Vegetables & Fruit March/April 2020

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MARCH • APRIL 2020

Unlocking South Africa’s fresh potential R40,00

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No 194

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16 22 Nr 194

ISSN 1015-85 37

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Cover

Cauliflower is a good source of carbohydrates and vitamins B, C and potassium, and has been cultivated for thousands of years in the Middle East and Europe.

Planting of cauliflower seedlings is done throughout the year except in very hot or very cold periods or areas.

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NEWS 5 The PPECB welcomes new board members 5 SA’s Citrus Growers’ Association elected co-chairperson 5 Ventersdorp farmer gets a birthday surprise 6 Savings with quality tyres 6 Investment in technology vital 7 Kagiso Trust, AFGRI and Potatoes SA join forces 8 Unlocking South Africa’s fresh potential

EDITORIAL Willie Louw (Group editor) Carien Daffue (Editor) 018 293 0622 info@mediakom.co.za PO BOX 20250, Noordbrug, 2522

BRASSICAS 10 12 14

Harvest management practices of cauliflower Bright future for cauliflower Clubroot on brassicas

ADVERTISING Jana Greenall 011 476 3702 082 780 9914 mediacom@lantic.net DESIGN Roelien vd Westhuizen vanderwesthuizenroelien@gmail. com

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NUUS

The PPECB welcomes new board members The Perishables Products Export Control Board (PPECB), South Africa’s official export certification agency for the perishable produce industry, announced the appointment of its new board members for the three year period effective.

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HE PPECB BOARD IS structured in accordance with the Perishable Products Export Control Act (PPEC Act), No 9 of 1983. In line with this the board is appointed by, and accountable to, the Minister of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and comprises of non-executive directors, representing industries in which the PPECB operates.

The Board welcomes five new members, namely Kathryn Sinclair, Warren Bam, Dr Charlotte Nkuna, Dr Madel van Eeden and Mariette Kotze, who joined excisting member Khaya Katoo, Clive Garrett, Anton Kruger, Martli Slabber and Mooketsa Ramasodi who were reappointed for

an additional tenure.

“The new members bring with them a wide variety of skills and diverse experience, which include research and development, conventional and organic farming, food processing, animal health, financial management and sustainable agriculture. Each has achieved significant success in their respective fields and their extensive experience will serve the PPECB and the industry well,” said Lucien Jansen, Chief Executive Officer of the PPECB. “I wish to welcome the new board members and look forward to working together with them to strengthen the PPECB and better meet industry’s requirements.”

SA’s Citrus Growers’ Association elected co-chairperson Recently, the World Citrus Organisation (WCO) was officially founded at the international fresh produce trade show Fruit Logistica in Berlin. The WCO is the first global platform aimed at increasing coordination, dialogue and action between citrus producing countries across the world.

M

EMBERS UNANIMOUSLY appointed the Citrus Growers’ Association of Southern Africa and the Spanish Lemon and Grapefruit Interbranch Association, AILIMPO, as WCO co-chairpersons for a period of two years.

South Africa, which is the second largest global exporter of citrus fruit, played a leading role in the formation of the WCO. Through its co-chairmanship, South Africa will continue spearheading a new path for the sector where citrus producing countries work together to promote the industry.

It was also confirmed that European Fresh Produce Association Freshfel Europe will coordinate and administer the

WCO, and that the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) would provide expert market analysis and advice on trends for the citrus industry globally.

The WCO’s immediate focus will be to collect the production and marketing data for the industry for this season.

The Southern African citrus industry has shown considerable growth over the past ten years – doubling export volumes to two million tonnes. Last year alone, citrus growers exported a crop of 126 million boxes of fruit to more than 100 countries.

Ventersdorp farmer gets a birthday surprise Theunis Bouwer from Ventersdorp is the lucky recipient of a new Massey Ferguson tractor, compliments of the Engen win-a-tractor competition. The handover of the R465 000 tractor took place recently at the Ventersdorp Hinterland agricultural company.

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OUWER SAID THE PRIZE could not have come at a better time as he was celebrating his birthday on the day of the handover ceremony. Zama Dyaphu, Indirect Sales Manager for Engen Lubricants, handed over the keys to Bouwer who thanked Engen for the prize.

GROENTE & VRUGTE | MAART • APRIL 2020

“I have long appreciated the quality and reliability of Engen’s products and vow to continue to support Engen in the future, especially because of the support they have given to the agricultural community,” commented Bouwer..

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NEWS

Savings with quality tyres B

Bridgestone, through its tyre brand Firestone, is partnering with agricultural co-operatives across South Africa to deliver fuels savings from improved commercial vehicle tyre usage, particularly tractors, through its first national education campaign and ballasting clinics throughout the 2020 summer planting season.

ALLASTING OF INDUSTRIAL vehicle tyres involves increasing a machine’s load by adding weight to the tyre, so that it is more stable in tipping and hauling. With the tyre manufacturer’s consent, operators add physical weights or ballast tyres by injecting them with a mixture of water and non-corrosive antifreeze.

“We have always taken on the responsibility to inform and teach customers about the correct usage of our products,” says Stephan van Staden, National Agri Specialist at Bridgestone South Africa. “This, however, is the first time we are providing formal training and education as we realised that incorrect ballasting of these industrial tyres is a huge problem in the industry where farmers will either ballast too heavily or inflate tyres using incorrect pressure, which erodes the tyres and places strain on vehicles.

“With the both tyre costs and the fuel price on a consistently upward trend, correcting this one element in operations can save farmers as much as 25% of their fuel costs.

If a farmer works a 1 000 hectare farm, a 20% fuel saving is a lot of money relative to other costs,” he says.

Ballasting clinics will kick off in the Highveld region in Mpumalanga where owners and operators of surrounding farms are invited to audio-visual presentations and demonstrations on the correct ballasting technique and science.

The training will also stress the importance of tread patterns and how using the correct tyre for the specific application ensures the tyre can carry the intended load.

“During the demonstrations, we start by weighing the tractors, which allows us to measure the static load radius of each tyre, which determines the ballasting and tyre pressure we would need to use,” Van Staden, says. “Tyres aren’t cheap and by employing the correction practices, they can go further while maintaining fuel efficiency and smooth operation of vehicles, which further controls maintenance and other operational costs.”

Investment in technology vital

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South African agriculture needs more investment and the implementation of the latest technology to boost output, not only for local consumption, but also for vitally needed by exports, to boost foreign exchange earnings.

PPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE exports exist, provided they conform to international standards such as traceability. One of the ways to unlock agriculture’s potential is to increase investment in research and development.

This is according to Dr Thulasizwe Mkhabela, Group Executive, Impact and Partnerships, at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC).

Speaking at the Africa Agri Tech Conference and Expo in Pretoria, he said that current overall expenditure on research and development in South Africa was only R32 billion a year, which equates to 0,8% of GDP. This is way below the 1,5% investment proposed in the National Development Plan (NDP). Agriculture gets only R2,6 billion or 0,8% of the current amount, which is way below requirements. This sum is made up of a contribution of 44,6% from the public coffers, 38,9% from private organisations and companies and 16,5% from foreign sources.

Mkhabela lobbied for more financial support for the ARC, which he says will provide big returns for the future growth of agriculture in terms of expanding exports, providing employment and the overriding objective of providing food security, in a world where the population explosion is putting a big strain on food supplies.

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is another organisation that has a big focus on assisting the agricultural industry and is deeply involved the latest

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technological developments.

Dr Moses Azong Cho, Research Group Leader, Precision Agriculture at the CSIR, highlighted a need to create a dedicated group of scientists to assist in adapting precision farming techniques to suit local conditions and budgets.

