NOTICE: Hard copies of the Australian New Crops Newsletter are available from the publisher, Dr Rob Fletcher. Details of availability are included in the
Advice on Publications Available.Salak palms
From: dgotts@internetnorth.com.au
Subject: Growing Salak palms
Date sent: 21 Jul 1998 22:29
I have just discovered the New Crops sites and newsletters and skimmed through with much interest.
I am attempting to establish salak palm as a commercial orchard in far North Queensland and am encountering some problems with fruit set and fungal rot in flower spikes.
I am always hunting for any other information sources that may help with salak husbandry but failed to find any reference to salaks in your newsletter indices.
Have you any suggestions on where I could try?
Digby Gotts
Web site: http://www.internetnorth.com.au/~dgotts
Echinacea
From: pkristia@metz.une.edu.au
Subject: Re: Diversity in farming, Echinacea
Date sent: 24 Oct 1998 11:26
I'm doing some research on organic weed management, some of it on Echinacea purpurea.
I am interested in the genetic variability of the germplasm being used in commercial plantings here in Australia and the implications for competition against weeds.
Does anyone know of any research work in this area?
Paul Kristiansen
Telephone: 02 6772 0291
Facsimile: 02 6772 0291
Agronomy & Soil Science
School of Rural Science and Natural Resources
University of New England NSW 2351
Telephone: 02 6773 2962 or 02 6772 0291
Facsimile: 02 6773 3238 or 02 6772 0291
Organic Weed Management research project web site:
http://www.une.edu.au/agronomy/weeds/organic/organic.html
Castor bean
From: AJASE@cos.com.au
Subject: Castor bean growing in Australia
Date sent: 23 Oct 1998 12:20
I have a friend in the north of China who is a farmer/businessman.
He grows large amounts of castor beans and now also has a processing factory.
They can sell the product readily in China (especially for military helmets, for which he also has contracts).
He has good future orders, so he wants to grow, or assist the planting of large amounts in Australia....
I understand that it can be grown with potatoes, but that this is not ideal in Australia.
However, it is more often grown with cotton, so the Goondiwindi area may be good.
The international price of the commodity is high, higher than soybeans.
The crop is normally harvested by hand over several weeks in China.
I have convinced him that ....a dry climate with machine harvesting would be OK.
It occurs to me that it might be a good thing for some of our farmers wishing to diversify.
Perhaps we could arrange some supply contracts with him, especially as he is keen to invest in the project himself, and provide his expertise in the growing?
Do you know of any research or actual growing of castor bean?
How would he best go about setting up some demonstration or experimental crop for the long term benefits of the Industry?
Mike D'Arcy
Quinoa
From: justin@kondinin.com.au
Subject: Quinoa
Date sent: 17 Oct 1998 15:33
I am trying to locate anyone who has done research on Chenopodium quinoa (quinoa) in Australia.
Quinoa is a cereal crop native to both Chile and Peru.
Agriculture WA compiled a report in 1992 (see Page 44) reviewing potential new crops for Australian agriculture and concluded
'...adoption of quinoa in Australia will not be possible unless further breeding, research and trials are carried out with success'.
Dr Peter Lawrence at the Australian Tropical Crops Genetic Resource Centre, Biloela has a small quantity of seed but hasn't done any research on this crop.
If you have any information, I would be very grateful.
[Both Kondinin Group and the Queensland Department of Primary Industries receive many inquiries like this from farmers and other customers from the rural sector.
The Kondinin Group has a broad range of resources from which to locate information for individual inquiries - including a reference database and library consisting of 30,000+ research articles together with several CD-ROM's.
Once these resources are exhausted internally and the Group's contacts database has been thoroughly scanned for assistance, discussion groups on the net and in particular the LISTSERV has become very useful.
Results from LISTSERV inquiries are then included in the Kondinin databases to continue to improve and refine them for future inquiries.]
Justin Wolfgang
Kondinin Group, Perth, WA
Telephone: 08 9478 3343
Facsimile: 08 9478 3353
Herbs information
From: admin@focusonherbs.com.au
Subject: upgraded site
Date sent: 16 Oct 1998 18:17
As of today we now have an upgraded web site with new information plus a web version of the Herb Industry Resource Guide.
Once we start taking things off we'll archive them.
We have lots of other ideas for improving the site and putting useful information on.
Kim and Michael Fletcher
Focus on Herbs Consultancy and Information Service
PO Box 203
Launceston, Tasmania 7250
Telephone: 03 6330 1493
Facsimile: 03 6330 1498
Web Site: http://www.focusonherbs.com.au
Herbs in Cairns
From: glenn.burley@petos.com.au
Subject: HELP
Date sent: 10 Oct 1998
I have been growing hydroponic vegetables for my family and friends for many years.
