Vegetables & Fruit, July/August 2018

SINCE 1988

JULY • AUGUST 2018

Roer daardie rissie R37,00

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No 184

37 Nr 184

16

ISSN 1015-85 37

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NEWS

Cover 4 Geleenthede vir die jeug 4 New director of transformation 5 Ascendis Biosciences sponsor Citrus Research Symposium 5 Agri-Smart integrated solutions 7 ‘Vertikale boerdery’ se skepper is Nisboer van die jaar 7 Durban Market host stakeholders 7 Kynoch Kunsmis ontvang toekenning 9 Weed control for your orchard

South Africa had a good table grape crop in the 2017/2018 season, despite the drought. The beautiful picture is from The South African Table Grape Industry (SATI).

REDAKSIE Willie Louw (Groepredakteur)

CHILLI & PEPPERS 10 12

Syngenta has the sweet pepper solution Roer daardie rissies

Carien Daffue (Joernalis) 018 293 0622 mediacom@intekom.co.za Posbus 20250, Noordbrug, 2522

GRAPES 15 16

Good table grape crop realised despite drought SA Wine grape harvest 2018

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ADVERTENSIES Jana Greenall (011) 476 3702 Faks (011) 476 2038 mediacom@lantic.net UITLEG Roelien vd Westhuizen westhuizenroo@gmail.com 072 930 6721

POTATOES 19

Seedling to your table Bly ingelig en volg ons op Facebook.

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- SA Groente en Vrugte/SA Vegetables and Fruit - www.facebook.com/SAGroenteenVrugte/

MECHANISATION 23 24 26 27

New benchmark in grape harvesting performance Kubota and EGO showcased by SPE Betko at forefront with compact pre-sorter ‘n Trekker vir Mier

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PMA FRESH CONNECTIONS 28

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PMA Fresh Connections the event for all in the fresh produce industry The Wall Street of fresh produce GENERAL

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Tzaneen vier fees met avo’s South Africa regains crown as world’s largest producer of macadamia nuts Xtractor around South Africa World’s largest vertical farming facility INSECT COLUMN

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The Pink Stem Borer (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2018

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3

NEWS

Geleenthede vir die jeug Die landboumaatskappy Obaro bied jaarliks ‘n internskap vir landbouskole en leerlingbestuurders aan. Die internskap bied aan leerders uit Brits en Magaliesburg se omgewing geleentheid om tydens skoolvakansies by Obaro in te skakel.

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KOLIERE KRY BLOOTSTELLING AAN alle fasette van ‘n kleinhandelslandboumaatskappy, insluitend daaglikse operasionele take. Hulle kry onder meer te doen met meganisasie, versekering, finansiering, bemarking, besproeiingsontwerp, landbounavorsing en veeproduksie.

“Daar is ’n tekort aan jong mense wat by landbou betrokke wil raak. Ondanks sosio-ekonomiese kwessies en struikelblokke lê landbou se toekoms in die jeug se hande. Om genoeg (en goed genoeg) te boer sodat die voedselmandjie vol bly, vereis dat nuwe bloed en energie deurlopend tot die mark toetree. Obaro beskou dit as ons moreel-etiese verantwoordelikheid om ‘n beter toekoms vir die jeug te verseker,” sê Nic Bronkhorst, Obaro se besturende direkteur.

Die program vir leerlingbestuurders bied aan kandidate wat die program suksesvol voltooi ‘n NKR 5-kwalifikasie in

algemene bestuur. Dit bied waardevolle kennis in die landboubedryf, verseker werksondervinding, gee ‘n voorsprong in die arbeidsmark, asook praktiese toepassing van klaskamer-kennis en dit verhoog selfvertroue in die werksomgewing.

“As daar nie vandag geploeg en geplant word nie, kan daar nie môre geëet word nie. Ons weet dat die jeug die toekoms is, daarom doen ons ons deel om hulle tot die beste van ons vermoë toe te rus,” sê Bronkhorst.

Obaro-personeel wat 2017 se program vir leerlingbestuurders suksesvol voltooi het, tydens die prysuitdeling: Johan Labuschagne, Madelein Oosthuizen, Ayesha Valley, Elsie Mashiloane, Willem Opperman, Daniel Bouwer en Jason du Preez.

New director of transformation Agricultural company NWK Limited has appointed Tebogo Benedict Modise as Director: Transformation. His appointment is a further step in driving the renewed business strategy with the aim to add value to the South African agriculture and food value chain.

“

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E ARE PARTICULARLY PROUD that we were able to appoint an internal candidate in this key role. Benedict is well qualified for the position and very knowledgeable about the extent of our diverse business. We look forward to having him as a member of the executive management team, adding value in this role. He has proven himself as being dedicated to the success of our business. In the nine years he has been with NWK, we have found Benedict to be aligned to our values and vision of adding value to the entire South African agricultural landscape,” says Theo Rabe, Chief Executive Officer.

“I am an entrepreneurial and self-driven manager. I look forward to putting my experience in agriculture and agricultural development to good use and add value to NWK, our clients and the communities we serve,” states Modise. “This role requires someone that is a strong leader, a keen

Theo Rabe, Chief Executive Officer of NWK, and Benedict Modise, Director of Transformation at NWK.

networker as well as a flexible and versatile team player. I am confident that I will be able to rise to the challenge, while maintaining valuable relationships and always keep my sense of humour,” says Modise.

Benedict Modise brings more than twenty years of management experience in various industries which include both private and government institutions. He joined NWK in 2009 as agriculturist and in 2012.

JULY • AUGUST 2018 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

NUUS

Ascendis Biosciences sponsor Citrus Research Symposium Ascendis Biosciences will be participating in the tenth Citrus Research Symposium in the Drakensberg during August 2018. This year’s event provides attendees with a platform to provide updates and insights on citrus research conducted for the Southern African citrus industry over the past two years. The research has been formulated by researchers from Citrus Research International (CRI), several universities, the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and researchers from the private sector.

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HIS YEAR’S SYMPOSIUM WILL be attended by a wide spectrum of citrus industry role players who seek to develop and find solutions for future use by engaging industry professionals from the citrus sector.

“South Africa is one of the top ten producing countries of citrus and the industry is substantial in this market. Finding solutions is at the core of what we do as a business, this is why Ascendis Biosciences is excited to be a gold sponsor at this key industry event. It serves as a platform to spark impactful conversations and discuss how we can further grow the sector through collaborative partnerships,” explains Chris Hendriks, product manager at Ascendis Biosciences.

South Africa’s citrus industry is a major driver of growth for the country’s agriculture sector, however, various challenges are impacting the industry. For instance, the Western Cape drought has depleted the availability of irrigation water and as a result, crop yields have decreased in the region.

Agri-Smart integrated solutions Bearings International (BI) showcased the latest design of its agricultural hub bearings at the Nampo Harvest Day event recently.

In addition, it launched a bearing hub for planters and displayed its full product range for the agricultural industry under its new Agri-Smart banner.

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GRI-SMART ALLOWS BI TO offer its agricultural customers a solution for their specific requirements and conditions. “We continuously strive to develop new products for the farming community,” BI Business Unit Head Ross Trevelyan notes.

“We believe that the agricultural industry is of utmost importance to food security, and therefore to the economic development of our country. We strive to offer excellence to our customers in both service and product provision,” he comments.

With the agricultural sector under increasing pressure to cut costs and improve productivity, BI has both the experience and expertise, backed up by some of the best products available on the market, to assist farming customers in reducing

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2018

Bearings International CEO, Burtie Roberts, and business unit head Ross Ttrevelyan.

their downtime and boosting productivity significantly.

BI’s product line-up for the agricultural industry, under its Agri-Smart banner, runs the gamut from supplying bearings and chain to couplings and transmission products for arduous farming applications such as ploughing, planting, harvesting, and baling. It carries a comprehensive stockholding of critical spares, in addition to chain and V-belt drives, that can be dispatched to customers’ sites at short notice.

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NUUS

‘Vertikale boerdery’ se skepper is die Nisboer van die jaar Gideo van der Merwe, bestuurshoof van Clean Air Nurseries en die eerste Nisboer van die Jaar.

Gideo van der Merwe, bestuurshoof van Clean Air Nurseries en die meesterbrein agter die vertikaal geïntegreerde boerdery, E-Smart Food, is aangewys as Laeveld Agrochem se eerste Nisboer van die Jaar.

Die toekenning het plaasgevind met die bekendstelling van die tweede seisoen van Nisboere ten tyde van Laeveld se Seil-Safari, hul bootreis vir boere gedurende April.

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IDEO SE KOMPLEKSE, GEÏNTEGREERDE E-Smart Food het ons verlede seisoen oorweldig,” het die tv-program Nisboere se aanbieder, Anrich Herbst, tydens die oorhandiging gesê. “Mededinging was sterk, maar uiteindelik was

Gideo die onbetwiste Nisboer.”

Die motivering en inspirasie vir E-Smart Food, sê Van der Merwe, was die gewaarwording dat die wêreldbevolking na raming teen 2050 op 9,1 miljard sal staan. “Sou dit gebeur, sal dit ‘n verhoging van 70% in voedselproduksie noodsaak, wat tot ‘n krisis sal lei indien huidige omgewings- en produksietendense volgehou word,” verduidelik hy.

Die grondslag van dié futuristiese boerdery is die unieke Environmental Green Growth System (EGGS) wat tans 600 kg groente per vierkante meter per jaar lewer. Dit is 50 keer meer per vierkante meter as tradisionele boerdery, en 10 keer meer as die meeste hidroponiese stelsels. Die sukses van die stelsel is te danke aan ‘n zero-vermorsingsbeleid wat gegrond is op ‘n simbiotiese verhouding tussen al die elemente van die boerdery, van wurms, vis en skape tot ‘n geslote kringloop-stelsel wat boonop groot volumes water spaar.

