This work was partially-funded by a grant from the Rural Industry Research Development Corn. We thank Ausflora Pacific Pty. Ltd.; The Australian Protea Growers Assn., Australian Flower Exporters Ply. Ltd, and Growth Industries Ltd. for
Postharvest longevity of some cut flowers is shortened by exposure to ethylene gas. Adverse effects of ethylene may be prevented by treatment with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) gas. Responses of 14 different native Australian cut flowers to 1-MCP and ethylene applied at concentrations of 10 nL·L-1 and 10 μL·L-1, respectively, were examined. Each gas was applied alone for 12 hours at 20 °C and they were also applied in series. Vase lives of Ceratopetalum gummiferum, Chamelaucium uncinatum, Grevillea `Kay Williams' and `Misty Pink', Leptospermum petersonii, Telopea `Shady Lady', and Verticordia nitens were reduced by ethylene treatment. Treatment with 1-MCP generally protected these cut flowers against subsequent exposure to ethylene. The 1-MCP treatment usually did not extend their vase lives in the absence of exogenous ethylene.
-water landscapes with variable soil and water conditions. Australia has an abundance of seemingly drought-tolerant native wildflower species in its vast interior arid zones. Many of these species have desirable ornamental qualities and apparent drought tolerance
sp.) ( Jacobsen et al., 2012 ). One crop plant that has not yet been assessed for salinity tolerance is Kunzea pomifera (muntries; Myrtaceae), one of 13 key Australian native food crops ( Clarke, 2013 ; Do et al., 2017 ; Sultanbawa, 2016 ). K
A research program is being conducted to support the development of superior varieties of Ixodia achillaeoides for cut flower production. This species is an everlasting daisy in the Asteraceae, which is produced on a woody perennial bush and is currently both harvested from the wild and cultivated in Southeastern and Western Australia. Ixodia shows a high degree of variation in plant form, flower characteristics, and flowering dates throughout its geographic distribution. In our assessment program, seedlings are screened for a range of morphological and flowering characteristics, and clonal selections are established under cultivation to assess suitability to row culture. The goal is the development of selections with known flowering characteristics and disease tolerance for fresh and dried flower markets and for flowering pot plants. Description is given of assessment criteria for selection of varieties for dried and fresh markets. Seventy selected varieties are currently being assessed in randomized block plantings at two sites in South Australia. Preliminary results and descriptions are presented for superior selections made for dried flower markets. The postharvest performance of selections for fresh markets will be discussed. Research on control of flowering will be presented.
its rapid expansion and colonization of native lands and improved pastures in Australia, trailing lantana is a restricted invasive prohibited for use by the Queensland Biosecurity Act of 2014 ( Johnson, 2007 , 2009 ; Munir, 1996 ; O’Donnell, 2002
Trailing lantana ( Lantana montevidensis ) is a low-growing woody shrub native to tropical areas of South America. As early as 1825, the species was described by German botanist Curt Polycarp Joachim Sprengel as Lippia montevidensis. This plant
Abstract
The cut-flower and potted plant industries in Australia have traditionally been based on exotic species. However, native Australian plants have gradually assumed greater importance—particularly in the expanding export trade, but also on local markets. Floriculture is practiced in all Australian states, with the major production areas for exotic cut-flowers (e.g., roses, carnations) and potted plants being close to the state capital cities. The cultivation of native Australian flowers and of South African Proteaceae tends to be somewhat more decentralized.
Pecan [ C. illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch], a tree species native to the Mississippi River floodplain of North America, is cultivated for nut production across the southeastern United States, and other states including Texas, Oklahoma, Kanas, New
); Microcitrus and Eremocitrus (both Australian natives); and Clymenia ( Penjor et al., 2013 ). There is considerable morphological and ecological variation within this group. With Citrus , cold-hardiness ranges from cold-tolerant to cold-sensitive ( Soost