South Africa: Protecting your farming foundation
Farmsecure’s agricultural sciences entity, Farmsecure Agri Science, consists of more than 140 agronomists, horticulturists, soil scientists and specialists in the production of fruit, vegetables, grains and sugarcane. These experts provide specialist services, including wind protection and tree transplanting, both with the potential to increase overall yield.
Wind protection
Dry shoots, broken branches, damaged flowers, lacerated leaves, fallen fruit, blemished fruit – although many are thankful when a breeze sweeps in to provide relief from heat, bring rainfall, or blow away pollution in heavily populated areas, wind can cause damage to horticultural crops and soil. Excessively windy conditions also reduce insect pollination activity.
Installing artificial windbreaks and protective netting is quick, cost-effective, and can contribute to high crop yield and quality. Artificial windbreaks in particular can:
• Reduce plant and fruit damage by protecting stems, leaves and fruit against breakage, dislodging and blemishes
• Increase plant performance by reducing excessive evapo-transpiration and heat stress
• Optimise water usage by increasing irrigation sprinkler uniformity
• Increase the efficiency of crop protection sprays
Protective netting can further play a role in protecting crops against harsh environmental factors such as hail, frost and heat stress due to direct sun exposure.
Tree transplanting
This process is especially useful in orchards where the initial tree density is too high, causing trees to compete for sunlight, nutrients and moisture. Transplanted trees are able to produce fruit again after 2–3 years, in comparison with newly planted trees from a nursery which may take up to five years.
In 2012, the Farmsecure Agri Science technical services team transplanted quite a few fruit trees with a high success rate. The process is by no means a simple one and involves scientific soil preparation, orchard block layout and planning, as well as irrigation planning and installation to ensure optimal growth in the new location. The method used is key to overall success.
With these two services, Farmsecure Agri Science is able to offer farmers innovative ways of protecting the potential of existing and established horticultural crops for future success.
For more information:
Coenraad Oosthuizen
Farmsecure
Tel.: +27 58 307 7020
E-mail: [email protected]
www.fsagriscience.co.za