Durban Market host stakeholders Durban Market recently hosted stakeholders from various support departments within the city, together with market agents, at a one-day interactive session and braai.

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HE PURPOSE OF THE day was to thank all relevant departments and market agents for their support throughout the year and to strengthen the relationship between all role players. The market’s financial performance report was

presented by the Senior Manager: Business Services and Systems Control, Jason Moonsamy. A detailed report on past projects and planned future projects to improve market operations was presented by André Young, Senior Manager: Operations and Marketing. The market agents’ report was presented by Grant Bolstridge, KZN Chairman of the Institute of Market Agents of South Africa (IMASA) – Durban Branch.

Stakeholder engagement sessions will continue with the intent of strengthening business relationships and service delivery into the future.

Kynoch Kunsmis ontvang toekenning G

RAAN SA HET KYNOCH se stalletjie by Nampo 2018 met ‘n toekenning as buite-uitstalling vereer.

Sertifikate is vir die eerste keer aan binne-uitstallings, buite-uitstallings en dames-uitstallings oorhandig. Kynoch herdenk vanjaar sy eeufees in Suid-Afrika. In die foto is Marlie Gnäde, Kynoch Kunsmis se media- en bemarkingskoördineerder, met die Nampo-sertifikaat. Die ander wenners van buite-uitstallings was Mercedes-Benz SA en MAN Truck & Bus.

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2018

7

Treevix

®

Powered by Kixor®

Strike out the toughest broadleaf weeds.

Treevix® is a new and innovative weed management solution for the control of difficult to control broadleaf weeds, including certain ALS-, triazine- and glyphosate resistant biotypes in citrus orchards.

Treevix®:

• Dramatically improves weed control in citrus orchards due to powerful foliar activity and excellent systemic action • Works considerably faster than existing solutions • Efficient weed control decreases weed seed production resulting in reduced weed pressure during upcoming seasons • Ideal to use in a broadleaf weed resistance management programme for citrus orchards

BASF South Africa (Pty) Ltd • 852 Sixteenth Road, Midrand, 1685 • PO Box 2801, Halfway House, 1685 • Tel: +27 11 203 2400 • Fax: +27 11 203 2461 • Website: www.agro.basf.co.za Mobile site: m.agro.basf.co.za • Treevix® Reg. No. L10406, Act No. 36 of 1947. Active ingredient: Kixor® 700 g/kg. Kixor® - saflufenacil.

Treevix® and Kixor® are registered trademarks of BASF.

uppe marketing A18606/SAGV/ENG

* Use Treevix® with Roundup® or Roundup® Turbo as per label recommendation.

NUUS

Weed control for your orchard Weed control in citrus orchards is one of the important management aspects a grower has to consider when producing quality fruit. It is important to control weeds growing in citrus orchards because they may reduce both the quantity and quality of the crop harvested.

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ROWTH OF YOUNG TREES can be slowed down by 36% as a result of weed competition, whereas proper weed control can positively impact the yield of bearing trees by up to 34%. Weeds adversely influence yield and fruit quality as they compete for water and nutrients, and in young trees they compete for light. Weeds also harbour insect pests and sometimes provide a bridge for ants to enter the tree canopy and interfere with beneficial insect activities. Weeds can also create management problems e.g. water distribution by micro spay irrigation and ineffective application of soil applied crop protection agents.

A well-managed ground cover in orchards could provide some benefits and the use of post-emergence herbicides allow annual weeds to germinate late in the season, breaking the crust, thus improving water penetration and aeration of soil around the trees. Weeds should then be controlled before they cause competition or form bridges for ants.

BASF prides itself in providing sustainable and innovative solutions to the agricultural industry. BASF’s research strategy is based on the needs of end customers, for example citrus growers, who require novel chemistry, particularly in light of increasing weed resistance to popular herbicides. BASF’s latest innovation, Treevix®, offers a perfect solution to the citrus industry in managing broadleaf weeds in orchards.

The herbicide gives citrus growers fast and effective control of the toughest broadleaf weeds, including certain ALS, triazine and glyphosate resistant biotypes such as Conyza species. It is powered by the innovative active ingredient Kixor® (saflufenacil) herbicide technology, first of the new pyrimidinedione class of chemistry, featuring a powerful mode of action and strong complementary activity with glyphosate.

Treevix is designed for directed, post emergence applications in citrus orchards and research has confirmed its ability to work considerably faster than 2,4D ester and glyphosate herbicides. When tank-mixed with glyphosate, at the rate of only 50 g per hectare, it provides contact burndown of actively growing broadleaf weeds with some residual soil activity. Due to the rapid uptake and specific mode of action of Treevix, the herbicidal effect on broadleaf weeds will normally be visible within two to three days after application.

The product is compatible with Roundup®, Roundup® Turbo, methylated seed oil and Dash® HC. It will be rainfast one hour after application provided the application was done under

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2018

done under optimum conditions stated on the label as well as using equipment that was in good working order and correctly calibrated with suitable spray nozzles.

Some of the weeds controlled by Treevix are Tall fleabane, Flax-leaf fleabane, Blackjack, Red milkweed, White goosefoot, Green goosefoot, Wandering jew, Wild bindweed, Cosmos, Large thorn apple, Wild pointsettia, Gallant soldier, Jersey cudweed and Tropical richardia. When used as recommended in mixture with Roundup or Roundup Turbo, the weeds controlled by these products will also be controlled. Tree and fruit safety have been confirmed, thus the seven day pre-harvest interval for citrus trees.

Key benefits to the citrus farmer are the rapid foliar burn down of weeds due to the foliar and systemic activity that Kixor brings. The quick action inhibits further growth of targeted broadleaf weeds, preventing seed production which will reduce the weed seedbank in the orchard. Kixor ’s active ingredient has a favourable environmental, toxicological and ecotoxicological profile which fits perfectly with an integrated management approach in citrus production. The Treevix product is the ideal partner to use in a long term sustainable and weed resistance management programme.

Left side of tree not treated, right side Treevix® with Roundup® and Dash®.

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CHILLI & PEPPERS

Syngenta has the sweet pepper solution Sweet peppers in South Africa are produced through a spectrum of growing practices and climates. Having the right variety to suit conditions and practices ultimately drives the producer’s profitability.

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ITH QUALITY HYBRID SEEDS developed and produced in a wide range of key growing regions in the world, Syngenta provides an assortment of sweet peppers that provide attributes that can suitably serve the South African market. It is complimented by the expert area-specific knowledge of InteliSeeds’ seed specialists.

From the list in Table 1 it is clear that Syngenta has a variety

to suit every need. Cannon is the world-wide leader and is suited for production in the Northern regions of South Africa.

Sobek is very popular throughout the country and has strong vigour, very good plant continuance and tomato spotted wilt virus tolerance.

The new kid on the block is Shir, is becoming very popular country wide. Balta, aimed at areas where virus pressure might

Table 1: The Syngenta sweet peper varieties

Growing practice

Passive greenhouse

Nethouse

Colour

Variety

Fruit size (cm)

Weight (g)

Disease resistance

Green to red

Cannon

10 x 9.5

175 - 250

HR: PVY: 0,1 / Tm: 0-2

Green to red

Sobek

11 x 9

17-210

11 x 10

230

Green to yellow

Shir

Green to red

Balta

Green to yellow

Admiral

11,5 x 11,5

225

Green

Jupiter

11 x 11

170

Green

Crusader

Green

Indra

Open field

The Admiral 21IT variety is an open field variety that comes in green to yellow.

10

220 12 x 10

170

HR: ToMV/ TM 0 - 3 (L1 - 4) IR: TSWV: 0 HR: PVY: 0,1,2/ Tm: 0 IR: CMV / Lt / TSWV: 0 HR: PVY: 0/ Tm: 0/ Xcv: 1,2,4,5 HR: ToMV / TM 0(L1) HR: PVY: 0,1,2 / Tn: 0 / Xcv: 1 - 3 HR: PVY: 0 / TEV / Tm: 0 / TMV / ToMV

The Commandant variety.

JULY • AUGUST 2018 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

RISSIES & SOETRISSIES

Carbonara F1

be a problem, has a full disease package as well powdery mildew resistance. Admiral, Crusader and Indra are well-known varieties and and an expansion of the range. These three varieties perform well in the Northern regions. Jupiter is an open-pollinated blocky pepper of which the seed production takes place internationally. It is a tried and tested variety that delivers consistently high yields of large, well-shaped fruits.

Sweet Pepper is a strategic crop for Syngenta and there are strong genetics backing the varieties on the market. Disease resistance of varieties are becoming increasingly more important to ensure sustainable cultivation practices and marketable yields. To complement the assortment, their development programme is focused on producing varieties that answers to the market and consumers needs, taking into account the resistances needed to produce a profitable crop. The varieties go through rigorous trialing and development programmes and together with InteliSeed they are investing and launching dedicated trial stations, strategically located, to ensure the varieties are tested and suited for the South African market and growing practices.

Disclaimer: Syngenta Vegetables Seeds has exercised reasonable care and skill in compiling this content. All resistances quoted refer only to strains of races or pathotypes indicated on the varieties. Other pathogen races or pest biotypes capable of overcoming the resistance may exist or emerge. Syngenta Vegetables Seeds uses highly elaborate analytical methods to verify specific variety resistanc es. Specificity of pests or pathogens may vary over time and space and depends on environmental factors. In order to maximize the efficiency of a resistance, it is highly recommended to mix different ways of control such as growing conditions, plant protection products and genetic resistance as part of an integrated crop management. The latest International Seed Federation (I.S.F.) terms and definitions describing the reaction of plants to pests and pathogens and to abiotic stresses for the vegetable seed industry are hereby incorporated by reference.

