Research

Reproductive Biology

    Research in this field is aimed at obtaining regular high yields of good quality fruit.  Hence, projects tend to investigate flower initiation, pollination, fruit set, fruit thinning and alternate bearing.

    Louisa Blomerus completed a project that investigated the effective pollination period (epp) of different plum cultivars. Her research shows the considerable variation in the duration of the epp from three days in Songold to more than 10 days in Laetitia. We advise that all new plum cultivars are screened for their epp to provide producers with an idea of how consistently a cultivar may set and allow them to plan accordingly.

    EXPERTISE: REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY WORKGROUP

    Research Team

    • Prof Wiehann Steyn
    • Mr Matthew Addison
    • Ms Louisa Blomerus
    • Ms Ineke de Jongh
    • Ms Ansuli Cronje – PhD student

    Projects list

    • No new projects.
    • Study on the effect of dry matter content on storability and eating quality of Bigbucks and Cripps Red apples to facilitate better postharvest decision making. (D Viljoen) 
    • Evaluation of managed bees and pollination efficiency in the pome and stone fruit industry in the South Western Cape, South Africa (M Addison) - see IPM
    • Screening mainstream plum cultivars for the duration of the effective pollination period and other factors influencing successful fruit set (L Blomerus) [Abstract]

     

    << Back to Previous Page
    Back To Top