Dialogue about the threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) to South Africa’s Deciduous Fruit Industry

Hortgro recently joined an international dialogue hosted by Stellenbosch’s Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST) and members of a Global Convening Working Group on Just Transitions in Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Just Transitions in AMR are about finding solutions to AMR that are fair and inclusive and speak to local societal and economic challenges.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is emerging as a significant threat to global agriculture, and South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry is no exception. This sector, which includes apples, pears, and stone fruit, is vital to the country’s economy and food security. However, the rise of AMR poses a serious risk to its sustainability.

AMR occurs when microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, evolve mechanisms to resist the effects of drugs and chemicals that once effectively controlled them. In agriculture, the overuse and misuse of antibiotics and fungicides to combat plant diseases and pests have accelerated this problem. Resistant pathogens can lead to crop losses, reduced fruit quality, and increased production costs.

In South Africa, where deciduous fruit farming is a cornerstone of the agricultural sector, AMR is particularly concerning. The industry relies on chemical treatments to manage diseases like apple scab and Botrytis cinerea (stem end rot).

Hortgro Crop Protection Manager, Matthew Addison, said that AMR hits all levels of society and any effective management of resistance will involve all levels of society too. “Within agriculture, we are concerned about the development of resistance within pest and disease populations. The effects of resistance in a pest are wide-scale. It is highly disruptive to the entire system. The same can be said for the development of antibiotic resistance affecting humans, the impacts would be vast.”

According to Addison, the World Economic Forum runs a global risk analysis and AMR is rated in the top three global risks.

Fruit farmers may face escalating challenges as pathogens become resistant to treatments. Traditional methods may no longer be effective, prompting the need for more expensive or less efficient alternatives. Addressing AMR requires a multifaceted approach. Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, which emphasize using biological controls and the judicious application of chemicals, can reduce reliance on antimicrobials. Additionally, adopting practices such as crop rotation and resistant plant varieties can help manage resistance.

Hortgro Pathology Market Specialist, Dr Julia Meitz-Hopkins, said that orchard sanitation is integral to fungicide resistance management. “Fruit producers should take note of the importance of fungicide resistance monitoring, and diagnosing diseases via a service offered by the SU disease clinic,” said Meitz-Hopkins.

Ultimately, safeguarding South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry from AMR will demand collaboration between farmers, researchers, and policymakers to ensure sustainable agricultural practices and protect the industry and public health.

Caption: Matthew Addison, Linka Maritz (CREST) and Julia Meitz-Hopkins at the dialogue on AMR.

Read more about fungi and IPM here:

Post-harvest disease

Integrated pest management