Vegetables & Fruit July/August 2020

SINCE 1988

JULY • AUGUST 2020

simply perfect

fruit!

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

No 196

WETCIT A single product with multiple uses

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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.

34 23 Nr 196

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ISSN 1015-85 37

Cover South Africa is self-sufficient when it comes to the deciduous fruit industry and only imports small quantities of deciduous fruit to fulfil niche markets or to satisfy demand during the off-season when supply is limited.

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NEWS 4

5 5 6

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FoodForward SA partners with AgriSA and the Citrus Growers Association Sustainability goals to increase agricultural resiliency New country manager for PMA SA Anton Kruger takes over South African presidency of SHAFFE Nuwe SAKV voorsitter

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

DECIDIOUS FRUIT 8 12 14

Environmental farming at Dennegeur Making short work of pome fruit Vrugteboerdery kán te midde van virus floreer

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

CHILLI & PEPPERS 16

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Peppers - selecting the right variety for a production area Profitable through partnership BERRIES

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Berries are booming

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GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2020

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3

NEWS

FoodForward SA partners with AgriSA and the Citrus Growers Association National food distribution non-profit, FoodForward SA, recently announced its’ strategic partnership with AgriSA and the Citrus Growers Association of South Africa.

“T

HESE CRUCIAL PARTNERSHIPS give us greater access to the agricultural supply chain and will deliver massive tangible value to our second harvest programme by increasing the nutritional value of the food we distribute to at-risk communities. In the past weeks alone, FoodForward SA received more than 900 tons of fresh produce donated by farmers. We are grateful for their partnership in helping us realise a South Africa without hunger,” says FoodForward SA Managing Director, Andy du Plessis.

“We are excited about the partnership, which will see AgriSA supporting the important work that FoodForward SA does and getting critical food aid in the form of surplus produce donated by farmers in all nine provinces,” says AgriSA Deputy Executive Director, Christo van der Rheede.

IRMSA CEO Gillian le Cordeur views the partnership between FoodForward SA, AgriSA and the citrus growers as a vital collaboration that will help mitigate the risks the organisation has been so careful to highlight.

“We continue to endorse FoodForward SA as a critical distribution resource in addressing these risks, as it has the proven ability, best practise approach and efficacy to deliver what is needed, to those in need. The plight for food has escalated and we are seeing how communities are even more desperate than before. With the unprecedented need to mobilise food to as many people, as quickly and efficiently as possible, transparency and the credibility of the role players is key to success,” says Le Cordeur, The Citrus Growers Association of South Africa CEO, Justin Chadwick, is proud to be partnering with FoodForward SA in order to assist growers to donate citrus to those communities hardest hit by Covid-19 and the lockdown.

“The Citrus Growers Association has been approached by a number of farmers who wish to donate their surplus fruit during these difficult times. This partnership will ensure that these citrus donations reach households most in need over the coming months.

4

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NUUS

Sustainability goals to increase agricultural resiliency Corteva AgriScience recently announced its 10-year commitment to advance sustainability throughout the global food system. These goals span a wide range of initiatives that include farmers, the land, communities where employees and customers live and work, and in its own operations. Improvements in soil health, on-farm productivity, climate action, water stewardship, biodiversity, supply chain transparency and worker safety, among others, are included.

“O

UR MISSION TO LEAD the entire agriculture industry toward better, more sustainable outcomes across the world is more important now than ever,” said Corteva AgriScience Chief Executive Officer, James Collins. “We believe there is no better time to commit to protecting and preserving the source of our food, and helping our communities thrive. We support those who provide for us all.”

The goals reflect the company’s size and scope, total percent focus on agriculture, and deep relationships with farmers and collaborators across the agricultural value chain, said Anne Alonzo, Corteva AgriScience SVP External Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer. “Sustainability is nothing new to Corteva. Our announcement today is simply our public

commitment to 14 specific and measurable goals that will advance sustainability for farmers, protect our land and natural resources, improve our communities, and benefit our operations.

Corteva’s 10-year commitments will provide tools and training to help increase yield stability, optimise inputs and improve climate resilience. Commitments to soil health, water stewardship and biodiversity are also included. Corteva’s goals will champion and protect employees and people throughout the food system and the broader agriculture community. Within their business operations, the company is pledging to innovate sustainably, establish a climate strategy, use sustainable packaging, and increase their work sites’ sustainability efforts.

New country manager for PMA SA The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) has appointed Lianne Jones, a produce and floral industry veteran with extensive global experience, as the new Country Manager for PMA in South Africa. Her background includes nearly 20 years of marketing, sales, category management, account management and business development with companies such as Zespri International Limited, the Chilean Fresh Fruit Association, and Asda/International Produce Ltd., a U.K. subsidiary of Walmart.

A

S PMA’S NEW COUNTRY manager, Jones will focus on providing member value, attracting and retaining members, and building strategic partnerships to help grow the produce and floral industry. Jones will oversee all PMA events and activities in South Africa, including Fresh Connections: Southern Africa, PMA Fresh Talks initiatives. She will also support execution of Fresh Summit, PMA’s annual convention and expo which takes place in various locations in the United States.

She will serve as PMA’s primary liaison with members, government agencies and other stakeholders in Southern Africa, as well as PMA’s South Africa Country Council. The council is comprised of industry leaders from across Southern Africa’s produce and floral supply chain. They serve on a volunteer basis, providing input, guidance and serving as strategic thought partners to help PMA achieve its mission and vision.

“Lianne knows the European and South African produce industry well, has strong contacts with South African retailers, and her approach to developing new market opportunities, as well as her experience in talent development, make her a great fit for PMA,” said Anouk Sjmonsma, PMA’s global regional vice president (Asia, Africa, Europe and

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2020

Lianne Jones.

Australia/New Zealand). “PMA’s goals are to help members build connections, prosper and to grow a healthier world through increased consumption of fresh produce and floral.

Lianne’s background as an international marketer will help position PMA to support these goals, provide member value and growth.”

5

success is in the detail

NEWS

seeds | science | service

SV 6131 PB* • •

• • • •

Suitable for open field production Excellent leaf coverage for protection against sunburn Dark green fruit colour Uniform fruit with good leaf attachment Vigorous plant Excellent disease package

Revelation • • • •

Good shelf life Average fruit size of 10 x 10 cm Blocky sweet pepper Suitable for the fresh market

Anton Kruger takes over South African presidency of SHAFFE

Amarelo • • • • • •

•

Green to yellow at maturity Medium large fruit Excellent quality Strong upright plant Good leaf cover Suitable for open field and nethouse production Good tolerance to PVY

Anton Kruger, CEO of the Fresh Produce Exporters’ Forum (FPEF), took over the South African presidency of the Southern Hemisphere Association of Fresh Fruit Exporters (SHAFFE) from Dr Konanani Liphadzi who has left Fruit South Africa after more than five years as CEO of the organisation.

“I

N LINE WITH the SHAFFE statues, which only provide for elections for the country of presidency but not bound to personal decisions, the South African presidency will from now on be concluded by Anton Kruger until the next Annual General Meeting in February 2021 during Fruit Logistica Berlin, where the next elections will take place.

The SHAFFE secretariat welcomes Anton as new president and looks forward to continue the fruitful discussion on the growth of the organisation.

Nuwe SASKV voorsitter

PS 16351609* • • •

Anton Kruger.

Tolerant to Phytophthora capsici Extended harvest periods Improved marketable yield

Die Suider-Afrikaanse Sitruskwekersvereniging (SASKV) het onlangs Cornel van der Merwe, die bemarking- en verpakkingsbestuurder by Komati Vrugte, as hul nuwe voorsitter verkies.

C

ORNEL HET GESÊ dat hoewel hy die leisels gedurende ‘n moeilike tyd oorneem, hy uitsien na die nuwe rol en die geleentheid om die organisiasie te lei. Hy het bygevoeg dat die SASKV in die toekoms ‘n belangrike rol het en om die ekonomie te help groei.

Justin Chadwick, bestuurder van SASKV, het gesê dat Cornel baie ervaring het wat hom perfek maak vir sy nuwe rol.

“Hy het die afgelope 10 jaar verskeie bestuursposisies in die bedryf beklee en het ook verskeie jare in die SASKV raad gedien.”

| www.nuvance.co.za |

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JULY • AUGUST 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

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DECIDIOUS FRUIT

Environmental farming at Dennegeur Dennegeur Farms in Grabow strive to be the leading standard of good agricultural practices.

They supply directly to international and export markets, yet they are small enough to not lose focus on the necessary attention to detail.

S

AS BEUKES BOUGHT the farm Dennegeur from his dad in 1948. The first apple trees, plus minus 500, were planted during the same year. In the beginning vegetables were grown in between apple trees to create the necessary income.

The first dam was built in 1960 and the farm consequently developed into 24 ha of apple trees. Dennegeur have been doing its own packing since the beginning of production.

In 1976 Sas retired and Josias Beukes purchased the farm in 1981. This was the beginning of an era of immense growth for Dennegeur Farms, which grew from 24 ha to 200 ha planted. The next generation have now taken over the reins to move the business forward. The operating company will be celebrating 52 years in business this year.

“Our values are passion, integrity, ownership, compassion and trust. This drives our culture and is the map for the Dennegeur way. We strongly believe in developing people within our business and have a number of employees in management who was born on the farm or started off as general workers,” says Stephan Beukes, CEO. According to Stephan they are very fortunate to be part of the fruit industry and have a product that is still in demand during this difficult time. The biggest impact on exports is in the African and Asian markets that are currently very focused on wholesale. Nigeria, Bangladesh, India and Malaysia are the countries that have been affected the most, with markets and some ports closing, but there has been an increase in demand in Europe, Russia and the United Kingdom.

Carina van Wyk, Stephan Beukes and Josias Beukes.

8

Dennegeur Farms strive to be the leading standard of good agricultural practices.

“We export to various countries and we do our own exporting to Canada, SE Asia, Europe and the UK. Exporting in alliance is done to the Middle East and Africa, we also supply to the local markets and supermarkets,” says Stephan.

Logistics have been challenging, due to shortages of containers and vessels in the ports, which caused a backlog due to reduced capacity since the start of the lockdown period.

The cost of exporting has also increased on most of the routes due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

They are currently testing the use of drape nets on Granny Smith and Golden Delicious orchards. At this stage, they are seeing less sunburn on the Goldens, but they will continue to test it for the next five years before there will be a clear cut decision.

When it comes to the micro irrigation, they have a Motorola management system in all the orchards. Creating a good healthy soil environment with a big root mass and good irrigation practices is important when fertilizing. That will reduce fertilizer demand and has a positive effect on yield and quality.

Dennegeur has been independent packers since the start of the business, with a British retail consortium (BRC) A Level accredited pack house. They have controlled atmosphere cold storage facilities and also do their own and commercial cooling and dispatch of packed product. The packing facility has evolved from manual sizing to a rapid sizer and they are now in their third generation of electronic weight and optic

JULY • AUGUST 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

SAGTE VRUGTE graders. Seventy percent of what they pack is their own product and the rest is commercial product from other growers.

