The Climate-Smart Pilots Project’s aim was to empower orchardists with advanced tools and strategies, enabling them to thrive amidst the evolving challenges posed by climate change.
Automatic weather station on apple and cherry orchard near Orange NSW supplied by NSW DPIRD
Key Areas of Focus
Local Automatic Weather Stations
- These stations serve as localized meteorologists, providing real-time data tailored to individual orchards.
- Precise tracking of temperature, wind speed, rainfall, and other critical factors.
- Informed decision-making based on accurate, farm-specific weather insights.
In-Canopy Sensors
- Monitoring temperature, humidity, and other microclimate variables.
- Fine-tuning pest management and optimizing crop health.
Soil Moisture Sensors
- Measuring soil water content.
- Real-time data guides precise irrigation schedules.
- Enhanced water use efficiency for sustainable orchard management.
Irrigation Masterclass
- Targeted citrus and wine grape growers in the Riverina and Sunraysia districts, as well as apple and cherry growers in the Central Tablelands.
- Enhanced understanding of plant water requirements, soil water-holding capacity, and plant-soil interactions.
- Covered detailed explanations and exercises for interpreting soil moisture data to determine irrigation needs.
Why it matters
- Climate change introduces unprecedented risks—variable temperatures and rainfall, frost events, and heatwaves.
- The Climate-Smart Pilots Project equipped growers with the knowledge and tools needed to adapt, ensuring their resilience to the changing climate.
For more information check out the full article here: Climate Smart Horticulture
Acknowledgements
-
Jessica Fearnley, Temperate Fruit and Nuts Development Officer DPIRD
- This work has been funded by the NSW Primary Industries Climate Change Research Strategy.
- This article was reviewed by Tom Flanagan and Darren Price.
- Main image – Automatic weather station on apple and cherry orchard near Orange NSW supplied by NSW DPIRD.
