The global macadamia nut industry is fast developing at present. South Africa is currently the third largest global producer. There are many contributing factors influencing the increased demand for macadamia nuts. The most important factor would probably be the nutritional value provided by the nuts. It is important for the macadamia nut industry to demonstrate strong leadership in order to ensure that the growers and the industry develop ahead of the markets and retain a competitive edge as the industry develops. In agricultural terms the investment into a macadamia farm is significant.Developing a farm with a long gestation period and high capital input cost requires a significant commitment from a grower. The risk associated with error is potentially very high and may have serious financial repercussions to the growers and their long term sustainability. Strong leadership and innovation practices within the industry should be a continuous improvement process in order to challenge and enhance current practices within the industryand to mitigate risks associated with the industry as a whole. The purpose of this research was to understand the perceptions of growers and the macadamia nut industry regarding the role of leadership and innovative behaviour to support increased growth and sustainability of growers and the industry alike. / Graduate School of Business Leadership / (M.B.A.)

Thesis (M.Inst.Agrar. (Animal Production (Animal and Wildlife Sciences)) -- University of Pretoria, 2009. / Abstract in English. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The South African macadamia industry is centred in the sub-tropical regions of South Africa with 40% of the plantings in the Lowveld. Growers receive higher pay-outs for high kernel recovery and unblemished (not discoloured) whole kernels. It is known that the same cultivar in the Lowveld region, produces nuts that differ in kernel recovery, whole kernel recovery and kernel discolouration. Therefore to develop optimal management strategies to maximize productivity and profitability of macadamias, factors that influence kernel recovery, whole kernel recovery and kernel discolouration needed to be investigated. The fruit structures are formed the first 90 days after anthesis and the fruit continues to grow until 12 to 15 weeks after anthesis until the shell hardens. Climate, soil moisture, cross-pollination and nutrition influence this process which determines the shell thickness and kernel size which in turn both determine kernel recovery. A large set of historical data from different regions were used to establish and isolate possible factors involved in kernel recovery, whole kernel recovery and kernel discolouration. These differed between the six regions over two seasons. High kernel recovery was associated with high orchard altitude, good cross-pollination, high crop load (high yield), early season harvesting and processing of nut-in-shell (NIS), high leaf boron concentrations in Nov., water management using deficit irrigation and low daily maximum relative humidity during the nut growth stage (Oct. to middle Jan.). High whole kernel recovery was associated with high kernel recovery, early season harvesting and processing of NIS, Bungay curing system of NIS compared to ambient air, low vapour pressure deficit during the nut maturation period (middle Jan. to harvest), elevated leaf boron and copper concentrations and low manganese leaf concentrations in Nov. High crop load, no cross pollination, low leaf nitrogen and zinc and high leaf potassium concentrations in Nov. were associated with low kernel discolouration. In order to develop possible orchard practices that increase kernel recovery, whole kernel recovery and decrease kernel discolouration, two irrigation trials and one kaolin trial were conducted. In the two irrigation trials, water stress was induced over two growing seasons (2011-2013) by applying different levels of irrigation at different phenological