protected] RIRDC Publications Manager Cecile Ferguson Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Level 5, 15 National Circuit BARTON ACT 2600 PO Box 4776 KINGSTON ACT 2604 Phone: 02 6272 3186 Fax: 02 6272 5877 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.rirdc.gov.au Published in August 2006 Printed on environmentally friendly paper by Canprint ii Foreword This year RIRDC has produced Research in Progress, June 2006, which contains short summaries of continuing projects as well as those that were completed during 2005-2006 for all of the Corporation’s program areas. The complete report on all the programs is only available in electronic format on our website at http://www.rirdc.gov.au The following report is a hardcopy extract covering Sub-Program 1.6. It contains all entries from continuing and completed Wildflowers and Native Plants research projects funded by RIRDC. This program aims to improve the profitability, productivity and sustainability of the Australian wildflower and native plant industry. This report is the newest addition to our extensive catalogue of over 1500 research reports, videos and CD-Roms of projects supported by RIRDC. Please contact us for the latest publications catalogue or view it on our website: • downloads at www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/Index.htm • purchases at www.rirdc.gov.au/eshop Peter O’Brien Managing Director Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation iii Contents 1.6 WILDFLOWERS & NATIVE PLANTS - COMPLETED PROJECTS PROJECT PROJECT TITLE RESEARCHER PHONE ORGANISATION PAGE NO. No 2. To improve existing products and develop new ones DAV-210A Development of Leptospermum hybrids Mr Tony Slater (03) 9210 9222 Department of Primary 1 Industries (Vic) 3. To provide profitable and sustainable production systems KPW-2A Development of synthetic seeds for clonal Dr Kingsley Dixon (08) 9480 3637 Botanic Gardens and Parks 4 propagation of Australian plants Authority UWA-67A Speeding up the release of new varieties Dr Guijun Yan (08) 9380 1240 University of Western Australia 6 of Leucadendron 1.6 WILDFLOWERS & NATIVE PLANTS – RESEARCH IN PROGRESS PROJECT PROJECT TITLE RESEARCHER PHONE ORGANISATION PAGE NO. No 1. To understand, strengthen and develop markets DAN-235A Improving Market Access for Australian Dr Jenny Ekman (02) 4348 1900 NSW Department of Primary 7 Wildflowers Industries 2. To improve existing products and develop new ones DAN-231A On-farm evaluation of grafted wildflowers Mr Jonathon Lidbetter (02) 4348 1931 NSW Department of Primary 8 for commercial cutflower production Industries DAN-234A Flannel Flowers the Year Round: a model Dr Ross Worrall (02) 4348 1900 NSW Department of Primary 9 protected cultivated system Industries DAW-107A Nutrient management of waxflower for Mr. Gerry Parlevliet (08) 9368 3219 Department of Agriculture (WA) 10 quality and yield under adequate irrigation levels DAW-111A Maximising root quality of waxflower tube Dr. Kevin Seaton (08) 9368 3244 Department of Agriculture (WA) 11 stock suitable for field planting UA-67J Development of novel eucalypt hybrids Prof Margaret Sedgley (08) 8303 7249 The University of Adelaide 12 3. To provide profitable and sustainable production systems DAQ-324A Market development and commercial Ms Joanna Srhoj (07) 4048 4651 Department of Primary 13 production of five native foliage products Industries and Fisheries (Qld) iv WILDFLOWERS & NATIVE PLANTS COMPLETED PROJECTS 2. TO IMPROVE EXISTING PRODUCTS AND DEVELOP NEW ONES Project Title: Developing Leptospermum for cut flowers RIRDC Project No.: DAV-210A Researcher: Mr Tony Slater Organisation: Department of Primary Industries (Victoria) Private Bag 15 Ferntree Gully DC VIC 3156 Phone: 03 9210 9222 Fax: 03 9800 3521 Email: [email protected] Objectives To monitor and evaluate Leptospermum hybrids for vase life, novel colour forms and varying flowering times Background Leptospermum has been identified as a wildflower cut flower crop that is very popular in Australia’s export markets, but is under supplied. The cut flowers are only available for a few weeks, but there are a number of species that are undeveloped as cut flowers, and yet have good characteristics for cultivars to be developed. The genus Leptospermum includes a diverse group of plants. There are a range of flower colours and sizes, and between August and March a member of the group will be in flower. These are important commercial characters for a floral crop, as they allow continual supply to the market, and provide diversity within the crop. During earlier work, the Australian species of Leptospermum with potential for use as cut flowers were assessed for their suitability as cut flowers (Slater et al. 2001). We identified the better forms of each species, and we investigated the postharvest behaviour of the cut flowers, methods to extend the vase life, and looked at the reproductive biology to establish a breeding program. The breeding of Leptospermum targeted the production of superior cut flower forms, by using the best available cut flower forms as parents. The breeding program was extensive with close to 2500 hybrids planted at the field site in East Gippsland 200 km east of Melbourne. The development of superior hybrids with good vase life and a range of colours can only increase the market demand for leptospermums. Research The hybrid seedlings were monitored at the field site over the two flowering seasons of the project. Due to the juvenility period of the seedlings, no plants flower in the first year after planting and few in the second year. Generally the plants needed to be grown for at least 18 months in the field and be over 50 cm tall for flowering to occur. The flowering response desirable for cut flower use occurs in the third and fourth flowering season in the field. 1 When the hybrids flowered, the flowering times were noted and the flowering display and flowers were described. Material was collected for postharvest assessment of each hybrid. The vase life was monitored and the postharvest behaviour described. All the hybrids that had an acceptable vase life, exhibited the ability for mature buds to continue to develop and open after harvest. This will enable these hybrids to be harvested when they are just starting to flower to maximise vase life. From the field and postharvest observations, 22 different Hybrid Styles were described. These Hybrid Styles can be easily distinguished on petal colour, size and other floral characters. A number of cut flower and landscape cultivars should be obtainable from each of the Hybrid Styles. Outcomes A commercialisation strategy has been developed for the Leptospermum cultivars emanating from the breeding program to expedite the release of quality Leptospermum cultivars for a range of market uses both domestically and internationally. In recognition of Longford Flowers investment in the breeding and development of the selections, Longford Flowers has first right to commercial exploitation of the cultivars for a period of 4 years. After this time these cultivars will be made widely available to industry. In recognition of the market opportunities that lie outside the commercial operation of Longford Flowers, the stakeholders also aim to identify advanced selections that have other market opportunities. These advanced selections will be of plant types that are only suitable for pot plant or landscape use, or cut flower styles not required by Longford Flowers. It is envisaged that there will be a strategy to release a number of cultivars each year. This will result in a staggered release of the total pool of cut flower cultivars, rather than a flooding of the market that would result if they were all released at the same time. Implications Twenty-two different hybrid styles have been described, and can be easily distinguished on petal colour, size and other floral characters. These hybrid styles need to still be assessed for the best commercial cultivars, and commercial partners identified to commercialise these cultivars. A large number of hybrids are too young at this stage and are yet to flower for the first time. As these are combinations of parents that have not flowered to date, further hybrid styles and commercial cultivars are likely to arise from these plants. Wildflower growers interested in producing Leptospermum should seek out the superior forms to determine their performance under their growing conditions. The range of species and cultivars flower between late August and early January. This range of flowering times will allow Leptospermum to be marketed over an extended season, and growers have the opportunity to supply the market over this extended season by growing a range of species and cultivars. 2 This project has built on the work and knowledge established in two earlier projects, and has shown the benefit of strategic research that builds on a good foundation.