Dr Paul Barber on the All The Dirt podcast

Arbor Carbon’s Dr Paul Barber talks tech, his love for nature, and the species he’d love to see more with Deryn and Steve on the latest episode of the All The Dirt podcast.

ArborCarbon is part of the ARC Training Centre for CubeSats, UAVs, and Their Applications

ArborCarbon is excited to be a partner in the new ARC Training Centre for CubeSats, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and their Applications. The recently announced Centre aims to develop a world-class Australian expertise in the research and development, manufacturing and commercial application of both CubeSats (small satellites weighing only a few kilograms), and cutting-edge drones equipped with a range of advanced sensors.

These technologies have a wide range of applications, including remote sensing for agricultural and forestry purposes. The Centre will provide exciting opportunities for PhD students to work with ArborCarbon in this area. For more information, please click here, or contact Paul Barber at ArborCarbon.

Systemic Tree Implants

ArborCarbon are the Australasian distributor for the MEDICAP and PHOSCAP range of systemic tree care implants, which are designed to mitigate premature decline in trees due to various health disorders and injury.

Systemic tree implants were developed in the United States more than 40 years ago. Since that time these implants have proven to be safe and effective for the treatment of a range of tree health disorders. These implants are delivered directly into the tree and are designed to remain safely within the tree with the contents delivered systemically throughout the tree with sap flow.

The implant provides the tree with a slow release nutrient that benefits the tree over a longer period of time, with the aim of improving plant vigour and general health and condition.

Screen Shot 2016-08-02 at 12.48.12 pm

Slide from a presentation by ArborCarbon’s Dr Paul Barber in Warwick in the UK in 2015

Tree Implanting - drilling

Implants are very easy to administer

Implants are available in the following formulas, they can be used in combination with each other;

file-page1PHOSCAP (HIGH PHOSPHATE 0-50-30) is a special formulation of high water soluble phosphate, potassium and a range of trace elements designed to stimulate tree foliage. Provides phosphate for plant health and root enhancement, potassium for cell strength and rigidity, and essential trace elements to ensure a more complete nutrient feed. This implant treatment may be helpful to enhance protein and carbohydrate synthesis and aid in plant health tolerance to heat, cold and drought. Also reduces plant stress, enhances overall health and increases resistance to disease.

 

MEDICAP MD 121-4-4MEDICAP MD (12-4-4) A special blend of highly water soluble nutrients designed to stimulate tree growth including trace elements required for the production of healthy green foliage. Ideal for use on fruit, ornamental and native trees and designed to be effective for a number of years after a single application. Treatments may mitigate premature decline in health triggered by mechanical damage, sub-optimal soil conditions, disease or insect attack, waterlogging, drought or frost damage, transplant shock, or pruning shock.

file-page1 MEDICAP MN (MANGANESE) This formulation of manganese is ideal in trees where manganese deficiencies are difficult to control with soil or foliage application. Such manganese deficiencies are normally associated with calcareous, arid or sandy soil conditions. Trees most susceptible include maple, peach, ornamental cherry, citrus and a range of deciduous fruit.

file-page1MEDICAP FE (IRON) A unique formulation of water-soluble iron effective in trees suffering iron deficiency where application of iron to the soil or foliage is ineffective. Such iron deficiencies are normally associated with calcareous, arid, or sandy soil conditions. Trees most susceptible include a range of eucalypt species, pin and white oak, black locust, birch, liquid amber, pines, magnolia, bauhinia, dogwood, podocarpus, poplar, citrus, peach, pear, apple and avocado.

 

file-page1MEDICAP ZN (ZINC) These zinc implants are effective in trees where zinc deficiencies are difficult to control by soil or foliage application. Such zinc deficiencies are normally associated with calcareous soils and are common in citrus, peach, nectarine, eucalypts, avocado, walnut, pecan and other nut-producing trees.

 

For pricing or more information contact Paul Barber at ArborCarbon p.barber@arborcarbon.com.au or phone +61 8 9467 9876

Pocket Diagnostic® test kits – Phytophthora

 

ArborCarbon are the Australasian distributors for Pocket Diagnostic® rapid lateral flow assay testing kits.  These test kits quickly and simply detect a range of damaging plant diseases caused by fungi, bacteria and viruses, for use either on-site or in the laboratory.

There are different tests to identify pathogens such as;

  • Phytophthora (Dieback)
  • Potato virus Y
  • Erwinia amylovora
  • Ralstonia solanacearum (Brown rot)

Tests can be used for a wide range of plant material, including woody tissue, shoots, roots, tough leaves and soft materials.  They are also suitable for water baited samples.

 See video

Blog image RAPID DIAGNOSTICS

                           

More Articles and Videos;

       (EFINORD-SNS Meeting: Phytophthora Diseases of Forest Trees in Northern Europe)

 

Also see the Pocket Diagnostic® website.

For pricing or more information please contact ArborCarbon  enquiries@arborcarbon.com.au

 

Resilient South – ArborCarbon

This article in The Advertiser features some work conducted by ArborCarbon and partners in  a  lighthouse regional project for a consortium of four Local Government agencies and the South Australian Government called Resilient South.

ArborCarbon was engaged to use satellite and high-resolution airborne multispectral and thermal infrared imagery for the purpose of identifying cool and heat islands throughout the urban areas and investigate the relationship with vegetation and tree canopy cover.