stages. Kernel recovery was not affected by any of the treatments, but water stress could not be applied continuously due to frequent high rainfall. Moderate water stress did not influence yield, only trees that were over watered during a drier premature nut drop stage during the 2011/12 season increased yield, although it could not be repeated the following season during a wetter premature nut drop stage. In the kaolin trial, the efficacy of kaolin foliar application was evaluated to reduce heat stress. Kaolin applications did not affect kernel recovery, nut yield or quality. Temperature during the study was not continuously high (>30 ⁰C), thus heat stress could not be mitigated. We did however establish that up to five layers of foliar applied kaolin did not significantly reduce individual leaf photosynthesis. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die makadamia-industrie in Suid-Afrika, is gesentreer in die sub-tropiese streke van die land met 40% van die aanplantings in die Laeveld. Produsente ontvang hoër uitbetalings vir neute wat 'n hoë uitkraak (kernherwinning) persentasie lewer asook ongeskonde (nie verkleurde), heel-kern neute. Daar is gevind dat dieselfde kultivar verskil ten opsigte van kernherwinning, heel-kernherwinning en kernverkleuring in die Laeveld. Om 'n optimale bestuurstrategie te ontwikkel en so maksimale opbrengs en wins te verkry, moes die faktore wat kernherwinning, heel-kernherwinning en kernverkleuring beïnvloed ondersoek word. Die eerste 90 dae na blom word die vrugstrukture gevorm en vrugte groei tot en met 12 tot 15 weke na volblom totdat die dop verhard. Klimaat, grondvog, kruisbestuiwing en voedingstowwe beïnvloed die prosesse wat dopdikte en kerngrootte beïnvloed en wat beide kernherwinning bepaal. 'n Groot stel historiese data vanaf verskillende streke is gebruik om die moontlike faktore wat kernherwinning, heel-kernherwinning en kernverkleuring beïnvloed te bepaal. Hierdie aspekte het verskil in die ses streke oor twee seisoene. Hoë kernherwinning was geassosieer met hoër liggende boorde (hoogte bo see spieël), goeie kruisbestuiwing, hoë oeslading, vroeë seisoen oes en prosessering van neut-in-dop, hoë boor blaarkonsentrasie in Nov., waterbestuur met onthoudingsbesproeïng en lae daaglikse maksimum relatiewe humiditeit gedurende die neut-groei-stadium (Okt. tot middel Jan.). Hoë heel-kernherwinning was geassosieer met hoë kernherwinning, vroeë seisoen oes en prosessering van neut-in-dop, Bungay droging, lae waterdampdruk tekort gedurende die neut-rypwording stadium (Jan. tot oes), hoë boor en koper blaarkonsentrasies en lae mangaan blaarkonsentrasie in Nov. Hoë oeslading, geen kruisbestuiwing, lae stikstof, sink en hoë kalium blaarkonsentrasies in Nov. was geassosieer met lae kernverkleuring. Twee besproeïngsproewe en een kaolienproef is uitgevoer om moontlike boord praktyke te ontwikkel wat kernherwinning en heel-kernherwinning verhoog en kernverkleuring verlaag. In die twee besproeïngsproewe is watertekorte aangewend oor twee seisoene (2011-2013) deur verskillende hoeveelhede te besproei gedurende verskillende fenologiese stadiums. Kernherwinning was nie geaffekteer deur die behandelings nie, maar dit moet ingedagte gehou word dat watertekorte nie deurlopend toegepas kon word nie as gevolg van hoë reënval. Gematigde watertekorte het nie die opbrengs beïnvloed nie, slegs bome wat oor-besproei was in ’n droeër voor-rypwording-neut-val stadium in die 2011/12 seisoen het 'n verhoging in opbrengs getoon, maar dit kon nie herhaal word die daaropvolgende natter seisoen nie. In die kaolienproef, is die gebruik van kaolien blaarbespuiting geëvalueer om hitte stress te verminder. Kaolienbespuitings het geen effek op kernherwinning, neut opbrengs of neutkwaliteit gehad nie. Temperature gedurende die studie was nie deurlopend hoog nie (>30 0C) en dus kon hitte stress nie gemanipuleer word nie. Daar is wel vasgestel dat tot vyf lae kaolien nie enkel-blaar fotosintese verminder het nie.

