Fruit crops

This page has general information for commercial banana growers in the Northern Territory (NT).

Bananas grow well in tropical and sub-tropical zones.

The main commercial variety in Australia is the Cavendish. Other popular varieties are Mons Mari, Grande Naine and Lady finger.

Grower advice

Bananas prefer deep, well-draining, acidic soils and frequent watering.

After harvest, remove the main plant and leave the largest sucker to replace it.

You must use tissue culture to grow plants from interstate to ensure they are disease free.

For detailed growing information and advice read banana growing PDF (42.8 KB) and irrigation management of bananas in the Top End PDF (54.9 KB).

Read about moving plant products interstate or overseas.

Pest and disease management

Insect pests

To identify an insect pest and the damage it can cause, go to the Northern Territory Insects Database.

Banana freckle disease

This disease, caused by a fungus, infects the leaves and fruits of all banana varieties.

Find out more about banana freckle.

Choke

Caused by an obstruction or stress, this condition prevents banana fruit bunches from emerging, or emerging abnormally twisted. Read the choke Agnote PDF (17.9 KB).

Panama disease - fusarium wilt

This fungus lives in the soil and enters a plants via the roots, causing the plant to wilt and die.

If you suspect your plants have this disease you should contact a plant health inspector.

For detailed information read Fusarium Wilt of bananas (Panama Disease) PDF (138.6 KB). It includes illustrations of diseased plants.

Research results

Search the online publications library to find the results of research regarding bananas.

General information

For general horticulture advice and information, read general advice for fruit and vegetable growers.

Industry associations

For information about the banana industry go to the websites of the Australian Banana Growers Council or NT Farmers.

This page has information for commercial carambola growers in the Northern Territory (NT).

Carambola is also known as all of the following:

• star fruit
• five-corner fruit
• bilimbing
• Yang Tao.

It produces fruit year round in the Top End, generally under a netting system to protect the fruit from birds.

Grower advice

Carambola prefer well drained soil and can be grown as trees or shaped along a trellis for ease of management and harvesting.

For information about growing, marketing and using carambol, read the following Agnotes and information sheets:

• carambola - general information PDF (223.1 KB)
• carambola growing and marketing - Agnote PDF (35.1 KB)
• carambola characteristics and cultivars - Agnote PDF (28.6 KB).

Pest and disease management

Several pests and diseases affect carambola - birds such as sulphur crested cockatoo, fruit fly, fruit piercing moths, Cercospora and Cephaleuros virescens leaf spot and Cladosporium sp. on flowers.

Insect pests

Visit the Northern Territory Insects Database to identify an insect pest and the damage it can cause.

Research results

Search the online publication library to find the results of research regarding carambola.

General information

For general horticulture advice and information, read general advice for fruit and vegetable growers.

Industry associations

For information about the tropical fruit industry visit the NT Farmers website.

The citrus crops grown commercially in the Northern Territory (NT) include lemons, limes, red fleshed grapefruit, mandarins and pummelo.

You must comply with current quarantine entry conditions if you want to import citrus trees from interstate.

Grower advice

The lack of cold nights in the NT causes erratic flowering in many citrus varieties. Flowering in some varieties can be forced through moisture stressing or droughting after the wet season.

Grapefruit

The red fleshed grapefruit is grown successfully in Katherine and Darwin.

Ray and Henderson varieties are the most productive in the NT, although Rio and Flame varieties have better colour.

Lemon

Lemons are grown in the Darwin and Katherine regions.

Eureka and Lisbon are the main commercial varieties. Lisbon tends to do better in dry areas.

Pests and diseases

There are some significant international pests and diseases affecting citrus, including citrus greening and citrus canker.

Read about citrus greening PDF (645.3 KB) and citrus canker.

Insect pests

To identify an insect pest and the damage it can cause, go to the Northern Territory Insects Database.

Research results

Read the following industry and scientific research for citrus:

• Grapefruit - Selecting suitable grapefruit cultivars for commercial production in Central Australia PDF (256.7 KB)
• Lemon and lime - Economic assessment of tropical lemon and lime production in the Katherine and Darwin region PDF (662.9 KB).

