--- News --- In an article on the ScienceAlert Australia New Zealand website, it was announced that scientists have developed seed that will greatly increase yields for Tea Tree Oil farmers in the future.
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After a nine year breeding programme, developed by Ensis scientist, Dr John Doran, melalueca alternifolia, or Australian Tea Tree seed has been developed that will yield more than twice the production rates currently seen.
At this time, crops produce about 148 kilograms per hectare, ( for Americans, that translates to about 15 gallons per acre), but with the developed plants, production will be about 270 kg per hectare, or about 28 gallons per acre.
Ensis is the joint-venture in forestry and forest products research between Australia’s CSIRO (the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation ) and New Zealand’s Scion.
This is great for an industry rebounding from a market that has suffered in past years from falling Tea tree oil prices and increased production costs, often costing more to produce than it could be sold for. With a growing market and renewed interest, the market is recovering.