The meaning of such terms in any related statement made by Syngenta shall be as provided by the I.S.F. If Syngenta adopts a proper term to define the reaction of plants to pests and pathogens and to abiotic stresses, Syngenta shall inform the customers of such term and of its definition. All data in this site 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 Vegetables Seeds cannot accept any liability in connection with this content.

The early processing type with very long field standing ability.

Tolerant to Fusarium Wilt High yielding

Syngenta South Africa (Pty) Limited Private Bag X60, Halfway House, 1685. Tel. (011) 541 4000. www.syngenta.co.za. Š Syngenta Ag, 2000. Copyright of this document is reserved.

All unauthorized copying is prohibited.

The Indra variety is an open field variety and comes in green.

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2018

InteliSeed Office Contact Details Tel: +27 11 660 7481 | Fax: +27 11 660 7559 | www.intelichem.co.za

11

We have exercised the utmost care in compiling this information in this report. The data should, however, be handled by the user in his/ her own knowledge and experience of local circumstances. The terms used here refer to the known and described physios of certain pathotypes. However, other unknown and/or non-described disease physios may exist. We cannot, therefore, accept any liability for varieties listed in this report turning out to be non-resistant or non-tolerant to such pathotypes, whatever the reason. In case of doubt we recommend carrying out a small-scale trial production in order to test local growing conditions. *variety not registered but compliant to guidelines for import and unlisted varieties.

CHILLI & PEPPERS

Roer daardie rissies Johan Stronkhorst

Hierdie artikel fokus op die verbouing van soetrissies en warmrissies en wat produsente kan doen om die hoogste opbrengspotensiaal te behaal, en om die uitdagings te identifiseer wat moontlik ‘n negatiewe uitwerking op produksie kan hê.

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ROENTE-VERBOUING IS OPSIGSELF ‘N intensiewe boerdery met vele uitdagings wat die produsent in die gesig staar. Groente word regoor die wêreld onder verskillende omstandighede en met verskeie metodes verbou, maar die uitdagings bly globaal dieselfde en word op verskeie maniere bestuur.

Meganisasie is aan die orde van die dag in baie ander lande, met planters, spuittoerusting en oesmasjiene. Selfs gradering en verpakking word toenemend gemeganiseer. Insetkoste

styg gereeld en daar word gereeld kommentaar gelewer dat die produsent se produkpryse nie in dieselfde mate toeneem nie. Soms kry die groenteprodusent goeie pryse vir produkte, maar oor die algemeen begin produsente al hoe ander moontlikhede oorweeg omdat groenteverbouing baie arbeidsintensief is. ‘n Oplossing om hierdie tendens teen te werk, is hoër produksie. Produsente moet fokus om die potensiële opbrengs wat moontlik is vir die gegewe omstandighede en gewas te laat realiseer.

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Sakata Kwaliteit saad

Cherokee*

Momentum*

* Eksperimenteel: Hierdie variëteit is steeds eksperimenteel, maar registrasie is reeds ingedien vir Suid-Afrikaanse kultivar lysting.

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

RISSIES & SOETRISSIES

Gesonder rissie saailinge.

Rissieplante is ‘n baie lekker gewas om mee te boer en dit kan gerus deur kleiner boerderye oorweeg word. Die plante kan in die oop land of onder beskerming verbou word en die plant kan ook op verskeie maniere gemanipuleer word om meer vegetatief of om meer reproduktief te groei.

Die klem moet egter op kwaliteit gelê word en om die plant in balans te hou, sodat volhoubare produksie oor ‘n redelike tydperk versprei word. Indien daar te veel vrugte aan ‘n plant is, sal die vrugte oor die algemeen kleiner wees en ‘n dunner vrugwand hê, wat laer kwaliteit en raklewe tot gevolg het.

Dit het ook ‘n direkte invloed op die plant, deurdat die plant uitgeput word en dan sukkel om vegetatief te groei. Blare word kleiner, die plant verkeer onder stremming en is dan gewoonlik ook meer vatbaar vir verskeie siektes.

Die eerste, uiters belangrike stap vir rissieproduksie is om met gesonde saailinge te begin. Goeie ontwikkeling in die vroeë stadium is krities en bepaal tot ‘n groot mate wat die res van die produksie-periode gaan oplewer. Gesonde wortels is net so belangrik.

Soos vroeër genoem, kan die plante gemanipuleer word na gelang van omstandighede. Die balans tussen wortelontwikkeling, vegetatiewe groei (blare) en die vrugset kan bestuur word. ‘n Baie belangrike aspek van die gewas se bestuur is bemesting en besproeiing, wat hand-aan-hand loop. Om ‘n algemene bemestingsprogram voor te stel is nie realisties nie, aangesien dit alles afhang van die grondtipe en die hoeveelheid water wat toegedien word.

In baie gevalle word hoër bemestingspeile aanbeveel en hoe meer bemesting toegedien word, hoe meer water is nodig en dit lei weer daartoe dat voedingselemente uitgeloog word.

Gevolglik is profielgate in die oop land en waarnemings van die grondprofiel voordat besproei word noodsaaklik. Net soos die afloop van bemesting en besproeiing in ‘n tonnel of plantsakkie gemeet word, moet dit ook in die oop land gemonitor word.

Faktore wat produksie negatief kan beïnvloed In die afgelope seisoen is poeieragtige meeldou, ‘n swamsiekte, in verskeie dele van die land geïdentifiseer.

Poeieragtige meeldou kom op ‘n plant se blare voor en in gevalle waar dit te laat waargeneem word, kan dit tot ontblaring lei, wat die staking van totale produksie tot gevolg het. Al die vrugte moet afgepluk word en die produsent moet poog om die blaarbedekking te herstel voordat verdere vrugset moontlik sal wees.

Dit kan ook veroorsaak dat vrugte wat reeds ten tye van die besmetting gevorm het, sonbrand sal opdoen omdat beskermende blarebedekking ontbreek. Dit kan nog meer oesverliese tot gevolg hê.

Poeieragtige meeldou sal aan die begin van die

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2018

ontwikkeling geel tot nekrotiese vlekke of kolle op die bokant van blare vertoon wat later ‘n wit groeisel (poeieragtig) laat vorm.

Poeieragtige meeldou ontwikkel hoofsaaklik in vogtige, warm omgewings (humiditeit is nie krities nie) of waar die ligintensiteit laag is. Oormatige vlakke van stikstof in die bemestingsprogram kan ook die siekte se voorkoms vererger.

Myte kom sporadies in aanplantings voor. Verskillende spesies is gewoonlik betrokke en elkeen wys verskillende simptome.

Die rooispinmyt, wat veral op tamaties voorkom, is welbekend en met die blote oog sigbaar. Roesmyt en sitrussilvermyt is van die spesies wat nie altyd sigbaar is nie, maar aangesien hulle simptome van mekaar verskil kan die spesie wat voorkom wel geëien word. Roesmyt se simptome is meer sigbaar in die vorm van ‘n kurkagtige net wat oor die vrugte versprei en dit kan ook op die stamme simptome veroorsaak.

Die sitrussilvermyt het ‘n duideliker simptoom op die groeipunt van veral rissies en dit mag voorkom asof die plant een of ander virus-besmetting het (virusse is meer aktief in die groeipunte).

Die myte veroorsaak dat die blare omkrul, die groeipunte verdwerg sigbaar en die blare is kleiner. Myte voed ook direk in blomme en vrugte en kan sodoende blomme laat afspeen en vrugte onbemarkbaar maak. Oor die algemeen is myte meer prominent in droë toestande en word oor die algemeen eerste aan die onderkant van blare waargeneem.

Hierdie is enkele faktore wat ‘n rol kan speel by rissieverbouing. Dit is belangrik vir produsente om op hoogte te bly van die jongste chemiese middels op die mark. Dit is beter om voorkomende “sagter” middels te spuit, as om in ‘n later stadium met ‘n groot probleem te sukkel waar slegs “harde” chemiese middels gebruik moet word.

Die belangrikste aspek bly egter ‘n goeie balans tussen vegetatiewe groei en vrugset en die bestuur van plante om die gewenste uitwerking op die produksie te kry. Die produsent se taak is half gewin wanneer hy met gesonde plante wegspring, gegrond op ‘n goeie wortelstelsel.

Vrywaring: Die inligting is op waarnemings en/of inligting van ander bronne af gebaseer. Aangesien gewasprestasie afhang van die interaksie tussen die saad se genetiese potensiaal, die fisiologiese eienskappe daarvan en die omgewing, insluitend bestuurspraktyke, gee Sakata geen uitdruklike waarborg of deur implikasie vir die gewas se prestasie relatief tot die inligting wat verskaf is nie. Die maatskappy aanvaar geen aanspreeklikheid vir enige verlies, direk of as gevolg, wat te wyte aan enige oorsaak mag ontstaan nie. Lees eers Sakata Seed Southern Africa se verkoopsvoorwaardes voordat saad bestel word.

Myte se skade op soetrissies.

