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What
is it and what happens there?
The
Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Knoxfield
is the centre for horticultural research and development
in Victoria and operates from three major sites
- Knoxfield, Toolangi and Ovens. DPI Knoxfield
is responsible for scientific and technological
development for the food and agriculture industries
in the Victorian government Department of Primary
Industries .
The
Horticulture Industry includes fruit, vegetable,
viticulture and nursery production and is a big
business in Victoria and Australia. It is important
that fruit and vegetables produced in Australia
are of high quality and yield to ensure that the
industry is profitable and successful. Victoria
sustains a highly productive horticultural industry
as it produces nearly 25% of the total amount
of horticultural produce grown in Australia.
At
DPI the scientists work in a number of different
areas of research to assist the development of
the horticultural industry. The main areas of
work carried out at the DPI include:
»Variety
improvement
Research into improving varieties of fruit and
vegetables for commercial use, such as potatoes
and strawberries.
»Production
systems
Research into plant physiology with an emphasis
on plant breeding and crop agronomy
»Post-harvest
handling systems
Research into storage, packaging and shelf-life
of fruit and vegetables after they are picked.
»Plant
Health
Research and development into plant pathology
(diseases) and entomology (study of insects) with
an emphasis on pest management
»New
Technology and Methods
Research and development of innovative methods
of pest and disease control
»Industry
Development
- Industry education & training
- Extension activities (Visiting growers and providing
them with technical - advice)
- Diagnostic services
- Communication of information
The
scientists at DPI deliver scientific services
and technologies to a range of customer groups
including growers, packers, processors, exporters
as well as the wholesale and retail sectors within
the Horticulture Industry.
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