Resilient South, a very exciting award winning project is “an initiative of the cities of Holdfast Bay, Marion, Mitcham and Onkaparinga [a region south of Adelaide], the Resilient South project is about what we can do in the Southern Region to make sure our businesses, communities, and environments can tackle the challenges of climate change.”

Changes in our climate, such as higher temperatures, declining rainfall, and rising sea levels require active management of risks.  The Resilient South project will also seek to harness opportunities presented by these changes, so that the region continues to thrive and prosper.

The Resilient South project is supported by the South Australian and Australian Governments. The project has entered its implementation phase after producing a Climate Change Adaptation Plan for the whole region, with input from government, business and community organisations.”

ArborCarbon’s Dr Paul Barber was invited to speak about heat mapping and the work they conducted at a Resilient South Showcase event attended by the South Australian Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation and Climate Change, the Hon. Ian Hunter at Flinders University of South Australian in Adelaide on the Wednesday 15th June 2016.

Speaking at the Resilient South Showcase, the South Australian Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation Minister for Water and the River Murray Minister for Climate Change

South Australian Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Conservation, Water, the River Murray and Climate Change speaking at the Resilient South Showcase.

Dr Barber was also interviewed about the project by Ian Henschke on ABC Drive Adelaide after the event.  Listen to the interview;

 

Newsletters and Press Releases about the Resilient South project can be found here .  Note the January 2016 newsletter about Heat Mapping, Cooling.

The South Australian State Government has committed to the global RegionsAdapt initiative, “a new global commitment to support and report efforts on adaptation at the state and regional level”.

To download a PDF of ‘The heat is on, on the street newspaper’ article at the top of the page click here .

ArborCarbon at the WALGA Expo 2016

The team at ArborCarbon are looking forward participating for the first time at the  2016 WA Local Government Convention & Trade Exhibition , which will be held Wednesday, 3 August – Friday, 5 August 2016 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.

We welcome all Mayors, Councillors and Local Government staff to come over to our booth (95) and say hello and find out more about how we help Local Governments better manage urban trees and naturals areas, with cost saving technologies and expert scientific advice and services.

 

 

Neogen plant disease rapid screening tests

 

ArborCarbon are the Australian and New Zealand distributors for Neogen ALERT-LF and SPOTCHECK-LF lateral flow tests which detect a wide range of plant pathogens, including Phytophthora.

These  lateral flow tests are quick, simple and very easy to use.  They are used in agriculture, natural areas, nurseries and commercial greenhouses.

Both tests formats use the same lateral flow devices, they just require slightly different methods for preparing the plant material sample.  See the following test procedure videos;

Neogen Spot Check procedures

SPOTCHECK-LF for the detection of the following plant pathogens;

Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus
Ralstonia solonacearum
Xanthomonas campestris pv pelargonii
Erwinia amylovora

Neogen Alert LF procedure video image   ALERT-LF for the detection of the following fungal plant pathogens;

Phytophthora spp.
Pythium spp.
Rhizoctonia spp.

See the Neogen plant disease website  for other  phytodiagnostic solutions and more test formats for use in plant pathology laboratories.

Neogen’s phytodiagnostics business is headquartered at Neogen Europe Ltd., which is located in the West of Scotland. It is operated by a team comprised of customer service, sales, technical support, production, quality control and R&D personnel.

Neogen Europe Ltd., the European subsidiary of Neogen Corporation (NASDAQ: NEOG), is a high technology business dedicated to the development and marketing of novel diagnostic kits. These kits focus on topical concerns about the quality and safety of food and agricultural products, from the quality of seed that goes into the ground, right through the chain to the safety of fully processed food products. Neogen Europe was awarded the Queens Award for Enterprise for international trade and development, one of the highest awards bestowed on a UK company.

For more information and pricing for these test kits contact Leisha Jack  at ArborCarbon in Perth, Western Australia.

Email  l.jack@arborcarbon.com.au   or    ph +61 (0) 448 534 742

‘Shocking images’ reveal death of 10,000 hectares of mangroves

A report by ABC News reporter Kate Wild reveals thousand hectares of mangroves are dead across a stretch of coastline reaching from Queensland to the Northern Territory. 

“International mangroves expert Dr Norm Duke said he had no doubt the “dieback” was related to climate change.”

Affected area in the Gulf of Carpentaria - Google Map

Affected area in the Gulf of Carpentaria – Google Map

ArborCarbon scientists have been monitoring the mangroves around Port Hedland for almost 10 years.  Our recent mangrove monitoring trip recorded stable mangrove community health and condition.

Healthy mangroves are very import for the following reasons;

  • Provide coastal protection (from erosion and buffer storms)
  • Fishery nursery and habitat
  • Large biodiversity of flora and fauna (including migratory)

Australia has approximately 11,000 km2 of mangrove habitat that is rapidly declining from emerging pressures. Awareness of mangrove importance is crucial for the survival of this important ecosystem.

The importance of mangroves is eloquently explained in this Radio National podcast from The Science Show in 2010, by their guest, comedian John Clarke, who is involved in a project to restore the Mangroves of Western Port Bay, which lies east of Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay.

For more information see Mangroves in Australia

 

 

 

 

Black Book of Green People

ArborCarbon‘s Dr Paul Barber has been included in the Black Book of Green People, compiled  by Vision202020 , which was featured in The Australian newspaper today in the Business section with 20 of Australia’s leading urban tree and urban greening experts from various fields of expertise.

According to the Vision202020 website, this is an “online directory and offline service that catalogues people into areas of expertise, project experience, contact details, research interests, problems in need of a solution, solutions in need of a problem, e.t.c.”.