Mixed flowering and perennial seeds have been sown on an apricot block in Roxburgh as a joint project under the $27M government and industry programme ‘A Lighter Touch’ (ALT).

Summerfruit NZ technical advisor Richard Mills said the trial of understory plants at Fairview Orchard was relatively small, as seeds were sown on four rows approximately 200 metres long, in two different light environments (the under tree space and the middle space.)

“We’re keeping it simple. We will see what survives and establishes well and what doesn’t.”

Richard and research manager Sally Anderson plan to share what is learnt and resources with other summer fruit growers and other growers as the trial progresses.

“We have a long way to go in this space but we are starting,” Richard said.

“People are putting their hand up and showing an interest elsewhere in Central [too] which is great.”

Richard said further understory planting trials are planned for cherry orchards in Cromwell, Clyde, and Alexandra in spring. 

Later on this year entomologists will use sweep nets to see what beneficial insects are present at Fairview’s trial site. 

Another possible benefit Richard would like to see is the improvement to soil health through the rootzone activity of these plantings and the incorporation of additional organic matter back into the soil.

The understory trials are replicating and drawing on learnings gained from the citrus industry, also a part of ALT.

In the Gisborne citrus project beneficial plantings were established to enhance biodiversity and natural predator populations.

Different challenges exist in Central, Richard said, namely a lack of rainfall making it harder to get seeds established and colder temperatures leading to a shorter growing season. 

An illustration of the understory planting in the citrus project. PHOTO: ALT

The seven year ALT programme started in 2020, and focuses on finding the tools to help plant food producers move from reliance on agrichemical crop protection to an agroecological approach – sustainable farming that works with nature.

A key point of difference about the programme is its collaborative nature, bringing

together 15 food product groups from the horticulture, arable and wine sectors.

ALT is covered in ‘The Outlet’ on June 16.Listen here.

Learn more about the broader ALT programme on the website.