Timely application of sound adaptation strategies is critical for Australian agriculture to secure future industry success. Temperate perennial fruit production is inherently vulnerable to adverse climate impacts and unique adaptive responses are needed. Fruit production is dependent on favourable climate conditions throughout the year with future climate change likely to impact developmental processes. Further to climate sensitivity, orchards are exposed to climate change due to their permanence, perennial nature, extended juvenile phase and long productive lifespan (decades). As such, decisions made now will likely persist into future climates.

To investigate adaptation options within the Australian fruit tree industry, the Department of Agriculture fisheries and Forestry has funded this project through the ‘Carbon Farming Futures Filling the Research Gap Program’. This talk will outline the project which focuses on the Australian fruit tree industry, specifically pome fruit and cherry, and plans to investigate adaptation lead times to critical tipping points for winter chilling, spring frost risk, extreme heat exposure and yield potential. The results will be reanalysed incorporating adaptive options, such as application of chill breaking chemicals or shade nets, allowing the efficacy of these strategies to be evaluated.

It is anticipated that by taking this approach the industry will be provided with a fuller picture of expected climate change impacts and adaptation options. Outcomes of the project will inform adaptation strategies across multiple physiological phases and highlight connections along the growth cycle to provide a more holistic view for future planning.