In July, the Yeppoon area in Queensland received in excess of 400mm of rain, for this reason, paddock washouts and erosion control were front of mind for many pineapple growers at the 2016 Pineapple Field Days.
Delegates visited the Brooks and Sons farm where the Brisbane-based company Vital Chemical conducted a test of its Vital Bon-Matt Stonewall product.
The product was sprayed across a crop of young pineapples at a 10 per cent water solution.
It was then given a major test when the downpour occurred about two weeks later.
Although broken in some patches, the product held up overall under the heavy rain.
Vital Chemical business development manager - dust and erosion Carlos Mira admitted he knew nothing about agriculture but said there were big potential benefits for farmers.
"This product, by penetrating the surface and binding together, gives a bit of a glasshouse effect on the surface.
"Once the product has been sprayed and cured, it is equivalent to grass cover."
Paddock run-off has been an area of focus for the Australian pineapple industry in recent years as researchers have looked at various prevention methods including inter-row grass plantings and drain breaks.
Pineapple grower Ryan Brooks said he tried the product at 15pc and 25pc strengths at different areas on the block.
"I was really interested in it because out here the soil, it moves, especially with a lot of rain," Mr Brooks said.
He said one initial improvement could be made by adjusting the spray nozzle type for better application.
"It costs about 32c a (square) metre so obviously cost is a big factor," he said.