There are currently two Ellips weight and optic graders and they are investigating to invest in full electronic quality grading. Their strategy is to add as much value to the product as possible with the minimal amount of handling. The farm has a preference for efficient, cost effective technology that adds value and have great after sales service.

The most important part of packing apples and pears is that the product cannot improve after picking. The main priority is then to make sure that, when packing the product, it stays in optimum condition to get the best value out of the saleable product.

Stephan says that the main challenge of being a deciduous fruit producer means that you are basically working with an open factory. You constantly have to look at better and more efficient ways to up the yield and to counter act climatic effect without losing focus on what the customer wants. Another challenge is that they are operating in a commodity market where there is very little room for differentiation. The main form of differentiation is to constantly improve efficiency on all levels of the business in terms of cost, yield, quality and supply chain.

Focussing on the positives, Stephan says that they are in an industry where they have the opportunity to make a difference to the livelihood of many families through the labour intensity of our industry.

“I believe South Africa is in a very good position to increase efficiencies and become more competitive on the global market. We are ideally positioned to ship to most world markets cost effectively and we are on the doorstep of Africa, which will see economic growth in the future despite the current short term challenges,” says Stephan.

Social responsibility plays an important role in the business and they are passionate about uplifting their workforce and their families. There are a few programmes currently being managed through their non profit company, Dennegeur Foundation.

Carina Van Wyk, CEO of the Dennegeur Foundation, says: “We have an Early Childhood Development centre on the farm for the children of our employees and we can

The packing facility has evolved from manual sizing to a rapid sizer and they are now in their third generation of electronic weight and optic graders.

Zama Memekwana, with the Pink Lady apples.

accommodate children from three months to six years old.

There is an aftercare centre and we provide a trained teacher to assist the learners with homework. The learners have internet facilities and a library to help with school projects.

We have a clinic daily, managed by a nurse with a dispensing license. We also issue all chronic medication in conjunction with the local day hospital. There is a project for the elderly called the Granny Smiths – they do needlework, art and cooking once a week with facilitators.”

The farm opened a training kitchen for the children and adults. Another very successful programme is their arts and music programme which are run by The Rural Arts Network.

They also have holiday programmes for the school children to teach them life skills in a fun way. Our aim is to encourage our children on the farm to finish school and to further their career after school. The children is the future of our country, therefor these programs play a big role in their lives.

Another very important part of the Dennegeur culture is trying to put environmental considerations at the forefront of their farming operations, as these values are central to their family values. Over the past four years however, Dennegeur has implemented a pioneering approach to environmental management in South Africa. In partnership with environmental consultant, Andrew Purnell from EcoFarms, they have implemented a risk-based environmental management system on the farm.

TO PAGE 10

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2020

9

DECIDIOUS FRUIT

Environmental farming at Dennegeur FROM PAGE 9

Apart from reducing the environmental impacts from day-to-day operations Dennegeur Farms have implemented a number of exciting environmental projects.

This approach goes beyond generic compliance to environmental audit schemes and aims to address the specific impacts of the production processes on the unique ecosystems of the farm. As a start, a comprehensive environmental risk assessment of production, packing, cold storage and business support processes was conducted. The environmental risks were then further prioritised based on the commercial strategy and were used to develop the environmental management plan and related subsidiary plans.

Dennegeur is now entering the third year of managing their environment in this manner and are happy with how this system has helped them to identify and address environmental management responsibilities on the farm. Apart from reducing the environmental impacts from day-to-day operations, they have also implemented a number of exciting environmental projects including awareness training for farm workers and managers, an ongoing alien clearing programme, a waste management plan that includes separation at sources household recycling, biodiversity monitoring that uses the iNaturalist citizen science platform and comprehensive ecological water quality monitoring.

Projects in the pipeline include a constructed wetland to treat pack house waste water, upgrades to treatment of agro-chemical contaminated waste water, the development of an Elgin Shale Fynbos restoration nursery to restore natural areas on the farm after alien clearing and the construction of waterless field-toilets.

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Nikolas Moses keeping an eye on quality.

JULY • AUGUST 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

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DECIDIOUS FRUIT

Making short work of pome fruit Delecta Fruit exports Southern African deciduous and citrus fruit to countries across the globe. The company was founded in 1997 after deregulation of the South African fruit industry. Today, they export deciduous and citrus fruit across the globe. Their aim is to maximise the income for each bin of fruit and for this reason they have also added a domestic marketing department to the business during the past year.

D

ELECTA EXPORT 43 POME fruit producers’ fruit to 59 receivers across the globe. These varieties include various apples, such as Golden Delicious, Royal Gala, Pink Lady, Cripps Red and Topred. The pear varieties include Forelle, Williams’s bon Chretien, Rosemarie, Flamingo, Duyenne Du Comice, Abate Fetel and Packham’s Triumph.

The company is jointly owned by leading producers and management. There are four teams specialising in export and domestic marketing, focusing on stone fruit, blueberries and butternuts, pome fruit, grapes and citrus.

About protecting the orchards, Gert Marais, Category Manager for Apples and Pears, said that they use netting on some of the varieties to change microclimate, benefitting Class 1 pack out percentage significantly in these cases.

Irrigations systems on the farms are designed according to what is needed in the specific orchard. It is also dependant on the climate of the particular region and what variety and rootstock is used. When asked about fertilizers, Gert said that the soil dictates and demands what nature requires.

Today a more progressive approach towards fertilizer is followed and mulching and composting is reducing the use of conventional fertilizers.

Commenting on new technology they currently use on the farms, Gert said that knowledge and information gathered from specialists and travels abroad is used to improve the yield and the quality of their fruit. New technology and interesting new varieties are but a few areas the

For optimal freshness and fruit longevity, it is best if the fruit is packed on the farm and cooled down to zero degrees.

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growers have to invest in to make sure their product stays in high demand.

When it comes to packaging, Delecta does not take any chances with the quality of their fruit. For optimal freshness and fruit longevity, it is best if the fruit is packed on the farm and cooled down to zero degrees. This ensures the best shelf life after a long journey of three to four weeks abroad. Gert said that they handle their fruit with respect, making sure the consumer has a wonderful eating experience and more. Facts that is well known and something to always keep in mind, is that the consumer buys with their eyes – therefore, much detail goes into the packaging and presenting of the end-product.

When asked what technology they use in their packing facilities, Gert said that packing of fruit is an expensive exercise and systems worth millions of Rands are imported from manufacturers in France and Italy.

Packing is also a labour-intensive process and supplies many South Africans with a sustainable job and income.

Focussing on exports and the current situation worldwide with the COVID-19 epidemic, current delays in the port are challenging, especially the Cape Town port, which can be wind-bound for days. Because of COVID-19 they are experiencing a shortage of shipping containers. Shipping of containers is delayed due to empty containers not arriving from, especially the Far East.

Commenting on the biggest challenges that producers

Irrigations systems on the farms are designed according to what is needed in the specific orchard.

When it comes to packaging, Delecta does not take any chances with the quality of their fruit.

JULY • AUGUST 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

SAGTE VRUGTE

Establishing new orchards are very expensive and a long term investment in an ever fast changing market. In order to survive, producers also need to be shrewd businessmen.

Delecta Fruit exports Southern African deciduous and citrus fruit to countries across the globe.

face on a day to day basis, Gert said increasing costs challenges the modern fruit grower. Establishing new orchards are very expensive and a long term investment in an ever fast changing market. Producers also need to be shrewd businessmen, in order to survive. This is largely due to the fact that the South African fruit producer does not get any support from the government, as their competitors from other fruit producing countries get from their governments.

Since the start of lockdown, fresh produce with longer shelf-life, such as apples, pears, citrus and butternuts, is experiencing better sales. Consumers visit supermarkets more frequently, buying food with longer shelf life. Looking at the positives, Gert says they are in the business of health. “We are suppliers of a healthy, natural product sourced from

nature which benefits the overall health and wellbeing of our consumers.�

Mari Falck, Market Access Manager at Delecta, says by expressing Delecta Fruit’s support to good social practise and it encourages their producers to participate in social compliance standards. There are special requirements for third party audits by customers, depending on the market requirements. Sustainability Initiative of South Africa (SIZA) / Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX) certification ensure full market access. Social and environmental self-assessment questionnaires must be registered and completed annually.

As a minimum, all suppliers must have GLOBALG.A.P. Risk Assessment on Social Practice (GRASP) ethical accreditation as an add-on to Global GAP.

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DECIDIOUS FRUIT

Vrugteboerdery kán te midde van virus fIoreer Elandsrivier Boerdery naby Prince Alfred Hamlet in die Wes-Kaap is ‘n boerdery in die derde geslag wat fokus op die kweek, verpakking en uitdroging van sekere appels, pere, appelkose en perskes.

D

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IE PLAAS IS IN 1961 deur Stefan du Plessis se oupa, HNR du Plessis, gekoop. Stefan en sy gesin het op die plaas grootgeword waar sy pa, Henri du Plessis, die boerdery behartig het. Henri het sowat agt jaar gelede afgetree en Stefan het die boerdery oorgeneem. Die plaas is ongeveer 138 hektaar groot.

Familiewaardes en die ontwikkeling daarvan is baie belangrik op Elandsrivier waar tans ongeveer 20 gesinne permanent op die plaas woon. Baie van hulle het saam met Henri senior op die plaas begin. Hulle probeer om geleenthede te skep sodat die werkers kan ontwikkel en bevorder word in take at hulle daagliks doen.

Stefan het verduidelik hoekom hulle op die peerkultivar Cape Fire™ fokus. Dit is ‘n geregistreerde kultivar wat ongeveer ‘n dekade gelede toevallig op Elandsrivier ontdek is.

Dié kultivar het van ‘n Forelle-boom gemuteer. Provar het ‘n paar jaar lank proefnemings gedoen voordat die nuwe kultivar geregistreer kon word. Daarna kon kwekerye dit vermeerder sodat ander boere dit ook kan plant. Die Cape Fire™-peer het ‘n bloedrooi gelaat, rooier as die bekende Forelle-peer. Dit is gesog omdat die rooier gelaat ‘n beter uitpakpersentasie vir die boer beteken, wat ook oorsee verkoop kan word. Die Cape Fire is ‘n laat peer, wat ook in Suid-Afrikaanse boere se guns tel.

Tans word 50% appels en pere en 50% steenvrugte op Elandsrivier se 138 hektaar verbou, waarvan 10 hektaar vir die Cape Fire is. Ooreenkomstig Elandsriver se kultuur word verbetering voortdurend nagestreef om te verbeter. Die fokus is op opprengs, uitpakpersentasie en eetgehalte.

Die ontwikkeling en byvoeging van Cape Fire laat Stefan voel asof hulle geseënd was met ‘n verskeidenheid, wat hulle

Stefan en Carli du Plessis.

Die Cape Fire-peer is ‘n geregistreerde kultivar wat ongeveer ‘n dekade gelede toevallig op Elandsrivier ontdek is.

mandjie groter gemaak het. Hulle wil graag ander produsente motiveer om hierdie kultivar te plant, omdat dit meer winsgewend is.