Current precision farming projects under development at the CSIR are driven using affordable satellite data to produce normalised difference vegetation index information.

Dr Santosh Ramchuran, Research Group Leader, Bioprocess Development at the CSIR, advocated the use of more bio-based control agents as fertilisers and pesticides to replace existing chemical products. This provides South African companies and organisations an opportunity to develop these products, as there appear to be no or few local manufacturers at present.

Dr Ramchuran announced that the CSIR was involved in developing these products and already had some ready for commercialisation. One of these, in prototype form, had already contributed to an 85,2% increase in wheat crop yield. It is now awaiting proposals from small and medium business enterprises to bring this unique product to market.

Scientific presentations related to agriculture and Africa Agri Tech included content from the Department of Science and Innovation, The Innovation Hub, the Agricultural Research Council and CSIR.

MARCH • APRIL 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

NUUS

Kagiso Trust, AFGRI and Potatoes SA join forces The Kagiso Trust, AFGRI Agri Services and Potatoes South Africa (PSA) recently signed an agreement aimed at addressing the challenges faced by South Africa’s farmers. This includes access to technical support, to finance and to markets.

T

HE AGREEMENT WILL give rise to a sustainable solution that will involve the co-operation of three reputable players in their field of expertise to provide a holistic approach to these challenges.

Whilst initially focused on potato farming in South Africa, with the aim of establishing commercial new era potato farmers, the solution will not be limited to potatoes in the longer term.

“South Africa’s land reform process is likely to not yield the desired success if support for new era farmers does not improve considerably. Without structured support and appropriate funding, new era farmers who venture into commercial farming are bound to fail, given that commercial farming is a capital-intensive business requiring specific knowledge and support.

“The battle to secure support has already forced many struggling new era farmers to rent out their land to

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established farmers,” says Mankodi Moitse, CEO of Kagiso Trust. “If this is left unchanged, South Africa is likely to see more new era farmers being forced out of the commercial agricultural space”.

One of the key elements of the solution is training.

According to Jacob de Villiers, the CEO of AFGRI Agri Services, farmers often lack good, technical training.

“Through Lemang Agricultural Services, we deliver support to new era farmers aimed at improving productivity through advice, information and other critical support services. However, what has made our training and development programmes stand out in terms of the successes achieved, is the support given to new era farmers by experienced mentors, who are literally in the fields training the farmers and with them virtually every step of their development journey.”

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NEWS

Unlocking South Africa’s fresh potential The Produce Marketing Association of South Africa (PMA) recently held a breakfast where main industry role-players got a chance to network and listen to speakers taking about the drivers and barriers for produce consumption in South Africa.

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HE REPORT PRESENTED by Bolutife Onaneye from Euromonitor forms part of PMA’s series of global consumer insight reports, fielded by research firm Now What.

It explores South African consumers’ decision making process during the six key eating occasions and provides insight into how to position produce for increased consideration and consumption.

The six demand spaces that were analysed were breakfast at home, lunch at work, lunch at home, daytime snack, dinner and the after dinner snack. The study found that fruit and vegetables played a very distinct role in the lives of consumers. They have a very clear expectation of when and where fruit and vegetables must be used. It was found that these consumers assign fruits and vegetables to certain eating situations, which mean that they are restricting the use of produce.

“A key theme of the study was the roles that fresh produce play in the diets of the consumer. South African consumers utilise food as a functioning tool buying purely on what they need and not focussing on what they want.

They tend to employ their food in the context of that they will be doing or what they are doing, like proteins at lunch before a workout. For South African consumers, taste is an important consideration and they want their food to ultimately taste good, but even this serves more like a guideline than the main decision driver,”says Onaneye.

It was shown that consumers consider balance an important component in a healthy diet, although the definitions of balance differ. In general, South African consumers recognise fruit and vegetables as the key to good health, but with their eye catching colours and natural sweetness there is an ability to break through the current limiting perceptions.

This will mean that produce marketers must show

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Jaco Oosthuizen (PMA Vice-Chairman), Bolutife Onaneye (Euromonitor), Trevor Dukes (PMA Chairman) and Lauren M Scott (PMA Chief Marketing Officer) at the recent PMA thought leadership breakfast.

consumers how fruit and vegetables will meet their needs outside the health and fitness mind-set. Showcase the full extent of what produce can do. Something that might be considered is different packages, for instance an after workout pack with a variety of mixed fresh fruit. There can also be a drive to put produce on the breakfast table by promoting breakfast specific vegetables.

Another important step that must be taken is to move vegetables and fruit past the health halo and showcase the full flavour potential. This can be done by promoting easy vegetable recipes that can be utilised in each of the different spaces.

She concluded by saying that as with most other things consumers are looking for convenience. Ready-to-eat snacks and packaging will still be on top of the list when it comes to buying.

MARCH • APRIL 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

Tel: +27 31 311 5100 Fax: +27 31 465 4222 www.durban.gov.za/durbanfreshproducemarket

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BRASSICAS

Twister*, an experimental variety, has an exceptional leaf wrap that assists the variety to withstand extreme heat and sunburn.

Twister*, an experimental variety, produces large white curds with a good dome shape, suited to both pre-pack and processing requirements.

Harvest management practices of caulifIower The Cruciferae family is made up of numerous crops, with those that are commercially important belonging to the genus Brassica and hence are commonly known as the brassicas.

B

RASSICA CROPS INCLUDE CABBAGE, cauliflower, broccoli, sprouting broccoli and Brussels sprouts, which are closely related and all belong to the same botanical species, Brassica oleracea. Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis) production, in particular, increased in recent years due to growing demand from health-conscious consumers. Cauliflower is naturally high in fibre and essential B-vitamins and provides antioxidants and phytonutrients to the diet. The growing demand for this versatile vegetable is mostly due to cauliflower being the preferred alternative to flour in gluten-free recipes and a replacement for starch.

Although farmers can expect an increase in demand, producing high quality cauliflower can be challenging in South Africa, due to high temperatures. To meet local market requirements, cauliflower heads should be compact, crisp with a fresh white colour, free from brown spots and other discolourations.

Through research Sakata was able to develop varieties that are adapted to the extreme summer temperatures in South Africa. These varieties have vigorous plants with excellent wrapper leaves protecting the fleshy, white curds from sunburn and other environmental factors and were specifically selected for South Africa. Physical damage due to handling during harvest is also reduced, due to wrapper leaves that are firmly folded around the curds.

Twister* is the latest addition to the Sakata cauliflower range. Chosen for its exceptional wrap, this variety can withstand extreme heat. In mild climatic conditions, it can be used for year-round production. Physical damage to the curd is minimised due to wrapper leaves protecting the white, uniform curds during handling and transportation

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The growing demand for this versatile vegetable is mostly due to cauliflower being the preferred alternative to flour in gluten-free recipes and a replacement for starch. of the product. Twister* produces large white curds with a good dome shape, perfectly suited to both pre-pack and processing requirements.

Handling, the weakest link The importance of proper handling during harvest as well as post-harvest practices of cauliflower are easily overlooked. It has been shown that post-harvest handling is the weakest link in the production-marketing continuum for agricultural produce. Since cauliflower curds spoil rapidly due to their high moisture content and delicate nature, losses occur, both in terms of quantity and quality.

Efforts to enhance handling practices can be a low cost, high impact solution for improving the quality and shelflife of fresh produce.

During manual harvest, the curds should not be touched by hand or with the harvesting tool to minimise physical damage. The curd is harvested by cutting the stem to leave the wrapper leaves still attached to protect to curds during

MARCH • APRIL 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

BRASSICA

transportation in plastic crates or bins.