13

Innoverend Genetika Kwaliteit

Die alles-in-een-saadverskaffer

SV 6131 PB* • Geskik vir oopland produksie • Uitstekende blaarbedekking vir beskerming teen sonbrand • Donkergroen vrugkleur • Univormige vrugte met goeie blaaraanhegting • Groeikragtige plant • Uitstekende siektepakket

PS 16351609*

King Arthur

Amarelo*

• Tolerant teen Phytophthora capsici • Verbeterde bemarkbare opbrengs

• Bekende betroubare variëteit • Gemiddelde vrugmassa tussen 250 tot 350 g • Goeie univormigheid • Geskik vir die varsmark

• Medium-groot vrugte • Uitstekende kwaliteit • Sterk, regop plant • Goeie blaarbedekking • Geskik vir oopland en nethuis produksie • Goeie toleransie teen PVY

*Kultivar is tans onder proef en is of sal daarna oorweeg word om vir registrasie ingedien te word.

Posbus 159, Oudtshoorn, 6620, Suid-Afrika • Tel: 044 203 9800 • Tel: 018 293 1233 •Tel: 010 140 0839 • Tel: 012 252 6849 • www.saadbemarking.co.za

DRUIWE

Vineyards of the Western Cape.

Good table grape crop realised despite drought The South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) realised a good table grape crop of just over 62 million cartons (4,5 kg equivalent cartons) despite producers facing the worst drought ever recorded in the Western parts of the country.

A

CCORDING TO FANIE NAUDE, newly elected Chairperson of the SATI Board, the South African table grape season is 8% lower than the record 67,5 million cartons crop of the previous season. “Despite this decrease, a good crop was realised amidst the third year of drought faced by three of our five production regions.”

“Although there is sufficient water in the two early summer rainfall production regions, namely the Northern Provinces and Orange River region, we were convinced the harvest would be bigger. In the end the Orange River region was hampered by smaller berries and lower bunch weights, and as a result they packed 7% less than last season. The summer rains did not affect the harvest in the Northern Provinces region, which reached a record crop of 6 million cartons, the only region that improved on last season’s figures.”

According to SATI’s report, the Olifants River region experienced heat waves early in December that damaged the grapes, while the canal supplying irrigation water ran dry, leading to a nearly 30% drop in volumes compared to last season. Individual producers in this region as well as in the Berg River region were the hardest hit by the drought, with some of them losing

The drought had an impact on three of the five producing areas.

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2018

Table 1: Regions

a large portion of their crop. The Berg River volumes were down by just under 16%, which was slightly better than estimated at the beginning of the season.

The late Hex River region had a close to normal season, finishing just under 8% lower than last season. Red grapes struggled with colour development, however this changed dramatically as cooler nights set in during March. This contributed to a longer than expected tail end of the season boosting the region’s volumes.

The rand was much stronger this season leading to lower export earnings. For the first time in years markets were reasonably stable. This was as a result of a challenging season in several Southern Hemisphere countries.

According to Willem Bestbier, CEO of SATI, the industry is grateful to have harvested, packed and shipped a good crop under difficult circumstances. “We want to congratulate producers for their good and responsible water management, which was critical to minimise the impact of the drought as much as possible.

The resilience and commitment from our producers were once again outstanding.”

With the start of a very promising rain season in the Western Cape, the industry is waiting in anticipation for things to return to normal. This will be crucial with respect to the coming 2018/19 season. The grapevine is a very resilient plant and only time will tell if dam levels are to be fully replenished.

15

GRAPES

SA wine grape harvest 2018 Wine grape producers and cellars in South Africa are positive about the quality of wines from the 2018 harvest, despite challenging conditions resulting in one of the smallest crops in more than a decade.

A

CCORDING TO THE WINE industry body Vinpro, the 2018 harvest, at 1 220 920 tonnes and 15% smaller than in 2017, was initially expected to be even smaller.

“The 2018 harvest season was really challenging, due to a prolonged drought which some believe to be the worst in 100 years, and accompanied by water restrictions and frost damage in some areas,” says Francois Viljoen, manager of Vinpro’s viticultural consultation service.

All regions except the Breedekloof reported a smaller wine grape crop, with the Olifants River region being hit hardest due to a water allocation amounting to only 20% the region’s normal allowance from the Clanwilliam Dam. In addition to water shortages, some vines in the Breedekloof, Worcester and Robertson areas were affected by frost damage in September and October 2017. The Northern Cape region, where

16

DRUIWE

water supply was sufficient, also had a decrease in production as vines recovered poorly from frost damage earlier in the season.

The dry weather throughout the season did have its advantages as vines were healthy, with little or no pests and diseases being recorded in most regions.

“The South African wine industry is already very diverse due to the variation in climate and terroir between the respective regions. But this year it was exceptionally difficult to generalise as the conditions would differ significantly from one region, and even one farm, to the next, depending on access to water, the prioritisation of other crops on the farm and how the vineyard was managed to cope with the drought,” said Francois.

The amount of grape bunches looked promising at first, but the berries were much smaller than usual, which affected the total tonnage. “Smaller berries usually have good colour and flavour intensity and this, along with cooler weather during harvest time relieved some pressure on vines and bode well for quality,” says Francois.

“We feel very positive about the prospective quality of the grapes from the 2018 harvest as this is one of the most important issues that we are focusing on as an industry,” says Siobhan Thompson, CEO of Wines of South Africa (Wosa).

“It is imperative that the standards of the wines we sell both locally and abroad can compete with that from the rest of the world. It shows true character, not only in the quality of our terroir, but also from our winemakers, to adapt and overcome such challenging conditions in order to remain viable,” she says.

“I take my hat off to South African wine grape producers and winemakers for adapting their practices in the vineyard and cellar to decrease the effect of the water shortages. We

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2018

hope that the 2018 winter breaks the drought and that the vines will recover sufficiently in the run-up towards the 2019 wine grape harvest,” says Francois.

South Africa is the eighth biggest wine producer worldwide and produces about 4% of the world’s wine. The wine industry contributes R36 billion to the country’s gross domestic product and employs nearly 290 000 people.

Total crop size The 2018 wine grape crop is estimated at 1 220 920 tonnes according to South African Wine Industry Information and Systems (Sawis) at the end of April 2018. This is 15% lower than in 2017.

The 2018 wine harvest, juice and concentrate for non-alcoholic purposes, wine for brandy and distilling wine included, is expected to amount to 948,3 million litres, calculated at an average recovery of 777 litres per ton of grapes.

17

wins in jou sak

waarom POTATOPACK™ die slim keuse is:

Met meer as 10 jaar se ervaring het ons die regte oplossings vir professionele aartappel produksie.

Meer as 50 plaaslike proewe getuig van POTATOPACK™ se sukses.

POTATOPACK™ lewer gemiddeld 600 sakkies per hektaar meer as vergelykende programme. ’n Groter oes beteken meer geld in jou sak.

vir relatiewe kort-groei aartappels (< 90 dae)

vir addisonele laatroesbeskerming vir medium tot lang-groei aartappels (90 – 120 dae)

vir mefenoxam weerstandbiedende areas en relatiewe lang-groei aartappels (110 – 120 dae)

vir droëland toestande met laer siektedruk en relatiewe lang-groei aartappels (110 -120 dae)

Syngenta Suid-Afrika (Edms) Beperk, Privaatsak X60, Halfway House, 1685. Tel. (011) 541 4000. www.syngenta.co.za © Syngenta Ag, 2000. Kopiereg op hierdie dokument word voorbehou. Alle ongemagtigde reproduksie word verbied.

@SyngentaSA

16676 IDEA ENGINEE ® S

sit meer

AARTAPPELS

Seedling to your table Workers inspecting the lands armed with protection against the sun.

Wesgrow Potatoes was established in 1964 and is a farmer-owned company situated on a farm outside the town of Christiana, in the North West. The company, formally known as Wesvrystaat Aartappel Moerkwekers, is in the business of potato seed production. The 18 participating potato farmers produce in excess of 5 300 ha of potatoes and represent 60% of total potato seed production in South Africa.

A

CCORDING TO GERHARD POSTHUMUS, Managing Director of Wesgrow, their mission and vision is to change consumers’ perception of potatoes, through constant innovation and development of new potato varieties, that are better suited to consumers’ culinary needs. They want to grow and return value to the potato category in South Africa, by changing the image of the potato from commodity to a market-driven consumer product, therefore benefiting all stakeholders in the industry – farmers, retailers and consumers.

Wesgrow’s success in seed potatoes results from their strategic decision in 1983 to start sourcing new potato varieties internationally. Since then, the company have been the driving force behind the development of new local potato varieties. The company source their varieties from two distinguished potato variety breeders: HZPC in Holland and Irish Potato Marketing (IPM Group) in Ireland.

Their success to date can be attributed to the discovery of two traditional and farmer-friendly varieties, Mondial and Sifra, which now dominate the South African table potato market. These varieties are selected with the farmer’s interests

in mind, like qualities of yield and disease resistance, rather than the end consumer’s interests, like eating and cooking qualities.

Over the years, the farmers have been working on the development of new retail fresh potato varieties, for the purposes of bringing innovation and growth to the potato industry.

There is a number of retail fresh varieties which are now ready for introduction to the local market. These varieties are in huge demand by retailers; however, Wesgrow face the obstacle in their current route-to-market model, as farmers are only interested in growing farmer-friendly varieties.

When asked what their biggest challenges was on a day to day basis, Gerhard says, “Developing potato varieties for 12 months of the year, that are consistent in appearance, taste and culinary attributes, under diverse farming and climatical conditions across South Africa, was a big challenge”. Another challenge that the farmers face in creating a market for their unique varieties, is the fact that consumers in South Africa are largely uneducated when it comes to potato varieties.

The above challenge is what motivated farmers to take control of the retail fresh potato supply chain, by

The different varieties of potato produced by the Wesgro farmers.

TO PAGE 21

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2018

19

Sercadis

®

’n Xemium®-oplossing

uppe marketing A18520/AFR

Die nuwe generasie swamdoder is hier ...