Tans gebruik hulle nie nette vir beskerming nie, maar is wel besig om nege hektaar van nektariens te bedek. Vir besproeiing gebruik hulle mikro- en drupbesproeiing, afhangende van die soort grond waarin gewerk word. Stefan noem dat hulle met bemesting die bedryfsnorm volg en streng hou by protokolle wat deur raadgewende grondwetenskaplikes aan hulle gegee word.

Sover dit tegnologie betref, sê Stefan dat hulle tans ‘n gerekenariseerde besproeiingstelsel op die meeste van hulle boordblokke het. Hulle gebruik ‘n baie moderne weerstasie en moderne loon- en klokstelsel wat produktiwiteit meet. Die boerdery gebruik wolkgebaseerde sagteware om bestuurders te skakel en saam te werk aan begrotings, beplanning, aanplantings en vele ander boerderyfasette.

Sover dit uitdagings met die uitvoer van produkte te

JULY • AUGUST 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

SAGTE VRUGTE

Vyeboom Dagsorg se perseel.

midde van die COVID-19-pandemi betref, sê Stefan dat die vrugtebedryf reeds ‘n goed gereguleerde bedryf is wat op hoë veiligheids- en higiënevlakke fokus. “Die plaas en pakhuise was altyd op voedselveiligheid ingestel, daarom was dit maklik vir ons om veiligheidstandaarde vir COVID-19 toe te pas. Behalwe vir enkele logistieke uitdagings, wat vinnig reggestel is, het die vraag na vrugte toegeneem en was COVID-19 eintlik positief vir die bedryf.”

Stefan sê ook dat die bedryf baie arbeidsintensief is, met almal van die algemene werker af tot die bestuurder wat presies moet weet wat om te doen. Met goeie opleiding en goeie stelsels is dit wel moontlik. Opleiding van mense is nodig, maar daar word met die natuur en en seisoenale pieke gewerk, daarom is die luukse om genoeg beskikbare geskoolde arbeid aan te stel nie altyd moontlik nie.

Die vraag na Suid-Afrikaanse produkte neem tans toe.

Weens wêreldwye bevolkingsaanwas en met veral die middelklas se inkomste kan meer ingevoerde vrugte bekostig word. Die mededingende voordeel in die noordelike halfrond is die alternatiewe seisoen. Goeie handelsverhoudings met groot en welgestelde lande en streke soos die Verenigde Koninkryk, Noord-Europa, die VSA, Asië en die Midde-Ooste, is ook ‘n groot voordeel.

Elandsrivier het in April 2016 ‘n dagsorgsentrum, Vyeboom

Dagsorg, begin. Dit bestaan uit ‘n bewaarskool vir sewe voorskoolse kinders en ‘n nasorg vir 17 skoolgaande kinders van die plaaswerkers. Hiermee word gepoog om ‘n groot verskil in die kinders se lewens te maak deur hulle aan aktiwiteite bloot te stel wat breinontwikkeling stimuleer en ook deur huiswerkhulp aan te bied. Dit gee die kinders die geleentheid om goed te presteer op skool en na ‘n beter toekoms te strewe, waar hulle verder kan studeer of beter werksgeleenthede kan bekom.

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

Fertasa-lede is verbind tot: Ÿ

Cape Fire langs Forelle. (foto: Nevelle Lockhart).

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2020

'n Gedragskode.

Standaarde deur 'n onafhanklike nakomingsbestuursliggaam geouditeer.

Ÿ

Gehalte produkte.

Ÿ

Toepaslike wetenskaplik-gebaseerde aanbevelings.

Ÿ

Voortgesette onderrig en verbetering.

Ÿ

Die nakoming van wetlike vereistes.

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

MES CONSULTANTS - 082 563 4427

Ÿ

CHILLI & PEPPERS

The effect of anthocyanin can clearly be seen on the chilli fruit, with one variety that shows no discolouration and the other variety with severe discolouration.

Peppers – selecting the right variety for a production area Johan Stronkhorst, Product Specialist: Tomato and Pepper SAKATA There are various important criteria that growers need to consider before they decide on which pepper varieties to grow. Resistance to specific diseases can be critical for the success of a grower in an area. Market requirements and seasonal adaptability can also determine which variety will be best suited.

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NOWLEDGE OF THE adaptability or tolerance of a variety in specific local conditions would have been very beneficial to pepper growers over the past few seasons. It is therefore important that growers take note of the knowledge of other growers and seed company representatives before they decide on a variety to grow.

Yield potential Yield potential is often the first question that get asked, but other factors also need to be considered to make production possible and to ensure the marketability of the product.

The yield potential of a variety is very important, but it is very much dependent on the management of the crop.

The ideal sweet pepper should be four-lobed and blocky in shape.

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Yield potential is usually determined by the number of fruit or the weight per hectare or square meter. Because peppers are very sensitive to temperature, the production season for an area is normally planned according to the temperatures experienced in the area during the growing cycle. The temperature influences the growth and fruit set of the plant and can determine the number of fruit as well as the fruit size and shape.

Growers would tend to push the production season to be as long as possible to ensure continuity of supply. This could lead to additional stress on the plant that can have a negative effect. Certain varieties could be well adapted to earlier fruit set but may not have the ability to set fruit over the whole season. A specific variety may do well in one production area or planting lot due to a cold tolerance, but may perform very differently in another location or slot and may be very susceptible to sunburn.

Temperature further affects the pollination of peppers and both high or low temperatures could have a negative effect.

Pollination determines the amount of seed in the fruit and if there is no proper pollination it could affect both the size and shape of the fruit.

Variety characteristics Plant characteristics could also play a role in the success of a variety for a specific grower. Plant height should be considered – growers willing to trellis can plant taller growing varieties. Some varieties produce fruit set in flushes and others more continuous, this could be an advantage or disadvantage, depending on the market. In general, the shorter growers have a more concentrated fruit set, while the taller growers have a more continuous flowering patterns.

JULY • AUGUST 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

BRANDRISSIES & RISSIES Growers also need to consider the fruit size of a variety as this will be dependent on the market requirements of the customer. Retailers that are using pre-packing will use medium-size fruit while other markets would require large to extra-large fruit. Varieties with thick fruit walls will be very beneficial to growers being paid by weight and not unit.

Fruit shape is also an important characteristic of a variety when it comes to the marketing of peppers. The ideal pepper would be described as being four-lobed and blocky in shape. The number of lobes can affect the shape of the fruit, with the four lobed-fruit normally blockier in shape while the three-lobed fruit can be a little bit longer and even pointy in shape.

Comments have been made by certain sources that fourlobed fruit are female and three-lobed fruit are male – this is of course not true at all. The number of lobes on the fruit could be varietal, but it can be affected by high temperatures, which could lead to the production of more three-lobed, longer fruit than usual.

Disease resistance Disease resistance should also be carefully considered when selecting a variety. Phytophthora is a fungal disease prevalent in wet soil conditions and can spread rapidly in a field. Although disease resistance does not guarantee success, it will

The mature fruit of different pepper varieties may vary in size. The pepper grower needs to investigate market requirements before they select a variety to grow.

assist the grower when conditions in the field are managed, to prevent the disease from spreading.

Powdery mildew has for a long time been one of the major diseases that pepper growers have struggled with, and today some seed companies are claiming resistance to this disease. This could have a significant impact on the spraying programmes for crop protection of growers and could lead to higher profits and prolonged production cycles, as the loss of the leaf canopy is reduced to only minor symptoms of the disease.

Viruses are in most cases the biggest problem that producers are faced with. Viruses that cause disease in peppers are TO PAGE 18

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Sakata Quality Seed

Fury

Rajah I

Autry*

Cherokee*

* Experimental: This variety does not appear on the current South African Variety list, but has been submitted for registration.

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

CHILLI & PEPPERS

Peppers – selecting the right variety for a production area FROM PAGE 17

Tomato spotted wilt, Cucumber mosaic virus, Tobacco mosaic virus and Potato virus Y, of which several races have been reported. It is critical to identify possible viruses in the local area and have knowledge of the vectors of these viruses, to be able to prevent infections.

Seed companies are doing extensive trials to evaluate the adaptability of varieties to specific areas and production techniques. For the new grower or even growers that are looking at changing their current varieties, it is very useful to listen to the local knowledge in the area.

Anthocyanin – disadvantage or advantage?

During winter months a dark purple or black area often

Healthy sweet pepper crop showing excellent yield potential.

appear on peppers – this can happen on both sweet and hot peppers. It can affect the appearance of the fruit to such an extent that fruit could be considered not marketable. It is, however, a normal phenomenon and can be beneficial if understood correctly.

The discolouration is the results of anthocyanin, which scientifically can be described as a water-soluble polyphenolic pigment. Anthocyanins are a diverse class of flavonoids which are composed of an anthocyanidin backbone with sugar and acyl conjugates. Anthocyanin is found in many plant species including vegetables, of which eggplant and pepper are the most obvious. They are responsible for the purple colour of these fruits.

The anthocyanin content is dependent on the genetic makeup of the plant and is thus not present in all pepper varieties.

This could have a big impact on the growers’ selection of a specific variety for his production programme. The different varieties could show either severe discolouration or no sign at all. The presence of the anthocyanin in plants is beneficial for the plant and also for health reasons.

Anthocyanin benefits the plants as they play a role in reproduction by attracting various pollinators and seed dispersers with the bright colour. They can also help to protect the plant against various biotic and abiotic stresses that the plants are exposed to. These plants could have a much better adaptation to climate change.

Anthocyanin metabolism is affected by environmental conditions, but the molecular regulation of the effect is poorly understood. Various scientists are now exploring anthocyanin

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www.farmtracksa.com

BRANDRISSIES & RISSIES

Disease resistance of a variety can be crucial to the pepper grower. The variety on the left shows severe symptoms of disease while the variety on the right has not been affected.

for its beneficial effect on plants and humans.

The anthocyanin content of the fruit is highest when the fruit is still in the immature stage and decreases as ripening continues. In eggplant, the effect is clearly visible, as the commercial maturity of the product, meaning the fruit is harvested and used in the immature stage, is reached before the fruits are physiologically ripe.

Anthocyanin accumulates in young immature vegetable tissue, especially sun-exposed sides of the fruit. This is to protect the plants from photoinhibition and photobleaching under high light intensities. Anthocyanins are photoprotective agents and can shade the plant tissue, thereby protecting the photosynthetic mechanism of the plant by absorbing the excess visible and UV light.

The presence of anthocyanin in the plant can reduce the infestation of various insects and pathogens and display an enhanced tolerance to heat stress. It also plays a part in protecting the plant in low temperatures, even temperature leading to frost damage. Anthocyanins accumulate in the epidermal cells of the plant and decrease the osmotic potential of the cell and thereby delaying freezing damage.

Although not scientifically proven yet, the darker discolouration of the plant parts, leaves and fruit, leads to higher temperatures and thus also protecting the plant, this could be beneficial especially in fruit to protect the seed, which is the offspring for the next generation.

Anthocyanin metabolism can be influenced by various environmental factors. The levels significantly increase during drought and high saline conditions, which could also be a way for the plant to protect itself. High light intensities

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2020

irradiance, stimulate the anthocyanin metabolism and therefore it is more prevalent in the sun-exposed part of the fruit or plant. Low temperatures promote the biosynthesis of anthocyanin and high temperatures induce degradation. Light quality also affects the pigmentation – poor colour development is visible on fruit, which can be seen in eggplants grown in greenhouses with lower UV transmittance quality light. UV-A radiation increases the anthocyanin content of the plant.

