by Carien Daffue | Aug 19, 2026 | apples, climate change, drones, fruit industry, Irrigation, Orchards, seasons, seisoene, Spraying
South Africa’s commercial apples, pears, plums, peaches and nectarines all come from trees shaped by a very different world: the cold winters of the northern hemisphere. These are trees built for winter shutdown. They survive freezing conditions by switching off, and...
by Carien Daffue | Aug 19, 2026 | Berries, climate change, Irrigation, pepper, seasons, soetrissie, the future, Vegetables
South Africa’s pepper crop is steadily leaving the open field. Across the main production areas, more growers are moving sweet peppers into tunnels, net structures and greenhouses in pursuit of the consistent yield, fruit quality and season length that open-field...
by Carien Daffue | Aug 19, 2026 | climate change, drones, Irrigation, seasons, soetrissie, Spraying, the future, Vegetables
Rita van der Merwe GEWASBESTUURDER: SPESIALITEITSEGEWASSE – BASF Die aartappelbedryf is een van die hoekstene van landbou in Suid-Afrika. Saam met mielies en koring verteenwoordig aartappels een van die drie belangrikste bronne van koolhidrate in die dieet van...
by Carien Daffue | Jun 1, 2026 | Berries, fruit industry, Irrigation, Orchards, seasons, Spraying, the future, Vegetables
South Africa’s citrus producers have been exporting fruit to Europe for more than 110 years. In that entire period, not a single consignment has been found to have transmitted citrus black spot to European orchards. Yet every year, EU phytosanitary regulations tied to...
by Carien Daffue | Apr 1, 2026 | Brassica, climate change, seasons, the future, Vegetables
Jacques Bouwer SAKATA Temperature can play a critical role in the vegetative growth, head formation and quality of brassica crops. Stress from extreme temperatures triggers hormonal and metabolic changes across various growth stages, and plants can respond differently...
by Carien Daffue | Apr 1, 2026 | Macadamia, Nuts, Orchards, seasons, the future
South Africa’s macadamia industry is entering a decisive phase of development. With 85 781 hectares macadamia orchards planted and a significant proportion of orchards still approaching full bearing age, national production volumes are expected to increase in the...
