greenhouses I shade net I hydroponics I aquaponics Table grapes are grown under shade net to withstand excessive wind and hail storms. It also protects the grapes from birds. (Pic: Plusnet)
Deciduous fruit, grape vine and horticultural breeding programmes by arc excell Commercial development of ARC-bred varieties has already made a significant impact on the South African Deciduous Fruit Industry. This impact is clearly reflected in the number of new cultivars that have been released to the industry during the past 20 years, as well as the foreign exchange earned through exporting these cultivars to countries abroad.
T
he ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, a research and development in fruit and member of the Crop Sciences wine production. The major focus is on Cluster of the Agricultural improved crop production and mitigation Research Council, is located of agricultural risks. This includes food in the Western Cape. The mandate is security as well as the sustainable use of to conduct research and development natural resources. Research is done to together with technology transfer on provide growers with improved cultivars the breeding, cultivation, protection and of pome-fruit, stone-fruit, fynbos, table post-harvest technology of deciduous and raisin grapes that are easy to grow fruit, grape vines, alternative crops and and easy to sell – whether for the fresh indigenous herbal teas. market, for drying or for canning. During the last 12 years, more than 50 Plant Breeder’s Rights on the cultivars cultivars including 5 are registered in climate-smart apples, the name of the During the last 12 years, 1 pear, 15 peaches, 12 Agricultural Research more than 50 cultivars nectarines, 8 plums, Council. These including 5 climate-smart 6 apricots, 6 table cultivars are licensed apples, 1 pear, 15 peaches, grapes, and the very and commercialised 12 nectarines, 8 plums, 6 first South African through agent(s). apricots, 6 table grapes, and A few highlights include raisin grape cultivar were developed, the very first South African the newly developed granted PBRs and ‘Afri-Range’ low chilling raisin grape cultivar were commercialised. apples. Commercial developed, granted PBRs The Infruitecapple production has and commercialised. Nietvoorbij campus traditionally been is the custodian of restricted to areas in grapevine, deciduous fruit and wine South Africa with cold winters. However, yeast genebanks that preserve genetic this new range of Afri apple varieties can resources for breeding purposes, training thrive under warmer climatic conditions. and comparative descriptions. Each The Cheeky® pear is an attractive, early division focuses on different aspects of blush pear with good eating qualities,
16 Undercover farming I March/April 2021 I Volume 18 No 2
A picture of Joy Bells table grapes.
which may be the answer to maintaining a continual supply of South African export bi-colour pears. The Rosemarie pear is an attractive smooth-skinned pear with a slight blush and good eating quality, that was bred from Bon Rouge and Forelle. The Cederberg, Desert Sun and Sunsweet peaches are all exceptional for their drying quality, whereas the Autumn Crunch peach is great for the canning industry and local fresh market. Earliblush Peach
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