It also acts as an antioxidant that prevents lipid peroxidation, helping to maintain membrane integrity and decelerate cell senescence, enhancing shelflife. The highest concentration of anthocyanins is found in unripened fruit and decrease as fruit ripen. This can be observed on peppers when the discolouration is clearly seen on green fruit and disappear on red mature fruit.

Although this phenomenon is seen quite frequently on pepper fruit and is often regarded as being very negative, with the current studies being conducted, we will be able to understand and see the possible benefits to growers and how breeders can be assisted in developing varieties that are better adapted to challenging environmental conditions.

DISCLAIMER: This information is based on Sakata’s observations and/or information from other sources. As crop performance depends on the interaction between the genetic potential of the seed, its physiological characteristics, and the environment, including management, Sakata give no warranty express or implied, for the performance of crops relative to the information given, nor do Sakata accept any liability for any loss, direct or consequential, that may arise from whatsoever cause. Please read the Sakata Seed Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd Conditions of Sale before ordering seed.

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CHILLI & PEPPERS

Profitable through partnership Pest and disease management are arguably the highest cost factors, after labour. Over the years, pests build up resistance to chemical treatment and new strains of pathogens develop. As a result, what worked five years ago, or less, is no longer good enough. How does one keep up with all these changes or better yet, how can one, as a grower get the upper-hand? Many growers make the mistake of attempting to overcome challenges alone do not realise the power of partnership. Seed companies are a good point of call.

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PART FROM BREEDING hybrid vegetables and selling seeds, organisations such as Enza Zaden have an extensive network of expertise throughout the globe which can be of immeasurable value. In order to develop hybrids to meet the challenges of their customers, it’s imperative that seed companies are up to date with the latest trends and requirements to develop hybrids with improved attributes that contribute to lower input costs and higher returns.

New hybrids with stronger resistance “Three years ago, our sweet pepper crop was severely infected by powdery mildew as well as virus. We decided to try new hybrids,” says Ruan de Bruin, Farm Manager at CLV Veggies in Bredel, near Johannesburg. De Bruin would carefully monitor these trials, noting the differences like earliness, plant type, fruit quality and resistance and constantly keeping record of yield.

“Enza Zaden offered us new hybrids which they said had stronger resistance to Lt (Leveilulla taurica). With their help we were able to diagnose the virus accurately; it was PVY (Potato Virus Y). Thanks to them and some management changes we have PVY under control.”

However, despite preventative spraying, Ruan and his team were unable to prevent to onset of severe powdery mildew the following year and needed to address this challenge differently. “This year we will be growing mainly Drakkan and Calcio because they have proven to be significantly more resistant to Lt than what we used to grow.”

Partnership This demonstrates the benefit of a partnership. Seed companies like Enza Zaden needs to trial and develop new hybrids in local markets under commercial conditions. Data collected in these trials is then used to make variety selection. A grower’s input is highly valued at this stage. The grower benefits greatly when a new hybrid is found which outperforms his standard.

“Without support from our seed supplier, we had struggled to properly identify the virus. Now, with Drakkan and Calcio as our main varieties I am confident our mildew problem will be hugely reduced, not to mention our input costs for disease control.” Ruan is now a firm believer in continued product development and will continue to trial new varieties.

Similarly, leading growers from places like Vredendal, East London and the Lowveld have experienced the benefits of working closely with companies like Enza Zaden and opting for new hybrids to address mildew and other problems.

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Left: healthy leaves of Calcio with powdery mildew resistance standing next to a variety with low resistance (right). The value of resistance to Lt can be clearly seen.

Derek Nicholson, a Crop Solution Specialist from East London who has been involved in product development in sweet peppers for 25 years, and who supports growers with all aspects of crop production, including cultivar selection, says “back then we didn’t need much resistance from a cultivar”.

Roughly twenty-five years ago, Enza Zaden sweet pepper hybrids played a dominant role in South Africa and were used extensively for years in areas like Vredendal and East London.

But when stronger resistance was needed, these were no longer suited for the local market.

Continued product development “A few years ago, growers in East London started struggling with TSWV and mildew. Since then Enza Zaden has introduced new hybrids which have the combination of virus and powdery mildew tolerance, like Drakkan and Calcio. Enza Zaden material is currently standing out with Lt tolerance against all other current commercial and trial material,” says Nicholson, who swears by continued product development.

“This is critical to the success of any grower as it allows the grower to correctly select a cultivar with added benefits like resistance, fruit quality and yield, for future commercial use under the prevailing environmental conditions and with the same management inputs.”

Enza Zaden has been active in the South African market for almost thirty years through third-party distribution. In the last three years since establishing a local entity and selling seed directly to their customers, the company has been able to demonstrate the benefits of their genetics across crop segments and continues to introduce international market leading genetics into the local market.

JULY • AUGUST 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

A fresh range of sweet pepper Enza Zaden has a full range of sweet pepper for both open field and protected crops developed with South Africa’s market needs in mind.

Reliable

Top Quality Fruit

Our range of open field sweet pepper, developed for South Africa and thoroughly tested for years, has proven superior quality and reliability consistently.

Quality is a non negotiable and top priority trait when selecting new hybrids for our sweet pepper assortment.

High Yield

Lt - Superior resistance

Without a doubt one of the most important traits for a grower, Enza Zaden offers hybrids with very competitive yields.

Our new generation of protected crop sweet pepper offer the highest reistsance to powdery mildew (Leveilulla taurica – Lt).

enzazaden.co.za

ADVERTORIAL

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BASF SE OPLOSSINGS VIR DONSSKIMMEL Orvego®: Initium® en dimethomorph vorm saam ʼn kragtige kombinasie wat ʼn dubbele slag slaan in die beheer van donsskimmel op wingerd. Die voordeel van Orvego® se kort onthoudingsperiodes stel jou in staat om dit vroeg in die program sowel as nader aan oestyd toe te dien. Sy uitstekende oplosbaarheid maak die produk soveel makliker om te meng en toe te dien. Die nuwe chemiese klas waartoe Initium® behoort (FRAC Grp 45), maak Orvego® die ideale oplossing vir suksesvolle weerstandbeheer. Kruisweerstand is dus nie ʼn probleem nie. Die gunstige toksikologiese profiel van Orvego® teenoor die omgewing, gebruikers en verbruikers maak dit ʼn ideale keuse vir geïntegreerde donsskimmelbeheer. Buitengewone reënvastheid binne een uur na toediening bied beskerming op die blare en trosse, selfs tydens nat toestande. Orvego® van BASF bring ʼn innoverende oplossing vir donsskimmelbeheer in wingerd.

Acrobat® WG: Die samestelling van dimethomorph en mankoseb bied uitstaande werkverrigting teen donsskimmel tydens die aktiewe groeistadium van wingerd en verhoed verspreiding tydens die reënseisoen. Aangesien dit die vorming van oöspore inhibeer, kan donsskimmel nie die winter oorleef nie, wat die potensiaal van primêre besmetting in die daaropvolgende lente verminder.

BASF SE OPLOSSINGS VIR WITROES Collis® kombineer kresoxim-methyl en boscalid vir uitmuntende beheer teen witroes in ʼn spuitprogram. Die twee aktiewe bestanddele reageer verskillend op en binne die plantweefsel, wat bydra tot sistemiese voorkomende werking. Dit het ook die gewenste nawerking tot gevolg.

Collis® is ʼn betroubare keuse wat goed in ʼn afwisselende spuitprogram teen witroes pas.

vrugoppervlak. Hierdie eienskappe verseker vinnige werking, volgehoue vrystelling en langdurige beskerming om witroes effektief te beheer.

Vivando® se enkele aktiewe bestanddeel, metrafenone, beweeg vinnig deur die kutikula tot in die onderliggende selle waar dit opbou en vandaar verder deur die blaarweefsel versprei. Vivando® is na toediening in ʼn gasformaat rondom druiwetrosse teenwoordig, wat beskerming binne die tros bied. Dit is ook uiters reënvas en lewer goeie nawerking.

Die wye toedieningsvenster sorg vir ʼn wye keuse van posisionering in die witroes-beheerprogram, met geen kruisweerstand teenoor ander aktiewe bestanddele in die beheer van witroes nie. Dis ’n uitstekende keuse om in ʼn weerstandbestuurprogram in te sluit.

BASF SE OPLOSSING VIR BOTRITIS Cantus® WG is ʼn water-oplosbare korrel met sistemiese werking, wat beskerming bied teen beide botritis en witroes.

Cantus® WG se enkele aktiewe bestanddeel, boscalid, verhoed vroegtydige spoorontkieming en swamontwikkeling op en binne die plantweefsel. Dit word as enkelbespuiting voor trossluiting aanbeveel vir optimale beskerming teen botritis. Cantus® WG verseker uitstekende siektebeheer en buitengewone werking sonder die risiko van kruisweerstand.

Die betroubare formulasie verseker uitstekende reënvastheid na toediening, en dus is geen hertoediening na reën of besproeiing nodig nie.

Kumulus® WG, die ou staatmaker, is ʼn droëswaelswamdoder met goeie vermengingseienskappe. Die uiters betroubare formulasie met drie kenmerkende deeltjiegroottes wat optimum stabiliteit in suspensie het, dra by tot doeltreffende klewing en nawerking in en op die blaar- en

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Acrobat® WG Reg. Nr. L6526 Wet Nr. 36 van 1947. Aktiewe bestanddele: Dimethomorph 90 g/kg. Mancozeb 600 g/kg. Versigtig. • Cantus® WG Reg. Nr. L7444 Wet Nr 36 van 1947.

Aktiewe bestanddeel: Boscalid 500 g/kg. • Collis® Reg. Nr. L7489 Wet Nr 36 van 1947. Aktiewe bestanddele: Boscalid 200 g/ℓ. Kresoxim-methyl 100 g/ℓ. • Kumulus® WG Reg. Nr. L2404 Wet Nr. 36 van 1947. Aktiewe bestanddeel: Sulphur 800 g/kg. • Orvego® Reg. Nr. L9185 Wet Nr. 36 van 1947. Aktiewe bestanddele: Ametoctradin 300 g/ℓ. Dimethomorph 225 g/ℓ.

Versigtig. • Ametoctradin - Initium® • Vivando® Reg. Nr. L8352 Wet Nr. 36 van 1947. Aktiewe bestanddeel: Metrafenone 500 g/ℓ. • Verwys asseblief na produketikette vir volledige gebruiksaanwysings.

Acrobat®, Cantus® WG, Collis®, Kumulus® WG, Initium®, Orvego® en Vivando® is geregistreerde handelsmerke van BASF.

BESSIES

Berries are booming Raspberries and blackberries is still reliant on air freight. But berry breeders are working towards eliminating this costly transport in the future.

South Africa’s blueberry exports for 2019/’20 grew by more than 50% on the previous year, setting a new industry record and continuing the industry’s remarkable growth story.

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Justin Mudge (photo Rachel Jan).

