June 2025
Articles in this Issue
A model of fruit microstructure
Researchers are using advanced medical technologies to unravel the relationship between storage disorders and internal structure in pome fruit. By…
Anmari Kriegler
“I’m from Ceres. I grew up among apples,” says Anmari Kriegler. “My parents work for Dutoit Agri, and my grandfather…
Dr Anél Botes
Although she describes herself as a lifelong city child, born and raised in Bellville, Dr Anél Botes opted to study…
How does Fuji respond to cooling?
A Hortgro-funded study investigated the effect of different cooling strategies on common storage disorders of Fuji apples. By Anna Mouton.…
Ozone fumigation as a postharvest treatment
In a world demanding more from every harvest, ozone fumigation could help South African fruit growers to stay ahead. By…
Dr Yolanda Petersen
For many years, the same person would deliver laboratory consumables, including PCR primers, to the ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij in Helshoogte Road.…
Crown gall research continues
A Hortgro-funded project aims to isolate the responsible pathogen and investigate whether apple-associated bacteria can help protect trees against it.…
Can cover crops suppress nematodes?
The results of glasshouse trials suggest that marigolds and brassicas could contribute to controlling lesion nematodes in apple trees. By…
Dr Rinus Knoetze
“I grew up in a small Karoo town called Klipplaat,” says Dr Rinus Knoetze. “It’s a farming community, and I…
Do draped nets affect plum quality?
A Hortgro-funded project assesses the effect of draped nets on external and internal fruit quality. By Anna Mouton. There is…
Jan Theron
Jan Theron grew up on an apple and pear farm in Vyeboom, near Grabouw. “I’ve been in a farm set-up…
Chad van Wyk
After finishing high school in Bellville, Cape Town, Chad van Wyk started working in customer service. He was three years…
Rest-breaking alternatives for apples and pears
The search continues for chemical rest-breaking alternatives to hydrogen cyanamide for South Africa’s pome-fruit industry. By Jenny Underhill. Rest-breaking agents…
Dry matter in apples
The preliminary results of a three-year Hortgro-funded project assessing the relationship of dry matter to other fruit characteristics. By Anna…