Research within the crop production programme addresses current problems experienced by fruit growers but is also future-directed – research has a long lead time and it is important to start building the capacity and conduct the research for the solutions that will be needed in the future. In this sense, the crop production research strategy is directed and aligned with the requirements and key risks to the orchard of the future. Hence, increasing orchard productivity and efficiency as well as improving fruit quality are the main drivers of the crop production programme while climate change, extreme weather, plant material quality and water availability and quality are key risks that are addressed.
The crop production research programme is structured into six themes, namely dormancy, farming technology, irrigation and nutrition, rootstocks and nursery tree quality, growing season climate, and reproductive biology. The research strategy for each theme is determined by a workgroup (one workgroup per theme) consisting of fruit growers, technical advisors and researchers. When considering research strategy, the workgroups always keep in mind the changes we need to make to our orchards to remain internationally competitive as well as profitable. They also consider the major future risks, as identified within the overarching research strategy, which may jeopardise our profitability.
Prof Wiehann Steyn
The Crop Production research programme is structured into six themes:
The research strategy for each theme is determined by a workgroup (one workgroup per theme) consisting of fruit growers, technical advisors and researchers. When considering research strategy, the workgroups always keep in mind the changes we need to make to our orchards to remain internationally competitive as well as profitable. They also consider the major future risks, as identified within the overarching research strategy, which may jeopardise our profitability.