Beautiful blackberries.

Newer varieties of blueberries can be shipped via sea and pricing now reflects this as the baseline.

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2020

N THE LAST financial year, South Africa exported 12 282 tons of blueberries. This represents a 53,5% increase on the previous year’s 8 000 tons. Almost 70% of South Africa’s blueberries are destined for export markets. Since 2013 this has led to a growth in export revenues from R133 million to well over R1 milliard.

Justin Mudge, recently elected chairman of the South African Blueberry Producers’ Association, told Vegetables & Fruit that currently the projections look very promising, but these are based on the investment case as it currently stands. According to Justin they have seen the first inflection point from demand driven sales to quality driven sales. The next inflection point will happen when supply outstrips demand. This is inevitable as producers diversify into blueberries as a promising crop.

To ensure South African producers have options to sell their product, the South African Berry Producers’ Association (Berries SA) will need access to a wide range of markets. Limited market equals limited options, which in return equals limited price. Thus market access is a critical item on Berries SA’s to do list. They recently held their AGM on an electronic platform and according to Justin the Association got big thumbs up from producers when they voted in a significant increase in levy to capacitate the Associations’ ability to deliver on this priority.

One of the points Justin made in an earlier press release, was that airfreight was very important to the berry industry.

But currently the newer varieties of blueberries can be shipped via sea and pricing now reflects this as the baseline. Raspberries and blackberries is still reliant on air freight, but he is positive that berry breeders are working towards eliminating this costly transport in the future.

Exporters will need to ensure shipping is not delayed, as this obviously uses up valuable retailer shelf life. According to him the current situation in South African ports is disturbing and can seriously damage the result the grower receives.

When it comes to packaging, Justin says that the softer the berry the more difficult the packing. Raspberries and blackberries need to be packed in field with limited handling. Blueberries are hardier and can be packed over electronic sorting machines.

Berries are ultimately packed into punnet for the retail shelves but could leave our shores in different formats. Temperature control post picking is the most critical element to ensure longer shelf life. This needs to balance against moisture loss as this can shrivel if cooled under harsh conditions.

He says that if there are any aspirant producers, it is most important for them to research carefully, allow for some cost to make mistakes and learn, and most importantly with high intensity crops like berries, there is a lot of work that goes into a successful berry crop – it needs to be attended to daily.

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PROMOTION

Beheer boosdoeners biologies met Bt’s Boerdery wêreldwyd neig sterk na produksie met die fokus op die bevordering van biologiese boerderybeginsels. Daarmee streef moderne boerderye om eerder ‘n natuurlike ewewig tussen hul gewasplante, die plae wat daarop voorkom en hul natuurlike vyande te vestig.

HP Terblanche, Produkbestuurder: insekdoders PHILAGRO S.A.

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OE WORD DIT GEDOEN? Hedendaags en toekomstig sal al hoe meer plaagbeheerbeginsels geskoei word op ‘n sagter en meer biologiese benadering, soos wat ons dit leer ken het as geïntegreerde plaagbeheerstelsels.

Toenemend word wegbeweeg van harde, ouderwetse konvensionele chemikalieë as die breëspektrum-aanslag, om alle plae en natuurlike vyande te dood. ‘n Sagter benadering met ‘n spektrum groepspesifieke middels, wat vinniger afbreek, word meestal in verantwoordelike eko-boerderye gevolg – in samewerking met natuurlike hulpmiddels soos predatore, parasiete, patogene en dies meer. Hierdie benadering word sterk onderskryf en selfs regulatories afgedwing deur groot buitelandse supermarkte, veral in die Europese Unie.

Al hoe meer ouer middels word verban of op ‘n swartlys geplaas. ‘n Moderne teikendoelwit Gewasse soos vrugte en groente is koningskos vir die meeste Lepidoptera, oftewel sekere mot- en skoenlapperspesies se onvolwasse voedende ruspestadia.

Die nag- of uilmotte van die insekfamilie Noctuidae sluit byvoorbeeld van ons gedugste landbouplae in, soos snywurms, kommandowurms, bolwurms en landmeterwurms. Daar is natuurlik ook ander motfamilies, soos die aartappelmot, tamatieblaarmyner (Tuta absoluta) en ruitrugmot, wat deesdae moeilik deur bestaande middels in toom gehou word, weens die sterk voorkoms van verworwe weerstand teen ou harde middels wat oorbenut is.

Suider-Afrika is sedert die begin van 2017 in rep en roer oor ‘n paar nuwe onwelkome immigrante. Die herfskommandowurm (Spodoptera frugiperda),

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op veral suikermielies, en die verwoestende tamatieblaarmyner motspesie Tuta absoluta nog vars in die geheue, het groenteboere sedert 2015/16 met hande in die hare gelaat.

Buiten die nagmotte en die nuwe inkommers, sit groenteboere met ‘n handvol ander kosmopolitiese plae wat ook ‘n plaagfamilie op plase is. Vir dekades reeds word hierdie plae meestal met dieselfde ouderwetse goedkoop chemikalieë gebombardeer. Dit het aanleiding gegee tot weerstand wat byvoorbeeld reeds te voorskyn gekom het in Afrikabolwurm se weerstand teen organofosfate en peritroïedes.

Voordele van biologiese middels Om gewasse soos vrugte en groente teen hierdie ruspeplaag se aanslag te beskerm sonder onwelkome residue en die ontstaan van reperkussieplae, is seker een van die uitdagendste take wat produsente tans in die gesig staar. ‘n Biologiese benadering met bakte-

riese chemikalieë wat spesifiek op motlarwes gefokus is, is ‘n intelligente antwoord vir die dilemma van veilige plaagbeheer. Dit het nie residue en ‘n onwelkome rimpeleffek van reperkussieplae tot gevolg nie, soos blaarmyners, rooispinmyt en ander, bloot omrede hulle natuurlike vyande ongeskonde gelaat word tydens ruspebeheer.

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is reeds so lank gelede as 1902 in Japan ontdek. Dit is egter eers in die 1970’s kommersieel begin gebruik. Hierdie biologiese chemie was hul tyd ver vooruit en is nou hoog mode weens hul teen-weerstand en afwesigheid van residue.

Moderne Bt-formulerings is boonop meer reënbestand en ligstabiel teen UV-afbreking en kan gemaklik die nodige beheernawerking van tot 7 – 10 dae bied.

Bt’s is nie-sistemiese maaggifstowwe wat net vir spesifieke insekte toksies is.

Dit beteken dat die gewas met bespuiting deeglik bedek moet word, sodat die

JULY • AUGUST 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

PROMOSIE

plaag tydens voeding die Bt-toksiene verteer, wat baie krities vir suksevolle ruspebeheer is.

Philagro beskik tans oor drie Bt-registrasies teen hardnekkige plae op belangrike vrugte- en groentegewasse.

• DiPel®DF (Bacillus thuringiensis variëteit kurstaki) is spesifiek vir die meeste Lepidoptera-larwes geregistreer met ‘n wye toepassing op die meeste vrugte en groentegewasse.

• FlorBac®WG (Bacillus thuringiensis variëteit aizawai) is meer gerig op ruitrugmotlarwes in koolgewasse. FlorBac®WG in tamaties is geregistreer teen Amerikaanse bolwurm en vals- (Plusia) landmeterwurm en in mielies en suikermielies teen herfskommandowurms.

• VectoBac®WG (Bacillus thuringiensis variëteit israelensis) is aktief teen muskietlarwes en geregistreer vir muggielarwebeheer.

Die wye registrasie van DiPel®DF bied aan produsente bekerming aan ‘n groot gros selfs kleiner gewasplae waarvoor konvensionele registrasies nie bestaan nie.

• Afrika bolwurm (Helicoverpa armigera) word byvoorbeeld beheer op aarbeie, aartappels, appels, appelkose, aspersies, beet, bessies (bloubessies, swartbessies, frambose), bone (groen-, droë-, sojabone), blaarslaai, druiwe, eiervrug, erte, granate, grondbone, hops, kersies, kiwivrugte, kanola, koolgewasse, kruie en speserye, kwepers, lusern, pampoengewasse, paprika, pere, perskes, persimmons, pruime, rissies, rooibos, rose, sierplante, sitrus, spinasie, sonneblom, tamaties en vye.

• Vals- Plusia landmeterlarwes word beheer op aarbeie, aartappels, bessies

(bloubessies, swartbessies, frambose), bone (groen-, droë-, sojabone), blaarslaai, eiervrug, erte, granate, grondbone, kanola, koolgewasse, rooibos, sierplante, spinasie, tamaties en vye.

• Bladrollers word beheer op appels, avokado’s, bessies (bloubessies, swartbessies, frambose), druiwe, granate, kiwivrugte, pere, pruime, sierplante, sitrus en vye.

• Kommandowurm word beheer op beet, grasperke (grasperkruspe), grondbone en lusern.

• Lelieboorder word beheer op bolplante.

• Pou-oogmotlarwes word beheer op dennebome en proteas.

• Lemoenskoenlapper word beheer op sitrus.

• Lusernruspe word beheer op lusern.

• Ruitrugmotlarwe word beheer op koolgewasse en kanola.

Neonikotenoïedes, wat almal uit verskillende IRAC- chemiese groepe stam, in mengsels of in rotasie gebruik word.

Bt’s is veilig vir bye en ander bestuiwers.

DiPel®DF (Reg.nr. L6441, Wet nr. 36 van 1947) bevat Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, versigtig.

FlorBac®WG (Reg.nr. L5531 Wet nr. 36 van 1947) bevat Bacillus thuringiensis var. aizawai, versigtig.

VectoBac®WG (Reg.nr. L7224, Wet nr. 36 van 1947) bevat Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis, versigtig.

Valent BioSciences ‘n Divisie van Philagro Suid Afrika (Edms) Bpk (Reg. Nr. 1998/010658/07) (Posbus 442, Somerset Wes 7129). DiPel®, FlorBac® en VectoBac® is die geregistreerde handelsnaam van Valent BioSciences, VSA.

Vir meer inligting kontak Henk Terblanche by henk.terblanche@philagro. co.za of 082 829 4070 of besoek www. philagro.co.za.

Ander Bt-eienskappe: Bt’s is optimale vennote in geïntegreede beheerprogramme (IPM) met predatore, parasiete of in rotasie met mekaar of in tenkmengsels met konvensionele insekmiddels.

Bt’s beskik oor ‘n unieke komplekse aksiemetodiek, gebaseer op die optimale verhouding van Cry-toksienproteïene, virale spore en natuurlike sinergistiese komponente. Dit is die enigste insekmiddel wat op unieke wyse die insekmaag perforeer en sepses induseer. Om dié rede is die middels unieke vennote om insekweerstand teen te staan en te rem. Hiermee saam kan Spinosiene, Avermektiene, Kartap Hidrochloried, Bensolureas, Indoxakarb, Diamiedes en

Afrika bolwurm - Groentegewasse se nommer een landbouplaag.

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2020

25

wow your apples One powerful active: Protect your apples against apple scab and powdery mildew with one active ingredient that simplifies residue management for export.

One easy spray: Rain-fastness within 1 hour and packaging in a one-can solution ensures a hassle-free spray plan.

