DRIED Fruits Australia has lobbied the Federal Government for a $10 million boost to develop high-yield varieties.
DFA chairman Mark King said varieties needed to rejuvenate the industry just needed to be used. Most growers had battled two wet seasons, downy mildew and botrytis epidemics.
Disease threat
AUSTRALIAN Grapevine Yellows disease has been found in more vineyards this year. It causes infected shoots to drop their grapes and kills parts of the vine, turning it yellow.
Experts believe it's being transmitted by an insect.
Plant pathologist Peter Magarey of Magarey Plant Pathology said Clare Valley and Riverland were worst hit.
Lime trip
AUSTRALIAN finger limes have made it to England. Budgens supermarket began stocking the citrus caviar fruit before Christmas.
- Send your horticulture news to Alex Sampson, The Weekly Times, PO Box 14999, Melbourne, 8001, email alex.sampson@ news.com.au or fax (03) 9292 2697.
