An inherently sustainable and water-efficient crop
46% of consumers say climate change and global warming are among their top three environmental concerns in 2022, up from 39% in 20211. Many crops are experiencing stress from environmental changes, triggering inconsistent yields that can cause supply chain impacts.
While Australia’s climate can be harsh, macadamias are not only able to withstand the challenges, they’re also ideally adapted to them as it’s in this environment that they first evolved. You could say, we have a home ground advantage.
Regarded as a sustainability giant of the plant world, macadamia trees can weather volatile conditions, thanks to their inherent ability to optimise water use, and sequester carbon from the atmosphere. This in-built resilience makes it a certain crop, even in uncertain times.
The macadamia’s inherent water efficiency is due to its unique ability to manage its own transpiration, as proven by scientific analysis of sap flow data from macadamia orchards in Queensland2. The tree’s clever internal water management system shuts down its stomatal pores during times of low moisture, making it resilient to its environment, particularly drought.
These findings pave the way for growers to adopt smarter, more efficient irrigation schedules and water management, minimising the need for excessive intervention, while maintaining a reliable supply.
1 Mintel Consulting / Richard Cope, Mintel Nachhaltigkeitsbarometer 2022
2 Summer 2019 AMS Bulletin Volume 47 Number 4, Tree Water Management Special Feature, Dr Dan Manson, Tree Physiologist and Theunis Smit, Horticulturist