One safe product: Blue label registration with class-leading mixing compatibility and crop safety in apples.

Simple. Powerful. MIRAVIS®.

READ THE PRODUCT LABEL FOR FULL DETAILS. MIRAVIS® contains Adepidyn™ (pydiflumetofen) (Reg. no. L10761, Act 36 of 1947) CAUTION. MIRAVIS® is a registered trademark of a Syngenta Group Company.

Syngenta South Africa (Pty) Limited, Private Bag X60, Halfway House, 1685. Tel. (011) 541 4000. © Syngenta Ag, 2000. Copyright of this document is reserved. All unauthorised reproduction is forbidden.

@SyngentaSA

GEWASBESKERMING

Miravis for powdery mildew on apples and pears Francois van Deventer, Technical Lead Fungicides SYNGENTA

Podosphaera leucotricha (Ell. and Ev.) Salm.

Deciduous fruit are one of South Africa’s major agricultural export products, with apples being a major player in the segment. Apples have a long production history dating back to the first exports to the UK in the 1890’s.

S

INCE THEN THE INDUSTRY has grown tremendously with an estimated 2400 ha of orchards planted in the Mediterranean climates of the Western Cape (Elgin, Grabouw, Vyeboom, Villiersdorp and Ceres areas) and Eastern Cape (Langkloof). The remainder are produced in the Free State, Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, these areas being able to begin harvest earlier (December) than the Cape region (January-February).

In the past these areas where not suitable due to the constant risk of hail, but recently it has become more affordable to use hail nets and hence production in these areas are steadily increasing. It is expected that South Africa will produce around 35,7 million cartons of apples in the 2020 season, however, the impact of Covid-19 remains uncertain, whilst a favourable exchange rate exist. Consumer drive will potentially be significantly lower due to lockdown measures in most export destinations.

With South Africa having an estimated 35 million apple trees, it is important that both the trees and fruit are protected against disease. One of the key factors influencing the production of pome fruit (apples and pears) is powdery mildew, caused by the obligate biotrophic fungus (Podosphaera leucotricha [Ell. and Ev.] Salm.). This disease results in stunted growth, distorted leaves and when infection levels are very high, fruit become discoloured or russetted (fine network blemish) on the surface or even dwarfed.

Starting on the leaves Powdery mildew usually starts early spring on the underside of leaves at the end of branches as a small whitish patch of fungal growth and quickly spreads over the entire leave. The disease is found on leaves, blossoms, buds and twigs. Young twigs are rapidly infected, stunting growth or even causing die-off. New leaves and blossoms from infected buds will be diseased as they open.

Leaves are the most susceptible organs, particularly in the first days after opening. The powdery white lesions will eventually result in chlorotic patches on the underside of affected leaves. Over time the infected leaves in most cases crinkle, curl and drop prematurely. Infected blossoms have a shriveled appearance and will not produce fruit. As the pathogen is not dependent on surface moisture to develop, it can also be a problem in drier growing seasons.

Economic losses from powdery mildew can be significant.

Powdery mildew results in lower yield through smaller or less fruit, due to reduced photosynthetic capacity on attacked leaves. Heavily mildewed trees are weakened and more susceptible to winter injury and other pests, but also have an increased water requirement. It can also be quite a problem in nurseries and if not managed properly it can become a major problem in commercial orchards. But the biggest loss in commercial value is through the skin russeting of fruits.

Russeting and cracking of apple fruit skin often results in the downgrading of a considerable proportion of a harvest. In addition, enhanced rotting, and possible water loss, of russeted fruit in store can cause further economic loss.

The fungus overwinters as mycelium in vegetative or fruit buds, infected the previous season. Infected buds may have a silver-grey colour, could be misformed and show stunted growth. As the buds break dormancy in spring, the mildew mycelium continues growth and colonizes developing shoots, resulting in the primary infection. The secondary infection is caused by spreading of conidia (spores), present on the powdery white growth, for the remainder of the season. In most instances, secondary infection develops on leaves and buds before they harden off and this could result in stunting.

Fruitlets may become infected shortly after bloom, which then progress to form the russet symptoms on the final product. The secondary infections TO PAGE 28

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2020

27

CROP PROTECTION

Miravis for powdery mildew on apples and pears FROM PAGE 27

Powdery mildew of apple, Podosphaera leucotricha (Ell. & Evherh.) Salm. (2004) Cornell University, NYSAES, Geneva, NY. William W. Turechek, Juliet E. Carroll and David A. Rosenberger - http://hdl.handle.net/1813/43120

are also the source of the overwintering inoculum. Later in the season, the fungus may produce on infected leaves and terminal masses of small black structures, visible to the naked eye and called cleistothecia. Although these cleistothecia produce spores, they appear to play a limited role in the infection process.

Conditions for infection Infection only occurs at a relative humidity of around 90%, with temperatures ranging between 10 and 25 ºC. Optimum infection temperature range is between 19 and 22 ºC. Although the spores require high relative humidity (RH) to germinate, they will not germinate in a film of water. Wet leaves are thus not conducive for the pathogen to develop. This is different from most other leave or surface infecting pathogens, which normally require moisture to develop. Roughly every five days new spores are produced from the mycelium. Spores are able to survive hot and dry conditions for relatively long periods until favourable conditions occur and germination can take place.

To combat this and other apple pathogens such as apple scab, Syngenta recently registered MIRAVIS™, a new suspension concentrate (SC) formulation containing ADEPIDYN™. MIRAVIS is a broad-spectrum preventative fungicide for the control of foliar and fruit diseases on various crops, with a single active ingredient that allows for easier management of the maximum residue levels.

ADEPIDYN or pydiflumetofen is a group seven active ingredient with a succinate-dehydrogenase inhibition (SDHI) mode of action. It belongs to a new chemical group carboxamide, belonging to the wider carboxamides family of AI’s. SDHI’s inhibits the germination of the conidia of target pathogens by de-activating the Complex II SDH enzyme in the mitochondria, disabling respiration and thus suppressing the ability to generate energy.

MIRAVIS is registered to control, amongst others, powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) and scab (Venturia inaequalis) on apples, as well as powdery mildew (Uncinula necator) and botrytis rot (Botrytis cinerea) on

28

grapes. This product has shown excellent control of powdery mildews and is highly effective against difficult to control diseases, such as Botrytis rot.

On apples MIRAVIS are positioned to assist in a preventative spray programme to control powdery mildew (Podosphaera leucotricha) and scab (Venturia inaequalis). Applications should be started at the begining of flowering, with a 7 to 14 day interval. To assist with resistance management, MIRAVIS (or any other solo SDHI MoA Ai) applications should not exceed more than 33% of the total fungicide applications used in a programme in a season, with no more than two consecutive applications and not exceeding 4 in total MIRAVIS applications in a season.

As ADEPIDYN possesses no cross resistance between triazoles (DMI) and strobilurine (QoI) chemistry, it is proposed to build a spray programme that alternate between these chemicals to assist in managing disease resistance development. The dosage rate for powdery mildew and scab control is 20 – 25 ml/100 L for in a proposed spray application volume of 500 – 1 500 L water/ha. The current positioning are two sprays starting at flowering 7 days apart. Withholding period after last application on apples are 28 days.

READ THE PRODUCT LABEL FOR FULL DETAILS. MIRAVIS® contains Adepidyn™ (pydiflumetofen) (Reg. no.

L10761, Act 36 of 1947) CAUTION. MIRAVIS® and ADEPIDYN™ are registered trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. Syngenta South Africa (Pty) Limited, Private Bag X60, Halfway House, 1685. Tel. 011 541 4000. © Syngenta Ag, 2000. Copyright of this document is reserved. All unauthorised reproduction is forbidden.

References HortGro Pome Fruit Statistics 2019. www.hortgro.co.za/markets/key-deciduoud-fruit-statistics/. Powdery Mildew of Apple. Marine, S.C., Yoder, K.S. and Baudoin, A. 2010. Powdery mildew of apple. The Plant Health Instructor.

DOI:10.1094/PHI-I-2010-1021-01 https://www.apsnet.org/edcenter/disandpath/ fungalasco/pdlessons/Pages/ApplePowderyMildew.aspx Powdery Mildew of Apple, Podosphaera leucotricha (Ell. & Evherh.) Salm. (2004). Cornell University, NYSAES, Geneva, NY. William W. Turechek, Juliet E. Carroll and David A. Rosenberger. http://hdl.handle.net/1813/43120. https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/plpathfru-21. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5043462/

JULY • AUGUST 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

PROMOTION

Vloeibare seewier versterk en beskerm

Kelpak word wêreldwyd erken deur beide produsente en wetenskaplikes as ‘n markleier in natuurlike biostimulante wat verskeie voordelige en volhoubare natuurlike reaksies in gewasse stimuleer.

H

IERDIE VLOEIBARE SUIWER seewierproduk word deur boere vertrou om beter algehele gesondheid en verbeterde opbrengste te stimuleer. Kelpak is wetenskaplik bewys om eerstens wortelgroei te stimuleer en tweedens om tipiese vrugprobleme soos vrugset en vrugretensie te verbeter. Dit is ‘n gevolg van die produk se vermoë om beter stuifmeelontkieming en sterker stuifmeelbuisgroei te stimuleer. Dié eienskappe is uniek aan Kelpak as gevolg van die koue selbars-ekstraksiemetode wat die sagte natuurlike hormone uit die Ecklonia maxima-seewierspesie onttrek en in die alombekende groen drom tot ‘n onverbeterlike mengsel van natuurlike aktiewe bestanddele bewerkstellig.

Kelpak is reeds langer as 40 jaar ‘n

natuurlike en trots Suid-Afrikaanse produk wat met groot sukses deur die hele aanplantings- en produksiesiklus van vrugte- en groentegewasse gebruik word.

Tydens die uitplant van jong boompies of groentesaailinge uit die kwekery na die moeiliker boordtoestande, help Kelpak om die gevreesde uitplantskok teen te werk. Hierdie eienskap is te danke aan onder meer die biologies aktiewe verbindingsgroep, Poliamiene, wat ook ‘n groot invloed op biotiese en abiotese stremmingsbeskerming het. Die hoë vlakke van Poliamiene, Brassinosteroïde, Florotanniene en Ouksiene in Kelpak stimuleer veral laterale wortelgroei, groter vrugte, stuifmeelontkieming, stuifmeelbuisgroei en dit werk siner-

gisties saam in Kelpak om die gewenste gewasgroeistimulasie te bied.

Jong bome benut voedingstowwe en vog beter deurdat ‘n massiewe wortelmassa gegenereer word, wat groei aanhelp. Sodra die aktiewe hormoongroepe deur die plant opgeneem word, sal die fisiologiese prosesse in die plant, soos fotosintese, vinniger plaasvind en die plant in staat stel om optimaal te kan groei. Nog ‘n voordelige eienskap van Kelpak by hierdie gewasse is verlengde raklewe tydens opberging, asook produkte se vervoer.

