Groundwater
What do about half the people and half the crops on earth have in common? Their survival depends on groundwater. By Anna Mouton. Only about 2.5% of all water on earth is fresh. About 0.9% is brackish. Everything else is…
New study on water needs of pears
Good news for the pear industry – a project to quantify the water requirements of high-performing pear orchards has been approved for funding by the Water Research Commission. By Engela Duvenage. The project is set to begin in April 2022,…
Low-flow drip irrigation in apples
A new Hortgro-funded study compares tree performance and root development in low- and ultra-low-flow drip-irrigated apples. By Engela Duvenage. Continuous low-flow drip irrigation is being used with great success by the South African citrus industry. A Hortgro-funded project launched in…
Dwarfing rootstocks and water stress
Promising preliminary results from a Hortgro-funded study show that dwarfing rootstocks are not more susceptible to water stress than conventional rootstocks. By Engela Duvenage. Initial findings from a three-year study run counter to the views of some producers that dwarfing…
Be realistic about water savings under nets
Nets protect apples from sun, hail, sleet, and wind. But do they reduce water use? Preliminary data suggests yes, but less than elsewhere in the world. By Engela Duvenage. Hortgro is co-funding a project with the Water Research Commission to…
Water use in plums
A new study investigates water use in full-bearing Japanese plum orchards, and how water availability impacts fruit yield and quality. By Engela Duvenage. The project is co-funded by the Water Research Commission and Hortgro. It is led by Prof. Nebo…
Orchard water use relates to leaf area
Control vegetative growth to improve the water-use efficiency of apple orchards. By Engela Duvenage. This is one of the conclusions in a recent report by a team of researchers from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, the Agricultural Research…
The Water Research Commission
Ensuring that decisions about water are informed by science and technology. By Engela Duvenage. The Water Research Commission, which in 2021 celebrated its 50th anniversary, is a valuable knowledge partner to the deciduous-fruit industry. Over the years, the Commission has…
Technology for irrigation scheduling
Growers have more — and better — options than ever before. What do they need to know to choose the top tool for their orchards? By Anna Mouton. Understanding your soils is the starting point for accurate irrigation scheduling, says…
Rising to the challenge
Ways in which growers can maintain productivity and profitability in spite of water scarcity. By Anna Mouton. Agronomist Siziphiwe Dinwa of Dutoit Agri is engaged in yield estimation and precision agriculture. Part of her job is applying new technologies to…