Vegetables & Fruit January/February 2020

SINCE 1988

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2020

Tomato day brings producers from far and wide R40,00

(BTW ingesluit) ander lande uitgesluit (Including VAT) other countries excluded

No 193

BESKERM VIR BETER GROEI FMC-Landbou-oplossings Van elke wetenskaplike en landboukundige asook elke man en vrou, by FMC is ons passievol verbind om unieke innoverende oplossings te ontdek om gesonder gewasse te verseker.

Die liefde vir die land is wat ons verenig en ons deel dieselfde visie van ‘n wetenskap wat aan die natuur toegewy is.

Ons produkte en dienste stel jou in staat om jou gewasse te versorg en uiteindelik volhoubare groei te bereik.

Kontak jou plaaslike FMC-verspreider om meer uit te vind oor die volgende tamatieprodukte: Benevia® 100 OD, Coragen®, Prevathon® 5 SC, Rufast® EW, Steward®, Steward® 150 EC, Talstar® 100 EC, Vantex® 60 CS, Zoro® 36 EC. Benevia® 100 OD, bevat cyantraniliprool (antraniliese diamied) Reg. Nr. L10390 Wet Nr. 36 van 1947, versigtig. Coragen®, bevat chlorantraniliprool (antraniliese diamied) (Rynaxypyr®) Reg. Nr. L8529 Wet Nr. 36 van 1947, versigtig. Prevathon® 5 SC, bevat chlorantraniliprool (antraniliese diamied) Reg. Nr. L9150 Wet Nr. 36 van 1947, versigtig. Rufast® EW, bevat akrinatrin (norpiretriese ester) Reg. No L6585 Wet Nr. 36 van 1947, versigtig. Steward®, bevat indoksakarb (oksadiasien) Reg. Nr. L6332 Wet Nr. 36 van 1947, versigtig. Steward® 150 EC, bevat indoksakarb (oksadiasien) Reg. Nr. L8435 Wet Nr. 36 van 1947, skadelik. Talstar® 100 EC, bevat bifentrin (piretroïed) Reg. Nr. L3171 Wet Nr 36 van 1947, skadelik. Vantex® 60 CS, bevat gamma-sihalotrin (piretroïed) Reg. Nr. L7227 Wet Nr 36 van 1947, versigtig. Zoro® 36 EC, bevat abamektien Reg. Nr. L8712 Wet Nr. 36 van 1947, skadelik.

FMC Chemicals (Pty) Ltd, Posbus 44, Postnet Menlyn, Waterkloof Glen, 0181, Republiek van Suid-Afrika. Tel: +27 12 003 2938.

Alle bogenoemde produkte is handelsmerke van FMC Corporation of sy affiliate. Datum: 04/2019.

TD 19/078

GEBRUIK PLANTBESKERMINGSPRODUKTE MET VEILIGHEID EN VERANTWOORDELIKE SORG. VOLG TEN ALLE TYE AANWYSINGS OP ETIKET MET TOEDIENING VAN PLANTBESKERMINGSPRODUKTE.

9 5 Nr 193

ISSN 1015-85 37

NEWS 4 Berry production set to grow 80% 4 Wynmaker van die jaar 5 Inaugural forum on China-Africa cooperation 5 Citrus industry generates billions despite bruising year 6 High-volume production of climate resilient crops 7 Gen-Z deel dekgewasresultate 7 Dan Kriek bedank ná 25 jaar 8 Industry drought action 8 Landbou-unie betree vierde nywerheidsrewolusie 8 Ruvalabs becomes Vitroplant South Africa 9 Highly allergenic ragweed invades SA

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Cover In South Africa, production of tomatoes exceeds that of all other vegetables except potatoes. Fresh market cultivars, processing and canning cultivars, dual-purpose cultivars and cherry tomatoes are all grown locally.

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

TOMATOES 11

Tomato day brings producers from far and wide

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IRRIGATION 17 Nutrigation tools harnessed to curate seed breeding environment 18 Farming with poor quality irrigation water

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NEWS

Berry production set to grow 80% South Africa’s berry industry is set to continue on its remarkable growth trajectory in the next five years, with the number of hectares planted projected to increase by more than 80% by 2025. The number of hectares of blueberries in particular will increase by 136% in Limpopo and 102% in Mpumalanga.

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GRICULTURAL ECONOMIST NINA Viljoen shared the findings of her survey after the chairman’s report at South African Berry Producers’ Association annual general meeting (AGM).

A significant attribute of South Africa’s blueberry varieties is their versatility, enabling production in virtually any part of the country. As a result, government and industry can target high unemployment areas for increased production. The potential positive effects for unemployment in the country are significant.

Each hectare of blueberries planted results in the direct employment of 2,64 full-time equivalent workers on average, the highest employment intensity amongst the major fruits grown in South Africa.

And because blueberry farming requires a blend of manual labour and technical skills, the industry therefore offers a path for young people to progress from low-skilled, seasonal work to careers in horticulture.

From seasonal to skilled labourers, the blueberry industry also offers the highest wages in the fruit sector, ranging from 15% to 26% above the minimum wage.

The growth figures announced at the AGM clearly demonstrate the potential of the berry sector to contribute to national treasury’s goal of growing agricultural exports by R6 billion over the next ten years. But to achieve this goal, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development must prioritise market access.

South African blueberries do not have access to key eastern markets at a time when blueberry imports are growing exponentially. At the moment, the processing of export protocols is taking anywhere from 12 to 17 years for one commodity to gain access to one market. At this rate, South African blueberries will only gain access to the Chinese market in 2045.

Unfortunately, the current South African market access

The blueberry industry also offers the highest wages in the fruit sector, ranging from 15% to 26% above the minimum wage.

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protocol is creating an environment where the various South African fruit commodities are competing with each other, when in fact their real competitors are countries like Chile and Peru – South Africa need to get more organised as a producing nation.

The only way for South Africa to benefit from the job-creating potential of the agricultural sector is for government and industry to work together to fast track access to markets in the Far East.

The South African Berry Producers’ Association is committed to working with Minister Thoko Didiza and her department to find solutions to the market access bottleneck and unleash the full potential of the berry industry in South Africa.

Wynmaker van die jaar Botha Kelder se senior wynmaker, Michiel Visser, is aangewys as die 2019 Brenn-O-Kem Worcester/Breedekloof Wynmaker van die Jaar.

Michiel Visser van Botha Kelder en Theuns Botha van BrennO-Kem.

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IERDIE GESOGDE TOEKENNING in die agste jaar van sy huidige formaat, word jaarliks aan ‘n wynmaker uit Worcester en Breedekloof toegeken.

Die toekenning se onafhanklike beoordelaarspaneel bestaan uit ‘n span van vyf wat die wyne blind proe – die vyf beste wyne in elke kategorie word dan gekies. Die wynmaker wat die beste punte behaal in die onderskeie afdelings word as “Wynmaker van die Jaar” aangewys.

Ander wenners was Cilmor Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2019 vir die beste wit wyn en Bergsig Oom Prop Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 wat die prys vir beste rooi wyn gewen het.

Die Swarte Piet-trofee word toegeken aan die wynmaker wat Worcester/Breedekloof die beste verteenwoordig het tydens die afgelope jaar. Vanjaar is Nico Grundling van Slanghoek Kelder vereer vir sy volgehoue prestasies tydens 2019 se wynskoue en kompetisies.

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

NUUS

Inaugural forum on China-Africa cooperation Minister Thoko Didiza from the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, recently attended the first forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Agriculture (FOCACA). The meeting was held in Sanya, China under the theme “Join hands for sustainable development and a closer new-type China-Africa partnership in agriculture”.

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OCACA TRAILS THE 2018 Beijing summit of the forum on China-Africa cooperation chaired by President Ramaphosa and President Xi Jinping in September 2018, which resolved in its action plan to promote steady development of the China-Africa Agricultural Cooperation.

The first FOCACA focused on deepening of China-Africa

cooperation in agriculture and the establishment of a closer China-Africa partnership in agriculture, in support of Africa realising general food security by 2030. The forum also discussed modern approaches aimed at addressing food security challenges and exchanged views on potential measures designed towards attaining sustainable agricultural development.

Since the Beijing Summit in 2018, a range of bilateral cooperation programmes have taken place, including technical and capacity building initiatives. South Africa has also benefited in such programmes with scholarships, which has seen South African students studying agriculture and related fields in China. In terms of trade, South Africa has had further market access to China for South Africa’s agriculture commodities. Further work on the agricultural trade is unfolding with South Africa expecting to conclude new protocols on exports of South African agricultural commodities to China.

Citrus industry generates billions despite bruising year South Africa has packed 126 million cartons of citrus fruit for export to countries around the world last year, and remains the second largest global exporter of citrus fruit.

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ESPITE EVENTS BEYOND the grower’s control, such as drought and container terminal delays, the industry continue to bring R20 billion into the country as export revenue. While the packed total is lower than last year’s bumper crop of 136 million boxes, production remains very high and a valuable source of both income and jobs for South Africa.

Dry conditions in the northern areas of the country have severely affected some growers and squeezed production levels. Fortunately, South Africa has such a diverse spread of growing regions that the decline remains within the acceptable targets established by the industry. While oranges and grapefruit production has suffered, soft citrus and lemons have exceeded the previous year’s production – where one major region suffered a decline, other regions offered rich pickings with production over their original estimates,

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JANUARIE • FEBRUARIE 2020

balancing out the scales.

The extended strike at the Ngqura Container Terminal near Port Elizabeth, as well as ongoing problems with infrastructure, staff and logistics at all South African ports, has proved a nightmare for fresh produce exporters. The Citrus Growers’ Association has actively engaged with Minister for Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan to resolve the problems. Minister Gordhan visited the Durban port recently to engage with exporters in the hope of finding constructive solutions to the problem.

The citrus industry exports to over 100 countries around the world, and supports 120 000 jobs. With support from the government to expand market access and improve port infrastructure, the industry is poised to drive the increased agricultural exports sought by Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni in his national economic strategy.

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NEWS

High-volume production of climate resilient crops Extreme global weather, as well as South Africa’s drought and floods, have brought into focus the need for agriculture, forestry and horticulture to adapt to climate change.

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HE AFRICAN AGRI Investment Indaba is the global meeting place for agri-food investment in Africa. As many as 700 key stakeholders, gathered in Cape Town to discuss trends that will likely influence food and agribusiness economics over the next decade in Africa.

South Africa is known as a water-short country with over 80% of the land classified as semi-arid to arid and only 13% being sub-humid and suitable for crop production.

Of this 13%, only 22% has high agricultural potential with less than 10% of the total arable land under irrigation.

