SUBTROP

THE SAMGA CHAIRMAN, Pieter Buys, welcomed everybody at the mango grow-

ers’ annual Mango Day and provided some industry statistics for the last year. Local

volumes have increased since 2018, resulting in reduced sales and prices. Causes of

increased volumes include additional emerging farmers, young orchards coming into

production, as well as better farming practices. Nursery sales are down and rehabilitated

orchards are already in production. To accommodate the high volumes, the mango

processing industry will have to expand and market access to key export markets will

have to be retained.

Dr Yuval Cohen, the international guest speaker from the Volcani Centre in Israel,

presented on two topics. In his first presentation, Dr Cohen gave an overview of mango

research at the Volcani Centre. Mangoes in Israel are subject to extremes of frost and heat,

and are challenged by low water availability, most of which is brackish, and soils which are

alkaline as well as nutrient deficient, specifically in iron and zinc.

In spite of the obstacles mentioned, commercial mango production in Israel com-

menced in the 1970s and an extensive breeding programme has resulted in the produc-

tion of several cultivars, the focus of his second presentation.

These new cultivars, which include ‘Maya’, ‘Noa’, ‘Shelly’, ‘Omer’, ‘Agam’, ‘Tango’,

‘King Dawid’, ‘Orli’ and ‘Tali’, complement old existing varieties like ‘Tommy Atkins’,

‘Haden’, ‘Keitt’ and ‘Kent’ to extend their season. Towards the end of the presentation,

Dr Cohen highlighted that most mangoes in the EU are pre-sliced, emphasising that

flavour and mouthfeel are likely to drive sales, rather than peel colour.

Estelle Louw, an independent researcher, gave presentations on two studies done

for SAMGA. The first study evaluated the efficacy of Mangocote and Photon in reduc-

ing sunburn and increasing yields of mango trees. Although application of Mangocote

resulted in much higher yields, application of Photon was superior in reducing sunburn

and increasing the percentage of clean fruit.

In the second study, the efficacy of Spirotetramat 240 SC, Thiamethoxam 250 WDG

and Abamectin 18 EC were tested against mango gall fly larvae on mangoes. While all

three chemicals show promise, the study will need to be conducted over multiple seasons

as there were difficulties with the evaluations and applications. The timing and intensity

of vegetative growth made it difficult to determine foliar age, as well as ensure thorough

spray coverage.

Christo Human from the Agricultural Research Council spoke on ongoing work done

to breed new cultivars for the industry. Selections are grown in four areas and three

evaluations were done earlier this year.

The presentation on Oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, was delivered by Jan-Hendrik

Venter of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development. The pest

is polyphagous and can also utilise fruit from weeds and wild plants as potential food

sources. A removal permit is required to move fruit from an area where the pest is

present to a pest-free area.

The speakers: Christo Human, Dr Yuval Cohen, Jan-Hendrik

Venter, Pieter Buys, Estelle Louw and Rob Mac Kellar.

Sponsor representatives: Richard Schultze (Wenkem), Andries

van Schalkwyk (Nedbank), Derrick Reynolds (Villa Crop), Rob

Mac Kellar (Citrogold) and Danie Janse van Rensburg (River

Bioscience).

The advice to growers is to always apply for a removal

permit, as the ultimate destination of fruit being sold may not

be known. Additionally, Mr Venter highlighted that a systems

approach will be adopted for exports to the EU, as fruit flies

are now considered regulated pests.

The final presentation of the day dealt with agri perfor-

mance management. In the presentation, Renier Esterhuizen

(TAG Africa), emphasised that performance management

is both qualitative as well as quantitative i.e. that measur-

ability is an aspect that should be included when evaluating

employee performance.

The day concluded with the annual SAMGA Annual Gen-

eral Meeting followed by a braai.

Thank you to the event sponsors, namely Nedbank,

Wenkem SA, Villa, NTK, Houers Koöperatief Beperk, Trophy

Tractors and Implements, Citrogold and River Bioscience.