Onafhanklike navorsing het gelei tot Kelpak se geregistreerde aanbevelings op aktief produserende vrugte en groentegewasse. Die aanbeveling is dat saailinge en jong vrugtebome tydens

Algemene Kelpak bespuitings bv. Pruime Vol blom

Kroonblaar val

Kelkblaar val

Vroeë vruggroei

Verbeterde vrugset, vrugretensie en opbrengs

Pit verharding

14 dae later

28 dae later

Verbeterde vrugretensie, vruggrootte, kwaliteit en raklewe SEL VERDELING

50

PIT VERHARDING

70

SEL VERGROTING

100

120

140

Dae na stuifmeelstorting Grafiek 1: Tipiese steenvruggroeikurwe: Tydens vruguitdunning word Kelpak met sukses toegedien op ontwikkelende vrugte om vruggrootte en kwaliteit te verbeter. Indien meer vrugte verlang word, kan Kelpak tydens die blomperiode gespuit word om vrugset en retensie te bevoordeel.

30

JULY • AUGUST 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

PROMOSIE

Grafiek 2: Internasionale wetenskaplike proewe toon die voordeel van Kelpak op vrugte.

uitplanting in ‘n Kelpak-oplossing gedoop word om vinnige vestiging en optimum groei te bewerkstellig.

Kenmerkende resultate by vrugtebome is verbeterde late-rale wortelgroei, verminderde uitplantskok, groeikragtigheid by jong bome en vervroegde produksie. Blaarspuite verseker dat optimale groei gehandhaaf word, vanaf die aanvanklike jongboomgroei regdeur vrugvorming tot oestyd. Produserende

vrugtebome kan tydens blomtyd asook vroeë vruggroeistadiums gespuit word om beter vrugset, vrugretensie en vruggrootte aan te help. Afhangende van die doel wat bereik wil word, byvoorbeeld verbeterde set of vruggrootte, kan bespuitings op spesifieke stadiums plaasvind (Grafiek 1).

Kelpak vergemaklik enige plaasbestuurder se taak omdat dit verenigbaar is met die meeste chemiese en

voedingstowwe wat algemeen op plase gebruik word en dit kan saam in oplossing gemeng word. Gevolglik hoef die produsent nie bykomende spuitkoste aan te gaan nie. Laastens bied Kelpak ook ‘n sinergistiese werking met die meeste chemiese middels om die doeltreffende gebruik daarvan aan te help. Kontak Kelpak gerus op www. kelpak.com of die naaste Kelpak-landboukundige vir professionale advies.

31

Al jare lank in diens van die boer Vanaf 1978 is Kelpak wetenskaplik bewys om wortelgroei en plantgesondheid te verbeter met uitstekende opbrengsverbeterings asook eindproduk kwaliteite tot gevolg.

GENERAL

73% of shoppers prefer to shop nearer to home while 63% aim to purchase the same reliable brands as before lockdown.

Change is not by chance Jan Greyling CORRESPONDENT

It is time to look beyond the bad news. Lockdown may have deemed an uncomfortable period to date, however, extraordinary resilience has been shown by the majority while adapting to what one can consider as the new normal. It is and will be different to what we knew prior to the past more than 100 days. Even though specific ramifications are not clear at present, it is inevitable for drastic changes to stretch far into the future.

S

UPPLY, DEMAND, PRODUCTION, packhouses, marketing, export and fresh produce markets are adapting to align with the unavoidable. A key element is to keep employees safe and healthy.

Lockdown 2020 is not only a curve ball. It is indeed an ongoing learning curve. From farm to fork, common ground has been met in learning that “change is your friend” and that adaption to the new normal will be essential to achieve results.

So, what is replacing the usual, expected, typical state, after or even during an event such as the 1918 Spanish Flu or COVID-19 in 2020?

Considering this, it will be delusional to think that the horticultural value chain will ever be the same regarding Safety, Environment and Quality (SEQ) management.

Integrated challenge According to Justin Chadwick, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association, the local industry is witnessing growers adapting to the new normal among about 120 000 employees.

Leading from the front, the global fresh produce and floral supply chain trade organisation Produce Marketing Association (PMA SA) hosted regular “PMA Talks”, gaining insight

on behalf of member companies.

Supplement to these observations, Prof Phillippe Burger, Pro-Vice Chancellor at University of the Free State, reminded PMA Talks’ delegates that “a very strong, sustainable agricultural sector and agro-processing industries will be essential to ensure food security for all”.

“Remember,” Prof Burger said, “South Africa was already in an economic recession before the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Consequently, many South Africans have fallen into a ‘junk status vision’ of South Africa. And then on top of that came COVID-19. However, we must look beyond these problems and reimagine what South Africa could look like in 10 or 25 years from now,” he said.”

Reality on grassroots level Just before she joined as the newly appointed PMA SA Country Manager on 1 May, Lianne Jones spoke to some stakeholders in South Africa. At a Beanstalk session she quoted the fortnightly Kantar COVID-19 Barometer.

“Globally there seems to be renewed respect for food, safety and family. Early in the lockdown, 53% of more influential South African households believed their income would be affected. Due to the high level of inequality and poverty, that

32 18-20

VIRTUAL

2020

AUg

CONFERENCE

linkedin.com/showcase/produce-marketing-association-southern-africa

Free

Our virtual conference will echo the same great content and energy as in the past decade. @PMASouthernAfrica

registration for stakeholders in the fresh produce industry. @PMA_Africa

www.pma.com/FCsouthernafrica

ALGEMEEN

will impact negatively on the lower level income households,” Jones said. 82% reported to be anxious and concerned, especially regarding their financial health, followed by their physical health.

“We also see that 73% of shoppers prefer to shop nearer to home while 63% aim to purchase the same reliable brands as before lockdown. There is a clear trend toward ‘local is lekker’, showing a preference for South African products.”

The impact of Covid-19 regulations on the hospitality sector has had a major impact on restaurants, hotels and fast food outlets. Dawie Maree, Head: Information and Marketing at FNB Agriculture, confirmed that the lockdown resulted in unexpected oversupply of certain fresh produce, such as lettuce and avocados.

Change in demand Prof Ferdi Meyer, MD at the Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy added that “diversion of some produce into domestic markets resulted in substantial price declines, as the smaller markets cannot absorb the additional volume”.

Jones said prominent packers saw a 30-50% decline in sales of premium fruit in the major retail chain during the early days of lockdown. Independent distributors saw an 80-90% drop in premium fruit product sales. As a long shelf life immune booster, citrus shows a huge boom and one of the exporters reported a 200% increase vs. 2019 in orders early in the season. In the rest of Africa, lemons and gingerroot were flying off the shelf.

It seems that consumers are increasingly relying on the comfort and reassurance by being as prepared as they can be.

This is proven in the increased demand for food seen to boost strength and immunity.

Maree prompted growers to be well informed and to follow consumer behaviour to meet their demands. “In coming months, the shift in consumer demands will continue moving to essential goods. Online shopping is not yet a buying alternative because of the digital divide between urban and rural infrastructure.”

Despite COVID-19 disruptions, Dr John Purchase, CEO of the Agricultural Business Chamber Agbiz, said that the local agricultural sector is not expected to be hit as hard as it will be globally. “In fact, we could see a 10% year-on-year recovery in GDP in the sector for 2020 because of bumper grain and fruit harvests,” he said.

As a long shelf life immune booster, citrus shows a huge boom and one of the exporters reported a 200% increase vs. 2019 in orders early in the season.

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2020

Vars vorentoe Verandering is ‘n gegewe tydens en op die pad van vordering met Covid-19. As ‘n noodsaaklike bedryf is die varsbemarking-waardeketting geen uitsondering nie. Hierdie artikel gee ‘n oorsig van terreine waarop veranderinge in die bedryf ervaar en verwag word.

‘N

NUWE NORMAAL word veral reeds ervaar met betrekking tot: Vraag: Weens grootskaalse werkverliese en die sogenaamde Covid-19 opofferings wat bestuur en personeel van die grootste aantal groot-, medium- en klein besighede se werknemers getref het, is die besteebare verbruikersrand radikaal aan die krimp. Inkopielyste is baie korter, absoluut behoeftegedrewe en aansienlik minder geld werd.

Produksie: Dit word normaal om vir die onbepaalde toekoms kontantgewas-aanplantings af te skaal in ooreenstemming met die verlaagde vraag na produkte.

Verpakking: Pakhuise se werkspanne en -rooster word vir personeel se distansiëring in twee gedeel om dag- en nagskofte in te sluit sodat bestellings en aflewerings betyds kan wees.

Bemarking: Handelskoue-, konferensies, inligtingsdae en tentoonstellings vind toenemend digitaal, aanlyn deur konferensie- video- en oudiosagteware en nou ook virtuele produkuitstallings plaas. Dit word ondersteun deur sterker telefoniese, e-pos- en sosiale mediaverhoudings en verbindings.

Varsproduktemarkte: Markte sal weens inperkingregulasies en higiëniese vereistes nie weer dieselfde wees nie. Die miernes van bedrywighede op varsmarkte se vloere maak plek vir ‘n yler bevolkte mark met talle voorsorgmaatreëls.

Werknemerveiligheid: Personeelveiligheid is en bly ononderhandelbaar. Aanvullend tot regulasies word alle voertuie met handreinigers toegerus en reiniging geld by alle hekke en deurgange. Deeglike COVID-19 ‘moets en moenies’ is nou deel van induksie en opleiding.

Pakhuis-outomatisering: Korporatiewe pakmaatskappye en produsente wat self verpak bevestig dat outomatisering met of sonder COVID-19 ‘n dinamiese gegewe in die bedryf is. Die virussiekte se rampspoedige ekonomiese gevolge kan kostebesparing op arbeid en meer meganisasie tot gevolg hê, onderhewig aan die wisselkoers se uitwerking.

Opleiding: Goedkoper, meer persoonlike ontwikkelingsgerigte sakebehoeftes vind toenemend deur individuele aanlynkursusse plaas.

Kommunikasie: Interpersoonlike en spankommunikasie vind toenemend plaas op sosiale media, met WhatsApp en WhatsApp-groep wat regdeur die waardeketting die gewildste is vir kommunikasie tussen bestuur en werknemers en tussen toesighouers en werknemers.

Vergaderings: Enkele uitstekende en ‘n aantal nuwer doeltreffende vergaderplatforms het verseker hul potensiaal begin verwesenlik en die kuns vir klein-, groter- en grootgroepgesprekke, aanlynuitstallings en demonstrasies, toesprake en besprekings behoorlik verfyn.

33

VOEL DIE KRAG VAN DIE OSEAAN

GENERAL

The ‘new’ in normal

AFRIKELP™ BIOSTIMULANTE bevorder groei en opbrengs.

Jan Greyling CORRESPONDENT

The unavoidable reality of immense financial consequences at the end of the value chain has settled in. Despite the harsh realities of job losses, COVID-10 salary and benefit sacrifices, the thoughts of directors, managers, staff, suppliers and consumers are renewed.

Renewed minds and cost-efficient action are now more crucial to maintain throughout the full value chain.

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D

AILY OPERATIONS CALL for new routines, new choices in terms of interaction, new ways of communicating, new understanding of consumer needs, new marketing strategies and new strategic goals to recuperate and refuel towards the weeks, months and years to come.

