Author: Anna Mouton
Rooting for red colour : Apr / May 2021
How rootstock selection affects blush in pears Blushed or red pears made up about a third of cartons of pears passed for export from SA in 2020. Blushed Forelle dominates this segment. It was the second most exported pear and represented a quarter of cartons exported in 2019. Blushed pears have the potential to command […]
From canopy to consumer – Eating experience starts with position on the tree : Apr / May 2021
Consumer preferences matter and growers who want to sell fruit need to know what consumers fancy. They tend to choose fruit based on appearance – at least the first time they try it. A good eating experience is what keeps them coming back for more. The challenge for growers is to provide fruit that combine […]
Tasty is in the eye of the beholder – How different plants market their fruit to consumers : Apr / May 2021
Marketers and consumers – we’re talking about humans, right? Wrong. Many plants depend on successful marketing for aspects of reproduction, including seed dispersal. And many seed-dispersing animals are discerning consumers of fruit. But some animals are freeloaders. They consume fruit without any benefit to the plant. How can plants attract the dispersers but avoid the […]
Van Weefselkultuur tot Dubbel-leiers : Feb / Mar 2021
We asked three nurserymen for their views on trends in tree production — and for their top tips on establishing orchards. Steenvrugkweker Christo Stemmet is die eienaar van Stemmet Kwekery buite Montagu. Hulle kweek hoofsaaklik steenvrugbome. V: Wat is die ideale manier om ‘n nuwe boompie te plant? A: Jy moet voor jy plant besproeiing […]
Van Ogie tot Boord : Feb / Mar 2021
Hortgro Science slaan ag op plantmateriaal Deur Anna Mouton ’n Behoefte is geïdentif iseer vir riglyne wat die beste praktyke rondom die hantering van kwekerybome beskryf, vandat hulle in die kwekery gelig word totdat hulle geplant word. “Die kwaliteit van plantmateriaal is met behulp van verskeie inisiatiewe as een van die groot tekortkominge in ons […]
Die Sagtevrugteplantverbeteringskema : Feb / Mar 2021
Eersteklas boorde begin met ‘n blou etiket Anna Mouton en Rachel Kriel werp lig op die Sagtevrugteplantverbeteringskema. Wat is die Sagtevrugteplantverbeteringskema? Die Sagtevrugteplantverbeteringskema is ‘n vrywillige sertifiseringsprogram vir plantmateriaal. Die Skema word bestuur deur Plantverbetering Suid-Afrika. Deelname is verpligtend vir die registrasie van nuwe of verbeterde variëteite of klone. Slegs deelnemende Plantverbeteringsorganisasies mag aansoek doen […]
Rachis Browning : Feb / Mar 2021
Why it happens and how to prevent it By Anna Mouton We need to know more about the rachis physiology, but there is limited information. Harvest at the right time – thinking of the berry and the rachis – and know the storage potential of your variety. “The rachis is one of the key freshness […]
Getting Grapes to Market : Feb / Mar 2021
How can South African postharvest practices improve? By Anna Mouton South Africa faces similar challenges to Chile, Peru and Australia when exporting table grapes to the northern hemisphere, especially to Asia. Dawie Moelich, technical and market access manager at SATI, explored the contrasting approaches of these countries to cold-chain practices and packaging, and discussed the […]