Since curds consist of 90% water, cauliflower is very sensitive to moisture loss. Curds should be firm and tight during harvest, as more than 5% weight loss due to dehydration can leave cauliflower heads noticeably soft and unacceptable for the market place. This can be avoided by harvesting in the morning or late afternoon and ensuring rapid cooling and packaging of product for maximised yield and quality. *Experimental: This variety does not appear on the current South African Variety list, but has been submitted for registration.

DISCLAIMER: This information is based on Sakata’s observations and/or information from other sources. As crop performance depends on the interaction between the genetic potential of the seed, its physiological characteristics and the environment, including management. Sakata gives no warranty, express or implied, for the performance of crops relative to the information given.

Sakata does not accept any liability for any loss, direct or consequential, that may arise from whatsoever cause. Please read the Sakata Seed Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd Conditions of Sale before ordering seed.

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TWISTER* Excellent wrap Very uniform curds Adaptable to year-round production Ability to withstand extreme heat Outstanding yield potential

Tel: 011 548 2800 www.sakata.co.za e-mail: info.saf@sakata.eu

BRASSICAS

Bright future for caulifIower C

AULIFLOWER IS BOOMING. You can create pizza bases or substitute it for grains of rice it is also a gluten-free alternative to flour. Cauliflower is trendy

Over the years, the cauliflower has become an increasingly common product in many countries.

In the past, this cruciferous vegetable was mainly a luxury in Western countries.

Nowadays most families eat cauliflower regularly.

and it is expanding its horizons even further, thanks to vegetable breeding companies like Enza Zaden.

Over the years, the cauliflower has become an increasingly common product in many countries. In the past, this cruciferous vegetable was mainly a luxury in Western countries. Nowadays most families eat cauliflower regularly. This development can be seen in many other areas of the world. Until recently, Asia, Africa and South America were not suitable for the cultivation of cauliflower due to the warm climate, causing the crop to go to seed or fail to develop a head. The demand for cauliflower is expected to increase over the coming years.

A booming crop For some countries this increased demand is the result of people having more money to spend on vegetables to add to the rice on their menu, but retail and processing companies have been extremely innovative in developing new ways of offering cauliflower beyond the normal florets. Cauliflower has become an essential item in healthy living menus.

Now frequently used as an alternative to certain conventional starch-based products, it is not by accident that this vegetable has become so popular.

Access to all To reach trending status, reliable, yearround supply of quality produce is fundamental. This is where breeding has played a pivotal role: “It is through specialized selection and generations of breeding that varieties adapted to all climates are developed”, says Fanny Ribaimont, Crop Breeding Manager at Enza Zaden.

Various DTM Cauliflower varieties are developed for specific seasons, and different maturity speeds. In South Africa the rule has always been “the earlier heads reach maturity, the better”, however in some European countries, days-to-maturity (DTM) of up to 200 days are required.

Growers in France for example are unable to till and re-plant the soil after

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each harvest due to the weather and soil conditions. These growers, therefore, opt for varieties with different successive growing times. During the sowing season, the growers sow all plots of land over a short period. This allows the grower to continue harvesting throughout the season.

Pre-cut florets People love convenience. This also applies to the large white cauliflowers that people used to buy and then cut into florets themselves. We have since seen a consistent growth in packets of precut florets which are often found mixed with broccoli and other stir-fry mixes as seen in South African retail stores. Here too, breeding has been the enabler that significantly contributed to the popularity of this vegetable. It is through experienced selection and crossing of plants that leads to the development of new varieties with the best quality, snowywhite curds and perfectly shaped florets.

Quality, all the way Quality in fresh produce in general is most stringently judged by the enduser, the consumer. Considering the relatively long crop cycle of roughly 75 days from planting to harvest in South Africa in summer and many different stages involved from harvest to consumption, this is no effortless achievement. The process starts with selecting the right variety adapted for a specific season and growing region that can handle various stresses during cultivation as well as the process of cutting, washing, packing and shipping.

True power Although breeding companies like Enza Zaden play an important part in a crop’s success as in the case of cauliflower, the power lies with growers who ultimately select varieties. “Growers need to be critical in their variety selection and not settle for a poor performing hybrid.

Don’t settle for yellowing heads and poor-quality curds. Select the variety that offers the best possible quality, always,” says Ribaimont.

MARCH • APRIL 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

Booming through breeding Enza Zaden has a dedicated breeding program for cauliflower which develops new, improved hybrids for all markets, including yours.

Quality

Continuity

Well-wrapped curds and top-quality yield.

With varieties for every season, top quality yields are possible year round.

Flexibility Great field standability means flexible harvest time, while heads remain well-wrapped and protected from yellowing.

Diversity A range that caters for all growers and all seasons, for punnet prepack, bulk supply to market and processing.

About Enza Zaden At Enza Zaden we develop new vegetable varieties that are grown, sold and consumed all over the world. So, it’s very likely that you’ll often find our tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet peppers, lettuce or other vegetables developed by us on your plate. We produce and sell the seeds of those vegetables worldwide.

enzazaden.co.za

BRASSICAS

Clubroot on brassicas As with all crops there is challenges growers face, including things like diseases and producing a profitable crop. Clubroot is without a doubt one of the biggest threats to brassica growers in KwaZulu-Natal and the Southern Cape.

D

UE TO THE SEVERITY of the disease, field crop rotation become much harder, as soil get affected by the soilborne protist, biotrophic, and parasites that render the soil inhabitable for follow up brassica production What are the symptoms of clubroot?

The most obvious symptoms can be visually observed. This is an abnormal swelling of the roots, which in turn restricts water and nutrient movement to the plant. In turn this leads to wilting, yellowing and stunted plants which finally results in premature death of plants, subsequently rendering the crop a total loss.

The factors influencing infection and development include: • Temperature, pH, soil moisture.

• Concentration of resting spores, wind erosion, water ero- sion.

The most obvious symptoms of clubroot can be visually observed – this is an abnormal swelling of the roots, which in turn restricts water and nutrient movement to the plant.

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BRASSICA

GLADIORE

• The level of host plant resistance or susceptibility.

• Micronutrient levels, such as calcium and boron- that increase pH. • Potential sources, as illustrated below.

The variety has a brilliant green colour, with compact head that is nicely filled possessing high internal quality.

What are the solutions currently available? One of the solutions involves crop rotation with long resting periods. Producers must be careful of the wrong cover crops, because they can enhance clubroot levels. Another solution is the moderate application of boron to decrease clubroot spore activity, but too much cause phytotoxicity, and then there are lime applications and genetics.

Although there are many different solutions that can be applied to counter clubroot infection, genetics is still the most reliable, quick fix and most cost-efficient way in which they can offer. Clubroot resistant varieties are very scarce but could be a potential short-term solution for growers.

• Suited for the fresh market and industry.

METEORE The variety has a medium dark green colour, with good volume and filling and a high quality presentation.

• Excellent tip burn tolerance.

• Frost tolerance.

• Suited for the fresh market and industry.

WAIKIKI Waikiki has a good resistance package and tolerance to bolting and internal burn.

• High plant vigour.

• Excellent basal closure and uniformity.

• Suited for fresh and processing market.

Potential sources of infested soil.

InteliSeed along with Syngenta provide growers with new options in clubroot resistant varieties, although strict and careful development work is still being done.

There are the following options in development: Broccoli - Monclano.

Cabbage - Kilaherb, Kilaplon, Kilastor.

Cauliflower - Claforsa, Clarify.

Please contact the nearest seed specialist to assist with trials and development on these varieties.

The Syngenta resistance against clubroot is effective against the predominant races Pb: 0 and Pb: 1 and against the less frequent race Pb: 3, but not against the infrequent race Pb: 2 that may occur in some fields.