Resumo: A pós-colheita da noz macadâmia é uma das etapas mais críticas de sua cadeia produtiva, as baixas produtividades nos primeiros anos de vida dos pomares não permitem que os agricultores realizem grandes investimentos neste período, iniciando, assim, um processo de improvisações que se perpetuará ao longo do tempo. Este trabalho teve como principal objetivo melhorar o rendimento operacional de um processo de pré-limpeza de macadâmia, desenvolvendo, a partir de um sistema existente, uma nova unidade, com capacidade de receber e processar, no mínimo, 8.000 kg de produto por dia. O experimento foi realizado em uma fazenda situada no município de Dois Córregos, Estado de São Paulo, nas safras de 2003, 2004 e 2005. A partir do processo existente foram desenvolvidas 3 novas unidades. As duas primeiras apresentaram aumentos na produtividade e reduções nos custos operacionais, entretanto, não atenderam as condições de recebimento e processamento. A terceira unidade, representou a somatória dos conhecimentos obtidos nas análises anteriores, e, atendeu os objetivos propostos no presente trabalho. A análise econômica dos custos para migrar do processo existente para a unidade de melhor rendimento mostrou que, os investimentos em equipamentos e automação foram pagos em aproximadamente 50 dias de processamento. / Abstract: The macadamia nut post-harvest is one of the most critical stages of the productive chain, the low orchards productivity in the first life years does not allow farmers much investments in this period, initiating, thus, a process of improvisations that will be perpetuated trough the years. This work had as main objective to improve the efficiency of a cleaning macadamia process. It was developed a new unit based as an existing system with capable to process, at least, 8,000 kg of product per day. The experiments were carried out in a farm situated in Dois Córregos city, São Paulo, during harvest season of 2003, 2004 and 2005. From the existing process three new units were developed. The first two ones shoud increases in productivity and reductions in operational costs, however, it did not attend the necessities of receiving and processing. The third unit, represented incorporation of the knowledge obtained in the previous analyses, and, fulfilled the objectives of this work. The costs analysis to go from the existing process to the better income unit, showed that, the investments in equipment and automation had been paid in approximately 50 processing days. / Orientador: Widsney Alves Ferreira / Coorientador: Marco Antonio Martin Biaggioni / Banca: José Armando Xavier / Banca: Antonio Carlos de O. Ferraz / Banca: João Domingos Biagi / Banca: Clovis Isberto Biscegli / Doutor

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2005. / Includes bibliography.

Orientador: Helena Teixeira Godoy / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-03T18:35:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Silva_MartaGomesda_M.pdf: 684325 bytes, checksum: 6252907cdbdaf51268d1efaa2a404157 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2003 / Mestrado

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:59:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_elisia_rodrigues_correa.pdf: 1900185 bytes, checksum: fcb8093a27a373ee431423cfbdbcb391 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-05-21 / Improving the yield is the primary aim for the macadamia breeding program, together with it the breeder has the constant challenge of trying to add others traits which will promote macadamia value. Among these stands out the study of pollination character, a factor that brings benefits to the production, since plants with this feature are independent of pollinating vectors, which are currently declining in population. Along with this feature is the search for a product (nut) with a nutritional value which will bring a beneficial to human health, for macadamia the goal is the development of oil with a good rate of monounsaturated fats. Faced with these challenges, the objective was to identify genotypes with greater production of nuts and to provide a high rate of self-pollination, as well to establish strategies to better characterize the profile of macadamia nut oils. For the self-fertility experiment, racemes from cultivated and wild macadamia tree were tagged and bagged for comparing self-pollination and open pollination. T1002.003, T108.002 and T1023.003 were the only wild genotypes which presents Final Nut Set from self-pollination. In the oil studies, three experiments were carried out. The first aiming to quantify the sample size of macadamia nuts for best characterizes the fatty acids oil profile. Macadamia nuts were harvested, dried, the oil were extracted and after analyzed with gas chromatography. The variance found among the nuts from the same tree is bigger than the variance among the genotypes conducting to the second experiment, aiming to understand the possible source of variability at macadamia oil profile and the better way for controlling it, twenty nuts from four tree of macadamia cultivar, A16, were harvested. However the variance among the nuts was not controlled too. A third experiment was developed for checking if it has a pollen influence at fatty acids profile in the macadamia oil. Nuts from the selection 11.1 from three