“This water scarcity coupled with rising temperatures will have a widespread impact on farming, and in the case of forestry, it could deplete carbon sequestration, reducing the amount of CO2 that can be removed from the atmosphere,” said Melissa Timothy, the plant tissue culture technologist at Dube AgriLab. Dube AgriLab deals in agricultural adaptation with research in the development of protocols needed for the mass propagation of climate-resilient plants for South Africa’s agricultural and horticultural sectors.

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“We have recently been focusing our efforts on developing new lines for the local market, such as subtropical crops like banana, pineapple and bamboo. Bamboo is an interesting crop with many uses and often a suitable substitute for traditional forestry crops,” says Timothy.

Tissue culture technique has broad applicability and can be used to produce a wide selection of plant types. Micro-propagation is ideal for high-volume vegetative propagation, the propagation of high-value, scarce plants and elite selections or cultivars, plants which might be difficult to propagate by other means, or plants used for breeding purposes and research, she says.

“Climate change is here and we need to adopt new planting practices in order to keep up with agricultural, horticultural as well as forestry global demands as we encounter environmental changes that will reduce land available for regular crop production. This change will be heightened in future times as a further increase in global population is expected. By 2050 global population projection is said to reach 9,8 billion.

NUUS

Gen-Z deel dekgewasresultate VINPRO

Wyndruifprodusente het onlangs die geleentheid gehad om die prestasies van dekgewasproewe op verskillende grondsoorte eerstehands te ervaar danksy die Gen-Z Wingerdprojek, wat deur Vinpro aangebied word.

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IE DEKGEWASDEMONSTRASIES besoeke ingesluit aan die streke van die Swartland, Stellenbosch en Breedekloof.

“Die Gen-Z dekgewasdemonstrasies skep ‘n forum vir gesprekke en oordrag van kennis tussen produsente, wingerdboukundiges en bestuurders,” sê Emma Carkeek, Gen-Z wingerdboukundige. “Dit sluit die geskiktheid van dekgewasspesies vir spesifieke grondsoorte, doeltreffende onderdrukking van onkruid en die uitwerking van dekgewasse op grondgesondheid in.”

Ivan Jansen van Rensburg van Barenbrug, wat saad vir die projek geborg het, sê met hierdie projek kan hulle produsente wys watter dekgewasse in die verskillende streke en grondsoorte die beste presteer. “Dekgewasse kan verskeie funksies verrig, waarvan die verbetering van grondgesondheid baie belangrik is. Dit word al hoe duideliker dat die antwoord nie altyd by ‘n produk uit ‘n bottel lê nie, maar dikwels by die natuur self.”

Jansen van Rensburg sê elke produsent se doelwitte, uitdagings en toestande moet in ag geneem word tydens dekgewasseleksie om die beste resultate te kry.

By Heldersig het wit mosterd byvoorbeeld uitstekende groei getoon en vir goeie onkruidonderdrukking gesorg.

Voerrog en bitter lupiene het goeie resultate op die verweerde growwe granietgronde by Olifantskop gelewer.

Op Oakleaf-gronde by Kanonkop het die voerrog en wit

“Dekgewasse kan verskeie funksies verrig, waarvan die verbetering van grondgesondheid baie belangrik is.” mosterd-mengsel, asook die toepassing van die medics, veral goeie sukses behaal. Op Klipdrift in Rawsonville se sanderige leemgronde het die voerrog en saia-hawer uitmuntende groei getoon.

“Die proewe dui aan dat dekgewasse plek-spesifiek is, daarom raai ons produsente aan om meer as een proef in hul wingerde toe te pas om te bepaal watter kombinasies die beste op hulle plaas sal doen, en om dit af te wissel om diversiteit te verseker,” sê Carkeek. Daar is tans ’n groter klem op dekgewasse en die voordele wat dit inhou.

“Hoewel ons nou meer weet as vantevore, is meer navorsing nodig oor die uitwerking van spesies en kombinasies op mikrobiese grondbevolkings, voedingstowwe en waterverbruik,” sê sy.

Vir meer inligting oor die Gen-Z Wingerdprojek, kontak Emma Carkeek by 021 276 3212, e-pos emma@vinpro. co.za.

Dan Kriek bedank ná 25 jaar Agri SA se president, Dan Kriek, het weens gesondheidsredes op 31 Desember 2019 uitgetree.

Hy beoog om in die toekoms op sy boerdery- en sakebelange te fokus.

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GRI SA BETREE TANS ‘n kritieke tydperk waar baie tyd en energie bestee gaan word aan die beskerming van die Grondwet en onderhandelinge oor volhoubare oplossings vir grondhervorming,” sê Kriek. “Die organisasie gaan dinamiese leierskap vir hierdie uitdagings nodig hê. Die goeie reputasie wat die organisasie tans geniet is danksy harde werk wat nog altyd enorme eise aan die leierskap gestel het, myself ingesluit”.

In reaksie het Agri SA sy dank teenoor Kriek uitgespreek vir sy leierskap van die afgelope twee jaar en die rol wat hy gespeel het om Agri SA te posisioneer as ’n invloedryke organisasie wat ’n belangrike rol in die toekoms van Suid-Afrika en veral die landbousektor speel.

Pierre Vercueil, adjunkpresident van Agri SA, gaan as president waarneem tot die kongres in 2020 waar die president jaarliks verkies word.

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JANUARIE • FEBRUARIE 2020

Dan Kriek.

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NEWS

Industry drought action The deciduous fruit industry body, Hortgro, has been closely monitoring the situation of producers and agricultural workers affected by the prolonged drought.

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SPECIALLY STONE FRUIT producers in the Little Karoo, from Montagu, Barrydale, Ladismith, Calitzdorp, through to Prince Albert, have suffered severely, with some even losing their farms and many farmworkers were left without an income. More than 300 hectares of deciduous fruit trees have died and more than 610 farmworkers have lost their jobs with an estimated 2 440 dependants.

Hortgro in association with the Canning Fruit Producers’ Association, Agri Western Cape, Agri SA and Wine TU

have pooled resources to help producers in the Little Karoo financially to carry on with the rest of the production season. Funds were also made available to contain regional crop protection risks. On the humanitarian front, Hortgro recently held a “resilience workshop” for producers and farm workers in Ladismith to empower them mentally with coping strategies. Funds were also made available for a thousand food parcels that were distributed to affected farmworkers in the region.

Hortgro are urging producers and stakeholders in other parts of the country that want to help with the drought effort, financially or in any other capacity, to please contact Hortgro’s Group Operational Manager, Mariette Kotze (Mariette@hortgro.co.za).

Landbou-unie betree vierde nywerheidsrewolusie Die Transvaalse Landbou Unie (TLU) SA het stappe geneem om volhoubare voedselsekerheid en -produksie in die bestek van die TLU SA-mandaat teweeg te bring, deur gebruik van die moderne tegnologie van die sognaamde vierde nywerheidsrewolusie, ook bekend as 4IR of Industry 4.0.

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LU SA HET ‘N samewerkingsooreenkoms met IQ Logistica gesluit vir makliker marktoegang, bestuursvermoë en samewerking. Dié maatskappy het ‘n naspeurbaarheidsplatform ontwikkel wat onder meer primêre landbouproduksie, verwerking, logistiek en transaksies tot by die eindverbruiker fasiliteer. Rolspelers se werksaamhede in die waardeketting sal uit ‘n geïntegreerde perspektief herontwerp word.

“TLU SA het met opgewondenheid verneem hoe die katoenbedryf dramaties as gevolg van dinamiese inligtingsbestuur jaar-vir-jaar gegroei, verbeter en versterk het,” sê

Louis Meintjes, president van TLU SA. “IQ Logistica het sedert 2014 ‘n merkwaardige bydrae gelewer tot die katoen-waardeketting in Suid-Afrika. Die tegnologie werk baie goed, soos bewys met die sigbare resultate in die katoenbedryf.”

TLU SA en IQ Logistica sal voortaan saamwerk aan die stelselmatige uitbreiding van die sake-intelligensie-, naspeurbaarheid- en handelsplatform tot waardekettings waarin TLU SA-lede rolspelers is. Toegang tot die platform en die voordele daarvan gaan egter ook aan alle rolspelers en belanghebbendes beskikbaar wees.

Die skaal waarop die projek aangepak word vereis noodwendig samesprekings met belanghebbendes, waarvoor TLU SA ‘n kommunikasieplan gaan daarstel en fasiliteer waaruit insette verkry en verwerk sal word.

“Lede word aangemoedig om deel te neem aan die uitdagende maar konstruktiewe groeiproses wat vir ons voorlê,” sê Meintjes.

Ruvalabs becomes Vitroplant South Africa Ruvalabs is a plant biotechnology agricultural company situated in the Western Cape, which supplies hardened tissue culture fruit rootstock and blueberry plants for the South African fruit industry.

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IJK DANCKWERTS, THE FOUNDER and Managing Director of Ruvalabs, announced that Ruvalabs has completed a new strategic equity restructure with participation by some of the leading international players in Southern Africa’s agricultural industry.

“Our objective was to secure the best partners, correct resources and management to invest in infrastructure and production methods to enable an even greater selection of disease-free tissue culture young plant availability as a viable solution for the Southern African agricultural sector.”

As a result of the equity restructure, Ruvalabs will be

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renamed to Vitroplant South Africa. Danckwerts will remain MD of the company with a strong shareholding in the business and the new shareholders will include big names in the agricultural sector, such as Vitroplant Italia srl Società Agricola, the ZZ2 group and Hishtil SA. Vitroplant SA is authorised by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development as a Post Entry Quarantine Facility for plant imports (Pest Control Act No 36 of 1983 and International Standard for Phytosanitary Measures). This authorisation facilitates mass imports of in vitro plant material.

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

Ragweed pollen – a highly allergenic weed native to North America – was detected in South African pollen spore traps for the very first time.

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Highly allergenic ragweed invades SA Recently a highly allergenic weed native to North America was detected in South African pollen spore traps for the very first time.

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HE DISCOVERY WAS MADE by Dr Dilys Berman, an aerobiologist at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and Prof Jonny Peter, who heads up the UCT Lung Institute’s Allergy Unit. Palynologist, Dr Frank Neumann, based at Wits University whose research focuses on the impact that climate change has on vegetation, also confirmed that the pollen grains indeed belong to the invasive Ambrosia species.

Prof Peter says while the threat of allergic plants, such as ragweed migrating southward, because of climate change, has always been a concern, little did they know it was going to show up so soon.

“Ragweed is incredibly invasive, and its potent pollen has been problematic in the US for many decades. In recent years, allergy sufferers in Europe and South America have also come under threat as ragweed started to invade these areas.

