Addressing key challenges in babyleaf production
Project partners
Hort Innovation
Duration
2024-2029
Summary
This project aims to enhance yield, quality and safety of babyleaf vegetables. It includes three pillars, focused on disease management, weed control and postharvest quality and shelf life. Researchers will collaborate with growers and processors in key production areas to identify and test practical approaches including:
Identification of downy mildew races and suitably resistant varieties
Strategies to control damping off
Plant nutrition for reduced disease and improved leaf robustness
Identification and elimination of weeds
Understanding the toxicity of weeds that can occur in babyleaf crops
Harvest and handling practices that minimise damage
Efficient supply chain management for maximum shelf life
Disease management will involve collaboration with global experts and seed companies. Initial research trials on the most problematic diseases will include differentiating different races of downy mildew and identifying the causes of damping off. This information will help growers select disease resistant varieties, as well as implement effective control strategies.
Weed control efforts will investigate the toxicology and biology of target weeds. The aim is to minimise contamination risks through better identification, in addition to developing a tool set of management practices.
The third pillar will examine how plant growing conditions and nutrition affect postharvest robustness, and identify optimum harvest, handling, storage and packaging practices. These will be compiled into a Best Practice Guide for managing babyleaf vegetables, suitable for all those within the supply chain.
Effective communication and industry engagement will be central to the project's success. Through initiatives like Soil Wealth/ICP and VegNET, AHR will deliver best practice guides, workshops, and field days to ensure the adoption of research findings.
The project will be led by key experts: AHR will oversee the shelf life and nutrition investigations, Dr Len Tesoriero will lead disease research with US experts Profs. Lindsay de Toit and Jim Carroll, and Dr. Ali Bajwa from La Trobe University will head the weed management efforts. Research will be conducted across multiple states, with QDAF leading in Queensland, Stuart Grigg managing trials in Victoria, and AHR overseeing work in New South Wales and other regions.
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