The Australian Cut Flower and Foliage Industry is a well established but fragmented industry. Presently it is divided into three sectors: the largest being the traditional flower sector (predominantly protected cropping), the Australian Native and Protea sector whichinvolves predominately in-ground production, and a new tropical cut flower and foliage sector (North Queensland, Northern Territory and Northern Western Australia). The majority of growers involved in the protected cropping sector utilise hydroponics as a method of growing. Hydroponics production as a method of growing in itself is an efficient use of waterin that the plants only use what they need. The waste nutrient mix can be collected, treated for pathogens and reused in the system. This creates a saving in the nutrients applied to the crop and the water used by the system.

There are two main areas in which significant skill and knowledge gaps exist which the National ISS Institute Overseas Fellowship training will assist in addressing:

• Improving water use efficiency and environmental sustainability• Improving production management and profitability through innovative technologies

The aim of this Fellowship was to study the technologies of new and innovative water use efficiencies. Greenhouse automation techniques and technologies which have been developed at research and development facilities will be investigated to ascertain their uptake and implementation into the Cut Flower Industry at grower level. New efficienciesmust be explored to ensure sustainability and growth within the Australian market.