“For now, KwaZulu-Natal residents are most at risk as ragweed pollen has recently been detected at the Durban monitoring site over the last few days. The counts are relatively low at this stage, but we are monitoring them daily to detect any sudden spikes. A small population of ragweed has also been found on the banks of the Vaal River near Heidelberg – about 50 km away from Johannesburg, while the Eastern and Western Cape still remain ragweed-free.

“Based on historical data, ragweed thrives in hot, dry environments and produces more pollen when CO2 levels are high,” he says.

UCT aerobiologist, Dilys Berman warns that ragweed poses a serious implication for human health.

“It’s been one of the most loathed weeds in the US, causing misery for 23 million Americans and it’s estimated that ragweed allergy rates in Europe will increase from 33 to 77 million in the next two decades.

“Increasing amounts of fine-powder ragweed in SA could exacerbate hay fever symptoms and asthma for the estimated 17 million South Africans who suffer from allergies.

“Given that it’s highly allergenic, people who normally don’t suffer from pollen allergies may develop sensitivity to it in the future as the weed proliferates.”

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JANUARIE • FEBRUARIE 2020

Because of the world’s changing climate, ragweed is projected to decline in some areas as it may over time no longer be climatically suitable to grow there.

Prof Peter points out that because of the world’s changing climate, ragweed is projected to decline in some areas as it may over time no longer be climatically suitable to grow there.

“Either way you look at it, ragweed is on the move.

Once it sprouts, it can multiply and grow up to two meters in height in a matter of weeks.

“Weed control boards should add it to their invasive weeds list as soon as possible if they haven’t done so already and removal thereof should be a priority before it becomes impossible to control. Some studies also suggest that ragweed poses a threat to crop health. It drains the soil and oppresses plant growth, so is definitely a weed that should be kept an eye on and monitored carefully,” he says.

Pollen monitoring in SA is funded by Clicks, Twinsaver, Thermo Fischer, A.Vogel Echinaforce, Zeiss and Durand.

Ragweed is incredibly invasive, and its potent pollen has been problematic in the US for many decades.

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NexH₂O bevorder waterkwaliteit met innoverende waterbehandelingstegnologie van Puricare, ondersteun deur grondontledings en regstellingsaanbevelings om grondgesondheid te bevorder sodat mikroörganismes en gewasse kan floreer.

Puricare waterbehandelingstegnologie verbeter waterkwaliteit sonder om water te steriliseer.

Die tegnologie is wetenskaplik nagevors en ook prakties bewys op operasionele plase waar Puricare deurgaans dieselfde resultate behaal.

Die gespesialiseerde Puricare Gevorderde Oksidasie Proses (P-AOP) bevoordeel alle aspekte van volhoubare boerderypraktyke, is omgewingsvriendelik en het geen skadelike uitwerking op besproeiingstelsels, water, grond of gewasse nie.

Die Puricare stelsel is reeds deeglik bewys: • • •

Onbeperkte volume water kan behandel word Word maklik op bestaande besproeiingstelsel geïnstalleer Bekostigbare eenmalige kapitale uitgawe per hektaar

• • •

Lewensverwagting van meer as 10 jaar Lae maandelikse bedryfskoste Maklik om te bestuur

Puricare waterbehandeling bevorder:

BETER WATERKWALITEIT

SKOON BESPROEIINGSTELSELS

MINDER GRONDVERDIGTING

Verminder negatiewe effekte van versoute water

Bevorder eenvormige toediening van water & kunsmis

Dieper & welige haarwo elgroei

Buffer pH na meer neutrale waardes

Verminder spoel van hoof- / sublyne & terugspoel-siklusse van filters

Beter waterinfiltrasie & waterverbruiksdoeltreffendheid

Verminder vorming van Ca & Mg soute Laer toksisiteit van geoksideerde metale & chloriede Chemiese & biologiese kontaminante word afgebreek Hoër CO2 & O2 konsentrasies

Bespaar arbeids- & instandhoudingskostes Hou stelsel outomaties & deurlopend skoon Verleng die lewensduur & verminder vervangingskostes

Verhoogde beskikbaarheid van minerale & beter basisversadiging-verhoudings Herstelde grondgesondheid & verbeterde waterhouvermoë Stel ander landbou-inse e in staat om meer doeltreffend te werk

Puricare behandel reeds jaarliks ± 390 miljard liter water op meer as 300 plase en 40 000 hektaar besproeiingsgrond in Suid-Afrika!

KONTAK ONS VIR MEER INLIGTING: 021-860 8040 www.nexusag.net

TAMATIES

Tomato day brings producers from far and wide The recent Hencar tomato workshop was hosted by Carien and Hendrik Kruger from HenCar Farms. The day was designed so that producers could walk though some of the farms around Brits and talk to other producers about what they have planted and the methods they are currently employing.

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HE FIRST STOP OF the day was at Rothmann Farms.

Dawie Rothmann was crowned the North West Young Farmer of the year in 2019. He uses a dynamic, progressive and fresh approach to produce farming and cultivates nine different crops. With the addition of high-tech farming equipment and monitoring solutions, they have incorporated into the day-to-day management of the farm. These applications allow them to ensure the highest quality crop yield and maximum output potential. Rothmann Farms was established in 1978 and still reaps the benefits of a legacy of hard work and commitment.

Visiting the open field tomatoes, one of the varieties planted is the Star 9037 from Stark Ayres, a compact indeterminate variety with large fruit and short internodes with the ability to keep fruit size to the top of the plant. It is a strong plant with uniform setting, highly adaptable with stable performance and a very high yield potential.

Star 9037 is a medium to late maturing variety. In summer plantings the first fruit will mature in 90 to 95 days after transplanting. The date of harvesting may vary by as much as 10 days between early and late season plantings.

Dawie Rothmann was crowned the North West Young Farmer of the year in 2019. He uses a dynamic, progressive and fresh approach to produce farming and cultivates nine different crops.

Pieter Jordaan, Louis Stoffberg and Olav Lange from Bayer.

Mainly developed for open field production, STAR 9037 has proved itself to be grown successfully under shadenet protection when pruned. The variety could be grown as a pruned or unpruned type. Pruning will lead to earlier setting and better fruit uniformity. Attention should be given as not to prune too severely during summer on open field, as foliage might be reduced leading to possible sun burn damage.

Next visit up was Stephan le Roux from Enza Zaden, talking to producers and attendees about the importance of soil cultivation for tomatoes. Enza Zaden is a vegetable-breeding company, actively breeding in 30 different crops which are produced and sold all over the world.

Their range of products comprises of some 1 200 vegetable varieties. These range from sweet pepper, tomato, cucumber and lettuce to bitter gourd and bird’s eyes chilies to name a few. Investing in innovation and the latest breeding technology allows Enza Zaden to introduce around one-hundred new vegetable varieties to the global market every year.

Enza Zaden has a long history in breeding tomatoes.

TO PAGE 12

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JANUARIE • FEBRUARIE 2020

11

TOMATOES

Tomato day...

FROM PAGE 11

BrightStar (left) and Baikonur (right) are new indeterminate tomato hybrids from Enza Zaden, performing well in various growing regions. The varieties are early into production, have good disease resistance and yield high quality, firm, round fruit.

The system classifies each tomato according to size, colour and weight by scanning the tomato. Workers then package the tomatoes into the correct packaging by hand.

The Reemoon automatic sorter in action scanning the tomatoes and then sorting them to the correct station.

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In fact, the company’s growth as a vege- table breeding company started with the introduction of the tomato hybrid, Extase, in the Netherlands in 1962. The tomato breeding portfolio consists of a complete range of tomato types – from large beef tomatoes to tasty on-the-vine tomatoes in different colours, shapes and sizes.

Besides yield and disease resistances, the focus in breeding programmes aims to improve taste, colour, size and shape. Enza Zaden develops varieties that are in line with market demands. Santyplum, a mini-plum, is one such variety that is performing well against current market standards with improved brix and better size in winter.

During the Brits tomato day, two of Enza Zaden’s varieties which caught the attention of growers were BrightStar and Baikonur. Both varieties have strong disease resistance and excellent fruit quality with competitive yield and have been performing well throughout the country.

Various trials are currently underway in key production areas from which the best varieties will be selected and launched into the South African market. Enza Zaden looks forward to introducing more of its genetics and to becoming a partner with local tomato growers.

Attendees visited Modelpak, part of Rothmann farms where all produce are packed, they have recently installed the automatic Reemoon double lane sorter from China. The system classifies each tomato according to size, colour and weight by scanning the tomato. Workers then package the tomatoes into the correct packaging by hand.

Moving onto HenCar farms, attendees were in for a treat. Carien and Hendrik Kruger showed them their impressive netted fields where they planted various varieties. One of these is the Seminis SV4129TH, SV4129TH is a fresh market early maturing indeterminate tomato for winter long cropping season, as well as for spring summer season.

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

TAMATIES It has real winter season plant habit for this area, supported by the strong plant vigour as well as short internodes length (compact plant) with good leaf cover. SV4129TH has a very good cold tolerance level with no sensitivity to the hormones used for pollination. There is a main season maturity period that provides large fruit size and high yield potential in line with the market trend of the large fruits size, as well as the very good disease package, specifically intermediate resistance to tomato yellow leaf curl. It has a high percentage of good quality fruit and good internal red colour.

Attendees then all met at Makulu Padstal for lunch. Here Dr Gerhard Reyneke from AgriLibium addressed attendees on the importance of life in the soil. AgriLibrium is a South African company founded in 2001 with its head office in Pretoria. They distributes a range of high quality effective fulvic acid organic soil ameliorants, biological plant growth promoting soil micro-organisms and plant stress management foliar plant nutrients chelated with amino and fulvic acids that are applied as leaf sprays.

Accuracy and efficiency of crop fertilization and nutrition is greatly improved by the use of the analytical results of

AgriLibrium’s 1:2 water extract laboratory analysis in combination with conventional soil analysis results, to accurately quantify both soil nutrient reserves that are not necessarily available for crop use and the water soluble and therefore plant available portion of nutrients in the root zone of crops.

The day was concluded with a fun price giving ceremony and attendees had the chance to network and talk to the representatives of the companies that attended the day.

“Mainly developed for open field production, STAR 9037 has proved itself to be grown successfully under shadenet protection when pruned. The variety could be grown as a pruned or unpruned type.”

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sales@agriplas.co.za MPUMALANGA

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POTATOES

Meganiese skade van aartappels is ’n wesenlike probleem Pieter van Zyl, Laryssa van der Merwe en FP Coetzee AARTAPPELS SA

Aartappelprodusente in die onderskeie produksiestreke word daagliks blootgestel aan verskillende klimaats- en groeitoestande. Hierdie toestande het uiteraard ’n uitwerking op die kwaliteit en gradering van aartappels wat na die verskillende markte gestuur word. ‘n Ontleding toon die belangrikste oorsake van afgraderings in verskillende streke. ‘n Evaluering van verpakte knolle in pakstore toon ook hoe groot die probleem van meganiese skade kan wees.

