How Hortgro Science Prioritises and Manages Industry-Funded Research Projects, by Anna Mouton. On the first Tuesday in June 2025, more than 300 members of the deciduous-fruit industry gathered at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West for the opening of…
South Africa’s deciduous fruit industry was well represented at the recent IOBC-WPRS Integrated Protection of Fruit Crops meeting held in Wageningen, Netherlands, from 14–18 September 2025. The event brought together experts from 19 countries to exchange knowledge on integrated pest…
She steps down in December but her contributions to dormancy research will continue to help pome- and stone-fruit growers negotiate climate change for many years to come. By Anna Mouton. Western Cape winters are getting warmer and the application of…
By Jorisna Bonthuys In the Western Cape, Ceratitis capitata, commonly known as the Mediterranean fruit fly or Medfly, is one of the most economically harmful pests in orchards, causing fruit damage and posing a phytosanitary risk. Four years ago, Gulu Bekker,…
Research on soil health and orchard floor ecology is an emerging theme in agriculture as it is an important component of sustainability. Hortgro Science Crop Protection Manager, Matthew Addison along with Hendrik Pohl, had the vision to initiate a cover…
Small Acts, Big Impacts – Implementing the Climate Change Response Strategy for the Deciduous Fruit Sector in South Africa, by Nitasha Baijnath-Pillay. While climatic challenges have always existed, the scientific consensus is that climate change is a ‘threat multiplier’, increasing…
Deur Engela Duvenage Kleintyd het ‘n boek in Benoni se biblioteek die eerste keer dr. Steffan Hansen se belangstelling in snuitkewers (ook bekend as kalanders) geprikkel. Oor die jare het sy belangstelling in insekte sodanig gegroei dat dié 25-jarige onlangs…
Hortgro Pome recently invested R2.5m in a new controlled atmosphere research facility at Stellenbosch University. The launch was held last week during the annual Hortgro Pome CA Meeting. The facility will help solve post-harvest problems within the deciduous fruit industry…
Hortgro spoke to her about her new role and to learn what the SmartAgri Plan offers to the deciduous fruit industry. By Anna Mouton Whatever their views on climate change, most people in the pome-and stone-fruit industries can agree about…
HORTGRO supports a study by Dr Daan Louw investigating crime in rural areas of the Western Cape. Please find the rationale and background information for the study, below. Letter of introduction: letter-introduction-oabs-signed WCDoA safety benchmark: wcdoa-safety-benchmark-introduction-may-2020 Rural safety baseline: rural-safety-baseline-bidders-briefing-session-final…
Words by Wiehann Steyn I recently had the opportunity to spend a week in each of Japan, Australia and Ethiopia. The XIII International Plant Bioregulator Symposium held in Chiba near Tokyo was very well attended by South Africans. This should…
By Grethe Bestbier At the start of a new year, many people reflect on the successes and failures of the past. For two of Stellenbosch University’s researchers, their successes were rewarded with research excellence awards. Prof Pia Addison and Prof…