source of pollen (open pollination, self-pollination and a cross with the genotype 268) were harvested. Overall, the result from the experiments shows that the pollen has an influence in the oil profile. The aim of the last experiment was to identify the best genotypes in a population of macadamia plants in relation to annual production of almonds, aimed establishing a base population for a breeding. The results obtained by mixed model methodology (REML / BLUP) and the correlation between genotype and phenotype demonstrate the importance of using BLUP predictors as a tool for breeding programs related to this case study. / Aliado a busca por plantas de macadâmia mais produtivas, o pesquisador possui o desafio constante de tentar associar outras características as quais possam agregar valor a noz e assessorar os mais variados aspectos da produção. Dentre estes se destaca o estudo do caractere polinização, considerando que a autopolinização beneficia a produção, uma vez que plantas com esta característica independem de vetores polinizadores, que estão em declínio populacional atualmente. Junto a essa característica é incessante a busca por um produto (noz) com maior valor nutricional à saúde humana, no caso da macadâmia, um óleo com boa taxa de gorduras monoinsaturadas. Frente a estes desafios o objetivo do trabalho foi de identificar genótipos com maior produção de nozes e que apresentassem alta taxa de autopolinização, além de estabelecer estratégias para melhor a caracterização do perfil dos óleos de macadâmia para a inserção do estudo da composição dos óleos no melhoramento de macadâmia. Para o experimento de autopolinização, racemos florais de cultivares e matérias nativos foram ensacados e acompanhados quanto ao desenvolvimento da noz. Outros racemos florais foram apenas identificados e acompanhados para posterior comparação da polinização aberta em relação a autopolinizada. Três genótipos oriundos do grupo da macadâmia nativa apresentaram autopolinização. Nos estudos com óleo, três ensaios foram conduzidos. O primeiro com o intuito de quantificar o tamanho da amostra de macadâmia para a melhor representatividade referente ao perfil do óleo. Foram colhidas nozes de quatro cultivares, duas plantas por cultivar e vinte nozes por planta. As nozes foram secas e o perfil do óleo extraído determinado por cromatografia gasosa. A variância encontrada entre as nozes provenientes da mesma planta foi maior do que entre os genótipos, conduzindo assim ao objetivo do segundo ensaio. Com o intuito de identificar se o estádio de desenvolvimento da noz interfere no perfil do óleo, vinte nozes de quatro plantas da cultivar A16 foram colhidas e avaliadas. No entanto, como a causa potencial do alto nível de variabilidade é desconhecido ou não pode ser explorada, acredita-se que única outra opção é trabalhar com um grande número de nozes. O terceiro ensaio desenvolvido dentro do âmbito do perfil do óleo foi o da influência da fonte do pólen. Nozes da seleção 11.1 oriundas de três fontes de pólen (polinização aberta, autopolinização, e cruzamento com o genótipo 268) foram colhidas. Foi verificado que a fonte do pólen influencia no perfil do óleo. O objetivo do último experimento foi identificar os melhores genótipos em uma população de plantas de macadâmia, com relação à produção anual de amêndoas, visando estabelecer uma população base para programa de melhoramento e aprimorar a propagação vegetativa no sistema de produção. Os resultados obtidos pela metodologia de modelos mistos (REML/BLUP) e a correlação entre genótipo e fenótipo demonstram a importância do uso de preditores BLUP como ferramenta para programas de melhoramento relacionados a este estudo de caso.

MENv.Sc / Department of Ecology and Resource Management

M. Tech (Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences) Vaal University of Technology. / Agricultural waste such as Macadamia nutshells are currently receiving more attention for removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). However, they have low adsorption capabilities when used in their raw form. In this study, the efficiency of using Macadamia nutshell powder modified with different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, grafted with 1,5’-diphenylcarbizide (DPC) for the removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution was explored. The effects of various parameters controlling adsorption of Cr(VI) onto Macadamia adsorbents such as initial concentration, contact time, adsorbent concentration and pH were investigated. The optimal operating parameters for Macadamia nutshells treated with hydrogen peroxide (MHP) adsorbents were determined to be 75 mg/L, 3 h, 0.1 g and pH 1. The optimal operating parameters for Macadamia nutshells treated with hydrogen peroxide and grafted with 1,5’-diphenylcarbizide (MHPD) were determined to be 150 mg/L, 1 h, 0.1 g and pH 3. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of the adsorbents revealed that treated MHP showed amino groups attached to the adsorbents. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the grafted material lowered the thermal stability from 180◦C to 300◦C due to volatile nature of DPC. The surface of the MHPD materials was rough due to grafting. The results showed that the 1,5’-diphenylcarbazide treatment improved the removal efficiency of Cr(VI).