D

IE MEESTE AFGRADERINGS vir die Wes-Vrystaat in 2019 (Figuur 1) was vir mot- en meganiese skade (20%), gevolg deur aalwurmskade (9%) en vergroening (8%).

In die Oos-Vrystaat was meganiese beskadiging (23%) die meeste, gevolg deur insekskade (14%) en motskade (12%) (Figuur 2).

In Limpopo (Figuur 3) blyk die meeste afgraderings vir 2019 sandspleet (22%), vergroening (16%) en meganiese skade (15%) te wees. Tot dusver in hierdie seisoen is meganiese skade (25%) ook die grootste rede vir afgradering in die Noord-Kaap.

Ander belangrike redes vir afgradering is vergroening (12%) en bruinskurf (8%) (Figuur 4).

Uit die ontleding is dit duidelik dat meganiese skade ’n redelike algemene verskynsel in produksiestreke is. In die Wes-Vrystaat (Figuur 5) is dit ’n redelike probleem rondom die wintermaande wanneer produsente in volproduksie is.

Dit lei tot tussen 20% en 30% van alle afgraderings.

In Figuur 6 blyk dit dat meganiese skade in die OosVrystaat ook rondom die wintermaande ’n probleem is, hoewel die meeste aartappels gedurende Maart tot Mei bemark word.

In Limpopo word piektydproduksie ná die winter bereik – September tot November. Teen die jaareinde word meer as 30% van alle afgraderings aan meganiese beskadiging toegeskryf (Figuur 7). Die 2019-oes was met die skrywe van hierdie artikel nog besig om ingesamel te word.

Noord-Kaap se tendens vir meganiese skade per maand word in Figuur 8 uitgebeeld. Meganiese skade wissel tussen 25% en 40% van alle afgraderings gedurende die winter- en lentemaande, wanneer piektydproduksie bereik word.

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Figuur 1: Belangrikste afgraderings vir Wes-Vrystaat op markte: Maart tot Aug 2019 (Prokon).

Figuur 2: Belangrikste afgraderings vir Oos-Vrystaat op markte: Maart tot Aug 2019 (Prokon).

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

AARTAPPELS

Uit die ontleding is dit duidelik dat meganiese skade ’n redelike algemene verskynsel in produksiestreke is.

Figuur 3: Belangrikste afgraderings vir Limpopo op markte: Mei tot Aug 2019 (Prokon).

Figuur 4: Belangrikste afgraderings vir Noord-Kaap op markte: April tot Aug 2019 (Prokon).

Figuur 5: Meganiese beskadiging as persentasie van alle afgraderings per maand (Wes-Vrystaat).

word, veral wanneer knolle geskaaf word.

• Snye word veroorsaak wanneer knolle val en teen skerp voorwerpe of riwwe gly.

• Gate word veroorsaak wanneer knolle op skerp punte val.

• Oppervlakkige of duimnaelkrake kom veral voor wanneer die temperatuur van knolle <10°C is en dit op harde oppervlakke val.

Pakstoor-evaluasies Gedurende 2019 tot Augustus is 62 pakstoorevaluasies in vier streke uitgevoer.

Vir dié evaluaring word word vier sakkies Klas 1 Groot Medium by elke pakstoor uitgegooi en geëvalueer. Daar word onder meer gekyk na die teenwoordigheid van meganiese beskadiging.

In Figuur 9 word elke pakstoor se gemiddelde getal knolle per sakkie wat meganiese skade toon, aangedui. Gemiddeld word nege knolle per sakkie met meganiese skade aangetref uit die sowat 40 tot 45 knolle wat in ’n sakkie is.

Die medewerkers se gemiddelde getal knolle per sakkie met skade wissel tussen drie en 24 – dus ’n groot variasie. In totaal is 248 sakkies geëvalueer. Hiervan het slegs drie sakkies knolle geen meganiese skade getoon nie.

Meganiese skade kom dus in alle pakstore voor. Die NoordKaap se relatiewe hoë voorkoms van meganiese skade is nie noodwendig kultivarspesifiek nie. Dieselfde soort beskadiging kom in die ander streke voor.

Produsente verwag van agente om hulle in te lig as probleme met hulle produk voorkom, onder meer weens meganiese skade. Op hulle beurt beweer die agente dat produsente bewus is van meganiese skade. Dit is die pakstoorbestuurder se plig om seker te maak daar is onder meer nie meganiese beskadiging nie. Dit is nie die agent se plig nie, want hy moet sakkies bemark. Die agent het nie tyd om sakkies uit te gooi en inspeksies te doen nie.

Verskillende soorte beskadiging kom voor: • Los skil is ’n probleem wanneer onvolwasse knolle geoes

Figuur 6: Meganiese beskadiging as persentasie van alle afgraderings per maand (Oos-Vrystaat).

Aartappelprodusente in die onderskeie produk- siestreke word daagliks blootgestel aan verskillende klimaats- en groeitoestande.

NA BLADSY 16

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JANUARIE • FEBRUARIE 2020

15

POTATOES

Meganiese skade...

VAN BLADSY 15

• Diep krake/barste word gevorm wanneer die uithaler se spoed te hoog is, knoltemperatuur laag is (<10°C) en knolle geoes word kort ná loofafsterwing, of wanneer knolle koud is en daarna hardhandig tydens sortering hanteer word.

• Gekneusde weefsel word swart en dit word veroorsaak wanneer knolle deur druk beskadig word, byvoorbeeld werkers wat op knolle loop.

Figuur 7: Meganiese beskadiging as persentasie van alle afgraderings per maand (Limpopo).

Figuur 8: Meganiese beskadiging as persentasie van alle afgraderings per maand (Noord-Kaap).

Produsente verwag van agente om hulle in te lig as probleme met hulle produk voorkom, onder meer weens meganiese skade.

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Figuur 9: Gemiddelde getal knolle per sakkie met meganiese skade (pakstoor evaluasies 2019).

BEMESTING

Nutrigation tools harnessed to curate seed breeding environment Starke Ayres manages their own seed breeding programmes supported by on-going research and development.

T

O THIS END, Starke Ayres has high-end research facilities. “We do not focus on production, but on research alone,” explains Ben Janse van Vuuren, research station manager at the Starke Ayres research facility near Kempton Park in Gauteng, where tunnel green- houses accommodate bays planted with trials on tomatoes, squash, beans and peppers.

Environment control “We must ensure that each plant grows in a controlled and optimal environment. We use irrigation, climate control, nutrigation and other tools to create and maintain this environment.”

Breeders cannot afford any variation in factors influencing the plant, be it nutrient and water availability, pH or EC values, climate or other factors. The breeder is testing certain genetic traits and if he sees variation, he must be able to comfortably attribute this variation to plant genes, without having to wonder whether the variation is due to any other factors.

“A breeder would not plant an entire greenhouse for a trial, but several bays only and we have to create this environment for only one or two plant bays at a time. Each trial must be treated as a production unit and we must create stable optimal conditions for this unit that may have to differ from the bays next to it.”

The team must follow a tailormade nutrigation and irrigation recipe for each unit and maintain extreme accuracy in the application of nutrients and water. With the guidance of an irrigation company, Agri-mation, Starke Ayres is harnessing Netafim nutrigation and other Netafim solutions to ensure a controlled and optimal environment for all plants.

Janse van Vuuren says their challenges are not impossible to overcome. “We have always been able to do what needs to be done, but as nutrigation systems have developed, we have been able to do what needs to be done much more accurately and with much greater ease.”

More ease and accuracy Once upon a time, the team had to climb to the top of stock tanks with ladders to mix fertilizer by hand. “This not only posed great physical danger, but also caused inaccuracies and poor uniformity in nutrient dosing. We installed a NetaJet™ fertilizer dosing system from Netafim and implemented it hand in hand with stock tanks.” NetaJet was the first dosing system to be equipped with the Netafim

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JANUARIE • FEBRUARIE 2020

Ben Janse van Vuuren with Bronwyn Collen of Agrimation.

unique innovative analogue dosing channel. This allows very accurate pH/EC control and very precise and homogenous nutrient dosing. “This accuracy is crucial to the success of our breeding trials.”

Although the NetaJet made the Starke Ayres team’s work much easier, they still had to mix fertilizer in larger quantities than necessary. “We could work around this.

However, when product development at Netafim brought us the Fertikit™, it once again made our lives easier.

“About two years ago we added another greenhouse tunnel with the goal of developing a Good Seed and Plant Practices (GSPP) facility. The new Fertikit had just been released and the Agri-mation team helped us to make it part of the system in the new tunnel. We can now work with smaller amounts of fertiliser mix at a time,” explains Janse van Vuuren. This is possible while maintaining accuracy and keeping control of nutrigation.

The greatest advantage, according to the Starke Ayres team, is the ability to make quick changes if necessary, making the entire irrigation and nutrigation management system much more flexible. “We can mix fertiliser for only a few bays at a time, and easily change the mixture for the next round – if our measurements show it necessary. You can make immediate changes and have the option to test different fertiliser combinations,” says Janse van Vuuren.

“It all boils down to consistency, and nutrigation is but one aspect. We have to be consistent in irrigation scheduling and all other plant management aspects. We have to adapt tools that can help us achieve and maintain this consistency. New technologies have played a massive role in helping us achieve the necessary consistency to keep the plants happy to ensure optimal breeding and I believe it will make it even easier in the future.”

For more information contact Bronwyn Collen or Chris de Bruijn of Agri-mation at 076 132 3280/3 or visit www. netafim.co.za.

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FERTILIZATION

Farming with poor quality irrigation water South Africa’s water security depends on rainfall, built water infrastructure, underground water resources and effective land management in catchment and wetland areas. A limitation in any one of the above puts both the volume and quality of usable water at risk.

G

IVEN POOR RAINFALL, soil erosion due to poor farming practices, and excessive or inappropriate fertilizer use, water salinity levels have risen. Water pollution and contamination caused by poor sewage and wastewater management, mining and factory pollution, are further culprits. These limitations lead to a low supply of bad quality water for agricultural irrigation and threaten water, soil and food security.

Irrigation water use of surface water in the Berg River Water Management Area is fast approaching its limit and the poor quality of this limited irrigation water has also become a serious challenge for farming in the area. This polluted water containing excessive amounts of mineral salts and suspended matter, are deteriorating soil health and crop productivity at an alarming rate. Also, the chemical quality of underground water sources via boreholes is generally much worse than the surface water.

