Citrus

The Northern Territory has an existing citrus industry, with a number of different varieties suitable for Central Australia and the Top End.

Finger limes are a native Australian citrus plant common to Queensland and New South Wales. They produce fruit with individual vesicles described as “citrus caviar” which are currently popular as a garnish for food and drinks. They are a new and emerging crop with the potential for growth in Australia given the boutique, visual appearance, and possibilities for citrus growers to diversify into this plant.

Assessing the performance of finger limes in the Northern Territory

This project has established 8 finger lime fruit varieties at Coastal Plains Research Farm in order to identify which might be suitable for commercial production in the Northern Territory conditions.

Plants will be assessed on their potential for commercial production, time to maturity, yield, fruit appearance, and quality (sweetness, acidity etc.).

This planting will also provide the basis for research and extension into the agronomy of finger lime in the NT.

Funding body

This project is internally funded.

Objectives

1. To assess the suitability of finger lime varieties in the Top End environmental conditions and inform local industry about the viability or otherwise of this emerging crop.
2. To engage with the current Tropical Exotic Fruit and Citrus industry in the Northern Territory, building relationships and facilitating information exchange.
3. To develop basic, local grower information on the agronomy of growing finger limes in the Top End.

Useful links

• YouTube channel
• Agriculture Northern Territory Facebook page
• 2024 Project flyer

Contact

plant.industries@nt.gov.au