Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Sunburn is a major problem in the apple industry worldwide. A kaolin product, M-97- 009 (100% kaolin), originally developed for insect control, was evaluated for its efficacy in controlling sunburn on pome fruit. Trials were conducted over two seasons in two different areas of the Western Cape, South Africa. During the first season, 'Royal Gala', 'Fuji' and 'Granny Smith' apples were evaluated in the Koue Bokkeveld. The kaolin was mixed with water and applied to the trees by means of a hand-gun regularly throughout the season. In addition to the effect on sunburn, effects on yield, colour development, snout beetle damage and other defects were determined. Sunburn was reduced on all the cultivars tested, although not significantly on 'Granny Smith'. Inconsistent effects on yield parameters were observed. The applications significantly reduced red colour on 'Fuji', but this problem was rectified by an improved application technique the following season. During the second season, additional apple cultivars and 'Rosemarie' pears were included in the trials. The apple trials were conducted in the Elgin area, and the 'Rosemarie' trial in the Koue Bokkeveld. Surround™ (95% kaolin) was applied to the trees by means of a commercial "blower". The effects on sunburn, yield, colour development and fruit maturity were determined. In contrast to the previous season, sunburn was not reduced on any of the cultivars examined. Yield parameters were not affected except in the case of 'Royal Gala' where the number of fruit was increased, and 'Cripps' Pink' where the number of fruit was reduced. Fruit colour was not affected in the apple cultivars, but chroma of 'Rosemarie' pears was reduced, indicating a less intense colour. The kaolin applications had a variable effect on fruit maturity. The effect of the foliar applications on photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD), photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate was determined. In addition to these spot measurements, photosynthetic light response curves were determined. Measurements were taken on both the inner and outer canopies The applications significantly reduced photosynthetic rates in the inner canopy and reduced the apparent quantum efficiency of leaves on the outer canopy. No significant effect on PPFD was found. It appears that the white coating reflects light and allows less light to penetrate the leaf, thus reducing photosynthesis. Surround™ treatments could not counteract the damaging effects of the high temperatures experienced in the Western Cape during this season and was not effective as a control measure for sunburn. This does not appear to be a commercially viable solution for the sunburn problem and it would be worthwhile to investigate the use of alternative options, such as evaporative cooling. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sonbrand is een van die grootste probleme wat wêreldwyd in die appelbedryf ondervind word. 'n Nuwe produk, M-97-009 (100% kaolien), is oorspronklik ontwikkel vir insekbeheer in geïntegreerde plaagbeheer, maar daar is beweer dat dit moontlik sonbrand op kemvrugte kan verminder. Proewe is oor twee seisoene uitgevoer in die Koue Bokkeveld en ook in die Grabouw-omgewing in die Wes-Kaap. Tydens die eerste seisoen is die effek van M-97-009 op 'Royal Gala', 'Fuji' en 'Granny Smith' appels beoordeel. Die kaolien is met water gemeng en deur die loop van die seisoen met 'n handspuit op die bome gespuit. Die effek van die produk op sonbrand, oesgrootte, vruggrootte, kleurontwikkeling, kalanderskade en ander defekte is bepaal. Sonbrand is op alle kultivars verminder, alhoewel nie betekenisvolop 'Granny Smith' nie. Die effek van kaolien op oesparameters was rue konsekwent nie. kleurontwikkeling op 'Fuji' benadeel, heel moontlik Die toedienings het as gevolg van die toedieningstegniek. Met verbeterde toedieningsmetodes die volgende seisoen, is kleurontwikkeling van 'Fuji' nie benadeel nie. Tydens die tweede seisoen is die effek van kaolien op nog appelkultivars en 'Rosemarie' pere ge-evalueer. Die appelproewe is in Elgin uitgevoer, terwyl die 'Rosemarie'-proefin die Koue Bokkeveld uitgelê is. Surround™ (95% kaolien) is met kommersiële spuitpompe toegedien. Weereens is die effek van die produk op sonbrand, oesgrootte, vruggrootte, kleurontwikkeling en vrugrypheid bepaal. Sonbrand is nie verminder nie. Vruglading tydens oes is nie betekenisvol beïnvloed nie, behalwe in die geval van 'Royal Gala' waar die vruglading verhoog is, en 'Cripps' Pink' waar daar minder vrugte op die gespuite bome was. Die Surround™ toedienings het geen uitwerking op kleur van appels gehad nie, maar het die chromawaarde van 'Rosemarie' pere verlaag, d.w.s die vrugkleur was minder intens. Die kaolienspuite het 'n uiteenlopende effek op vrugrypheid gehad. Fotosintetiese foton vloeddigtheid (FFV), fotosintesetempo, huidmondjieweerstand en transpirasietempo is gemeet en ligreponskurwes van beide die buitenste en binneste blaardak is bepaal. Die Surround™ toedienings het fotosintese van blare ill die binneste gedeelte van die blaardak verminder en die kwantumdoeltreffendheid van blare op die buitenste deel van die blaardak verminder. Geen betekenisvolle effek is op FFV gekry nie. Dit wil voorkom asof die wit laag kaolien op die bome lig weerkaats en veroorsaak dat minder lig na die blaar deurdring. Dit verminder dan die fotsintesetempo. Met die baie warm weer wat in die Wes-Kaap gedurende die tweede seisoen ervaar is, kon die SUITound™behandelings nie sonbrand verhoed nie. Dit wil voorkom asof Surround™ nie 'n baie doeltreffende oplossing in kommersiële boorde sal wees nie. Alternatiewe oplossings, soos byvoorbeeld evaporatiewe verkoeling, saloorweeg moet word.

Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Delayed foliation is commonly observed in apple and pear producing countries with warm and/or short winter climates, resulting in less synchronised budburst, of fewer buds and reduced yield. Applications of rest-breaking agents minimise the symptoms of delayed foliation. According to chilling models used in fruit producing areas of the world, the climate of South Africa is not suitable for deciduous fruit production, however fruit has been successfully produced here for a long time. This study aimed to quantify the effects of freezing temperatures, different chilling temperatures and the period of chilling, to obtain a better knowledge of bud dormancy release on apple and pear shoots. The chilling period was the most important factor influencing the progression of dormancy. While in some cases the chilling temperature and the freeze treatment effects were significant, the contribution to differences in the progression of dormancy was negligible. Our findings indicate that currently used chilling models should emphasise the time of exposure to low temperatures more than the difference in temperatures between I to ro-c. The South African apple and pear industry made good progress in moving towards high density plantings, but large variation in soil types, non-optimum growing conditions, replant situations and a lack experience with dwarfing rootstocks limited further development. However, there is sti II an urgency to obtain higher early yields of good quality fruit applying the most efficient production practices. We aimed to quantify the field performance of locally available apple and pear rootstocks, in particular from data outside of previously reported local trials, as well as early production of newly planted trials. Information obtained form the industry indicates that BPI and BP3 are the preferred pear rootstocks. From production records of 'Packham's Triumph' pears, it appeared that BP3 and OHxF97 produced the best yields compared to the other rootstocks. Production of 'Doyenne du Cornice' was the best on QA and BP3. In newly planted 'Rosemarie', 'Flamingo', and 'Forelle' trials, different rootstocks were evaluated. 'Rosemarie' showed indications 01 incompatibility with QA and QC5 I, but on BPI and QA with a 'Beurre Hardy' interstock produced good initial yields although BPI induced slightly larger trees. 'Flamingo' on QA and QC51 produced the best yields. 'Forelle' on BPI, BP3, and QA produced similar yields up to the 4th leaf. For apples M793 seems to be the preferred rootstock in the South African industry. From production records of 'Golden Delicious' and 'Granny Smith' apples, it appeared that M793 and MM 106 produced the best yields when compared to Seedling rootstock. In a 'Cripps' Pink' trial, MMI09, M793 and M25 were more vigorous than M7, MMlll and MMI06. MMI06 was cumulatively, over four years from planting, the most yield efficient, although no consistent trend regarding fruit quality was observed between the rootstocks evaluated. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Vertraagde bot word algemeen opgemerk in appel en peer produserende lande met n' warm enlof kort winter klimaat, wat veroorsaak dat bot van minder knoppe, meer ongelyk plaasvind en gevolglik lei tot swakker opbrengste. Toediening van rus-breek middels beperk die simptome van vertraagde bot. Volgens koue modelle wat in vrugte produserende areas in die wereld gebruik word, is Suid Afrika se klimaat nie geskik vir die verbouing van sagtevrugte nie alhoewel sagtevrugte al vir n lang tyd met groot sukses hier verbou word. Hierdie studie is daarop gemik om die effek van vries temperature, verskillende koue temperature en die periode van koue op die vrystelling van dormansie op knoppe van appel en peer lote te kwantifiseer. Die peri ode van koue was die mees belangrikste faktor wat die ontwikkeling van dormansie beinvloed het. In sommige gevalle was die effek van die koue temperature betekenisvol, maar die bydrae tot die verskille in die ontwikkeling van dormansie was weglaatbaar klein. Ons bevindinge dui aan dat die huidige koue modelle wat gebruik word, meer klem moet le op die periode van blootstelling aan koue as aan die effek van verski llende temperature tussen 1 en 10°e. Die Suid