Orientador: Heloisa Andréa Acciari / Coorientador: Cristiane Inácio de Campos / Banca: Manoel Cleber de Sampaio Alves / Banca: Ivaldo de Domenico Valarelli / Resumo : Estudos relacionados a matérias-primas alternativas para a substituição parcial ou total de madeira na produção de produtos engenheirados, mais especificamente de painéis, vem sendo desenvolvidos com a finalidade de diminuir a utilização da madeira e também aproveitar resíduos, que muitas vezes não possuem valor agregado. Por este motivo este trabalho teve o intuito de caracterizar a utilização da casca de noz macadâmia na produção de painéis de partículas, tendo em vista que esta casca é um resíduo com alta resistência, porém raramente possui utilização. Para tanto se testou quatro composições de painéis de partículas, com 0%, 30%, 60% e 100% de casca de noz macadâmia com base na massa de partículas. Avaliou-se a razão de esbeltez das partículas e as propriedades físico-mecânicas dos painéis com base na norma brasileira ABNT NBR 14810-3 (2006). Foram realizados os ensaios físicos de densidade, teor de umidade, inchamento em espessura durante 2 e 24 horas e absorção de água durante 2 e 24 horas. Os ensaios mecânicos realizados foram de flexão estática, para a determinação do módulo de ruptura (MOR) e do módulo de elasticidade (MOE), e o de tração perpendicular à superfície também conhecido como adesão interna. Com os resultados obtidos notou-se que com a adição de casca de noz macadâmia ocorreu diminuição da resistência mecânica, tanto com relação a adesão interna quanto com relação ao MOR e MOE, sendo que este último diminuiu abruptamente com a adição de apenas 30%; e maior instabilidade dimensional, pois ocorreu o aumento do inchamento em espessura e da absorção de água. Este resultado foi devido principalmente à geometria das partículas de macadâmia que não permitiu uma boa interação entre o substrato e o adesivo. Destaca-se ainda que a alta densidade da casca de noz macadâmia dificultou a interação ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Studies related to alternative raw materials for the partial or total substitution of wood in the production of engineered products, specifically panels, has been developed with the aim of reducing the use of wood and also recycle waste that often have no value. For this reason this study aimed to characterize the use of macadamia nutshell in the production of particleboard, given that this bark is a residue with high strength, but rarely has use. For that four different compositions of particle boards with 0%, 30%, 60% and 100% of macadamia nutshell based on the mass of particles were tested. The slenderness ratio of the particles and the physical-mechanical properties of panels were evaluated based on the Brazilian standard ABNT NBR 14810-3 (2006). The physical tests performed were density, moisture content, thickness swelling for 2 hours and 24 hours and the water absorption during 2 hours and 24 hours. The mechanical tests performed were the static bending, for determining the modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) and the tension perpendicular to surface also known as internal bonding. With the results obtained it was noted that with the addition of Macadamia nutshell there was a decrease in mechanical strength, with respect to internal bonding and MOR and MOE, which latter abruptly decreased with the addition of only 30%; and in the dimensional stability, because occurred the increasing of the thickness swelling and water absorption. This result was mainly due to the macadamia particles geometry, which did not allow a good interaction between the substrate and the adhesive. Note also that the high density of the macadamia nutshell hindered the interaction between particles, because it blocked a sufficient panel compression / Mestre