To address these water and soil issues, NexusAG offers the unique Puricare® water treatment system and a comprehensive soil health strategy to restore productivity. The well-researched and scientifically proven technology improves water quality, cleans irrigation systems and reduces soil compaction. Add to this the comprehensive NexusAG soil health strategy identifying soil challenges and an integrated soil reclamation programme – it equals balanced soils, beneficial micro-organisms and healthy, productive soils.

The Puricare units can be fitted on any irrigation system (drip, pivot, sprinkler, flood, etc.). The advanced oxidation process improves the chemical, biological and physical quality of irrigation water.

Clean irrigation systems The source and quality of irrigation water determines how much sediment is present in irrigation systems, as well as the cleaning and management thereof. This sediment is deposited as a precipitate and/or biofilm in the entire irrigation system. The sediment can partially or even fully block emitters, accumulate in mainlines and laterals thus reducing water flow, and also necessitate frequent cleaning of filters.

Puricare technology works in the irrigation water and breaks down any sediment already deposited in the irrigation system and prevents any further sediment buildup.

The result is clean and effective irrigation systems.

Less soil compaction Excessive salts in irrigation water cause imbalances in soil fertility and compact soils. Conventional agricultural practices to rectify this problem can be expensive and are not

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A- TREATED B - UNTREATED

A - Treated B - Untreated. The Puricare Advance Oxidation Process promotes soil aeration which stimulates deeper and more prolific root growth. The result becomes evident when comparing the root growth of crops irrigated with treated and untreated water.

always effective.

The advance oxidation process causes several different chemical reactions in the irrigation water, which are then transferred into the soil solution. Amongst the many things that happen, calcium is made more available in treated water. This calcium displaces sodium on soil colloids, which increases the air pore volume between soil particles and thus increases soil aeration.

Along with the improved water, the induced soil aeration stimulates biological soil processes resulting in healthier soils, better roots and water infiltration and enables other soil amendment products to work more efficiently.

To address your water and soil challenges in the Berg River area - Contact NexusAG for more information on Puricare and the NexusAG integrated soil programme.

References 1. Kennedy Nemutamvuni, 19 June 2018. SANBI: New partnership project for water security launched. Accessed 2 January 2020, https://www.sanbi.org/news/new-partnership-project-for-water-security-launched/ 2. Cole, Megan J, Bailey, Richard M, Cullis, James DS, New, Mark G. March/April 2018. Water for sustainable development in the Berg Water Management Area, South Africa.

South African Journal of Science, Volume 114, Number 3/4.

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

BEMESTING

Innovative microbial products geared at boosting crop yields “T

In a move designed to directly address the sector risks caused by climate change, water scarcity and the food demands of an ever-increasing population, Omnia has expanded its solutions to include the development of microbial products.

HE NEED TO ADDRESS agricultural sector performance in South Africa must be driven outside of the typical policy and economic considerations. There is a more definite requirement to address the systemic risks created by the environment and how we, as active participants in the sector, can work with farmers to improve the performance and sustainability of their farms,” said Omnia CEO Seelan Gobalsamy.

Mechanisms to address agricultural risk, increase competitiveness of the agricultural sector and positively impact food supply and security, are critically needed interventions in South African agriculture.

“The introduction of microbial products is a cutting-edge technological intervention that fundamentally enhances the performance of traditional agricultural solutions. Microbials are a non-chemical, environmentally friendly solution expected to directly impact crop health, yields and productivity. The effects of microbials are similar to human probiotics, which enhance the ability of the intestines to draw nutrients from food. Agricultural microbial products help crops absorb nutrients from the soil and increase the efficiency of applied nutrients,” commented Gobalsamy.

“While microbial products have been in the market for decades, and have often generated positive results, agricultural companies have struggled to replicate results reliably.

Following years of research and testing, we have been able to unlock many of the secrets of microbials, which has led to ‘Bacstim’, a product that generates results from tiny doses,” he said.

Venessa Moodley, head of Omnia’s OmniBio department, added, “We are excited about the possibilities that microbials offer. We have been able to leverage our knowledge, gleaned from decades of laboratory and on-site research, to make this powerful technology commercially available to our customers and partners in the agricultural sector.”

The microbial combination delivers trusted performance and innovation for customers and also has a positive impact on the environment. Moodley continues: “It’s cutting-edge technology that applies microbials to crops to improve crop health, enhance nutrient uptake and improve yields, opening up new markets and expanding the viable range of several crops across the continent.”

Bacstim has the potential to increase agricultural productivity across Africa and other developing regions, making a material difference in the ongoing quest to feed the world’s growing population. Nutrient-use efficiency has become the watchword in building an efficient, sustainable food-production solution for the plant.

Microbials offer promise in enhancing nutrient absorption in salt-stress and drought-stress situations, rendering soils that were of low or even marginal viability fertile again.

“Omnia has been testing these types of products for over 10 years, we have a good understanding of what conditions this product works under,” said Moodley. “We’ve obtained repeatable results and we understand its mode of action. In an industry where products can be unreliable, we can provide consistency and trust.

“Agriculture biological products are a game changer,” enthused Moodley. “They include biostimulants, humic and fulvic acids, and seaweed extracts, which contain hormones that increase, root mass. We expect future growth in this sector supporting the global move towards greener products, nutrient- and water-use efficiency.”

“We consider ourselves a service provider as well as a product provider,” said Gobalsamy. “We have built strong relationships with our customers, who are predominantly farmers. We’re on the ground constantly, testing soils, monitoring crops, conducting training and making customised recommendations for every customer.”

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FERTILIZATION

Bly in harmonie met die natuur Jan Greyling MEDEWERKER

Bewaringslandbou Wes-Kaap se sewende Jack Human*-bewaringskonferensie en praktiese dag is by die Nooitgedacht Wynlandgoed, Stellenbosch, gehou. Sowat 400 landbouers met graan-, wingerd-, groente- en gemengde boerdery het die lesing en praktiese dag bygewoon.

“V

ROEËR HET DIT GEVOEL asof ek jaar na jaar met die natuur baklei deur met onkruid- en plaagdoders bo te probeer uitkom. Vandag boer ek eerder sáám met as téén die natuur.”

Aan die woord is Johan Reyneke, eienaar van Reyneke Wyne digby Stellenbosch. Die boerdery word gebou op sy liefde vir moeder natuur en die verskillende vertakkinge sien na mekaar se belange om. Reyneke is die eerste geslag van sy familie op die plaas waar hy eers ‘n plaaswerker was en waar hy nog elke dag sy kennis uitbrei.

Reyneke glo dat dit vir sy werkers maklik was om na natuurboerdery om te skakel. Niemand verkies om vrywillig met chemikalieë te werk nie. Waarskuwings op die etikette en die noodsaak vir beskermende klere skep ‘n negatiewe indruk.

Tog besef ‘n mens volgens Reyneke die werklikheid van winsgewende landbou. “Daar is verskillende maniere om die berg uit te klim wanneer ingryping nodig is. Ons is nie jagters en versamelaars nie, maar boere wat volhoubaar moet voortbestaan en daarom kom grondgesondheid eerste. Ek verkies om dit anders te doen, maar vir sommige boere werk die konvensionele paadjie bergop sinvol.”

Hy vertel die keerpunt in sy beskouing was net voor ‘n lenteseisoen. Dit het vir hom moeilik geraak om elke lente alles wat mooi is dood te spuit, maar het besef dit moet ter wille van ‘n produktiewe oes gedoen word.

Reyneke sê die natuur is nie net in die Krugerwildtuin of op Tafelberg nie. “Dit is onder jou voete. Ek het besluit dat ek op my grond na die natuur se belange wil kyk. Dit was die keerpunt.”

Hy meen natuurboerdery vereis ‘n fyn balans, wat aanvanklik bykans onmoontlik moeilik is. “Ek moet na die lang termyn kyk sonder om my hoofvertakking se winsgewendheid in gedrang te bring. Soos dekgewasse met verloop van tyd makker raak en die wingerd by hulle en die beter grond aanpas, raak dit makliker.”

Vertakkings wat mekaar help Reyneke Wyne het in 2000 met Pinotage-stokkies op 0,25 ha begin. Volgens hom het hy die eerste drie jaar niks

Die boerdery word gebou op sy liefde vir moeder natuur en die verskillende vertakkinge sien na mekaar se belange om.

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Johan Reyneke van Reyneke Wyne buite Stellenbosch se liefde vir die natuur is die boustene van sy plaas se korttermynprestasies, terwyl dit die waarborg is vir die langtermynvolhoubaarheid van optimale wyndruiwe, graan, groente en veeproduksie. Foto: Jan Greyling

*Bewaringsboerdery het in die Wes-Kaap posgevat omdat een boer, wyle Jack Human, nie wou aanvaar dat dit nie suksesvol in die Wes-Kaap toegepas kon word nie. Deur ’n nuwe rigting in te slaan en van meet af aan homself nie omdraaikans te gun nie, het hy en sy familie dit laat werk. Sy bydrae word jaarliks herdenk tydens die Jack Humanbewaringskonferensie. anders gedoen as “nonsens” aangejaag nie. “Ek het met ‘n paar suksesvolle natuurboere gesels, deeglik navorsing gedoen en inligting oor natuurboerdery van die internet selektief toegepas. Om kennis te verbreed lees en luister ‘n mens, maar vir begrip moet jy kennis kan toepas.”

Met die uitbreiding van 0,25 ha se gewasse na 20 ha, daarna 40 ha en vandag 120 ha, boer Reyneke steeds in harmonie met die natuur. Tans is sowat 75 ha onder wingerd en graan, terwyl groente en weiding 45 ha beslaan.

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

BEMESTING Aanvanklik het hy tamaties, wortels, kruie, slaaie, speserye, skorsies, soetmielies en nog ander produkte vir die mark verbou. Die tyd, aandag, verkope en koste daarvan het egter te veel fokus van die druiwe- en wynproduksie afgehaal. Tans kweek Reyneke net boerenkool (“kale”) kommersieël. “Ons het ‘n goeie mark. Dit word as gedroogde skyfies in uitsoek- gesondheids- en kettingwinkels verkoop. Ons kweek steeds groente vir eie gebruik en vir die plaasbewoners.”

Laat die natuur werk Soos alle boere het Reyneke met uitdagings van onkruid, peste en plae, swamsiektes soos donsskimmel en witroes te doen. Plantvoeding moet ook met bemesting aangevul word. Hy verkies egter om nie onkruid dood te spuit nie, maar dit eerder uit te groei met voordeliger plante, in sinergie met die wingerd.

“Hier is stikstofbinders baie meer voordelig vir die wingerd as plante wat net voeding neem. Sommige onkruid word fisies verwyder. Die wingerdvoordelige dekgewasplante floreer wanneer die wingerd dormant is. In die lente word die dekgewasse doodgerol of net geknak deur beeste en skape te laat wei. Só probeer ek ‘n ‘kombers’ oor die grond trek om dit te beskerm en sodoende die onkruid ook bietjie uit te hou.