Genetic resistance is only one of the tools to manage Clubroot. Culture measures such as liming, use of fertilizers with a high percentage of calcium, proper drainage, and good crop hygiene management are several of important components of an integrated approach to manage the disease.

The company always recommends to first execute small variety trials before starting commercial production of a new variety.

GROENTE & VRUGTE | MAART • APRIL 2020

EXCLISIVELY DISTRIBUTED BY

Tel: +27 11 660 7481 | info@inteliseed.co.za www.intelichem.co.za

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Disclaimer: Syngenta Seeds Vegetables has exercised reasonable care and skill in compiling this brochure. All data in this brochure are intended for general guidance only and the user should apply it in accordance with his own knowledge and experience of local conditions.

In case of doubt we recommend that a small scale trial production be carried out to determine how local conditions may affect the variety.

Syngenta Seeds Vegetables cannot accept any liability in connection with this brochure. Copyright of this document is reserved.

All unauthorised copying is prohibited.

MACADAMIA

Approximately 25% of South Africa’s macadamias are processed by Green Farms Nut Company.

Macadamia in safe hands

Founded in 1991, Green Farms Nut Company (GNFC) was the first privately owned processing business. The business has grown from being one of South Africa’s first processing factories into a global macadamia player.

T

HEY HAVE BUILT a network of partners that span farming operations in the key growing territories of South Africa, Australia, Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Brazil. The partner network owns a marketing company, Green & Gold Macadamias, which is responsible for selling nearly 20% of available macadamia supply into key territories around the world.

Allan Whyte has been farming sub-tropical fruit and nuts since he left school in 1964. Aside from a spell overseas in the late 1970s and attending Cedara Agricultural College, Allan also holds a B Com degree. He served on the SA Avocado Growers’ (SAAGA) Board for 10 years, of which he was chairman for two years.

Jill Whyte, chairperson and owner of GFNC, is an original co-founder of Green Farms Nut Company and served on the Macadamia South Africa NPC (SAMAC) Board for 12 years. She also co-founded Kalahari Pecans, a pecan nut processing business that has recently merged with GWK Pecans.

One of the most important things Jill envisioned is the need for an international alliance in the industry which resulted in the formation of Green & Gold Macadamias. This positioned the business to gain better market access and expand processing capacity to grow and sophisticate the kernel market.

GNFC is continually investing into infrastructure and expansion is underway at all processing plants. A new factory is under discussion for the KwaZulu-Natal north coast, to add to the three already in operation in the key growing regions of South Africa in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal south coast.

A multi-million rand investment was recently announced

Exporting as much of these products as possible is good for the economy and job creation.

16

The Napasol process ensures 100% of the treated product is pasteurized to a >5 log level of reduction of pathogens and is regarded as the market leader in pasteurisation equipment for tree nuts.

into foremost Napasol pasteurisation technology, to meet and surpass current and future food safety requirements in key export destinations around the world.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), globalisation, urbanisation and changing consumer habits has resulted in a longer and increasingly complex global food supply chain. These challenges put greater

MARCH • APRIL 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

MAKADAMIA responsibility on food producers and handlers to ensure food safety. The WHO urges building and maintaining focus on adequate food systems and infrastructures, like laboratories and legal frameworks, as well as multi-sectorial collaboration between governments and stakeholders through the value chain.

“GFNC is extremely pleased to be in the position to proactively take responsibility for our role in the on-going and inevitable changes taking place in the food industry at large, and macadamia sector more specifically. This

Green Farms Nut Company is continually investing into infrastructure and expansion is underway at all processing plants.

Efficient microbiological reduction is obtained with dry saturated steam, which is natural, effective and maintains the raw characteristics of the nut. decision is a crucial part of our strategy to continue growing and refining processing capability. In so doing retain value add add capacity and supply chain accountability at source in South Africa,” comments Allen Duncan, CEO, GFNC. Approximately 25% of South Africa’s macadamias are processed by GFNC. Together with its processing partner network, spanning Australia, Brazil, Malawi and Kenya, the groups marketing business, Green & Gold Macadamias, sells roughly 20% of the world’s crop in key territories around the globe. This purchase represents the initial move to making further investment into technology that warrants compliance with increasing microbiological safety standards and global access to highly regulated markets.

The Napasol process ensures 100% of the treated product is pasteurized to a >5 log level of reduction of pathogens and is regarded as the market leader in TO PAGE 18

Mini Wobbler Features: - Low evaporative loss.

- Flow rates (170-495l/hr) - Operating pressures (1bar) - Excellent Distribution uniformity (DU)

CAPE TOWN - Head Office P.O. Box 696, Brackenfell, 7561 Tel: +27 21 917 7177 Fax: +27 21 917 7200 Email: sales@agriplas.co.za

GAUTENG - Regional Office P.O. Box 11052, Randhart, 1457 Tel: +27 11 908 2204 Fax: +27 11 908 5312

Inquire at your nearest irrigation dealer regarding Agriplas products

www.agriplas.co.za

MPUMALANGA - Regional Office Suite 63,Postnet X 11326, Nelspruit, 1200 Tel: +27 13 755 3510 Fax: +27 13 755 3505

17

MACADAMIA

Macadamia in safe hands FROM PAGE 17

Investment into processing the nut kernel is essential to alleviate dependence on a single market.

18

pasteurisation equipment for tree nuts. Efficient microbiological reduction is obtained with dry saturated steam, which is natural, effective, and maintains the raw characteristics of the nut. The batch process, which is validated for >5 log reduction in pathogens for all tree nuts, meets the risk assessment reduction levels published. The process also preserves the flavour, colour and texture of the raw kernel.

Kontrole - boomopbrengs

18.6 kg

Kelpak - 3 x 0.3%

“This outlay will sustain bullish market access for the business, provide the best quality product to our customers, and provide the opportunity to achieve the best possible prices for our farmers. Together with buffering our producers from potential knock-on effects of macadamias that do not meet food safety legislation,” concludes Jill.

The Napasol is planned for installation at the White River factory in the second half of 2020 and should be operational for the remaining 2020 processing cycle. GFNC will have capacity to assist competitor processors with their pasteurisation needs until the decision is taken to invest in their own technology to support market and customer requirement.

The partner network owns a marketing company, Green & Gold Macadamias, which is responsible for selling nearly 20% of available macadamia supply into key territories around the world.

20.1 kg

Kelpak - 5 x 0.2%

21.4 kg

Een aan die boom is beter as twee op die grond Beter set en neutretensie beteken meer neute asook ‘n hoër kerngewig per boom. Kelpak, die natuurlike seewier ekstrak is wêreldwyd deur wetenskaplike proewe bewys om neutboere se opbrengs en wins aansienlik te verbeter.

MAKADAMIA Jill recently received two awards for their contribution to the macadamia industry. First of was the Agriculture, land reform and rural development Mpumalanga female exporter of the year and secondly in conjunction with Allan as the Agricultural Writers SA (AWSA) farmer of the year for the Limpopo province. When asked about how she feels about the awards, Jill said that receiving recognition and validation from credible external sources is very rewarding. The awards have further bolstered impetus for their efforts to continue to drive their business, and the industry more broadly, forward.

Vegetables & Fruit spoke to Allan and Jill about the industry and the challenges surrounding it. They said that the Whyte family farms with avocados, macadamias and pecan nuts, all of which are in great demand around the world. These products are very healthy and fit into the diet of health-conscious consumers. Exporting as much of these products as possible is good for the economy and job creation.