I have now decided to invest some money and time in turning my hand at growing herbs, spices and edible flowers for restaurants and the markets.
How would I find relevant information on the above? We are located in Cairns, in Far North Queensland.
Glenn and Carolyn Burley
Pinus pinea in New Zealand
From: ali.scott@xtra.co.nz
Subject: Pinus pinea in northland NZ
Date sent: 29 Oct 1998 10:17
I am making enquiries for my father-in-law who is growing Pinus pinea in Northland New Zealand.
The trees are a healthy 7 years old - well cared for on a hilltop - and he would like to know something about harvesting (expectations, techniques), marketing and networking with other growers. He also has a small plantation of 4 year old trees.
Ali Scott
Olives in Queensland
From: mike.foale@tag.csiro.au
Subject: potential yield of the olive in Queensland
Date sent: 15 Jan 1999 12:29
From time to time I am asked questions about the potential for the olive in this part of the world.
Until now I have had a view that it is a high risk crop, taken beyond the ideal soil and climate conditions of Mediterranean envrionments.
There seems to be great enthusiasm for the crop at least among some investors and developers.
I wondered if you would be kind enough to indicate where I might find yield data that might be reassuring for nervous investors.
Mike Foale
C/- CSIRO Tropical Agriculture
306 Carmody Road
St Lucia, Queensland 4067
Telephone: 07 3214 2200
Facsimile: 07 3214 2288
Royal Red Mango
From: mahia_l@hotmail.com
Subject: I hope that you can help me.
Date sent: 14 Jan 1999 04:17
My family has a small farm out at Wamuran which is about half an hour outside Caboolture in Queensland.
I am trying to find information on a new type of mango known as a 'Royal Red Mango'.
Mahia Lee
Carobs on Cyprus
From: pcant@meecon.com
Subject: Carobs and new crops
Date sent: 31 Dec 1998 15:55
We are an NGO (the Lefkosa Chapter of the Society for International Development) based in Cyprus.
We in the process of submitting several projects to the the UN for funding by UNOPS here in Cyprus.
One of the subjects is the carob.
I have been trying to get something done about the declining carob for four or five years now and have been assembling as much as possible in print.
We have been focussing on the carob and its crop, with particular reference to the Mediterranean and Cyprus.
One Phase of our proposed project is to publish this material in the form of a book, to be called 'Black Gold' (its traditional name in Cyprus) as a public awareness raising initiative.
Another Phase of this project is a thorough literature review to see what work has already been done in this field.
The material we have so far includes:
Is there any other information we should be aware of?
Peter Cant
Vice-President
Lefkosa Chapter Society for International Development
PO Box 228
Girne Mersin 10, Turkey
Telephone: 90 392 824 4435
Facsimile: 90 392 824 4886
Web site: www.sidint.org
Longans in New Zealand
From: hitsinfo@igrin.co.nz
Subject: longan & coffee
Date sent: 31 Dec 1998 11:36
We are interested in growing coffee and longan plants commercially in New Zealand.
Is it possible to import plants from Australia to New Zealand?
What varieties of longan would be suitable for Northland, New Zealand?
Agriculture in West Africa
From: lashley@selway.umt.edu
Subject: agriculture in West Africa
Date sent: 10 Dec 1998 11:44
This Febuary through April I will be travelling in Ghana.
While in Africa I plan to work on a farm through the WWOOF program (Willing Workers on Organic Farms).
What would be the best books on plant identification and agriculture in West Africa?
Laurie Ashley
Halophytes
From: ccasler@ag.arizona.edu
Subject: forage halophytes
Date sent: 24 Nov 1998 08:54
I have received a request for seeds and for information about halophytic forage grasses and legumes to grow in salty soils of the Yaqui Valley in Sonora, Mexico.
I have found only mentions of a few types of grasses and I have no source for seeds. I would be grateful for any help.
Carla Long Casler
Arid Lands Information Center
1955 E Sixth Street
Tucson, Arizona 85719-5224 USA
Telephone: 1 520 621 8571
Facsimile: 1 520 621 3816
Chinese cowpeas
From: mumms@sk.sympatico.ca
Subject: azukis and chinese cowpeas
Date sent: 23 Nov 1998 07:00
I have been searching for a crop called chinese cowpeas - supposedly a small bean that very much resembles red adzuki beans, perhaps slightly browner in colour.
We sell some adzuki beans for sprouting, mainly because of the beautiful colour, but they are not a vigorous sprout. I have been told that Chinese cowpeas resemble adzuki beans, but have a much better sprout, more like mung bean sprouts.