“Wanneer slakke my wingerd vreet, soek ek na natuurlike beheer daarvoor. Ek gaan koop 100 eende – hulle vreet die slakke en bemes my wingerd. Vir kalanders bring ek hoenders in. Dit is hoe die natuur dit doen. Ons kan baie slim wees, selfs ‘n paar grade hê en vir ‘n paar jaar boer, maar die natuur se werking is eeue aan die gang. Ek dink ons moet net daarby aanpas.”

Dekgewasmengsel Vir ‘n ideale dekgewasmengsel kies Reyneke plante wat baie vesel produseer vir groot volumes biomassa. Hiervoor werk hawer, korog en verskillende raaigrasse wat hy met voordelige mikrobes inokuleer goed om die organiese materiaal in humus te omskep. “Terwyl die gewas groei, verbeter grondgesondheid, plantgesondheid, plantestand, natuurlike pH-balanse en volhoubare, meer winsgewende opbrengste.”

Dit verander wanneer Reyneke sien die wingerd trek dalk swaar weens droogte of ander faktore. “In daardie tydperk bou ek meer wingerd op en minder grond. Ek beweeg weg van gras en vlas wat al die materiaal gee en fokus op stikstofbinders, soos wieke, lupiene, klawers en serabella. Ek kies my dekgewasse deur prys en beskikbaarheid van saad en die hoeveelheid stikstof en laat my diere daar wei. Ek doen doelgerigte afvalbestuur, sonder om enige natuurprodukte weg maak.”

Toe die buurman onlangs ‘n ou grasdak afhaal en wou wegry, het Reyneke aangebied om dit te doen en die gras in die beeskraal ingery waar uitstekende kompos gemaak is.

Wisselwerking werk Soos wat die wingerd met doppe en stingels uit die kelder

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JANUARIE • FEBRUARIE 2020

omsien na die beeste se belange, sien die beeste deur natuurlike bemesting om na die wingerd. Net so “versorg” die beeste en die skape die groente en die wingerd, en sien die groente weer om na die voortbestaan van die diere.

“Ek gebruik die diere se mis in die beddings en kry ‘n kontantproduk wat goed is in tye wanneer die druiwe dalk minder goed doen. Dit is noodsaaklik om te diversifiseer.

Daarom probeer ek om gewas- en diereproduksie ineen te laat skakel, eerder as om met mekaar mee te ding vir voeding, arbeid, tyd en geld.

“Oor die kort termyn boer ek dalk net met druiwe, graan, groente, beeste en skape, maar oor die lang termyn boer ek primêr met grond. Ek moet dus ‘n balans verseker tussen korttermynkommoditeite en die langtermynhulpbron.”

Vir ‘n ideale dekgewasmengsel kies Reyneke plante wat baie vesel produseer vir groot volumes biomassa. Hiervoor werk hawer, korog en verskillende raaigrasse.

Deur organies en ook bio-dinamies te boer, is Reyneke Wyne nie net volhoubaar nie, maar selfonderhoudend.

Reyneke gee toe dat, sou hy die dekgewasse en selfs die graan en groente wegvat, hy op die kort termyn ‘n beter druiwe-oes sou kon lewer. “Oor die lang termyn sal die boerdery egter nie volhoubaar bly nie.”

Deur organies en ook bio-dinamies te boer, is Reyneke Wyne nie net volhoubaar nie, maar selfonderhoudend. Hy gee terug aan die natuur deur met eilande en korridors op marginale grond die fynbos, inheemse plante, bome en struike ongerep te laat vir daardie balans wat ‘n mens net in die wildernis self kry, aldus Reyneke.

21

GENERAL

Making the future of food sustainable Nicolai Prytz TOMRA

With a rapidly growing population, adopting sustainable production practices on a global scale is an imperative to safeguard the future of our planet. The food supply chain is certainly one area where there is urgent need for improved sustainability.

S

YSTEM INEFFICIENCIES IN THE food sector also cause an unnecessary output of energy during production, which amplifies the undeniably negative impacts of climate change on agriculture, including unstable growing conditions for many crops and an overall reduction in the volume of produce from arable land. These issues, coupled with the rise in global population and demand for food, represent significant areas of concern for the food industry – from farm to fork.

Action needs to be taken both to reduce food waste and tackle climate impacts in and from the food supply chain.

The key to make the future of food sustainable is the early adoption of best practices across the supply chain, for which technological innovation can be a major driver.

The need for sustainability Sustainability can be defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. For corporations, sustainability is not just about introducing environmentally friendly initiatives, as some may perceive. It is about protecting and utilising resources efficiently and effectively.

The UN expects world population to rise by two billion people over the next 30 years. With this increase in population comes the need to increase the amount of food produced, which will inevitably increase both the amount of agricultural land needed, and the greenhouse gas emissions from food production.

This is where food sustainability is key, to mitigate the negative impacts of increased production and ensure that food supplies are not exhausted for future generations.

The fight against food waste and loss According the World Resources Institute (WRI), almost a quarter of food produced for human consumption goes uneaten. This food waste and loss is created across the entire supply chain – including production, handling, storage, processing, distribution and consumption. An important distinction can be made between food “loss” in the

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Although food loss may be higher in developing countries, the need to make improvements earlier in the supply chain is of global concern. production process and food “waste” which occurs in the food consumption and retail stage.

Globally, the causes for the food waste and loss differ from continent to continent. In North America and Europe, where the annual food waste and loss combined is roughly 100 kg per consumer; food waste (i.e. consumption stage) accounts for more than half. In comparison, only 5% of food waste and loss combined in Sub-Saharan Africa is related to consumption, and the rest is lost during the production, handling and storage stages of the supply chain.

These figures highlight the imbalance in food efficiency between developed and developing countries. Developed countries need to change consumer behaviour, whereas developing nations must look towards improving infrastructure and processes in early stages of the supply chain.

Although food loss may be higher in developing countries, the need to make improvements earlier in the supply chain is of global concern. International industry collaboration must focus on ensuring that food loss is reduced throughout the farming and sorting process in order to use as much as possible of what we produce.

As for the production-side food waste, repurposing of produce is a key solution. If an apple or a blueberry does not have high enough quality for one use, one must find another use for it and make wasting the produce the very last resort. Sensor-based sorting systems can determine, for example, the quality level of a product, and thus allow

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

ALGEMEEN

for lower quality products to be reworked until they are fit for another purpose, such as pet food or animal feed.

TOMRA, sorting and grading solutions can help increase the yield of produce by between 5-10%, which, when put into context, equates to as much as 25 000 trucks of potatoes every year. This allows businesses to maximise yields and recovery rates, while reducing waste and improving the overall quality of the produce.

TOMRA’s sorting solutions can also help clean up crops that in the past would not be harvested, if damaged by adverse weather events, like hail, strong winds or torrential rain. Such events typically mean that incoming defect loads are high, but sensor-based cleaning of these damaged crops, together with removing subtle defects, has a strong positive impact on the shelf life of produce like fresh fruit and salads.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions In addition to the challenges of food waste and loss, the food industry must also take responsibility for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the negative climate impacts caused by the food supply chain. The current environmental crisis in the Amazon Rainforest, where wildfires are releasing vast amounts of stored CO2 into the atmosphere, is yet another testament to the urgent need for emission reductions, not only in food, but across all industries.

The food industry sits at the very core of several environmental issues, being both responsible for nearly two-thirds of global biodiversity loss and a major contributor to climate change. Agriculture currently accounts for 12 gigatons of CO2 per year of global carbon emissions, a number projected to rise up by more than 50% by 2050. If unchecked, that level of emissions would represent more than 70% of the available carbon “budget” in order to reach the targets set forth in the Paris Agreement.

One area with significant room for improvement is transport and the distance that food travels from farm to fork.

Consumer demand has led to an expectation that all produce is available 365 days a year and the understanding that some produce is seasonal has been lost, meaning it must be imported from around the world to meet the wants of the consumer.

What foods we eat also must be addressed. In its annual report, the WRI has outlined how the food industry can reduce its Green House Gas (GHG) output and become more sustainable, in light of expectations for population growth and food demand in 2050. It states that by decreasing the amount of beef and lamb eaten and instead eating more fruit and vegetables, emissions can be significantly reduced.

However, the WRI also states that the food supply chain must increase the productivity of livestock and crops to “higher than historic levels”– in short, increase the supply of food, but reduce the land usage for a more sustainable output. Using innovative technologies and farming methods that lower agricultural GHG emissions is one of the recommendations in WRI report.

Innovative sorting solutions allow for any defective

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JANUARIE • FEBRUARIE 2020

Nicolai Prytz, sustainability and strategy director at TOMRA.

Food waste and loss is created across the entire supply chain, this includes production, handling, storage, processing, distribution and consumption.

produce to be removed from the supply chain before it is frozen. This is a common practice for fruit and can help reduce energy usage and optimise yields. In other words, sorting technologies have great potential to strengthen both profitability and sustainability for many food companies A sustainable future for food To achieve a sustainable future for the food industry, governments, corporates and consumers alike must change the way in which we produce and handle food – from farm to fork.

With the world population set to increase to nearly 10 billion people over the next 30 years, the industry must adapt and adopt new practices to reduce waste, cut greenhouse gas emissions and ensure that agricultural land is used as sustainably as possible.

By 2050, food demand will increase by 50%, so meeting these challenges is vital to ensure food sector sustainability for future generations. At TOMRA Food, they are committed to leading the resource revolution through technology, helping improve yields, reduce waste and use our food resources more efficiently – three key factors in food sustainability.

23

GENERAL

Biopesticide has potential in mite management strategy Dr BerlizĂŠ Groenewald ORO AGRI

Tetranychus urticae is the most common and damaging spider mite in the world. Its wide host range, short life-cycle and ability to develop resistance against pesticides are some of the factors that make this pest so successful and its control so daunting.

I

T IS ONE OF THE most serious agricultural pests and has over 200 host plants, including vegetables, deciduous fruit, field crops, ornamental and house plants, as well as weeds. Some taxonomists differentiate between red spider mite (Tetranychus cinnabarinus) and two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), but in South Africa we group them together.

They are seen as two colour forms of the same species: the red form and the two-spotted form (Visser, 2011).

Their life-cycle can be as short as 10 days, with females living for three to four weeks and laying up to 150 eggs.

In warm conditions, eggs can hatch within two days and development from egg to adult can take less than a week (Annecke & Moran, 1982).

When looking at product efficacy, death (mortality) is not the only parameter that is important. Physical or behavioural changes are also important factors to consider.

