Walkamin Research Facility (DAF)

Agri-Science Queensland, Department of Primary Industries

Formerly known as Research Infrastructure

Walkamin Research Facility is located in the elevated tropical environment of the Atherton Tablelands, central to the region's horticultural and cropping industries. Walkamin is primarily a horticulture research facility, providing opportunities for research related to mangoes, avocados, coffee, pasture grasses and legumes, maize, cereals and plantation forestry tree. Soil types are typical of the district and are of mainly basaltic origin, developed under open forest.

Website

https://www.dpi.qld.gov.au/contact/stations-facilities/walkamin

Organisation type

• Queensland Government – Partner

Number of research staff

Up to 20 research staff

Address

6302 Kennedy Highway, Walkamin QLD 4872

Strengths and capabilities

• Located in Australia's unique elevated tropical environment
• Located in a diverse tropical horticultural and farming area
• Reliable climate with a marked wet and dry season
• Will cope with significant impact of climate change and water availability
• Geographic agricultural hub that can support research and development for developing countries
• Official Bureau of Meteorology site with extensive recording history
• Proximity to industry clients and universities etc

Facilities and major equipment

• Walkamin Facility 259ha
• Research labs, cold rooms and drying facilities
• Facilities for pot to plot to paddock research
• Chemical store with modern spraying equipment
• Sheds including mechanical workshop and machinery shed
• Specialist planting equipment for small plots to large areas
• Security and biosecurity measures in place

Lead researchers

• Dr Asjad Ali, Senior Plant Breeder and Queensland Mango Breeding Program leader: research includes developing mango hybrids, optimizing seedling growth, scion breeding and rootstock breeding. Dr Ali is a recipient of the Crawford-in-Queensland International Engagement Award
• Dr Ryan Orr, Senior Horticulturist and research leader: research includes intensified production systems, rootstock selections, and crop load management strategies
• Dr Newton, Senior Entomologist: research includes development of Metarhizium rileyi, a fungal based biopesticide for managing Fall Armyworm, and developing improved Banana Spotting Bugs traps

Achievements of the centre

The DAF mango breeding program has achieved the following:

• Established the largest mango germplasm bank in the southern hemisphere, with more than 350 varieties
• DAF bred varieties, Calypso and R2E2, share 44% of the mango production in Australia
• Commercialized three new mango varieties Yess! Ah-Ha! And Now! for the Australian mango industry
• Hosts research trials to future intensified mango production systems

Key science sectors

More information about the sectors this centre is involved in:

• Food and agriculture
• Tropical