Vigna sinensis
Cowpea (Chinese cowpea?)
Phaseolus angularis
Adzuki or azuki bean
Any more information would be appreciated.
Water-loving medicinals
From: Biojourney@aol.com
Subject: Sources for Organic Water-loving Medicinals
Date sent: 10 Apr 1998 15:13
We are interested in sources around the country for organic or sustainably wild simulated wetlands and water loving medicinals including:
We have many inquiries from farmers and want to be able to refer to local or regional resources.
In addition, we are interested in knowing of similar sources for organic elderberry, Juniperus virginiana and alpine juniper.
Wasabi
From: michel@wasabi.co.nz
Subject: Re: Sources for Organic Water-loving Medicinals
Date sent: 14 Apr 1998 10:43
In response to your enquiry, Wasabi (Wasabia japonica syn Eutrema japonica) is a member of the Cruciferae family originating in Japan and is related to cabbages.
It is a perennial which grows about knee high, is semi aquatic and produces a thickened stem in a similar fashion to a small brussel sprout. As the stem grows the lower leaves fall off. This stem has a very pungent smell and flavour when made into a paste.
We are able to supply Midori, Daruma, Tainon, Sanbe and Shingen in commercial quantities.
All of these types are cloned from water grown plants organically grown in New Zealand. They can be supplied in-vitro or ready for immediate planting. We are able to export internationally with a phytosanitation certificate as required.
Michel Van Mellaerts
New Zealand Wasabi Limited
PO Box 377, Warkworth New Zealand
Telephone: 64 25 787 939
Facsimile: 64 9 425 7529
Web site: http://www.wasabi.co.nz
Enquiry
From: omshanti@ozemail.com.au
Date sent: 30 Oct 1998 18:39
I intend to start a tree crop farm near Bathurst in central western New South Wales. The climate averages are:
January: Mean daily maximum 26
Mean daily minimum 13
July: Mean daily maximum 9
Mean daily minimum 1.3
I intend to grow the following: Olives, Jujube, Walnut, Pistachio, a Berry Crop (?) and a Herb crop (?).
Can you point me in the direction of any other new crop with potential and explain how I could get information?
Tim Milford
Ramps (wild leeks)
From: lonrom@hevanet.com
Subject: Re: Ramps (wild leeks)
Date sent: 25 Sep 1998 08:33
In response to your request re ramps, I tried growing them in a raised bed and reached the conclusion that they need to be grown in shade (they do grow in dense shade in the forest, at least) as they were puny little things in the open.
It's also apparent that they would need a lot of organic matter. Finally, they only grow one or two leaves, early in the spring, then die back and some then put up a bloom stalk. It would seem from all this that they are at least a two year crop.
You would have to grow them one year under ideal conditions to get good sized bulbs in order to have a decent scallion-sized plant the next spring.
They are a short season crop, one early harvest and that's it, unless the bulbs could be used dormant, like garlic.
Lon Rombough
PO Box 365 Aurora
Oregon 97002-0365 USA
Telephone: 1 503 678 1410
Web site: http://www.hevanet.com/lonrom/
[Locating, research, development, breeding, consultation, writing, various publicity. New or uncommon fruits, nuts, vegetables, and other edible plants, new garden products. Grapes a specialty]
Ramps
From: mdavis@fletcher.ces.state.nc.us
Subject: Ramps (wild leeks)
Date sent: 25 Sep 1998 11:41
I am initiating new studies on cultivation of ramps in the Smoky Mountains at the request of the Plant Protection Divison of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. We have some growers in this region trying to cultivate them to meet the demands of all the Ramp festivals now held in this region.
Jeanine M. Davis, PhD
Department of Horticultural Science
North Carolina State University
Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center
2016 Fanning Bridge Road
Fletcher, NC 28732 USA
Telephone: 1 828 684 3562
Facsimile: 1 828 684 8715
Email: Jeanine_Davis@ncsu.edu
Web site: http://fletcher.ces.state.nc.us/staff/jmdavis
Lupins, chickpeas, oats
From: nexus@wantree.com.au
Subject: new crops
Date sent: 17 Sep 1998 14:37
I am working with a West Australian group who has recently started processing and exporting Lupins, Chick Peas and Oats.
The challenge is to locate the right channels and potential buyers to build the business base.
My immediate role is to assist in developing a better understanding of the segments and where likely demand can be accessed.
The goal therefore is to locate new markets and to pursue ways of gaining international acceptance of this Western Australian-produced product range.
