Crop manipulation uppermost on the minds of South African citrus growers
South Africa’s Limpopo and Mpumalanga citrus production regions enjoyed mild temperatures during an “almost ideal” fruit set this spring on all cultivars, including on seedless Valencias. Regions that have been receiving sub-average rainfall for years now, had substantial rain early last month. “Producers need to be cognisant of the potential negative impact of too high fruit set, of which a reduction in fruit size is the most problematic,” the South African citrus industry’s technical service Citrus Research International reminds growers.