As the curtain comes down on the 2021 season for South Africa’s fastest growing citrus category, it is clear that growth in soft citrus is not over yet.
Over the past ten years, soft citrus production has exploded, up this year by nearly 450 per cent compared with 2011.
A record volume of 30.9m (15kg) cartons were packed, up around 7m cartons from last year’s volume of 23.6m cartons – hitting the top-end of pre-season predictions.
Soil aeration is considered the third most important factor affecting soil fertility (after water and nutrient availability). The main reasons for poor soil aeration are slow drainage, excessive precipitation or irrigation, or a sealing soil cover. Shallow groundwater impedes drainage by reducing the downwardly hydraulic gradient, which consequently increases the water content of the soil in the root zone, thus limiting soil aeration. In this study, we examined the effects of different parameters (e.g., soil texture, depth of groundwater table) on the severity of oxygen deficiency in the root zone of a mature Valencia orange (Citrus sinensis) grove planted above shallow groundwater. In addition, we examined the effect of the O2 stress level on tree growth, yield, and fruit quality. We also evaluated the effects of air injection and of irrigation intensity on tree growth, yield, fruit quality, and O2 concentration in the soil’s air, and looked into the (technical and economic) feasibility of air injection into the soil.
South African and European Union representatives are in intense discussions to alleviate the impact of a steep rise in reported Citrus Black Spot (CBS) and False Codling Moth (FCM) interceptions on citrus shipped to the EU. The South African industry is extremely concerned about the fallout from these interceptions, which comes at the end of a very difficult shipping season.
The European Union – among a host of other countries – is seeking to implement urgent policy measures to combat the effects of climate change. In its 2030 climate target plan, the EU aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% from 1990 levels. To that end, the EU has crafted the “Farm to Fork strategy”. Launched in 2020, it is a new approach that ensures that agriculture, fisheries, and the entire food system effectively contributes to achieving the target. The strategy is at the core of a broader initiative, the European Green Deal.
This study examined the effect of irrigation rates, nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates, and methods of applying N on growth and productivity of young (3 to 5 years old) and maturing (8 to 10 years old) citrus trees. A long-term study was conducted with the following objectives: 1) to measure the main effects of N rate, N application method, and irrigation on citrus tree growth and production from planting to maturity; 2) to establish growth and production relationships for long-term N rates and irrigation on well-drained sandy Entisols; and 3) to determine the effect of split fertilizer applications at two soil moisture regimes on citrus growth and production for two tree age classes as trees mature.
The microbial community plays an essential role in maintaining the ecological balance of soils. Interactions between microorganisms and plants have a major influence on the nutrition and health of the latter, and growth-promoting rhizobacteria can be used to improve plant development through a wide range of mechanisms. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate bacteria as growth-promoting agents for citrus rootstocks.
The South Africa citrus industry will likely break all export season records with an estimated 158.7 million cartons in 2021, the Citrus Growers Association of Southern Africa (CGA) reported recently. If the estimate is reached, it would represent a third consecutive season of record export volumes, with 130 million cartons exported in 2019, followed by 146 million cartons in 2020. CGA projections for 2021 indicate a 22% growth in export figures in just two years.
South Africa’s agricultural sector is arguably one of the most vibrant on the continent. This has largely been occasioned by technological adaptation, sound knowledge, regional and overseas market access, and logistical efficiency. Hence, the importance of trade and logistics to South Africa’s agricultural sector cannot be over-emphasised.