Beste in sy klas Met die innoverende aktiewe bestanddeel Xemium®, is BASF se nuutste swamdoder Sercadis® in kombinasie met Delan®, beslis eersteklas wat ’n weerstandbestuursoplossing vir jou kernvrugte betref. Met uitstekende beheer van skurfsiekte en poeieragtige skimmel, lewer Sercadis® hoë gehalte vrugte met gerieflike en aanpasbare swamdodertoediening vir jou gemoedsrus.

BASF Suid Afrika (Edms) Bpk • 852 Sestiende Straat, Midrand, 1685 • Posbus 2801, Halfway House, 1685 • Tel: +27 11 203 2400 • Faks: +27 11 203 2461 • Webblad: www.agro.basf.co.za Mobielewebblad: m.agro.basf.co.za • Sercadis® Reg. Nr. L9800, Wet Nr. 36 van 1947. Aktiewe bestanddeel: Xemium® 300 g/ℓ. Versigtig. Xemium® = Fluxapyroxad (pyrazole-carboxamide).

Delan® Reg. Nr. L5440, Wet Nr. 36 van 1947. Aktiewe bestanddeel: Dithianon 500 g/ℓ. Skadelik • Gebruik slegs soos aangedui op etiket • Sercadis®, Xemium® en Delan® is geregistreerde handelsmerke van BASF.

AARTAPPELS

Seedling to your table FROM PAGE 19

Harvested bags full of beautiful potatoes.

vertically integrating the potato pre-packing market into their system. A potato packing facility was built in 2014, close to the farms, resulting in the supply of potatoes directly from farmer to retailer, therefore reducing unnecessary intermediary costs (marketing, handling and transport). It also created the opportunity to work directly with retailers, in order to educate South African consumers and create a market for Wesgrow’s retail fresh varieties.

When it comes to marketing, Gerhard says that in order to change perceptions about potato varieties in South Africa, they first need to focus on educating the consumer. This will be done through working closely with retailers on in-store marketing, such as POS displays, shelf talkers, pamphlets, demonstrations and activations. An online campaign will include the social media Facebook and Instagram and their website. They will also be working with chefs on recipe development and educate customers by showcasing the different potato variety’s culinary attributes.

Wesgrow officially started packing potatoes in July 2015, and have been supplying Pick ‘n Pay for three years. They have recently also started supplying SPAR and Shoprite Checkers.

The supply chain plays a very important role in the production of potatoes, the Wesgro trucks can be seen on South African roads.

Harvested potatoes are kept in the shade.

21

SUMIPLEO 500 EC ®

Unieke chemie vir doeltreffende insekplaagbeheer…

SumiPleo® is enig in sy IRAC produkklas en word reeds wyd vertrou as effektiewe alternatiewe chemie vir weerstandsbestuur van Lepidoptera plae in S.A. Beheer van Afrika bolwurm, Aartappelmot en Tuta absoluta in aartappels, Afrika bolwurm en Tuta absoluta in tamaties, Ruitrugmot in Crucifereae soos kool, broccoli, brusselse spruite asook Afrika bolwurm in blaarslaaisoorte is nou geregistreer.

Registrasie vir die beheer van Herfskommandowurm (Spodoptera frugiperda), die nuwe indringerplaag op mielies en suikermielies is ook nuut verkry. Sterk onderdrukking van Amerikaanse en Ertjie Lyriomyza blaarmyners op aartappels en tamaties asook onderdrukking van Tamatievalslandmeters in tamaties kan ook in behandelings verwag word.

VERSTANDIGE KEUSE Die kragtige werking van die aktiewe bestanddeel Pyridaliel bied talle uitstaande voordele: • Veilig vir soogdiere en voëls (Toksklas 3: Blouband).

• Veilig vir operateurs.

• Doeltreffend teen groter Lepidoptera larwes met lae risiko vir voordelige plaagvyande, asook bye en erdwurms.

• Aktief teen chemiese weerstandige Lepidoptera spesies, veral as dit afgewissel word met ander alternatiewe chemiese groepe soos DiPel® DF en Florbac® WG. • Geen kruisweerstand met ander chemiese groepe is tans bekend nie.

• Sumipleo® werk stadiger as peritroïedes maar vreetskade aan bespuite gewasse staak gou na bespuiting deur inhibisie van voeding.

• Ideale produk vir gebruik in Geïntegreerde Plaagbeheer Programme ( GPB, Eng.: IPM).

Vir meer inligting oor die nuwe generasie chemie en die bewese voordele van Sumipleo®, gesêls vandag nog met jou naaste Philagro-agent of produkbestuurder, Henk Terblanche - 082 829 4070.

SUMIPLEO® 500 EC RAADPLEEG DIE PRODUKETIKET VIR VOLLEDIGE GEBRUIKSAANWYSINGS Sumipleo® is ‘n geregistreerde handelsmerk van die Sumitomo Chemical Company, Tokio, Japan. Sumipleo (Reg. nr. L8377 Wet 36/1947), bevat Pyridaliel, versigtig..

Tindrum 18/014

Philagro Suid-Afrika (Edms) Bpk Reg nr: 98/10658107

PostNet Suite #378, Privaatsak X025, Lynnwoodrif 0040 Pretoria Tel: 012 348 8808 Somerset Wes Tel: (021) 851 4163

www.philagro.co.za

MEGANISASIE

New benchmark in grape harvesting performance How many premium destemmed grapes can be harvested in eight hours? The New Holland Braud 9090X answered this question during an SGS-verified performance test in Waikerie, South Australia: 197,6 tonnes of destemmed grapes, corresponding to an average performance of nearly 24,7 tonnes of grape per hour. All with an extra-low MOG (Material other than Grape) rate of 1,0% MOG, minimal losses and record low fuel consumption of only 0,99 litres per harvested tonne.

T

HE BRAUD 9090X USED in the challenge was equipped with a new destemmer and side conveyor system that enables non-stop harvesting in high-yield vineyards. The test was made possible thanks to the support of C&S Devito vineyards and Riverland Vintners Winery: the fleet used during the test included a Braud 9090X, five New Holland T4.105F tractors and an Iveco Stralis 560 hp truck.

The performance test took place recently in Waikerie, South Australia, on a seven-hectare red-grape parcel. While white varieties typically return higher yields, New Holland targeted a Shiraz grape variety to focus not only on capacity, but also on sample quality.

“This test shows how productivity can go hand-in-hand with harvesting and destemming accuracy,” stated Thierry Le Briquer, head of the Grape & Olive Product Line at New Holland. “The test also confirms New Holland as the leader in the grape harvester business, and the Braud 9090X as a productive grape-harvester”.

According to the company this is the most state-of-the-art grape harvester to date, providing wine growers with capacity and speed of operation, while improving wine quality by removing stems and MOG from the fruit sample.

The 9090X series is based on proven Braud design, which revolutionised grape harvesting and continues to offer the gentlest treatment of the vine and harvested crop. Thanks to their 90-degree turn angle, Braud 9090X harvesters have a tight turn radius. The integrated Intelligent Management System with IntelliView™ touch-screen monitor provides full access to all key harvesting functions and boosts efficiency and productivity.

The Braud 9090X is equipped with a 175 hp, 6-cylinder FPT Industrial Common Rail power unit that delivers output, uptime and fuel economy, together with sustainability.

The Braud SDC shaking system allows each shaking rod to

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2018

be independent, rear-mounted on a flexible support that allows control of the shaker for the gentlest picking. The Noria bucket and fruit-catching system enables collection and transport with no fruit maceration.

Thanks to the newly-introduced destemming technology for side conveyor, large-scale grape growers will benefit from the productivity as well as the best fruit sample. Racchis, stems and other green debris are removed upon harvesting, hence avoiding MOG contamination during transport and unloading. This improves wine quality.

“We believe destemmed fruit quality is to become the next standard for the most demanding winemakers. Very soon some of the worlds most celebrated premium-quality wines could be produced from grapes harvested and destemmed by just one of our machines” says Philippe Boisseau, Grape & Olive Global Product Manager. “The Braud 9090X with the destemming unit represents a breakthrough in the market, coupling high capacity with top wine quality. We see market potential for this combination, which has recently been launched in the North American and Asia & Pacific Regions.”

The New Holland Braud 9090X.

23

Intello F1

MECHANISATION

Kubota and EGO showcased

by SPE At this year’s Nampo Harvest Days, Smith Power Equipment marked its 18th exhibit at the premier agricultural show with a host of new solutions that speak directly to the needs of the farming community.

T

HE TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE ALLOWED Smith Power to give a glimpse of what’s to come. According to General Manager Tom Bloom, farmers are looking at ways to make every part of their farming activities as profitable as possible and they are starting to question how capital equipment goods can add value to their operations before they make any buying decisions.

The new Kubota U15-3 a 1,5-tonne compact excavator was shown for the first time to the farming community. This machine is a perfect fit for farmers looking to keep a lid on their operational costs and getting the better of space-constrained working environments. It is the solution in confined spaces, thanks to its compact body and adjustable track width function. According to Bloom, a key feature of the U15-3 is its hydraulic track that can adjust the track width from 1 240 to 990 mm. At the touch of a lever, operators can reduce the width, to allow for navigation through narrow spaces, or increase the width, for better stability.

Meanwhile, the AUSA dumpers also made their debut at Nampo. Compact wheel dumpers are replacing smaller trucks on many sites and they will definitely come handy for the farming community. Due to their compact size, they are now the preferred solution to transport material in particularly difficult terrain and where space is at a premium.