Some of the positives are that rapid growth in the industry has been fuelled by quick payments from processors and handlers. The excellent demand internationally and the plant-based protein trend is a positive opportunity for the industry. Supply base to double and double again over the next 10 years. The industry is an excellent foreign exchange earner for the country and there are massive opportunities for growth in the ingredients sector.

There are also a few challenges that they deal with on a day to day basis. Extreme weather conditions, in the form of drought and high temperatures have meant poor crops for a couple of seasons. Another challenge is the fact that insects are building up resistance to available pesticides.

Allan says that not much can be done about the weather, but they plan to extend and improve their irrigation systems and work much harder at integrated pest management (IPM) in the future.

He continues saying that South Africa has become dependent on the nut-in-shell market to China (35%). This is risky because a lot of the produce is sent through the “grey channel” and financed by “shadow banks”. The exponential growth expected in the industry means there is a huge requirement for finance. This needs to be managed carefully as over-dependence on Asian traders could result in autonomy over prices, like with the cashew nut industry.

Investment into processing the nut kernel is essential

Graeme Whyte, Cairie Whyte, Jill Whyte, Allan Whyte and Alex Whyte.

A multi-million rand investment was recently announced into foremost Napasol pasteurisation technology, to meet and surpass current and future food safety requirements in key export destinations around the world. to alleviate dependence on a single market. South Africa needs to add as much value as possible in the supply chain, to establish themselves as the world’s biggest supplier of kernel produced in high-quality factories with ethical standards, and the highest food safety standards internationally.

Farmers should remain mindful of the strategy and security of their marketing outlets. Chasing short term policies may give a short-term slight price edge; but supporting responsible marketing with a stable and well financed company is probably the way to go.

To conclude, we asked them what they feel the future of the industry is in South Africa. They said that they believe that given the right security of land tenure for farmers to continue to develop, and provide jobs, as well as the opportunity to add value in SA, cost effectively, producers can service international demand and become the world’s leading macadamia nut industry.

The Napasol process also preserves the flavour, colour and textureof the raw kernel.

GROENTE & VRUGTE | MAART • APRIL 2020

19

MAKADAMIA

A good farmer knows best Having planted their first macadamia trees in 1974, a farmer in Tzaneen, Limpopo shares his infield knowledge and experience, helping to equip new growers with necessary tools to successfully grow macadamia trees on a commercial scale.

T

HE FARMER HAS 77 ha of developed macadamia orchards with 312 trees per hectare - and some even at 408 trees. We met up to find out more about the ins and outs of sustainable macadamia farming.

Done right, the cultivation of macadamia seedlings can be lucrative but it’s essential to keep fingers on the pulse.

Of the many decisions to make it work and perhaps the most important one, is to source top-quality macadamia trees. This Limpopo farmer relies on the SGASA-accredited Amorentia Macadamia Nursery to supply grafted seedlings and vegetatively propagated clonal rooted cuttings. It is interesting that to date, his best year yielded 140 tonnes of macadamia nuts from 37 ha while the worst yielded 10 tonnes from 3 ha. Even when it is a tough year, the odds remain in his favour thanks to clever investment from the start.

With an average rainfall of 1100 mm per year and cooler weather, the farm is ideally located to thrive in this growing industry. As macadamia nuts are quickly becoming an important crop in South Africa, producers are expected to double production over the next few years. For this reason, starting with quality trees is a must.

When planning for optimal yield, it is also important to provide supplementary irrigation during critical development periods. Using a dripper, the farmer delivers four litres of water per tree, twice hourly to provide the growing trees with sufficient water.

Knowing that a strong root system is important if the tree is to reach its full potential, the farm specialises in growing certain cultivars and favourable rootstocks. Older orchards

GROENTE & VRUGTE | MAART • APRIL 2020

include Beaumont, 788, 741, 814 while, with the more recent plantings, the farmer has focused on 816, A4 and Beaumont. When developing macadamias on any scale, it is important to select the right cultivar for the climate.

Micro-climate can impact the performance of a particular cultivar. Amorentia Macadamia Nursery supplies all modern cultivars and guides growers on land preparation, cultivar choice and in-field management, while an independent macadamia consultant is always advised.

Fertilization using the standard granular programme provides trees over one year old with much-needed nutrients to facilitate well-developed root systems and thus, high yields. More specialised programmes are also available in more challenging soil types.

Using hand saws and pole pruners (never an all-cut pruner), farmers need to manage tree height and keep windows open for sunlight penetration while keeping rows open and lifting tree skirts if necessary.

Each cultivar has a different growth pattern and shape, and thus, require specific training and pruning. For weed control, the Limpopo farmer uses mostly brush cutters and a tractor-driven slasher. Roundup is applied not more than twice per year.

Ongoing scouting is essential to keep pests under control. These days, pest control is particularly challenging as the surrounding areas add pressure to each individual’s efforts with many chemicals proving to be less effective as pests build up resistance. As with all farming practice, disease monitoring and control are of paramount importance.

21

MACADAMIA

Low-fIow drip irrigation on macadamias As irrigation trends change in the macadamia industry, and as the industry is forced to adapt to climate change and water-scarcity, the entire industry has been surprised at how little water macadamia trees can manage with.

“I

HAVE NOW BEEN in the macadamia industry for more than 20 years and a lot has changed. We have learned that a macadamia tree’s water requirement is much lower than once thought. Generally, we have been over-irrigating,” says Martin de Kock of the farm Wildernis near Nelspruit. “This is very good for the industry as we now know that, if we have an efficient irrigation system, we can achieve excellent results with much less water.”

Efficient excellence One word stands out from the statement above – efficiency. Michael Esmeraldo, regional sales manager at Netafim South Africa, reminds that modern farming is not only about new technology.

“A modern approach is also about making more efficient use of our resources. We have to use water, fertiliser and other inputs efficiently to get optimal benefit per unit of input.”

Michael explains that a macadamia tree, does not know through which method it receives its water. “It only knows whether it received the correct amount of water that it needs, given its phenolo- gical stage, age and the current climate. This should be our aim in irrigating, and it is important that we choose an irrigation system that can do this job in synergy with the available resources and reigning conditions.”

How low can you go?

Low-flow drip irrigation is increasingly practiced in the macadamia industry and has shown with how little water macadamia trees can do. Netafim defines low-flow drip

22

irrigation as irrigation systems where drippers with delivery rates of 1 ℓ/h and lower are used.

“Low-flow drip irrigation has given me control of every aspect of irrigation and Nutrigation™ in my macadamia orchards,” says Sean Doveton of Doveton Farm near Port Shepstone.

“I believe that the controlled low-flow drip irrigation, combined with excellent irrigation and Nutrigation management, can take the macadamia industry to the next level. We have the tools to do this and must use these tools to level up the industry.”

Sean says that the greatest impact to date has been the fact that trees are flowering and entering production much sooner. “Low flow drip irrigation allows you to push the tree harder, and it produces accordingly.”

Martin reiterates Sean’s support of low-flow drip irrigation and emphasises its impact on the amount of water used. “I started with 3,6 ℓ/h drippers and later made the switch to 1 ℓ/h drippers. This brought about a reduction in water use of about 40%, while my trees are still growing optimally.

“We also have to remember that it is not only about the irrigation system, but about how the system is managed.

This is where I am very excited about the potential impact of digital farming solutions, both solutions we already have and those still to come,” Martin ads.

Michael concludes that the macadamia industry in South Africa is still relatively young at this stage and there are a lot of questions that still need scientific answers. “I do believe that we are asking the right questions at the moment.”

ALGEMEEN

Nuwe variëteite sorg vir groot opgewondenheid by ope dae Meer as 600 besoekers het onlangs, tydens Sakata se ope dae, die kans gehad om nuwe groente-variëteite te besigtig. Produkspesialiste was deurgaans beskikbaar en gretig om enige vrae te beantwoord.