Get the guide to managing citrus orchards with less water on the New South Wales Government's Department of Primary Industries website.

You can also do an online publications search to find the results of research regarding individual fruit and plant types.

General information

For general horticulture advice and information, read general advice for fruit and vegetable growers.

Industry associations

For information about the citrus industry, go to the Citrus Australia website and NT Farmers website.

This page has information for commercial date palm growers in the Northern Territory (NT).

Dates are grown commercially in Central Australia where there is a long, hot growing season and low humidity.

A slow growing crop, date palms can grow to 20m tall and live for 100 years. 

The most common commercial varieties are Medjool, Barhee and Deglet Noor.

Grower advice

The date palm has separate male and female plants (dioecious). 

Dates are a labour intensive crop. Pollen must be harvested from the male flowers to hand pollinate the female flowers.

For more information read the date palm Agnote PDF (238.2 KB).

Pest and disease management

Date palms grown in hot dry areas, such as Alice Springs, are largely free of pests and diseases. 

Parlatoria scale 

Parlatoria scale is a major pest in many parts of Australia and can attack date palms. It reduces plant growth and yield, and may downgrade fruit quality. 

To help control the pest you should prune and trim the palms and carry out two annual rounds of insecticidal spray.

Insect pests

Visit the Northern Territory Insects Database to identify an insect pest and the damage it can cause.

Research results

Search the online publications library to find the results of research regarding dates.

General information

For general horticulture advice and information, read general advice for fruit and vegetable growers.

Industry association

For information about the industry go to the NT Farmers website.

This page has information for people who grow, or want to grow, dragon fruit in the Northern Territory (NT).

General information

Dragon fruit is a tropical cactus originally from the rainforests of Central and Northern South America.

It is now grown commercially in Australia, including in the NT.

There are two different species, H. undatus which has white flesh and H. polyrhizus which has red flesh. They are both grown in the NT.

There are no proper varieties but there are many clones.

Grower advice

Dragon fruit require a trellis or wall for support. Plants are drought and heat tolerant and require well-drained soil beds.

For detailed grower instructions read the dragon fruit Agnote PDF (88.0 KB).

Read about packing systems for pitaya PDF (354.8 KB).

Pest and disease management

Dragon fruit is susceptible to a range of pests such as meat ants, ginger ants, mealy bugs, fruit flies, nematodes, rats and birds. Watery rot can occur after injury or sunburn.

Plants need netting to prevent bird damage to fruit.

Insect pests

Visit the Northern Territory Insects Database to identify an insect pest and the damage it can cause.

General information

For general horticulture advice and information read general advice for fruit and vegetable growers.

Industry associations

For information about the industry visit the NT Farmers websites.

This page has information for commercial durian growers in the Northern Territory (NT).

Durian is the most commercially lucrative fruit grown in Southeast Asia.

It is mainly produced in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. There are plantings in tropical north Queensland and around Darwin in the NT.

Grower advice

Durian requires good drainage or mounding in low lying areas. It also needs fertile soil and a good fertilising regime.

Growing a mixture of varieties in the orchard will increase productivity and the harvest window.

For general information read the durian fact sheet PDF (246.4 KB).

For more technical information read the durian characteristics and cultivars Agnote PDF (21.7 KB).

Pest and disease management

The most serious pest in the NT is the fruit-spotting bug which attacks both flowers and developing fruit. Green ants and meat ants also dry up flower buds.

Phytophthora disease is the most serious disease affecting durian at all stages of tree growth, causing die-back, root rot, patch canker and fruit rot.

Insect pests

Visit the Northern Territory Insects Database to identify an insect pest and the damage it can cause.

Research results

Read the Boosting Durian Productivity PDF (6.5 MB) report.

Search the online publications library to find the results of other research regarding durian.

General information

For general horticulture advice and information, read general advice for fruit and vegetable growers.

Industry associations

For information about the industry go to the NT Farmers website.