With the introduction of EGO’s cordless range of battery

The fresh market and processing variety with excellent uniformity and yield.

Tolerant to Black rot High plant vigour

Syngenta South Africa (Pty) Limited Private Bag X60, Halfway House, 1685. Tel. (011) 541 4000. www.syngenta.co.za. © Syngenta Ag, 2000. Copyright of this document is reserved.

All unauthorized copying is prohibited.

SPE feautured most of their equipment at the show.

InteliSeed Office Contact Details Tel: +27 11 660 7481 | Fax: +27 11 660 7559 | www.intelichem.co.za We have exercised the utmost care in compiling this information in this report. The data should, however, be handled by the user in his/ her own knowledge and experience of local circumstances. The terms used here refer to the known and described physios of certain pathotypes. However, other unknown and/or non-described disease physios may exist. We cannot, therefore, accept any liability for varieties listed in this report turning out to be non-resistant or non-tolerant to such pathotypes, whatever the reason. In case of doubt we recommend carrying out a small-scale trial production in order to test local growing conditions. *variety not registered but compliant to guidelines for import and unlisted varieties.

24

JULY • AUGUST 2018 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

Cos / Romaine MEGANISASIE

Smith Power’s newly-launched EGO Power+ system includes tree pruning equipment .

Pivotal

powered outdoor tools in the local market, SPE is offering a smarter way to power through farming and pruning tasks.

EGO is a global manufacturing company which has been at the centre of revolutionising the gardening equipment industry. With this technology, fossil fuels are being replaced by cleaner, greener energy of the EGO Power+ system. Powered by a 56 V Arc Lithium battery, the EGO Power+ system delivers petrol-matching power, but without any of the downsides of petrol-powered units. It’s simpler, cleaner and quieter, and with less vibration that is more comfortable to use.

“We carry a comprehensive range of EGO’s outdoor tools, all driven by a single power unit,” explains Mark Chittenden, General Manager at Smith Power. “We then also have a range of chain saws and hedge trimmers, as well as a full line of blowers, including hand-held and back-pack type,” adds Chittenden.

Ideal variety for the winter Traits: • Ecology: Open field • Variety usage: Fesh/processing • Season: Winter • Tolerance: External tip burn, Bolting • Resistance: Bremia lactucae (Bl) 16-29, 32

Battery offering A major talking point for this range is the patented 56 V Arc Lithium battery designed to deliver petrol-matching performance. The Arc Lithium battery has an innovative design to maximise battery cooling. Unlike conventional brick-shaped batteries where the cells are packed together, overheat and shut down, the Arc design dissipates heat more effectively.

The battery design is unique in many ways. Firstly, it can be used in any of the EGO machines, so a single battery can be used across all machine ranges. Secondly, apart from the Arc design that helps prevent overheating, the battery has another clever way to keep cool: each and every cell is surrounded by EGO’s Keep Cool phase change material that absorbs heat energy and keeps individual cells at their optimum temperature for longer.

Charging times vary from 20 to 70 minutes, depending on the type of charger selected, either Standard or Rapid. The battery’s charging times are a major talking point, bearing in mind that Lithium-ion batteries, on average, take about two hours or more to recharge. The EGO Arc Lithium battery range is good for a 1 000 charge cycle. Locally that translates to a good 4-5 year lifespan. Commercially it will depend on the charge cycles.

“With lower running and maintenance costs, switching to EGO Power+ will lead to long-term savings. Plus, with zero emissions during use, you can do your bit to reduce your impact on the environment too,” concludes Chittenden.

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2018

Celestial Suitable variety for the winter Traits: • Ecology: Open field • Variety usage: Fresh/processing • Season: Winter • Tolerance: Twisting • Resistance: Bremia lactucae (Bl) 16-28, 30-32, Nasonovia ribisnigri (Nr) 0

Syngenta South Africa (Pty) Limited Private Bag X60, Halfway House, 1685. Tel. (011) 541 4000. www.syngenta.co.za. © Syngenta Ag, 2000. Copyright of this document is reserved.

All unauthorized copying is prohibited.

InteliSeed Office Contact Details Tel: +27 11 660 7481 | Fax: +27 11 660 7559 | www.intelichem.co.za

25

We have exercised the utmost care in compiling this information in this report. The data should, however, be handled by the user in his/ her own knowledge and experience of local circumstances. The terms used here refer to the known and described physios of certain pathotypes. However, other unknown and/or non-described disease physios may exist. We cannot, therefore, accept any liability for varieties listed in this report turning out to be non-resistant or non-tolerant to such pathotypes, whatever the reason. In case of doubt we recommend carrying out a small-scale trial production in order to test local growing conditions. *variety not registered but compliant to guidelines for import and unlisted varieties.

MECHANISATION

Betko at forefront with compact pre-sorter One of the Western Cape’s foremost apple producers has installed a state of the art pre-sorting line. The technique involves high-speed sorting of apples before they are packed or stored in a controlled atmosphere.

W

IEKUS VENTER FROM MED Automation says the sizer on the farm Betko near Villiersdorp is one of the most space and capacity efficient in South Africa. This 10lane pre-sorter will sort apples at high speed, not only according to colour, size, shape and weight, but also according to internal quality.

Venter says the line supplied by Greefa and Med Automation had to be installed within a confined space of approximately 25 m x 50 m but they rose to the challenge with a lay-out that incorporates all the necessary components and product flows.

“Pre-sorters need specialist operators but also release hands to deal with increased throughput on the packing lines after

pre-sorting,” Venter explains.

He is confident about the company’s position in the fruitsorting sector. “Our products are designed and built with a clear focus on gentle handling and quality sorting. This becomes evident if you look at the components. Vacuum bin fillers and the soft placing of fruit on belts all contribute to continued quality. Producers can rest assured that they will get the product to the market in the same state as they were picked off the tree.

He remains proud of the role that their automatic bin washers have been playing in this process since their South African design and manufacture last year. South African producers have previously been relying on imported automatic bin

26

Contact us on: +27 (0)11 692 1658 www.knittex.co.za clientliaison@knittex.co.za

PROTECTS YOUR CROP AGAINST SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS (I.E. WIND, SUNBURN, HAIL DAMAGE, BIRDS AND LARGER INSECTS)

MEGANISASIE

washers to ensure sparkling clean bins for a pristine start. But enormous importation costs have been a drawback and producers who could not afford these had to rely on labour- and water intensive cleaning of bins with high pressure hoses, sometimes only at the end of the season.

Three models are available and units have already been installed by leading fruit exporters who are aware of the need to meet newly introduced specifications for fruit quality.

“We all know that a dirty bin can lead to contamination and soil or other dirt may also cause physical damage. The development and production of our affordable bin washers enable us to serve a larger portion of the market, who will now find it easier to take these risks out of packaging,” says Venter.

Two models wash the inside and outside of bins and a third has been designed for bottom wash. Washers can be installed as part of a line or as separate units. Up to 100 bins – with sizes ranging from 1 000 x 1 200 x 735 mm to 1300 x 250 x 850 mm – can be washed in one hour.

“The fact that wastewater can be filtered and recycled is a huge plus,” says Venter.

The sizer on the farm Betko near Villiersdorp.

‘n Trekker vir Mier Agrifriend Equipment, die meganisasie-afdeling van Suidwes Landbou, en Northmec, verskaffer van CASE- landbou-implemente, het kragte saamgespan en ‘n verskil gemaak in die lewens van die inwoners van die Mier Plaaslike Munisipaliteit. Die skenking van ‘n CASE JX45T-trekker sal indirek bydrae tot die onderrig en opvoeding van die jongmense in die gebied.

M

IER HET MET DIE Khara Hais Plaaslike Munisipaliteit saamgesmelt direk na die 2016 plaaslike verkiesing, om die nuwe Dawid Kruiper Plaaslike Munisipaliteit te vorm. Mier lê wes van die Nossobrivier, die Moloporivier en die nedersetting Askham. Die oostelike Kalahari Gemsbokpark (Kgalagadi Oorgrenspark, Kgalagadi Vredespark) vorm die noordgrens terwyl Namibië die westelike grens vorm. Die gebied is bekend vir uitgestrekte duineveld en troppe springbokke wat

Lood Willemse (Assistant-Direkteur van ZF Mgcawu Distriksmunisipaliteit), Hennie Gous (Waarnemende HUB: Agrifriend Equipment, Suidwes Landbou), Pieter Zgede (Speaker van die Dawid Kruiper Plaaslike Munisipaliteit), Willie Philander (Voorsitter, Mier Game Trust), Johan van der Merwe (Besturende Direkteur: Northmec) en Braam van Greunen (lid van die Mier Game Trust).

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2018

daar voorkom. Dit is dus ‘n gewilde jagplek en bron van inkomste vir die plaaslike gemeenskap. Die gemeenskapleiers het daarom in 2012 hande gevat met ‘n paar sakemanne en die Mier Game Trust gestig. Dit is die Trust se doelwit om te verseker dat ‘n persentasie van die jaginkomste uit die gebied, teruggegee word aan die plaaslike gemeenskap.

Volgens Willie Philander, voorsitter van die Mier Game Trust, word die inkomste aangewend vir beurse vir matrikulante en ontvang elke Gr1-leerling elke jaar ‘n skooltas met al die nodige skryfbehoeftes vir die nuwe skooljaar.

Braam van Greunen, lid van die Mier Game Trust, vertel verder dat 60 leerders uit die gemeenskap jaarliks ‘n naweek by die Pulia-jagkamp deurbring, waartydens daar klem gelê word op natuur- en omgewingsbewaring.