André de Villiers, Leon Labuschagne, Arno Rautenbach, Carmen Meyer, Liezel Boucher en Landi van Loggerenberg was deel van die span wat die ope dae ‘n groot sukses gemaak het.

J

APAN SE AMBASSADEUR in Suid Afrika, Norio Maruyama, het ook Sakata se ope dae besoek en het van die geleenthede gebruik gemaak om produsente toe te spreek. Hy het saam met Sakata se direkteure, Lindsay Campleman, Terence McNally en Susan Allen, die proewe besoek en baie belang gestel in al die variëteite.

Die beplanning en uitleg van hierdie ope dae begin maande vooraf. Daar moes besluit word watter variëteite aan produsente vertoon gaan word en op watter maniere die produkte uitgestal moet word, met verskeie voorstelle hieroor.

Indien daar nie van die saad in vooraad was nie moes dit direk van die oorsese ontwikkelaars ingevoer word. Die saad is uitgetel en saailinge word waar nodig ontwikkel.

Die saad van die verskillende variëteite is nie op dieselfde tyd gereed nie en dus moes die saai- en plantdatums baie sorgvuldig beplan word. Daar was ‘n totaal van 246 variëteite in die proefblokke geplant en kon deur produsente besigtig word.

Dit was baie belangrik dat die personeelspan wat elke dag in die proewe gewerk het, op verskeie faktore moes fokus. Kommunikasie tussen die produkspesialiste wat elkeen van hulle produkte bestuur, en die plaasbestuurder en sy span was belangrik en daar moes weekliks gekommunikeer word oor sake soos voedingstowwe wat toegedien word, bespuiting teen peste en siektes en wanneer water toegedien moes word.

Sommige van die nuwe variëteite wat besigtig kon word is: • Die Tieso-boon, ’n fynboontjie met uitstekende kwaliteit en ‘n siektepakket. Dit het donkergroen peule en ‘n gekonsentreerde vrugset.

Landi van Loggerenberg, Monica Brits en Liezel Boucher van Sakata.

Alex Bronkhorst (produkontwikkelingsbestuurder), Lindsay Campleman (bestuurende direkteur), Norio Maruyama (Japanese ambassadeur), Sotaro Ozaki (kanselier), Jan-Louis Bezuidenhout (kommersiële bestuurder). In die agtergrond is Susan Allen (voorsieningsketting direkteur).

NA BLADSY 24

GROENTE & VRUGTE | MAART • APRIL 2020

23

GENERAL

Nuwe variëteite sorg vir groot opgewondenheid by ope dae VAN BLADSY 23

• Die Twister-blomkool-variëteit is baie geskik vir voorafverpakking en het ‘n goeie blaardekking. Dit is baie aanpasbaar en kan in areas met matige klimaatstoestande, regdeur die jaar produseer.

• Die Triton-broccoli het ‘n koepelvormrige kop en kan in die winter, herfs en lente gesaai word en is gevolglik ‘n baie aanpasbare variëteit.

• Die Ares-broccoli is ‘n somervariëteit met koepelvormrige koppe en raak baie vinnig bekwaam – 60 tot 70 dae van uitplant af. Dit is ook ‘n uitstekende variëteit vir voorafverpakking.

• Die Superslam-kool is ‘n baie aanpasbare variëteit met besondere groeikragtige, eenvormige saailinge. Dit het ‘n hoë opbrengspotensiaal en ‘n goeie verdraagsaamheid vir koue.

Terugvoering van die produsente was baie positief en daar is veral gewag gemaak van die professionele organisasie en bestuur van die ope dae en die georganiseerdheid op die proefplaas. Baie goeie terugvoering is ook verkry aangaande die kwaliteit van produkte en die kennis van produkspesialiste. Groot opgewondeheid heers oor sommige van die variëteite wat nog in die pyplyn is en oor ‘n paar jaar komersieel beskikbaar gaan wees.

24 Rina Aucamp het besoekers alles vertel van die blomme wat op die ope dag ten toon gestel is.

www.fertasa.co.za ONS STAAN VIR DIE BESKERMING VAN DIE VOLHOUBARE GEBRUIK VAN KUNSMIS. Fertasa is verbind tot die bevordering van volhoubare grondvrugbaarheid en verbeterde plantvoeding.

Fertasa-lede is verbind tot: Ÿ

'n Gedragskode.

Standaarde deur 'n onafhanklike nakomingsbestuursliggaam geouditeer.

Ÿ

Gehalte produkte.

Ÿ

Toepaslike wetenskaplik-gebaseerde aanbevelings.

Ÿ

Voortgesette onderrig en verbetering.

Ÿ

Die nakoming van wetlike vereistes.

Fertasa - Fertilizer Association of Southern Africa Tel: +27 (0) 12 349 1450 | Faks: +27 (0) 12 349 1463 | E-pos: general@fertasa.co.za Reg. Nr. 1971/000012/08 | VAT Reg. Nr. 4830104164

MES CONSULTANTS - 082 563 4427

Ÿ

Johan Stronkhorst, die produkspesialis van tamaties en soetrissies, het produsente baie opgewonde gehad oor sommige van die tamatie-variëteite wat in die pyplyn is.

MARCH • APRIL 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

ALGEMEEN

Viavi making waves The recent Maluma symposium held in Tzaneen was not only ground zero for research and development, but it was announced that the new “cream of the crop” certified Maluma will become an exclusive to Woolworths product. Through a process of rebranding Viavi will be launched during 2020.

I

N 2014 THE FIRST avocado consumer brand was started in an attempt to educate consumers about new cultivars like Maluma. The specific goals included to provide long term sustainability for the new generation cultivars.

Another goal is to improve differentiation between cultivars through branding and education and to understand and develop consumer value cues for avocados. The most important goal was establishing a premium brand for Maluma.

Some of the main challenges along the way have been that supermarkets want to optimise on profit, so that means the cheapest product versus consistency and quality.

Consumers are always looking for avocados and therefore supermarkets are looking for a 12 month supply. Another challenge was to educate the consumer as to the variety, by knowing the difference between Maluma and Hass, for example. They needed to be taught what the difference and appearance and taste is.

So what was there to focus on? Maluma has a smaller seed and bigger fruit, it boosts an industry leading seedto-flesh ratio and provide the consumer with more value for money. The post slice lifespan will outlast all other avocados in appearance once it has been sliced. This is the

The Viavi Maluma brand.

GROENTE & VRUGTE | MAART • APRIL 2020

Izelle Hoffman, Donovan Lewis, Inge Liebenberg and Nicole Lambrou after the anouncment that Viavi will be sold exclusively by Woolworths in 2020.

first avocado to be born and bred in South Africa with its origins in Venda, a TsiVenda name and further developed in Tzaneen.

With Maluma’s heritage being Venda, the team decided to stick to the Venda roots and chose a name derived from the Venda word for a chameleon - Viavi. It plays on the dark skin with superior colouring during ripening from green to a deep purple-black as a chameleon that adapts to its environment.

Joining the Viavi PR team will be celebrity chef Izelle Hoffman. In partnership with UCOOK, Izelle will be tasked to curate a week’s worth of meals where UCOOK home cooks will get to cook meals using Viavi Avocados. There will also be competitions where Izelle’s fans as well as Viavi fans will stand a chance of winning Greenpan hampers when they sign up to the avocado challenge. This collaboration will not only afford home cooks the opportunity of sampling Viavi avocados, but the collaboration with UCOOK will signal that the avos are chef-approved.

Viavi will help bring spotlight to the Maluma and that in turn will create a higher demand for producers.

