Auckland fruit and vegetable growers are worried that lack of sunshine is harming the quality of their produce. In July, Auckland had only four days without rain; sources say the lack of daylight is causing a major drop in production and it is time to consider more resilient planting methods.
National president David Whyte from the New Zealand Tree Crops Association (NZTCA) said sunlight was the driver for plant and fruit growth. "Without sunlight the correct hormones are not created and thus blossom buds are not created. Hence why pruning is in part about maximising sunlight striking all parts of the tree thus having fruit produced over as much of the tree as possible. If there is less sunlight there is going to be less sugars to pump into the fruit or less oil for nuts. So, fruit are either going to be smaller or less of them."
Source: rnz.co.nz