For example, a product might not result in immediate death, but if the product affects egg laying ability (fecundity) the life-cycle is interrupted. Due to the microscopic size of the mite, many of these parameters are more easily measured and examined in the laboratory than in field conditions.

Several laboratory trials have been run to examine the effect that WETCIT DUO has on these different factors. OroAgri wanted to look at the entire life-cycle of the mite and not just focus on one aspect or life-stage.

The first step in this process was to run bioassays to establish a relationship between the concentration of the product and the effect (mortality in this case) on the mite.

The results showed a fairly linear dose-response relationship (Figure 1). However, use of rates above 250 ml/hl in the field may not be economical. Because the product has no residual activity, repeated applications of 250 ml/hl may be the best option to pursue in field research.

Repeated applications were also investigated in the

Their life-cycle can be as short as 10 days, with females living for three to four weeks and laying up to 150 eggs.

Red spider mite adult females, eggs and larva.

Figure 1: Dose-response relationship for adult female mite mortality 3 days after treatment application.

laboratory. WETCIT DUO was included in these trails at a rate of 500 ml/hl to compare the efficacy between the 250 and 500 ml/hl rates, both as single and repeated applications. These trials showed that repeated applications at lower dosages are more effective than single applications at higher dosages. Two applications of the product at 250 ml/hl gave 31% higher mortality, compared to one application at 500 ml/hl (Figure 2).

Oro-Agri also investigated other life-stages and factors, not merely adult mortality. They ran several laboratory trials to look at the effect of WETCIT DUO on mite fecundity, i.e. how many eggs the mites lay.

TO PAGE 26

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JANUARY â&#x20AC;˘ FEBRUARY 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

WETCIT A single product with multiple uses

OROWET® technology – The key to various functions

More than 600 trials over 15 years, who else can claim this?

Recommendations backed by local R&D team

Unique next-generation patented technology Value to agent & grower

Safe, highly compatible with other chemistry.

Leaves no residue.

www.oroagri.co.za Tel: 021 850 0667 info_sa@oroagri.com

GROW SUSTAINABLY

Registration (ActNo. 36 of 1947) L10448 CAUTION: WETCIT DUO contains 50 g/L Orange oil and 68 g/L Non-ionic surfactant. CAUTION Copyright © JANUARY 2020 • All rights reserved. WETCIT DUO, ORO AGRI and OROWET are registered trademarks of Oro Agri SA (Pty) Ltd, P.O. Box 475, Somerset Mall 7173.

GENERAL

Biopesticide has potential...

FROM PAGE 24

Figure 2: Adult female mite mortality 3 days after the first and second applications.

A

B Results from these trials demonstrate that the product does not only result in mite mortality, it also has the added benefit of decreasing egg laying capability.

At low rates it acts as a surfactant, while at higher rates it can be applied as a pesticide. For the fecundity trials low rates were included to investigate any potential pesticidal properties that the product might have, in addition to acting as a surfactant, at these low rates. Results showed that it does have oviposition deterrent properties, even when applied at low rates. Figure 3A shows the number of eggs that were laid per mite (less is better), indicating that all three rates of WETCIT DUO led to less eggs being laid compared to the control. When looking at the total number of eggs that were laid, even the lowest rate led to a 44% decrease, compared to the control (Figure 3B).

Results from these trials demonstrate that the product does not only result in mite mortality, it also has the added benefit of decreasing egg laying capability, making it a valuable asset in controlling mite populations.

Figure 3: (A) The average number of eggs that were laid per mite 1 day after the treatment application; (B) The total number of eggs that were laid after 1 day (red values indicate percentage decrease compared to the control).

*It should be noted that the data presented here are from preliminary laboratory trials. Follow-up trials will be run both in the laboratory and field to further investigate these findings.

References Annecke, D.P. & Moran, V.C. 1982. Insects and mites of cultivated plants in South Africa.

Visser, D. 2011. A Complete Guide to Vegetable Pests in South Africa. Agricultural Research Council, Roodeplaat Vegetable and Ornamental Plant Institute, Pretoria.

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Several laboratory trials have been run to examine the effect that WETCIT DUO has on mite mortality, fecundity and behaviour.

JANUARY â&#x20AC;˘ FEBRUARY 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

ALGEMEEN

Die belangrikheid daarvan om die produketiket te lees, kan nie genoeg beklemtoon word nie.

‘n Toename in die hoeveelheid onkruiddoder is ook op die kaarte om die bestande onkruid hok te slaan.

Dis hoe onkruiddoderweerstand jou sak raak AKSIEKOMITEE TEEN ONKRUIDWEERSTAND (HRAC)

Met ‘n kombinasie van chemiese, biologiese, meganiese en kulturele onkruidbeheermetodes en nie net een metode nie, is ‘n produsent reeds sterk op pad in die regte rigting.

D

IE KWESSIE VAN weerstand teen onkruiddoders moet heel bo aan elke gewasprodusent se prioriteitslys wees. Nie net omdat dit die omgewing en volhoubare landbou raak nie, maar ook die produsent se sak oor die lang termyn. Dit kan met weerstand teen antibiotika in mense vergelyk word. Die probleem is nie ooglopend terwyl jy die medikasie aanhoudend neem nie. Inteendeel, dit lyk soos ‘n wonderkuur en jy kan nie gesteur wees om die voorskrif te volg nie want die langtermyn-effekte is nie onmiddellik sigbaar nie. Slegs wanneer ‘n ramp toeslaan en die mikrobes teen die medikasie bestand is, sal die omvang van hierdie “foutjie” voor-die-hand-liggend wees.

Dieselfde beginsel geld met onkruiddoders. Onkruiddoders is noodsaaklik om gewasse se opbrengs en gehalte te beskerm, deur onkruide wat om noodsaaklike hulpbronne meeding, te beheer. Maar om hierdie noodsaaklike onkruiddoders toe te dien en nie die produketiket en weerstandwaarskuwings noukeurig na te kom nie, kan ernstige gevolge vir die lang termyn inhou.

Weerstand vind plaas omdat daar ‘n klein aantal onkruide in ‘n populasie natuurlik bestand is teen sekere vorme onkruiddoders. Die toediening van ‘n onkruiddoder sal byna die hele bevolking beheer, behalwe dié wat natuurlik bestand is. Die oorlewendes lei tot die volgende geslag weerstandige onkruide en binnekort is die vermenigvuldiging amper onbeheerbaar. Dit gebeur wanneer dieselfde onkruiddoder met dieselfde metode van werking herhaaldelik op dieselfde populasie van onkruide toegedien word.

Gestel ‘n produsent het byvoorbeeld nie die riglyne vir weerstandsbestuur nagekom nie en skielik is daar ‘n misbredie-besmetting in sy land, maar nou is dit weerstandig teen die einste glifosaat wat hy jaar in en jaar uit toegedien het. Kan jy die gevolge daarvan indink as hy nie meer produkte wat daardie aktiewe bestanddeel bevat kan gebruik nie?

Glifosaat-gebaseerde produkte is ‘n enorme bate in die bevordering van grondgesondheid en waterbewaring. Dit beteken dat die grond meestal ongesteurd bly en gewasreste word agtergelaat, gevolglik word erosie uitgeskakel.

Die uitskakeling van gronderosie verhoed nie net die verlies

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JANUARIE • FEBRUARIE 2019

van vrugbare grond nie, maar beperk ook verminderde gewasopbrengs as gevolg van ‘n afname in plantwaterreserwes, die agteruitgang van grondstruktuur en die verlies van worteldiepte.

Benewens verminderde opbrengste weens onkruidweerstand, het die boer nou ook ‘n toename in produksiekoste, aangesien konvensionele bewerking heel moontlik nou nodig sal wees, wat brandstof- en arbeidskoste verhoog. ‘n Toename in die hoeveelheid nodige onkruiddoder is ook op die kaarte om die bestaande onkruid hok te slaan.

Dit is net een voorbeeld, maar in werklikheid is daar meer as 250 onkruidspesies wat teen 160 verskillende onkruiddoders wêreldwyd weerstand ontwikkel het.

Daar is ‘n hoë risiko om weerstand te ontwikkel indien ‘n spuitprogram vir onkruidbeheer staatmaak op produkte wat net een metode van werking het, indien onkruidbeheer slegs chemies is of as dieselfde metode van werking per seisoen herhaaldelik gebruik word. Ander faktore sluit geen rotasie in die oesstelsel in, hoë onkruidbesmetting en swak beheer in vorige jare.

Dit is vanselfsprekend dat elke produsent homself daartoe moet verbind om weerstand teen onkruiddoders te voorkom en nie net te reageer wanneer dit gebeur nie.

Deur die beginsels van geïntegreerde plaagbeheer toe te pas, met ander woorde om op ‘n kombinasie van chemiese, biologiese, meganiese en kulturele onkruidbeheermetodes staat te maak en nie net op een metode nie, is ‘n produsent reeds sterk op pad in die regte rigting.

Die belangrikheid daarvan om die produketiket te lees kan nie genoeg beklemtoon word nie. Dit bevat nie net die riglyne vir die voorkoming en/of bestuur van weerstand nie, maar ook die spesifieke weerstandsbestuurgroep waaraan die onkruiddoder behoort, wat ‘n kritiese rol in die beplanning van ‘n onkruidbeheerprogram speel.

Die Herbicide Resistance Action Committee (HRAC) het ‘n rykdom hulpbronne en dokumente vir beste-praktyk op hul webwerf www.hracglobal.com beskikbaar, insluitend internasionale klassifikasie. Croplife SA moedig boere aan om hulself met hierdie hulpbronne vertroud te maak en om hul deel te doen om weerstand teen onkruiddoders te bekamp.

27

GENERAL

Foldable plastic bins reduce carbon footprint A foldable plastic bin, which reduces transport costs and boost profitability in the fresh produce sector, has shown the importance of platform design and logistics in the supply chain space.

T

HE FOLDABLE BINS fold down to a third of the size of a similar rigid-style bin, thus reducing the storage and transportation space required for bulk agricultural distribution. In this way the number of trucks used at the beginning and the end of the produce transport operations, when empty bins must be moved, was reduced.

The innovation has recently seen two major produce companies achieving increases in efficiency as well as profitability in their respective businesses. Using the foldable plastic bins, rented by CHEP as part of their share-and-reuse approach, it also minimises environmental impact.

Dutoit Agri reports that the foldable bins are an innovative logistics platform that makes a significant difference to the company’s bottom line. Dutoit Agri is based in Ceres in the Western Cape and has a depot in Johannesburg. They have a large grower network across the country. The company harvests, packs, cools and stores produce at its own facilities and market it to local and international clients. In the domestic market, Dutoit Agri supplies fruit and vegetables to all major retail outlets. It can ship around 420 kg of onions in every foldable bin.