25

GENERAL

Navorsing hou avokadobedryf op die voorpunt Navorsing is noodsaaklik om die avokadobedryf mededingend te hou en vir produsente se finansiële volhoubaarheid, sê Sizwe Magagula, voorsitter van die Suid-Afrikaanse Avokadokwekersvereniging (SAAKV).

H

Y HET PRODUSENTE, navorsers en verskaffers van insetmiddele by die SAAKV se navorsingsimposium op Tzaneen verwelkom. Die geleentheid is deur produsente vanoor die hele Suider-Afrika bygewoon.

Navorsingsinstansies wat voorstelle aan SAAKV se raad gemaak het op grond van die raad se voorkeure vir navorsing, en wie se voorstelle aanvaar is, het by die simposium vorderingsverslae en resultate voorgedra. Die meeste

projekte duur etlike jare lank.

Navorsing oor siektes en insekte wat ekonomiese verliese veroorsaak, die versorging van bome en vrugte in boorde en die bestuur van avokado’s nadat dit geoes is, was onder die temas waaroor navorsingsprojekte uitgegevoer word. Verskeie maatskappye wat insetmiddele verskaf, het tydens die simposium hulle produkte en dienste uitgestal.

“Slim” avokado verklik sy probleme met vervoer en verpakking Die verbruiker sal ‘n gekneusde avokado een kyk op die winkelrak gee – as die vrug tot daar gevorder het – en ‘n ander een sonder letsels kies. In die uitvoermark is die grootmaatkopers net so kieskeurig oor Suid-Afrikaanse avokado’s en die bedryf en produsente ly gevolglik groot skade weens “mishandelde” vrugte.

D

IE VRAAG IS WANNEER en hoe word ‘n avokado van pluktyd af tot op die winkelrak beskadig, selfs op ‘n oorsese skeepsreis. Die kneusings raak gewoonlik eers later sigbaar, wanneer dit te laat is om vermorsing uit te skakel.

Verskeie metodes word reeds aangewend om die vrugte in die hele proses te beskerm. Dit sluit opleiding van plukkers in, papper wiele vir ‘n sagter rit op die waentjies wat vrugte uit die boord neem en sensitiewer behandeling van avokado’s in die pakhuis. Nogtans ly produsente verliese weens beskadigde vrugte wat afgekeur word.

André Broekman, ‘n doktorale student aan die Universiteit van Pretoria, het ‘n “slim” avokado genaamd smAvo ontwikkel wat danksy tegnologie sy “mishandelings” later openbaar.

By die Suid-Afrikaanse Avokadokwekersvereniging (SAAKV) se navorsingsimposium is dié heldergeel avokado vertoon en het Broekman sy eerste resultate verduidelik.

26

Die kunsmatige avokado is met rekenaartoerusting gevul en word reeds in ‘n boord tussen ander avokado’s geplaas om met sy opnameproses te begin. Broekman het drie prototipes van die smAvo gebou en dit geel geverf om baie opsigtelik te kan wees. Die doel van sy navorsing was om aanbevelings en riglyne op grond van wetenskaplike inligting te gee sodat avokado’s se verwerking en verpakking verbeter kan word.

Inligting wat die smAvo versamel sluit onder meer swaartekraglesings en die tydsduur van aktiwiteite in, soos die krag waarmee dit uit die plukker se sak in die houer beland, die tydsduur om ‘n waentjie in die boord vol houers te maak en inligting oor die rit na die pakhuis toe.

Wanneer die smAvo se inligting ontleed word, word behandeling aan alle kante van die vrug weergegee. Broekman se opname het in een geval onder meer gewys dat die tydsduur uit die boord na die pakhuis sowat 90 minute duur.

André Broekman met sy “slim” avokado genaamd smAvo.

Die navorsing word in 2020 voortgesit deur opnames by meer as vyftig pakhuise. Broekman beplan ook om navorsing in die Pretoria-gebied te doen oor die vervoer van vrugte, wat gevolge van padtoestande gaan insluit. In die toekoms wil hy vrugte se internasionale vervoer en verskeping vir die uitvoermark bestudeer.

MARCH • APRIL 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

ALGEMEEN

Export markets require precise record keeping Situated in the Groblersdal district, Boschkrans Boerdery comprises 420 ha citrus and 108 ha grapes. They have fitted FarmTrack tracking devices to 23 tractors over the past two years as a cost-effective management tool to accurately record which orchards have been sprayed, when it was done, if any rows were skipped as well as the amount of chemicals applied.

“W

E HAVE TO MAINTAIN precise records of chemicals applied in order to obtain accreditation for the export of quality fruit to overseas customers such as Tesco in the UK,” says Anneke Fourie of Boschkrans Boerdery.

According to Fourie the daily reports, which can be accessed in real time via the internet, provide additional benefits as well.

“It helps with planning ahead. Farm managers can quickly see which tasks have been completed so that they can assign equipment and labour for the following day/ week effectively. It also offers excellent inventory control of chemicals and fuel. The opening and closing balances are

recorded, amount used, and whether it tallies. It also helps with purchasing new stock in time.”

FarmTrack is useful for ensuring that correct wages are paid.

“It records the time that the task was started and completed so that the tractor driver is paid for the precise number of hours worked at the correct tariff,” she adds.

“FarmTrack compiles all the data and presents it in an easy and understandable manner for management to make informed decisions,” explains Fourie.

Contact FarmTrack for more information: tel: 021 880 1163 or visit www.farmtracksa.com

27

NEXUSAG BIED PASGEMAAKTE GEWASBESTUUR-OPLOSSINGS OM PAMPOENVLIEG TE BEKAMP! ONS OMVATTENDE AANSLAG INKORPOREER: SANITASIE

CHEMIESE BEHEER OPSIES

MONITERING

BIOLOGIESE BEHEER OPSIES

Kontak gerus ons span Croplife-geakkrediteerde gewasadviseurs vir gewasbestuur-oplossings wat winsgewende boerderybedrywighede bevorder en bydra tot die volhoubaarheid van landbou-ondernemings.

BESOEK GERUS ONS NUWE WEBWERF VIR MEER INLIGTING OOR ONS GEÏNTEGREERDE GEWASBESTUURSPROGRAMME. 021-860 8040

www.nexusag.net

ALGEMEEN

Fokus op pampoenvlieg Die pampoenvlieg kan groot skade aanrig op rankgewasse, wat skorsies, pampoene, spanspek, komkommers en waatlemoene insluit. Hierdie gewasse word wydverspreid verbou in Afrika, die Midde-Ooste en Asië.

D

IE PAMPOENVLIEG IS soortgelyk aan die vrugtevlieg, maar besmet die Cucurbitaceae-familie en word deur besmette vrugte versprei. Volwasse vlieë versprei ook deur lang afstande te vlieg. Die pes is redelik gasheer-spesifiek op rankgewasse en koloniseer makliker in koeler en Mediterreense klimaatstoestande.

Dié vlieg behoort aan die orde Diptera wat gekenmerk word deur een paar vliegvlerke en een paar agtervlerke vir balans. Die pampoenvlieg is bruin-oranje van kleur en het geel vlekkies op die skouers. Die volwasse vlieë steek die klein vruggies met hul eierboor aan die stingelkant en lê eiers, in groepe van vyf tot tien, net onder die oppervlakte van die vruggie. Daar is drie larwestadiums in die vrug. Die volwasse larwes verlaat die vrug, val grond toe en pupeer in die grond. Die volwasse vlieë kom te voorskyn en paring geskied na ‘n paar dae.

