ABOUT 60 growers attended the recent unveiling of new grape variety Murray Bold at Dried Fruit Australia’s first field walk for 2024.
The crowd of growers at the Secur family’s Merbein South vineyard, which hosted the day, was joined by industry representatives from Hort Innovation and CSIRO, who heard from producers who have already had experience growing this variety, which is being offered as a rain-tolerant alternative to Sultana.
The rain-resistant variety matures about the same time as Sultana, but importantly without splitting.
Guests were given an informative background by the variety’s breeder Peter Clingeleffer and CSIRO’s business development manager Susan Hani.
Dried grape producers Tony Martin and Alan Long, who have both had experience growing Murray Bold, shared their knowledge.
The release of Murray Bold was made possible by collaboration between DFA, CSIRO and Hort Innovation.
It was developed by CSIRO and released with Plant Breeder’s Rights Protection in 2023.
It is a seedless, high-yielding, rain-tolerant variety that ripens at a similar time to Sultana and produces a similar dried product.
Dried Fruits Australia has been appointed as the commercialiser by CSIRO and Hort Innovation.
Murray Bold has shown potential to be highly productive when growing on Ramsey rootstock.
Average yields of 13.5t/ha have been observed for vines in full production (seasons 2021-23) at the CSIRO site.
Performance at the semi-commercial sites indicates a yield potential between 10 and 15t/ha and it displays good tolerance to pre-cutting rainfall.
Bud fruitfulness extends along Murray Bold canes and so the variety can be cane-pruned.
It can be grown on traditional trellises but is also suitable for hanging cane systems and is easy to harvest mechanically.
In common with Sultana, drying Murray Bold berries will darken under difficult drying conditions related to rain and high humidity.
To find out more about this variety and commercial arrangements, contact the DFA office on (03) 5023 5174.
– With Currant News