Volgens Johan van der Merwe, Besturende Direkteur van Northmec, is dit uiters noodsaaklik dat die sakesektor betrokke raak by soortgelyke inisiatiewe. Hy staan verstom oor die dankbaarheid en diensbaarheid van die gemeenskapleiers.

“Dis `n voorreg om betrokke te raak by ‘n gemeenskapsprojek wat omsien na die opleiding en ontwikkeling van ons jongmense.” sê Van der Merwe.

Hennie Gous, waarnemende Hoof Uitvoerende Beampte van Agrifriend Equipment het gesê dat die CASE-trekker aangewend gaan word om lyndrade en kampdrade van die jagkamp te hersien en te verseker dat die nodige instandhouding plaasvind.

27

PMA FRESH CONNECTIONS

PMA Fresh Connections the event for all in the fresh produce industry What does blockchain and digital transformation mean for the fresh produce sector? How can new technology and innovations help growers and marketers to overcome traditional issues? What are the opportunities for fresh produce in global markets?

T

HESE ARE SOME OF the questions that will be answered at the Fresh Connections, Southern Africa Conference and Trade Show to be hosted by the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) on 15 - 16 August 2018 at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria.

Themed “Connect Local, Grow Global” the conference creates a platform for stakeholders in the fresh produce supply chain to connect and gain first hand insights into global trends and business opportunities.

Ample networking breaks during the conference in the trade

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Conference & Trade Show CSIR International Convention Centre Pretoria, South Africa CONNECT LOCAL GROW GLOBAL 15 - 16 August 2018 The leading event where stakeholders in the fresh produce supply chain meet to develop business connections and to learn from local and international speakers about world-class innovations in the fresh fruit and vegetable industry.

Whitey Basson Former Shoprite Chief Executive

Jin Ju Wilder Chairperson of PMA Board of Directors and Marketing Director of LA & SF Specialty Produce

Mike Riley Global Head of TOMRA Food/ Compac Sort

Lauren M Scott Chief Marketing Officer at the PMA

Brett StClair CEO of Google Cloud Partner Siatik

Cheyo Mwenechanya Head of Agribusiness at FNB Zambia

Siv Ngesi Master of Ceremonies

Advocate Thuli Madonsela Former Public Protector of South Africa

www.pma.com/FCSouthernAfrica

Brian Coppin Co-Founder and CEO of Food Lover’s Market

PMA FRESH CONNECTIONS

show area will offer participants opportunity to connect and conduct business throughout the course of the event.

The conference will be suited to, fruit and vegetable growers, exporters, supermarkets, market agents, fresh produce markets, input suppliers and service providers.

Export markets will be a key focus at the conference. Opportunities are on the rise for the fresh produce industry in Southern Africa. Sixty percent of Africa’s population is under the age of 25, this means that the industry will soon have to provide for a new generation consumer, one that is informed, modern and urbanising. The production potential can only be unlocked through working market systems. The potential of unlocking this growing market and the optimisation of it will be discussed in a dedicated session.

South Africa is an important sourcing market for China and competition in this field is increasing. At FCSA, insights into the Chinese market will be given by prominent industry speakers, there will also be the opportunity to engage with Chinese buyers at the New Connections Roundtable. Senior representatives from the following leading Chinese companies will attend: - JD Fresh, owned by JD.com, the second-largest e-commerce company in China; - Win-Chain, the procurement and imports arm of Alibaba owned Yiguo Group; and - Frutacloud, one of China’s leading business-to-business produce platforms.

The Center for Growing Talent invites women to the Women’s Fresh Perspectives session. This half-day session will help women in all career stages to better understand how to seek

Danie Nortje (ZZ2, General Manager), BJ van Zyl (ZZ2, Director) and Welmar Ras (RSA Group, Marketing Manager), during PMA Fresh Connections 2017. Photo: Jan Greyling.

Advocate Thuli Madonsela will be the speaker at the women’s event this year.

Exhibitors will be plentiful at PMA Fresh Connections this year. RSA were very well represented in 2017. Here is Geo van Zyl (RSA MD, Cape Town), Nasser Ebrahim (RSA), Khdisa Ngalo (RSA), Jacques Marais (RSA), Jaco Oosthuizen (RSA Group, MD), Wynand Schultz (RSA), Imraam Daniels (RSA) and Juan-Ivy Smuts (Smuts Brothers Agri). Photo: Jan Greyling.

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2018

balance and success in life while maintaining productivity and effectiveness. This event will be followed by a luncheon with keynote speaker Adv. Thuli Madonsela, well known for her role as public protector of South Africa between 2009 and 2016. Men and women are welcome.

Young professionals under 35 years of age are invited to a breakfast session aimed at growing a strong peer and professional network of colleagues. Brian Coppin, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Food Lover’s Market, will share his remarkable success story of building a single fruit and vegetables store into the largest privately owned independent food retail group in Africa.

Participants will leave the conference equipped to increase their vegetable and fruit sales, locally and globally. Secure your seat by registering today at www.pma.com/FCSouthernAfrica.

29

PMA FRESH CONNECTIONS

The Wall Street of fresh produce Workers on the market floor sorting and weighing produce.

Being in the fresh produce market agency business is not for the faint-hearted. It is a business that requires long hours, hard work and patience, but most importantly trust, for without being trustworthy and reliable, you cannot be an effective market agent.

T

HE RSA GROUP HAS been trading for over 30 years at and from knowing and understanding your industry.” fresh produce markets. They have businesses at six naFresh produce markets have created employment and entional and two regional markets and employ over 800 staff trepreneurship opportunities for thousands of people from across the country. More than 865 000 tons of fresh produce sales agents to street hawkers. There is no barrier to entry to is sold by them each year. Their clients are from across the becoming a buyer. All that is needed is a buyer’s card as no country, as well as from neighbouring countries such as Mocash is accepted on the market floor. zambique, Lesotho and Zambia.

Work for fresh produce agents begins in the early hours of the morning while most people are still sleeping. Fruit and vegetables from farmers arrive during the evening and the early hours of the morning. When the salesmen arrive at the market, they need to check the new produce, enter it into the computer system and walk the market floors to see what stock is available at other market agents to get an idea of overall volume in order to formulate price for the day.

The market floors soon become noisy and filled with energy and activity while market agents are kept busy with negotiating prices with buyers, speaking to farmers and filling orders.

Salesmen or traders are the link between the farmer and the buyer as the buyer is actually the farmer’s customer.

Price discovery requires skillful trading as the farmer wants to sell at the highest price and the buyer wants to buy at the best price possible in order to resell at a profit. Supply and 31 demand also plays a major role in the price determination and it can change accordingly. Today’s price can influence tomorrow’s price.

Andries Erasmus, RSA Potato Section Head and We have agencies at the following markets salesman, who has been working on the market Bloemfontein 051 433 2858 Cape Town 021 531 2097 floor for over 25 years says on price discovery Joburg 011 613 4391 Durban 031 465 1313 says: “It’s a gut-feeling that every tra- der has Mooketsi 011 395 8494 Polokwane 011 613 4391 when it comes to price determination. There are Tshwane 012 326 2461 Springs 011 815 6836 no fancy calculations. It’s purely a gut-feeling that comes with experience

www.rsa.co.za

ALGEMEEN

Tzaneen vier fees met avo’s “

N

NNUWE FEES MET baie belofte het in Junie in die vrugbare noorde van die land afgeskop met die splinternuwe Tzaneen Avofees op die dorp se skouterrein. Soos verwag was dit ‘n groot sukses en het belangrike rolspelers in die avokadobedryf deelgeneem en uitgestal. Die organiseerders beplan om dit tot ‘n jaarlikse feesgeleentheid te ontwikkel.

Groente & Vrugte het tydens die fees op Tzaneen gaan kuier en heelwat bekende gesigte raak geloop.

Pragtige Fuerte avokado’s van Westfalia Vrugte.

Agnes Ramafalo, Yvonne Helberg, Zanelle Mufamadi, Leatitia Botha en Fefekazi Sibaca van Westfalia Vrugte het die fees terdeë geniet terwyl hulle Westfalia se produkte aan feesgangers bekend gestel het.

Lizelle Drotskie en Leandre Buys van Afrupro het feesgangers meer geleer oor die verskillende soort avokado’s.

Lani Greeff het Timac Agro Southern Africa se stalletjie beman.

Gerhardes Cheney, Stephanie Potgieter, Crystal, Kirstein en Trudie Lewus het die stalletjie vir Allesbeste Boerdery beman en verbygangers oorreed om heerlike salsa en avokado-drankies te proe.

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2018

Vanthini Adoons, streekbestuurder van Agricolleges International in Limpopo.

33

GENERAL

South Africa regains crown as world’s largest producer of macadamia nuts

At this year’s annual International Nut Council (INC) conference, discussion around expanding growth of macadamia supply into the global market was more prominent than ever before. The INC conference is the world’s largest gathering of players in the nut industry and this year took place during May in Seville, Spain.

Annelle Whyte, Green Farms Nut Company

“

T

HE CONTINUED GROWTH OF the consumer trend and understanding of the health and environmental benefits in consumption of plant based proteins has once more been emphasised,” commented Green Farms Nut Company (GNFC) general manager, Alex Whyte. “We’ve observed this topic hotly debated at most other food and ingredients

events we attend around the world. This is especially relevant in ensuring the industry leverages this trend to absorb astromic increase in supply.”

According to statistics portal, Statistica, on average around 10% of both the U.S. and Europe’s population are vegetarian and or vegan. This is significantly higher amongst younger

34

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generations demonstrating the growing trend. Some publications go as far as to sight a global vegetarian population by 2050.