Die wyfie kan ná een paring tot 200 eiers lê, en 300 tot 800 eiers in ‘n lewensiklus. Die eiers broei binne een tot drie dae as larwes uit, wat binne drie tot sewe dae in papies verander en twee tot nege dae later volwasse stadium bereik. By ’n gemiddelde temperatuur van 28°C is die lewensiklus tussen twee en drie weke. Pampoenvlieg is koue-sensitief en rig baie skade in die laat somer aan.

Die hoofdoelwit van ‘n beheerstrategie is om die voortplanting van volwassenes te beperk deur die wyfies dood te maak voordat hulle kan paar. Die volwasse vlieë kan tot vier maande oorleef, indien genoeg voedingsbronne beskikbaar is.

Getalle kan met verskeie beheermetodes onderdruk word. NexusAG kombineer produkte in ’n omvattende spuitprogram, wat ’n verskeidenheid insekplae beheer. Die programme om pampoenvlieg te onderdruk beskerm die gasheerplante van blom af, gedurende vrugset en vroeë vruggroei.

NexusAG bied doelgerigte gewas-oplossings, nie net vir winsgewende boerderybedrywighede en gesonde oeste nie, maar ook om die omgewing in ag te neem en tot landbou-ondernemings se volhoubaarheid by te dra.

Die maatskappy bied toegang tot die voorste landbouprodukte, -dienste en kundigheid, deur ’n ervare en kundige span gewasspesialiste. Die besigheid stel gesonde, volhoubare en voedsame gewasse ten doel.

Monitering Gebruik proteiën gebaseerde lokvalle om pampoenvlieg-

GROENTE & VRUGTE | MAART • APRIL 2020

getalle te monitor. Die lokmiddel Biolure, wat in ‘n klein koevert-vorm beskikbaar is, word algemeen gebruik en lok volwasse mannetjies en wyfies oor ‘n breë radius.

Volgens kundiges moet twee of meer verskillende lokmiddels nooit in een lokval gebruik word nie. Entomoloë reken dat vir elke volwasse vlieg wat gevang word, is daar 2 000 tot 3 000 vlieë buite die lokval.

Lokvalle moet vir ‘n jaar lank weekliks geïnspekteer word en noodsaaklike inligting soos die aanvangsdatum van die pes en doeltreffendheid van die spuitprogram moet aangedui word.

Chemiese en biologiese beheer Voldek- lokaasbespuitings op die teikengewas is die doeltreffendste beheermaatreël teen wyfievlieë. Dit bestaan uit ‘n insekdoder in kombinasie met ‘n lokmiddel, soos proteïene-hidrolisaat of suiker.

Papiebeheer in die grond is baie wisselvallig en geen kommersiële beheer word tans verkry met natuurlike parasitiese wespes nie.

Nie-chemiese beheermaatreëls soos knoffel- afweerspuite het wisselvallige sukses op veldkomkommers getoon en fisiese versperrings soos klein-tonnels was baie suksesvol op spanspek.

Sanitasie Vernietig wintergasheerplante soos opslaggewasse, bessies, melkerige onkruide en groente. Dit is raadsaam om vroeg in die seisoen alle vrugte wat eerste besmet word te verwyder en te vernietig.

Tydens na-oessanitasie moet alle oorblywende vrugte van die land verwyder word, of 10 cm onder grond ingeploeg word. Vernietig die vorige oes se besmette vrugte voordat weer geplant word.

NexusAG ondersteun produsente deur die ontwikkeling van doelgerigte gewas-oplossings, van grondvoorbereiding af tot ná oes. Benewens die doeltreffende resultate wat in praktyk behaal word, bevorder die NexusAG -filosofie plant- en grondgesondheid. NexusAG bereik hierdie doelwitte deur ‘n drieledige benadering wat oplossings, dienste en tegnologie insluit, om aan ‘n verskeidenheid landboubehoeftes te voorsien.

Kontak NexusAG vir meer inligting, skakel 021 860 8040 of besoek www.nexusag.net

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+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ INSECT COLUMN

The diamond-back moth (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

The diamond-back moth, Plutella xylostella, is one of the most important pests of brassicas and occurs all over the world. It has high dispersal ability and can be found even in places where it is not feasible to overwinter.

Nozibusiso Maphumulo IPM-PROGRAMME NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY POTCHEFSTROOM

e-mail:mashimanenozi03@gmail.com

Diamond-back moth classification: Class: Insecta (Insects) Order: Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) Family: Plutellidae Genus: Plutella Species: Plutella xylostella

T

HE LARVAE OF THE diamond-back moth feed only on plants that belong to Brassicaceae family. It is therefore important on broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, collard, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, radish, turnip and water-cress. Numerous brassica weeds such as wild mustard, wild radish, pepper cress and beesraap also serve as hosts, especially early in the season prior to the cultivation of crops.

Eggs of diamond-back moths are yellow to pale green.

They are very small and virtually not visible with the naked eye (0,44 mm long and 0,26 mm wide). The first-instar larvae are approximately 2 mm long and fully grown larvae are about 12 mm in length. The first-instar larvae are transparent while older larvae are green in colour. The first-instar larvae mine inside leaves, without any noticeable mines as they are relatively small. At the completion of the first instar, they emerge from the mines and moult underneath the leaf where they start feeding on the lower leaf surface.

The pupa is yellow in colour and turns brown or black prior to moth emergence. The length of a pupa is 7-9 mm.

Moths are small (about 6 mm), slender and greyish-brown, with pronounced antennae. From a dorsal view, the moth is marked with a broad, cream-coloured or light brown band along the back. In some cases, the band is constricted to form one or more light-coloured diamond-shaped patterns on the back, from where the common is derived “diamond-back moth”. The tips of the wings turn slightly upwards when viewed from the side. The moths cannot fly long distances, has weak flying ability and does not often fly distances longer than 2 m. They are dispersed by the wind.

Eggs are deposited either singly or in small batches of 2-8

Eggs of diamond-back moths are yellow to pale green. They are very small and virtually not visible with the naked eye.

30

Figure 1: Larva of the diamond-back moth. Photograph by Lyle Buss, University of Florida. http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/ veg/leaf/diamondback_moth.htm

eggs on the surface of foliage or other parts of the plant. Females lay 250 to 300 eggs which hatch after 4-8 days. It takes between 9 and 32 days (average of 18 days) for the larval stage to be completed. Pupation occurs in a loose silk cocoon, usually on the lower leaf surface or in debris on the ground.

Moths emerge from pupae after 5-15 days and can survive for approximately 12-16 days. The moths feed on nectar and are active at night. The total development time from egg to adult is 21-68 days, depending on temperature and this pest can have 4-15 generations per year.

Diamond-back moth was previously regarded as a relatively insignificant pest. Then, in the 1950s its abundance started to increase and by the 1970s it became a serious pest of brassica vegetables. It is now the most important and serious insect pest of the cabbage family throughout the world.

Feeding of the firs-instar larvae is normally unnoticed. Second- to fourth/fifth-instars feed on the underside of the leaves by stripping only the lower leaf without damaging the upper epidermis. It causes window-like leaf damage that immediately becomes large holes that are irregular in shape as the leaf grows and expands. Seedlings experience the most severe damage, and they either die or formation of the cabbage head becomes disrupted. When infestations are severe, plants may be reduced to a lace-like condition.

In many cases synthetic insecticides are the only method used for control of diamond-back moth. However, it has developed resistance to almost all synthetic insecticides as well as Bt toxins. More than 20 species of parasitic wasps that attack this pest have been reported in Southern Africa. Natural mortality and harsh weather conditions play important roles in reducing pest numbers. Since rainfall has detrimental effects on larvae and moths, daily overhead irrigation has been evidenced to reduce numbers in the field.

MARCH • APRIL 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

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