 HORTICULTURE
It is of the utmost importance for all commercial as well as resource-limited farmers to plant deciduous fruit crops,
other fruit crops and rootstocks that are adapted to their specific climatic and
soil conditions. Objectives:To develop practical and innovative horticultural technology
in harmony with the environment, to provide South African commercial and
resource-limited growers of deciduous and temperate fruit crops with a
competitive advantage over other industries and countries.
To identify, import, propagate, evaluate and manage pome and stone fruit
rootstocks in different planting systems. To find alternatives to Methyl Bromide as a soil fumigant in
orchard replant situations and to optimise production by the use of biological
root stimulants. To develop technology to alleviate the effects of insufficient winter chilling on pome and stone fruit [read more] | |  FYNBOSThe main objective of Fynbos research is to develop new
floriculture crops for the fresh cut flower market, by using the indigenous
flowering plant genetic resources of the Flora Capensis. Fynbos development
includes the genebank maintenance, breeding, propagation, cultivation methods
and plant protection methods. The successful development of new floriculture products requires a
holistic approach including: Improving/Promoting the availability of germplasm material for breeding
(genebanks). The development of quality cultivars through conventional and alternative
breeding techniques taking into account the specific market and cultivation
requirements. Technology development and packaging with regards to cultivation, disease and
pest management, harvesting, quality control, post harvest management and
packaging. [read more]
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AchievementsThis Horticulture Research Focus Area started the investigation for the selection and evaluation of especially clonal rootstocks for deciduous fruit trees in South Africa, was responsible for the installation of over sixty automatic weather stations and made a substantial contribution in the identification and application of artificial rest-breaking chemicals in deciduous fruit areas where a lack of enough chilling units prevails.
[read more] | | AchievementsThe Proteaceae breeding programs had the largest impact in the floriculture industry. Fynbos researchers also published extensively, and publications in scientific and semi-scientific journals, books, proceedings etc., and presentations at international conferences led to the recognition of the Fynbos group as the leader in fynbos research in the 1990’s. Posters and booklets containing information on cultivars became popular with scientists, growers and the general public. [read more] |
