Citrus vs the salt of the earth
LJ Venter & Markus van Renssen (Horticulturists, Agri Technovation) The challenge of salinisation Soil salinisation presents a serious challenge in areas with a semi-dry climate. Saline soils lead to a variety of complications, especially in citrus, which could have a direct or indirect impact on the producer’s pocket. Where soils are irrigated with high-salinity water (high […]
The Effects of Water Quality in Irrigated Agriculture
The effects of Water Quality in Irrigated Agriculture – By Allan Huysamen (Technical Manager – Adjuvants) Introduction Water is an excellent solvent for polar molecules and charged species, including simple inorganic anions and cations. Consequently, when water interacts with mineral deposits, soils, rocks or organic material, species are solubilised within the water, defining the water’s […]
Difference between well-drained and poorly drained soils in macadamia production
Difference between wel-drained and poory drained soils in macadamia production – By Gareth Glasspool Soil Scientist Soil characteristics impact crop growth and developmentSoil classification plays a huge role in the development and eventual success of a macadamia orchard. Soil classification refers to the examination of the soil’s physical properties and the classification thereof according to […]
PICKLOGGER™ is a game changer
PICKLOGGER™ is a game changer – By Albert Bijker and Erald Smith PICKLOGGER™ is a game-changing device that helps farmers and their stakeholders to identify and manage various factors that affect the yields of hand-harvested crops. By recording and logging data points during harvesting, PICKLOGGER™ makes it possible for farmers to produce yield maps, giving […]
How your avocado orchard benefits from carbohydrate analyses
How your avocado orchard benefits from carbohydrate analyses – By Dr Elmi Lötze (Head of ITEST™CARBOHYDRATES and ITEST™LEAF) and Wilmé Brown (Plant Physiologist), Agri Technovation Carbohydrates as physiological indicator of plant status The use of carbohydrate analyses to study plant performance is an established practice in the research environment (Wolstenholm, 1987; Whiley et al., 1988; […]
Blue Gold: Let’s start digging
Blue Gold: Let’s start digging – By Hestia Pienaar – Senior Agronomist (Grains and Vegetables) Responsible and efficient irrigation A satellite remote sensing study conducted by the WRC reported that 1 334 562 hectares were actively irrigated in South Africa during 2015. The agricultural industry is under constant pressure to account for the allocation of […]
Measure, understand, improve
Calcium – Measure, understand, improve By Jaques Landman -Technical Manager AT New Zealand / AT Australia East Coast Calcium deficiency It is widely accepted that a sub-optimal supply of calcium (Ca), causes many physiological disorders in fruit, deficiencies in plants are seldom visually noticed. Disorders such as blossom end rot in tomato and pepper, bitter […]
Blueberry flowers
Blueberry flowers By Jaques Landman – Technical Manager AT New Zealand / AT Australia East Coast Over the past five years, global blueberry consumption has doubled to reach 650 000 tons per annum. Indications are that it is set to double again during the next five years, reaching a global consumption rate of 1,5 million […]
Why do irrigated fruit crops perform better on some soils?
Why do irrigated fruit crops perform better on some soils? By Marnus Ferreira – Head of Soil Sciences Agri Technovation This article aims to better explain the intricacies of how soils behave under irrigation in a scientific yet practical way. Due to the massive variation in soil types that exists in areas of Southern Africa, […]
Avocado: What is happening in spring
Avocado: What is happening in spring By August Kruger – Horticulturist – Agri Technovation – Physiology Research With higher mean temperatures and the in- creased length of daylight that accompany our seasonal transition from winter to spring, the stage is set for the next important step in annual avocado tree phenology, fruit set, cell division […]