Ultimately there will be a move to more added-value product delivery. Can someone provide input or direction as to:
Campbell Woskett
Nexus Business Marketing
PO Box 3150, Broadway 6009 WA
Mobile: 0411 428 159
Trichosanthes dioica
From: saadi@phtc.iitkgp.ernet.in
Subject: Trichosanthes dioica
Date sent: 1 Aug 1998 22:21
I am a researcher working on a lesser known cucurbit Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.
The plant produces fruits that are a popular vegetable in Northern parts of India. It is called pointed gourd in English, Parwal in Hindi and Patol in Bengali. It is strongly dioecious.
I am looking for:
A Saadi, Research Scholar
Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology
Kharagpur, WB India PIN-721 302
Plantago ovata
From: pearsew@mail.island.net
Subject: Pricing information on Plantago ovata
Date sent: 31 Jul 1998 10:14
I am seeking pricing information on Plantago ovata (psyllium). I understand that it is grown in Australia. We are looking at formulating breakfast cereals for those with type 2 diabetes who respond well to high soluble fibre diets.
Are you aware of a source and pricing information for this product, either seed or husk?
Earl St Denis
PO Box 212, Gabriola
British Columbia V0R 1X0, Canada
Telephone: 1 250 247 7414
Facsimile: 1 250 247 7428
Worm farming
From: Permacltur@aol.com
Subject: Re: Worm Farming
Date sent: 19 Jul 1998 08:49
In response to the enquiry about farming worms, for temperate regions, contact these folks, gleaned in a quick run through our directory, TRIP (The Resources of International Permaculture):
Mary Applehoff
Flowerfield Enterprises/Flower Press
10332 Shaver Road
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49024 USA
Telephone: 1 616 327 0108
Facsimile: 1 616 327 7009
Email: nancy@wormwoman.com
Web site: http://www.wormwoman.com/main.html
For tropical species, and information on vermicomposting and vermiculture, contact:
The organisation can be contacted at:
Western Australia Men of the Trees
PO Box 103
Guildford Western Australia 6935
Telephone: 08 9250 1888
Email: treeswa@iinet.net.au
Web site: http://www.iinet.net.au/~treeswa/index.html
The TRIP (The Resources of International Permaculture) Directory is available on disk or in print.
We have just published Volume VII, including roughly 2,000 entries, organised by region, indexed by alphabet and subject category with a keyword field for users of TRIP-ON-DISK.
We also publish PROD (Permaculture Review, Overview and Digest).
Dan Hemenway
Yankee Permaculture Publications
PO Box 52
Sparr Florida 32192 USA
Web sites: http://csf.colorado.edu/perma/ypc_catalog.html
http://home.ptd.net/~artrod/epta/eptahmp.html
Kakadu plum
From: enquiry@narhex.com
Subject: Kakadu Plum Extract
Date sent: 13 Jul 1998 17:02
Narhex Operations is a small skin treatment company, which is also involved in anti viral research.
We have become aware of Kakadu Plum and its potential for skin treatments.
Unfortunately, there is a paucity of material available.
We have contacted Red Earth (who have a range of Kakadu Plum products) to find some published material.
Would there be any other information available?
Jo Clunes
Narhex Operations
Aromatherapy course
From: philomena.ewing@virgin.net
Subject: Extraction procedures
Date sent: 08 Jul 1998 19:26
I am a lecturer in a College here in Cornwall, UK and am very interested in developing a course for students aged 18+, approximately two to three years full time duration which would allow them to become familiar with aromatherapy and herbal products.
We would like to develop a teaching unit in the extraction of essential oils/herbal products to include in the course.
I am a microbiologist and the chemists in the department are keen but we could do with some help.
The level of the course we are seeking to develop is not a full degree but intermediate degree level.
Cornwall has no University and very little high tech industry.
It is a farming area and could benefit from growing products for medicinal/health use.
(Miss) Phil Ewing
Truro College
College Road, Truro
Cornwall, TR1 3XX UK
Facsimile: 44 1872 222 360
Any claims made by authors in the Australian New Crops Newsletter are presented by the Editors in good faith. Readers would be wise to critically examine the circumstances associated with any claims to determine the applicability of such claims to their specific set of circumstances. This material can be reproduced, with the provision that the source and the author (or editors, if applicable) are acknowledged and the use is for information or educational purposes. Contact with the original author is probably wise since the material may require updating or amendment if used in other publications. Material sourced from the Australian New Crops Newsletter cannot be used out of context or for commercial purposes not related to its original purpose in the newsletter
Contact: Dr Rob Fletcher, School of Land and Food, The University of Queensland Gatton College, 4345; Telephone: 07 5460 1311 or 07 5460 1301; Facsimile: 07 5460 1112; International facsimile: 61 7 5460 1112; Email:
r.fletcher@mailbox.uq.edu.au[
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GK; latest update 6 June 1999 by: RF