“We have seen the most benefits at our project in Limpopo,” said Pieter du Toit, Director: Vegetable Packing at Dutoit Agri “The farms in question are 400-500 km north of Johannesburg.

Using foldable bins allow us to make significant savings at the beginning of the transport run, when moving the empty bins up to the farms. We save on transport again at the end of the harvest when the compact, foldable bins are

28

returned to the CHEP depot.”

Another produce company, Habata, has also reaped significant benefits by using the foldable bins. Habata produces citrus, melons and butternut in the Sundays River Valley in the Eastern Cape, supplying both national and international retailers.

“We save between 40% and 50% on transport,” said Habata Financial Director, Jurgens Steenkamp. “The size of the bins allows for fewer trucks to move the empty units. During the harvest period, we transport about 40 000 bins of watermelon and 10 000 bins of melons using these bins,” Steenkamp says.

“The sturdy, inter-locking design allows forklifts to enter the bins from all four sides and can pick up the bins more efficiently in the distribution hub.

“We can also load bins from their narrow sides, and this allows more bins to fit into a truck, bringing down transport costs. With rising fuel costs, transport costs started going through the roof.

We started using the plastic foldable bins and saw a one-third reduction in our relocation costs, which increased affordability. Every bin that goes to Johannesburg or Cape Town needs to come back to the distribution centre here.

Now, we can utilise space in a truck to maximum capacity, because we can fit more bins into a single truck.”

Gerhard Stander, CHEP Agricultural Director says: “Through the plastic foldable bins, we help our customers save money. We also contribute to sustainable business through our principles of share and reuse, and by the elimination of empty miles and reduced CO2 emissions.”

A foldable plastic bin, which reduces transport costs and boost profitability.

The innovation of foldable plastic bins has recently seen two major produce companies achieving increases in efficiency as well as profitability in their respective businesses.

The size of the foldable plastic bins allows for fewer trucks to move the empty units.

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

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

Banded fruit weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Members of the family Curculionidae are commonly known as weevils. They are also referred to as snout beetles due to their characteristic mouthparts that are elongated to form a snout. A number of indigenous weevils occur in fruit orchards in South Africa, e.g. Black weevil, Fuller’s rose beetle, Sciobius weevil, and Banded fruit weevil. However, the latter is regarded as one of the most important pests on grapevines and is the only Curculionid that causes primary damage to deciduous fruit in South Africa.

Andri Visser IPM-PROGRAMME NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY POTCHEFSTROOM

e-mail: visseran3@gmail.com

Banded fruit weevil classification: Class: Insecta Order: Coleoptera Family: Curculionidae Genus: Phlyctinus Species: Phlyctinus callosus

T

HE BANDED FRUIT WEEVIL, (BFW is endemic to South Africa, but also occurs in parts of Australia and New Zealand due to accidental introduction during the 20th century.

It has not become successfully established in the northern hemisphere, even though this species is frequently intercepted in the USA. Outside of South Africa it is also commonly known as the garden weevil.

This pest is a highly polyphagous species. Its host range comprises a wide array of mono- and dicotyledons, including grasses, herbs and woody plants. Interestingly, host plant preferences of this species vary between countries (and even between different areas within countries).

For example, BFW is a major pest of grapevine, apples and nectarines in South Africa and several states in Australia, but not in New Zealand, where carrots and parsnips are the preferred hosts. This is despite the presence of grapevines and apples in the region. In Tasmania, however, it is primarily a pest of root vegetables.

Adult BFWs are about 7 mm in length and are flightless.

They have a bulbous abdomen and are dull grey-brown in colour (lightly speckled) with a markedly lighter V-shaped band at the rear of the abdomen. The markings are less prominent in older weevils, since the scales that are responsible for the colouring are rubbed off to reveal a shiny, dark

Banded fruit weevil feeding damage on grapevines. Photo: www.agric.wa.gov.au

30

Banded fruit weevil adult. Photo: Phil Bendie (terrain.net.nz)

The eggs of this species are laid in groups in debris on the soil or in plant stem hollows during late summer or early autumn. integument. The mouthparts are positioned at the end of the stout, slightly curved snout.

The eggs of this species are laid in groups in debris on the soil or in plant stem hollows during late summer or early autumn. These eggs are small and hard to spot in the field, and generally hatch in 10 to 14 days. Once hatched, the larvae disappear into the top 10 cm of soil, where they feed on plant roots and usually pass through 6-8 instars. This life stage lasts 3 months but may take longer depending on the climate. The larvae grow up to 6 mm in length, are creamy white, legless and have brown-orange head capsules.

BFW larvae overwinter in the soil and form a smooth-sided earthen cell in which they pupate when temperatures start to increase in spring. Adults emerge in the late spring and early summer after which they feed on their hosts by night and hide in the foliage or plant debris on the ground during the day. The completion of the BFW lifecycle requires a minimum of four months, yet this species usually completes only one generation per year.

Both BFW larvae and adults can cause significant damage to a range of crops – larvae on the roots and tubers, and adults on the aerial plant parts. Apples, pears, nectarines, plums and peaches are predominantly damaged when adults chew shallow lesions in the fruit, making them unmarketable. BFW can severely injure young shoots and leaves of grapevines, but the feeding on stems of bunches after the berries have set causes even greater damage, since this often causes the fruit to drop off.

JANUARY • FEBRUARY 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

Tindrum 19/115

Tamatieprodukte wat werk Kry doeltreffende beheer van skadelike swamsiektes, insekte en Rooispinmyte met Philagro se kragtige tamatie-treffers: Rooispinmyte • Meothrin® beheer onvolwasse en volwasse myte, terwyl Smite® alle onvolwasse stadia, insluitende eiers dood en wyfies steriliseer.

• ‘n Tenkmengsel van Smite® en Meothrin® is die oplossing vir ‘n populasie Rooispinmyte waar eiers, onvolwassenes en volwassenes teenwoordig is. Buiten die effektiwiteit is hierdie tenkmengsel ook die perfekte anti-weerstandsbespuiting.

• Milbeknock® 1% EC is ‘n is `n middel van natuurlike oorsprong wat alle stadiums van die Rooispinmyt lewenssiklus beheer. Hierdie produk pas uitstekend in ‘n anti-weerstandsprogram saam met Smite® en Meothrin®.

Afrika bolwurm en Tamatie blaarmyner (Tuta absoluta) • SumiPleo® word met groot sukses aangewend vir die beheer van Afrika bolwurm in tamaties en Aartappelmotlarwes in aartapples. SumiPleo® behoort aan ‘n nuwe chemie groep met geen kruisweerstand met ander produkte wat vir dieselfde gebruik geregistreer is nie. SumiPleo® het ook onlangs registrasie ontvang vir die beheer van tamatie Blaarmyner.

• Sumi-Alpha® 200 EC en Sumi-Alpha® 200 EW is twee middels met goeie UV sonligweerstand wat alle Snywurm spesies en Afrika bolwurm effektief in tamaties sal beheer.

Afrika bolwurm en Valslandmeterwurms • DiPel® DF en Florbac® WG is van natuurlike oorsprong met geen onthoudingsperiode voor oes nie, wat beteken dat produsente tamatievrugte selfs tot een dag voor oes, sonder onthouding, teen kleiner Afrika bolwurms en Valslandmeterwurms kan behandel.

• Hierdie is middels met geen invloed op natuurlike insekvyande asook bestuiwers soos heuningbye het nie wat sal verseker dat die boer sy oes op die veilige manier beskerm.

Vroeëroes en Botrytis • Sumisclex® SC is ’n ou staatmaker wat nog gereeld met groot tevredenheid toegedien word teen Vroeëroes en Botrytis op tamaties.

Praat gerus met jou naaste Philagro-agent oor betroubare tamatieprodukte wat werk.

RAADPLEEG DIE ONDERSKEIE PRODUKETIKETTE VIR VOLLEDIGE GEBRUIKSAANWYSINGS & -BEPERKINGS Smite® (Reg. nr. L6011, Wet nr. 36 van 1947) bevat etoksasool, versigtig. Sumisclex® SC (Reg. nr. L6377, Wet nr. 36 van 1947) bevat prosimidoon. Sumi-Alpha® 200 EC (Reg. nr. L6452, Wet nr. 36 van 1947) bevat esfenvaleraat, giftig. Sumi-Alpha® 200 EW (Reg. nr. L8821, Wet nr. 36 van 1947) bevat esfenvaleraat, skadelik. Meothrin® (Reg. nr. L6385, Wet nr. 36 van 1947) bevat fenpropatrien, giftig. DiPel® DF (Reg. nr. L6441, Wet nr. 36 van 1947) bevat Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstaki. Florbac® WG (Reg. nr. L5531, Wet nr. 36 van 1947) bevat Bacillus thuringiensis var aizawai. Milbeknock® 1% EC (Reg. nr. L6654, Wet nr. 36 van 1947) bevat milbemektien, versigtig. SumiPleo® (Reg. nr. L8377, Wet nr. 36 van 1947) bevat piradaliel dichloropropeen derivaat, versigtig. Milbeknock® is die geregistreerde handelsmerk van Sumitomo Corporation, Japan. Smite®, Sumisclex®, Sumi-Alpha®, SumiPleo® en Meothrin® is geregistreerde handelsmerke van Sumitomo Chemical Company, Japan. Florbac® en DiPel® is die geregistreerde handelsmerke van Valent BioSciences, VSA.

Philagro Suid-Afrika (Edms) Bpk l Reg. nr.: 98/10658107 PostNet Suite #378, Privaatsak X025, Lynnwoodrif 0040 Pretoria: 012 348 8808 l Somerset Wes: 021 851 4163 www.philagro.co.za

P R O D U K T E W AT W E R K V A N M E N S E W AT O M G E E

Packhouse automation made easy!

Accurately weigh with minimum overweight

The JASA Sleever

• • • • 3009MD MULTI HEAD WEIGHER • • • •

Personalise and sleeve fresh fruit & veg using cardboard trays • Processes up to 50 trays per minute with a single belt model or 100 trays per minute with a two belt model

9 Head Weigher Medium to high speed Gentle handling 0,25 - 1kg Portions

9 Head Weigher Medium speed Very gentle handling 0,25 - 2kg Portions

2009 MULTI HEAD WEIGHER

• 100% Suitable for recycling

THE AD SHOP 3486

7000E HORIZONTAL BAGGING SYSTEM Gently packs sensitive or non-sensitive fruit and veg into plastic bags.

• Uses pre-made bags on a roll or centrefold lm.

CAPE TOWN Tel: 021-534 0215 DURBAN Tel: 031-569 4199 JOHANNESBURG Tel: 011-312 4976 sales@goldpack.co.za www.goldpack.co.za