“As we look at what the new-normal will be, it is important to take into consideration the things already been done and the things that should continue to be done,” said Francois Knowles, Registrar of the Agricultural Produce Agents Council (APAC).

During a regular “PMA Talks”, panellists concluded that organisations will not be able to return to business as usual. “It should bring comfort that we are all in this together, quite literally.”

Most important is that the production and distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables continue, said ZZ2 Ecologist, Wiam Haddad. “Looking ahead, the key to a sustained open supply chain to consumers is to keep employees safe and healthy.”

FNB Agriculture’s Head: Marketing and Information, Dawie Maree, added that there is immense power in accepting changes. “Business leaders need to position their companies by even the smallest vital shifts, in such a way that they respond rather than react to change.” He strongly advised stakeholders to use technology and the internet to their advantage. “Get creative and online. Our target market is still there, they are just behaving differently.”

Prof Philippe Burger, Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of the Free State, reiterated that the consumer landscape is a dynamic constant in adapting to the new normal. According to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, an estimate of 38 million South Africans now live in urban areas with a decrease of those in rural areas, currently at almost 20 million.

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34

JULY • AUGUST 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

ALGEMEEN

weaker exchange rate” caused by the impact of COVID-19.

This gain may however be offset by weaker international demand and logistical challenges e.g. container shortages and port delays.

He said that since mid-May 2020, towards the end of Level 5 and Level 4 lockdown, most agribusinesses reported that they were operating at 80% capacity and weren’t wasting significantly more product compared to the business-as-usual scenario.

Amidst the peak export season for citrus, nuts and avocados, Eddie Vienings from Blue North confirmed Lianne Jones’ finding that export trends from the northern hemisphere indicated a substantial increase in demand for South African citrus in Europe, the United States of America and Asia.

“The volume of lemons has already been doubled from where we are normally this time of the year. On the other end the hospitality sector has closed very much around the world. So, products such as lemons which are real culinary items for that sector will be impacted,” he added.

Exports According to Vienings, port facilities were announced essential services. “Unfortunately, the ports cut their workforce back to 30% to handle only essential goods. This impacted on the vessel dwell time in the ports and the availability of containers, etc.”

He pointed out that some exporters moved to specialised reefer vessels, which are operated by private terminals, hence they don’t need to go through the container terminals – a trend that may form part of the new normal. Vienings voiced concern about the availability of empty containers since non-essential products are still being held over.

To date, during lockdown all African countries deemed agriculture an essential service. Farming had to continue to feed their people – business as usual. Since initial lockdown or limited lockdown, Africa has to a large extent moved to less restrictive measures for the economy and imports from South African fresh suppliers and retailers to regain momentum. Currently all borders can be crossed, subject to the correct permits.

Production In their effort to reach production goals, training specialists agree that business and agri tech management, understanding of farm data management and application of artificial intelligence in high tech precision production will take a prominent place in the new normal.

Practical equipment training based on virtual 3D and 4D imaging is expected to be available soon – also in South Africa – for vocational training and in preparation of production requirements in the next 3-5 years.

CT van der Merwe, CEO of AL 3 Boerdery, said that in the short term production of potatoes, onions and butternuts is expected to be affected by the realities of supply and demand following the decline of consumer spending power.

“We may perhaps just plant less marginal soil to safeguard against a potential decline in demand due to economic pressure on consumers.”

Fresh produce markets Municipal and private fresh produce markets have been affected by the impact of the practical and logistical implications of lockdown regulations and hygiene requirements. In recent months the beehive of activity on market floors has been exchanged for a less dense blend of agents, buyers, delivery operators and essential floor staff.

According to Francois Knowles, markets are extremely highrisk areas. “It is important to understand how to navigate the movement of staff, farmers, buyers and other stakeholders during the pandemic.”

Joburg Market confirmed that they are applying the lockdown regulations. Considering the impact of social distancing and the wearing of masks, it translates into less people at the market and the potential of less direct business. Over the medium term at least, constant sanitation at the cost of materials and labour would continue to apply to all public

Long-term sustainability and packaging trends need a rethink, as consumers focus on short-term safety and a shift away from naked food.

TO PAGE 36

GROENTE & VRUGTE | JULIE • AUGUSTUS 2020

35

GENERAL

The ‘new’ in normal FROM PAGE 35

Currently it seems that no major amendments are expected in the automation of packhouse equipment as a direct consequence of the impact of COVID-19.

and private surfaces, produce containers, incoming and outgoing transport, all visitors, staff, office space and equipment.

Packhouses Currently it seems that no major amendments are expected in the automation of packhouse equipment as a direct consequence of the impact of COVID-19. High-tech precision data management, sorting and food safety equipment will continue to add to accurate management statistics. Co-operative, corporate and private packhouses confirmed that automation remains an integral industry dynamic.

As for COVID-19, many growers use shifts to reduce the disruption should anyone test positive. Plans were made to decrease the number of people per shift without compensation of productivity and timeous delivery. Interim amendments in workflow are not expected to last longer than required. Improved hygiene management in the workplace may however become a lasting benefit.

At Schoonbee Estate, the increase in consumer demand for citrus upped production volumes from their 919 ha oranges, soft citrus and lemons and 451 ha table grapes under netting. “With 2 metre social distancing we had to half our packing teams and we switched to a day and night shift rotation to manage product flow,” said Gert Schoonbee.

In general, the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may in the medium term and long term lead to unavoidable cost cuts which may result in long term consideration of optimised mechanisation.

Employee safety According to ZZ2’s Wiam Haddad, due to COVID-19 their

36

business compartmentalised work areas into smaller functional units to minimise interaction. Apart from homemade masks sourced locally, ZZ2 made 70% ethanol sanitiser from waste tomatoes on the farm.”

AL 3 Boerdery employs about 400 permanent and 800 seasonal workers. “Now and in the future our staff safety and health are non-negotiables. In addition to masks and social distancing, we equipped all vehicles with sanitisers and hand sanitation has been enforced at all gates and entrances. Our training includes a ‘to do and not to do’ video by a medical doctor.”

CGA’s Chadwick is concerned about the transport of workers henceforth. “Requests have been received from growers to address the issue of workers being transported to work in the back of bakkies. Growers should rather look for other means of transport, although in some circumstances this is not possible.”

CGA continue to work closely with Agbiz in addressing this with the Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development.

Food safety Karin Du Chenne and Norman Reyneker of Kantar COVID-19 Barometer said they believe that hygiene will remain important as the new normal include an increased focus on home consumption.

“Long-term sustainability and packaging trends need a rethink, as consumers focus on short-term safety and a shiftaway from naked food,” they said. “With more price-consciousness and good value at mind retailers that win will be showcasing the goodness and safety of the product.”

JULY • AUGUST 2020 | VEGETABLES & FRUIT

ALGEMEEN Consumers now look for practical ways to minimise waste and get products to last longer, while looking for new ideas on what to cook.

Farmer Gert Schoonbee agrees that consumers now tend to prefer fully packed fruit. “The fear for virus contamination through repetitive handling of naked fruit is clearly visible. This is in sharp contrast to the dynamic trend towards enviro friendly and recycled packaging prior to COVID-19.”

In recent weeks, numerous Facebook groups took off from ideas on how to keep food fresh as they simply cannot afford to waste. Various groups are also promoting “buy directly from the farmer”, contributing to the believe that “it’s the ones that are adaptable that will be successful”.

Dr John Purchase, CEO at Agbiz, and Prof Ferdi Meyer from BFAP agreed that medium- to long term strategies are imperative to stimulate agricultural growth and job creation. Prof Burger (UFS) also reminded that data for the last two decades show that, for every 1% growth in GDP, the country could see an increase of 0,8% in employment, which indicates the importance of higher economic growth.

He stated that innovation in the energy and water sectors will be required to meet increased energy and water demands, while concerns about climate change need to be addressed.

Consumers now tend to prefer fully packed food.

Perspective.

37

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Codling moth

(Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) Codling moth is well-known as one of the major and widely distributed pests of pome fruit globally. It is indigenous to south-eastern Europe and is now widespread in parts of Africa (including South Africa), Asia, North America, South America, Australia and New Zealand. It was first reported in South African pome fruit orchards in 1885 and since then became a serious pest of apple and pear orchards. The host plants of codling moth include apple, pear, cherry, apricot, crab-apple, English walnut, quince, plum and hawthorn.

Nozibusiso Maphumulo IPM-PROGRAM, NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY POTCHEFSTROOM

e-mail:mashimanenozi03@gmail.com

Codling moth classification:

Class: Insecta (Insects) Order: Lepidoptera (moths and butterfIies) Family: Tortricidae Genus: Cydia Species: Cydia pomonella

E

GGS ARE MINUTE IN size, approximately the size of a pinhead. They appear as translucent in colour when they are newly deposited and turn white at a later stage. There are five larval stages (instars). The length of a newly hatched larva is 2,5 mm and it is pale white with a black head after hatching. Larvae are between 13-20 mm long when fully grown and turns tan to pink in colour with a brown head.

The pupa is 13 mm long and brown in colour. Adults are spotted gray and brown in colour, the wings have alternating gray and white bands with a bronze to copper spot on the tip of each forewing. During the day they camouflage on the bark of trees while holding wings in a tent-like position on the body.

Eggs are laid singly on fruit or on upper surface of leaves next to fruit and are hard to observe under field conditions.

They hatch within the period of 6-20 days, the duration varies depending on temperature. Females can lay between 30 and 70 eggs. After hatching, the larva bore into fruit within the period of 24 hours and then tunnel to core where it attacks the developing seeds. The duration of larval stages takes 3-5 weeks and occurs inside the fruit. Larvae exit the fruit through entry holes or new exit holes when larval development has been completed and crawls to a safe place where it pupates. Pupations occurs inside a silk cocoon under bark or other safe sites. The duration of pupation can be between 7-30 days depending on environmental conditions such as temperature. There are four generations of the

Codling moth adult (https://candidegardening.com/ZA/insects/4828a688ccae61221f873d848e00bade).

38

Codling moth larva boring into an apple (https://www.andermattbiocontrol.com/sites/pests/codling-moth.html).

Codling moth pupa (https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/codling-moth).

codling moth per growing season in South Africa. This short life cycle makes the potential of fruit infestation by this pest to be one of the highest worldwide. Codling moth start to overwinter in autumn, it finds a protected site such as leaf litter or tree bark at the base of the tree and spins a cocoon to provide protection throughout winter until spring when it is suitable for pupation.

The damage caused by the codling moth larvae results in unmarketable produce. Brown frass that are produced by feeding larvae exits the infested fruit through larval entry or exit holes. Larvae occasionally targets terminal leaves and bore into shoots before it starts attacking fruit. Fruit prematurely fall into the ground when they are infested in early spring.

Broad spectrum insecticides were previously the predominant control of this pest in South Africa. However, the current control practices of the codling moth are based on an integrated approach in commercial orchards. Insecticides, mating disruption, sterile insect technique, fruit thinning, trunk banding, fruit bagging, sanitation and biological control are management practices employed against the codling moth. Control through biological control can be achieved by using insecticides that are more selective with lower toxicity to promote populations of natural enemies (entomopathogens, predators and parasitoids).

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