Harvest months and regions

Storage conditions and market potential

This page has information about tropical fruit and other food crops which are grown on a small scale, or for niche markets, in the Northern Territory (NT).

Grower advice

Bushtucker

Bushtucker crops are popular with the makers of specialty condiments. Many are harvested from the wild.

Get the Bushtucker in the Top End PDF (179.8 KB) fact sheet, which describes all of the following:

• green plum
• pandanus
• red bush apple
• tamarind
• billy goat plum
• wild grape
• long yam
• wild passionfruit
• water lily.

Abiu

Abiu is an exotic fruit that crops twice a year. Varieties Z4 and Z2 perform well in the NT.

For more information read the Agnote Abiu - emperor's golden fruit 1998 PDF (31.5 KB) and the technical bulletin Abiu - a botanical and agronomic review 1991 PDF (1.5 MB).

Grapes

Table grapes are grown in Central Australia. Use rootstocks that are resistant to nematodes.

For more information read the publication Table grape industry in Central Australia PDF (6.4 MB) and the Agnote sampling vines for nutrition 2005 PDF (59.1 KB).

Papaya

Papaya can be harvested year round in the Top End.

The most common variety is Red Lady. Others which perform well include NT Red, Hawaiian Sunrise Solo and Yellow.

Plants can be male, female or bisexual. Bisexual plants are self pollinating. One male plant is recommended for every 10 female plants.

For more information read the Agnote growing pawpaws 1998 PDF (35.0 KB).

Research results

Search the online publication library to find the results of research regarding individual fruit types.

Industry associations

For information about the tropical fruit growing industry visit the Australian Table Grape Association or the NT Farmers website.

The passionfruit is a tropical and sub-tropical vine plant which originated in South America.

In the Northern Territory (NT), the panama red variety is commonly grown on a Brazilian rootstock to reduce soil-borne pathogens.

Grower advice

Passionfruit requires good drainage or mounding in low lying areas.

The vines need a trellis or fence for support. Vines can be grafted, to increase the life-span and the conformity of fruit.

For more information, read the growing note for panama red passionfruit PDF (65.4 KB).

Watch a video about grafting a passionfruit plant on YouTube and get the transcripts:

• transcript DOCX (14.1 KB)
• transcript PDF (46.0 KB).

Pest and disease management

Passionfruit plants are affected by a number of pests such as:

• red scale
• Queensland fruit fly
• mealybugs
• hemispherical scale
• passionvine mite or bug
• fruit spotting bug
• green vegetable bug
• thrips
• aphids
• borers
• birds.

Common diseases also include alternatia spot, fusariaum wilt, brown spot, septoria spot, phytophthora blight, anthracnose, scab, cucumber mosaic virus, and passionfruit woodiness virus.

Other insect pests

To identify an insect pest and the damage it can cause, visit the NT Insects Database.

More information

Read more about general advice for fruit and vegetable growers.

For information about the passionfruit industry, go to the Passionfruit Australia or NT Farmers website.

This page has information for commercial pineapple growers in the Northern Territory (NT).

The pineapple originated in South America. It is grown across tropical and sub-tropical Australia.

The Australian pineapple industry grows the following two varieties:

• Cayenne - a 'smooth type' large pineapple plant producing large, deep yellow fruit with pale yellow juicy flesh, the leaves of the plant are reddish above and grey beneath and it has small spines at the base and tip of the leaf
• Queen - a smaller 'rough variety' with smaller fruit that has deep golden yellow flesh, it has grey green leaves with compact spines along the leaf blade.

Grower advice

Pineapples should be grown in raised beds with light irrigation during the Dry Season.

Propagation via suckers or slips take 12 to 18 months to fruit, whereas tops require two to three years.

Read the pineapple growing note PDF (263.2 KB).

Site selection

Pineapples grow best where temperatures range from 20 degrees Celsius at night to 30 degrees Celsius during the day. Fruit and plant size and growth is related to temperature.

Growth is slower in the cool season and temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius can result in leaf necrosis. Optimum rainfall is from 1,000 to 1,500 millimetres per year with good distribution.

