Many cogs in Hortgro Science machine celebrated

Hortgro Science, the South African deciduous fruit industry research engine, recently held its annual Thank-You Breakfast in Stellenbosch.

Prof. Wiehann Steyn, Hortgro Science General Manager, said that the event was a celebration and expression of gratitude to everyone who participated in research efforts over the past year.

Steyn shared an isiXhosa proverb: Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu, which means “a person is a person through other people” or “I am because you are.”

“This belief is central to the Ubuntu philosophy, highlighting our interconnectedness. For me, it reflects the essence of Hortgro Science. So being part of an industry is all about being part of a large network of people working together to create and maintain livelihoods at various levels through the fruit we grow and sell.”

Steyn said it took many cogs to turn the wheels of the Hortgro Science machine and thanked the advisory council, especially the chairman, Stephen Rabe, for leadership and unwavering support.

“Over 200 people are engaged in our themed work groups, peer work groups, and technical advisory committees, ensuring our science stays relevant and top-notch. Thank you for generously giving your time and expertise. You truly embody the spirit of Ubuntu,” Steyn said.

Several people also received recognition for their hard work and scientific research in the Hortgro Science programmes.

Both the awards for best report in crop production and best report in crop production were split – an indicator of the outstanding research, Steyn said.

The best crop production report went to Louisa Blomerus and Dr Stephanie Midgley.

Midgley’s report was titled Historic and future modelling and mapping of early season temperature patterns and extremes, and impacts for pome and stone fruit production in South Africa, while Blomerus’s report was on Reproductive Biology: Screening mainstream plum cultivars for the duration of the effective pollination period and other factors influencing successful fruit set.

In the crop protection programme, there were also two best reports. Prof. Gerhard Pietersen’s on Determining the presence of economically important viruses of apples in orchards of the main apple production regions of South Africa, and Dr Rinus Knoetze for Investigating the use of marigolds (Tagetes spp.) and brassicaceous cover crops as a tool for the management of lesion nematodes in apple orchards. Phase I – Pot trials.

The best final report in the post-harvest programme was by Dr Anél Botes titled: Investigate the effect of step-wise cooling on internal browning in apples.

There were also two special discretionary awards. Willie Kotze, Research and Development Manager at Dutoit Agri, received recognition for Dutoit Agri’s research on bruising in apples, and Prof. Pia Addison, Dr Leigh Steyn and Matthew Addison received an award for foresight in surveying for Drosophila suzukii.

The best fourth-year student in horticulture in 2023, Jean-Pierre Claassen, received the Karen Theron and Hortgro Award for outstanding academic achievement.  Claassen, who hails from the Free State, said he discovered his love for horticulture when growing fruits and vegetables in tunnels on their family farm. Claassen received his degree cum laude, an extraordinary achievement.

Caption: From left Prof. Wiehann Steyn, Stephen Rabe (Hortgro Science Chairman), Dr Minette Karsten and Prof. Gerhard Pietersen.