Summary

The Australian tea tree industry currently faces the risk of significant overseas competition developing as the oil price improves. Increasing on-farm profitability through the release of new varieties with greater yields and quality must be the primary goal of the industry to increase the economic viability and competitiveness of Australian producers.

Program

Tea Tree Oil

Research Organisation

The Crown in right of the State of NSW acting through the Department of Primary Industries

Objective Summary

To release highly improved seed and clones to maximize the production of high quality oil and plantation profitability. Progressive genetic improvement is achieved through (i) the on-going development of established seed orchards (CSO1, CSO2, SSO2, SSO2p) using a recurrent breeding strategy (ii) the establishment of new orchards (SSO3 and SSO3p) to ensure the long-term advancement of genetic gain (iii) the establishment of new progeny, yield and clonal trials to provide data for orchard culling and selections for cloning and to quantify yield gains from orchard progeny and elite clones (iv) investigating the insect resistance of specific genotypes, with a view to reducing insecticide use (v) investigating the frost tolerance and survivability of specific genotypes, with a view to reducing losses to climatic extremes.