Pest and disease management

Pineapples can be affected by several pests and diseases in the NT such as mealybugs, nematodes, symphylids, birds, root and top rot, fruitlet core rot, water rot, and various nutrient deficiencies.

The bacteria Dickeya zeae has been detected in pineapples on one property in the NT.

For more information on how to minimise biosecurity risks to your crops visit the Farm Biosecurity website.

Other insect pests

Go to the Northern Territory Insects Database to identify an insect pest and the damage it can cause.

General information

To read a range of general horticulture advice and information go to General advice for fruit and vegetable growers.

Industry associations

For information about the pineapple industry, go to the NT Farmers website.

This page has information for commercial rambutan growers in the Northern Territory (NT).

Rambutans originated in south east Asia. More than 50 varieties have been introduced to Australia.

Around 15 are grown commercially.

In Australia they are grown around the coastal regions in North Queensland and Darwin.

The main varieties grown in Australia include Jitlee, R156, R167 and R134.

Originally from Malaysia and Indonesia, the rambutans are now produced in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Burma, Sri Lanka, Central America, the Philippines, Hawaii and Madagascar.

Australian growers are based around the coastal regions in North Queensland and Darwin.

Growing advice

Rambutan are commonly grown under nets in the Top End to reduce fruit damage. They can be grown in high density plantings via clonal marcotts or at regular spacing using seedlings.

For detailed grower information read the following Agnotes and technical bulletins:

• rambutan growing and marketing PDF (48.2 KB)
• rambutan characteristics and cultivars PDF (32.5 KB)
• fertilisation and fertigation of rambuta PDF (268.4 KB)
• rambutan nutrient requirements and management PDF (1.3 MB)
• rambutan irrigation requirements and management PDF (122.6 KB)
• rambutan postharvest handling PDF (29.6 KB).

Pest and disease management

Rambutan fruit attracts birds such as rainbow lorikeets, and flying foxes.

Rambutan fruit and tree foliage can also be damaged by insects such as castor oil looper, swarming leaf beetles, swarming weevils, plant hoppers, red-banded thrips, false spider mites, mealy bugs and scale.

Other insect pests

Visit the Northern Territory Insects Database to identify an insect pest and the damage it can cause.

Research results

View industry and scientific research for this fruit.

• Environmental factors influencing the growth and yield of rambutan and cupuacu PDF (6.8 MB)
• Rambutan production in the NT Top End - An agronomic and economic evaluation PDF (3.0 MB).

You can also search the online publication library to find the results of research regarding rambutan.

General information

For general horticulture advice and information, read general advice for fruit and vegetable growers.

Industry associations

For information about the industry go to the NT Farmers website.

This page has information for commercial melon growers in the Northern Territory (NT).

Sweet melons are an important industry in the NT. Sweet melons include rockmelon, honey dew melon and watermelon.

The growing requirements are similar, but post-harvest handling is different. Watermelon is packed in bulk, whereas rockmelon and honey dew melons are graded.

Melons in the NT may be affected by the cucumber green mottle mosaic virus and it is important to have good biosecurity measures in place.

Read more about cucumber green mottle mosaic virus.

This page has information for commercial stone fruit growers in the Northern Territory (NT).

Stone fruit can be grown in Central Australia including apricots, nectarines, and peaches.

Grower advice

Stone fruit should be grown on a sandy loam soil with good drainage.

Low chill varieties are best suited to Central Australian conditions. 

Rootstocks should have nematode resistance, tolerance to high soil temperatures and high pH.

For more information read the stone fruit growing note PDF (239.9 KB).

Pest and disease management

Pest and diseases are minimal in Central Australia. The main pests are fruit fly, thrips and ringnecks.

Other insect pests

Visit the Northern Territory Insects Database to identify an insect pest and the damage it can cause.

General information

To read a range of general horticulture advice and information go to General advice for fruit and vegetable growers.

Industry associations

For information about the stone fruit industry  go to the Summerfruit Australia website or NT Farmers website.