The estimated $750 to $800 million macadamia industry seems perfectly poised to answer this. High in protein, rich in healthy fats and fibres, this luxury product has traditionally been consumed predominantly as a snack. Not because it is not ideal as an ingredient, but because the industry has been too small to serve the large scale needs of food manufacturers. However, the horizon looks to change, significantly.

South Africa has regained its crown as the world’s largest producer of macadamia nuts, contributing just 25% (54 000 metric tonnes) to the global crop (210 101 metric tonnes).

RSA is followed by Australia (44 500 metric tonnes) and Kenya (32 500 metric tonnes). Macadamia tree plantings have risen exponentially over the years, and so has subsequently the crop and available supply.

GFNC has been heralded as building the world’s largest processing factory in 2017, creating infrastructure to support bigger crop volumes. Currently 70 to 80% of macadamias are consumed as a snack with 20 to 30% being used as an ingredient. To maintain the past year’s lucrative prices to growers, developing the ingredient sector is imperative.

“Our customers, dominant players in the food industry, are crying out to use macadamias as an ingredient,” said Whyte.

“However, it is up to the industry to make the opportunity tangible through investing in innovation to deliver the macadamia value proposition. Relative to other nuts, the macadamia industry is small, and collaboration in challenging convention around how nuts can be used as an ingredient is more important than ever.”

Nuts are now considered a core part of a healthy diet. Their elongated product life cycle makes them well suited as an ingredient in other foods. More commoditised nuts like almonds and walnuts are widely used as an ingredient and answer a volume proposition. Because of this, macadamias need to carve their proposition around their entirely unique taste and texture (a buttery crunch) unmet by other nuts.

“Were excited for the future for our business and the macadamia nut industry at large. The INC has been instrumental in the improved understanding of nuts and their benefits,” concluded Whyte. “This goes hand in hand with their professionalism and tireless campaigning. The body has raised awareness through continued research and legislative efforts.

This testament to what collaboration can achieve has spurned discussion around forming a global macadamia nut body to represent its interests through research and promotion. South Africa’s recent increase in industry body marketing levies is worth noting in support of this notion.”

35

2018

TO DO LIST

Plan well for the winter season 1. Verify my agent is registered with APAC 2. Ensure payments are received weekly 3. Renegotiate commission with my agent

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2018

4. Check APAC’s website for more information on my agent

www.apacweb.org.za

GENERAL

Xtractor around South Africa

Agriculture, technology, solidarity, these are the key words perfectly reflecting and explaining BKT’s choice to sponsor this second expedition of Xtractor through South Africa. They were focused on helping the South African communities enhance the agricultural development and economy, making a contribution to their mission and vision.

36

A team of drivers from Italy’s Carabinieri national security force embarked on a 6 000 km adventure across South Africa, with four McCormick tractors. The drivers are Amerigo Filippi, Luca Beccelli, Irene Davì and Mauro Maione.

ALGEMEEN

High quality fresh vegetables

World’s largest vertical farming facility

Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) and Crop One will co-invest US $40 million to build the world’s largest vertical farming facility near Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central.

The project is a joint venture with U.S.-based Crop One Holdings, a vertical farm operator.

W

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uppe marketing A17693/SAGV

Fertasa – gesertifiseerde geloofwaardigheid .

Fertasa is verbind tot die bevordering van volhoubare grondvrugbaarheid en verbeterde plantvoeding.

Fertasa – beskerm die volhoubare gebruik van kunsmis.

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

Code of Con d

TILIZER A FER S

CIATION OF SO

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Fertasa-lede is verbind tot: • ’n Gedragskode.

• Standaarde deur ’n onafhanklike nakomingsbestuursliggaam geouditeer.

• Gehalte produkte.

• Toepaslike wetenskaplik-gebaseerde aanbevelings.

• Voortgesette onderrig en verbetering.

• Die nakoming van wetlike vereistes.

om

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GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2018

The vertical farm facility will cover 39 394 square meter, but have a production output equivalent to 900 acres of farmland.

t

HEN COMPLETE, THE VERTICAL farm facility will cover 130 000 square feet, but have a production output equivalent to 900 acres of farmland. At full production, the facility will harvest three US tons (2 700 kg) of high-quality, herbicide-free and pesticide-free leafy greens daily, using 99% less water than outdoor fields. The proximity of the farm to the point of consumption also substantially reduces carbon emissions associated with transportation. It will also ensure the quick delivery of the fresh products, reaching customers within hours of harvest, maintaining high nutritional value.

The construction of the facility is scheduled to start in November 2018 and will take approximately one year to complete. The first products are expected to be delivered to Emirates Flight Catering’s customers, including 105 airlines and 25 airport lounges, in December 2019 His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group said, “The announcement is an important milestone for the Emirates Group, for Dubai, and for the UAE. This investment to build and operate the world’s largest vertical farming facility aligns with the UAE’s drive for more agricultural self-sufficiency, a vision which began with the late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s founding father. The introduction of ground-breaking technology at the facility also enhances Dubai’s position as a global innovation hub.”

“As one of the world’s largest airline catering operations, the company constantly looks at innovation, and ways to improve our productivity, product and service quality. Introducing the latest technology to our operations, we secure our own supply chain of high quality and locally-sourced fresh vegetables, while significantly reducing our environmental footprint. We are pleased to partner with Crop One, the industry’s leading grower, packer and distributor, and a successful company that shares our corporate values. Together we look forward to delivering a best-in-class product and excellent value to our customers and stakeholders,” said Saeed Mohammed, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Flight Catering.

“Our proven business model has demonstrated profitable commercial production longer than any other major vertical farmer,” said Sonia Lo, CEO of Crop One Holdings. “We are farmers using the most sophisticated plant science and proven business efficiencies to provide market leading consumer products every day. Our selection after a 10 month search

by EKFC is a validation of our successful business model that uses patented technology and processes to optimise crop yields and facilitate hyper-growth.”

ant C ertified

INSECT COLUMN

The pink stem borer (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Sesamia calamistis (Hampson) is one of the many stem borer species that attack grain crops in South Africa. Although other stem borer species such as Busseola fusca and Chilo partellus are considered more economically important in most of the maize production areas, S. calamistis is especially potent in the warmer coastal and Lowveld regions, where infestations can severely impact sweetcorn yields.

Andri Visser NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY, POTCHEFSTROOM

e-mail: visseran3@gmail.com

Pink stem borer classification:

Class: Insecta (Insects) Order: Lepidoptera (Moths and ButterfIies) Family: Noctuidae Genus: Sesamia Species: Sesamia calamistis

O

F THE MORE THAN 50 Sesamia stem borer species, S. calamistis is the most widely distributed and economically important species. This species is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa and some of the islands in the Indian Ocean. It commonly occurs in wetter localities at all altitudes from sea-level to 2 400 m above sea level and attacks a wide range of cultivated grasses, such as maize, sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, wheat, rice, and sugarcane, as well as numerous wild grasses.

The larval stage of S. calamistis lacks any distinct setae or markings and has a smooth, shiny appearance. Full grown larvae are in the range of 30-40 mm in length, and their colour can vary between creamy-white and pink, with a brown head and prothoracic shield (a plate-like structure on the dorsal surface of the thorax). The yellow-brown pupae are on average 18 mm in length, with a creased frontal region and four large and two small spines on the ‘tail’ (cremaster). The forewings of both sexes of the adult (moth) stage are lightbrown with darker margins, and the hindwings are silvery white with yellow margins. The wingspan of the females can reach 20-30 mm, but the male moths are on average somewhat smaller. Similar to the Busseola fusca stem borer, gravid S. calamistis females deposit hemispherical, white eggs (1 mm in size, 10-40 per batch) in rows between the stems and inner surfaces of the bottom leaf sheaths of young (2-4 week

Newly hatched Sesamia calamistis larvae feeding behind leaf sheath, and a mature larva exhibiting the pink colour that gave rise to the common name ‘African pink stem borer’. (Photos: Annemie Erasmus, ARC-GCI).

old) maize plants. On mature plants, the moths will usually place their eggs in the leaf sheaths next to the developing ear.

The overall biology of S. calamistis is similar to that of other stem borers, except for one major difference in the behaviour of the larvae. Most neonate stem borer larvae migrate to the plant whorls after hatching, where they feed on developing leaves for a period before boring into the stem of the plant.

However, neonate S. calamistis larvae feed on the leaf sheath (behind which their egg batch was laid) for a short time after hatching, before penetrating the stem directly. The developing larvae therefore seldom leave the protection of the stem, except when they migrate to other plants. Should oviposition have taken place on plants in late growth stages, most larvae would feed on husk leaves and penetrate the ears.

Depending on the temperature, the total life cycle of S. calamistis is concluded in approximately 40 (at 26 °C) to 70 days (at 21 °C). Many cereal stem borers (S. calamistis included) have a resting period toward the end of the cropping season known as diapause, which they spend as fully grown larvae in dry crop residues in the fields. However, in tropical regions, S. calamistis develops throughout the year and do not enter diapause.

Damage caused by S. calamistis can be severe at early plant stages. Since the larvae do not typically feed in the whorl, scarification of the leaves are less likely to occur. However, the larvae create frass-filled galleries in the stems that may kill growing points, resulting in ‘dead heart’ symptoms and may also cause stem breakages. For the cultivation of sweet corn, however, infestations in the maize ears are particularly damaging. Damaged ears cannot be sold as fresh produce and are unacceptable for canning, as ears will have to be sorted and Sesamia calamistis moth and batch of eggs laid behind a maize leaf the damaged parts removed by hand, significantly increasing the input cost. sheath. (Photos: Annemie Erasmus, ARC-GCI).

38

JULY • AUGUST 2018 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

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