Afrikaanse appel en peer bedryf het goeie vordering in die beweging na hoe digtheid aanplantings gemaak, maar groot verskille in grond tipes, sub-optimale groei toestande, herplant probleme en n' tekort aan ondervinding met dwergende onderstamme het verdere ontwikkeling beperk. Ten spyte hiervan is daar steeds n' dringendheid om hcer produksies, van goeie kwaliteit vrugte so vroeg as moontlik te kry deur die toepassing van die mees effektiewe produksie praktyke. Ons het gepoog om die prestasie van plaaslik beskikbare appel en peer onderstamme te kwantifiseer, in besonder deur data wat nog nie van tevore oor verslag gedoen is nie en ook deur te meld van vroee produksies op nuut aangeplante proewe. lnformasie uit die bedryf het aangedui dat BP 1 en BP3 die voorkeur peer onderstamme is. Deur na die produksie geskiedenis van 'Packham's Truimph' pere te kyk kom dit voor of BP3 en OHxF97 die beste produksies in vergelyking met die ander onderstamme gelewer het. Die produksie van 'Doyenne du Com ice' was die beste op QA en BP3. In nuut geplante 'Rosemarie', 'Flamingo', en 'Forelle' pro ev e was verskillende onderstammc gecvalueer. 'Rosemarie' het tekens van onverenigbaarheid getoon met QA en Q 51, maar op BP 1 en QA met n 'Beurre Hardy' tussenstam het 'Rosemarie' goeie aanvanklike opbrengste gel ewer, al was bome op BP 1 effens grater. 'Flamingo' op QA en QCS 1 het die beste opbrengste gelewer. 'Forelle' op BP 1, BP3, en QA het ongeveer ewe veel tot die 4dc blad geproduseer. By appels is M793 die voorkeur onderstam van die Suid-Afrikaanse appel bedryf. M793 en MM 106 gee beter opbrengste as Saailing onderstam wanner die produksie geskiedenis van 'Golden Delicious' en 'Granny Smith' appels evalueer word. In n' 'Cripps' Pink' proefwas MMI09, M793 en M2S meer groeikragtig as M7, MMlil en MMI06. MM I 06 het kumulatief meer geproduseer en was ook meer produsie doeltreffend tot en met die 4de blad na plant. Daar was egter geen konstante neiging rakende vrug kwaliteit tussen die verskillende onderstamme wat getoets is nie.

Thesis (MSc (Horticulture))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / A growing number of fruit producers in warm areas are adopting the use of overtree evaporative cooling (EC) as a technique to reduce sunburn and enhance colour development of red or blushed fruit. Because fruit do not have efficient mechanisms of utilising and/or dissipating solar radiation, fruit surface temperature may rise 10 – 15oC higher than the ambient air temperature, making them very susceptible to sunburn. Sunburn negatively affects the appearance of the fruit, and they cannot be sold for fresh market consumption, which receives the highest prices. Evaporative cooling uses a sprinkler system to cool the trees from above. Energy needed to evaporate the water is extracted from the fruit skin, cooling the fruit down. The air around the trees is cooled, and a more favorable microclimate is created in the orchard. Producers have also found that the use of EC just prior to sundown and sometimes around sunrise has improved colour development on red apples (especially early varieties) before harvest. In this study, two apple (‘Cripps’ Pink’ and ‘Royal Gala’) and two pear (‘Rosemarie’ and ‘Forelle’) cultivars under EC were compared with control fruit in terms of maturity, colour, sunburn and concentrations of polyphenolics in the skin. Two EC treatments were given; early application starting from the second week in December, and late application starting two to four weeks before harvest. Photosynthetic responses were measured, as well as fruit and leaf temperatures. Underlying physiological responses of trees and fruit to EC were investigated, particularly the phenomenon of acclimation and the potential for colour development and heat stress. Fruit surface temperature of fruit under EC was found to be significantly lower than control fruit. In both apple cultivars a significant increase in fruit skin anthocyanin concentration and a decrease in phenolic content was found as the season progressed. In both pear cultivars there was a significant decrease in both anthocyanin and phenolic. No significant differences were found in anthocyanin content between treatments in either the apple or pear cultivars. In both apple cultivars a higher phenolic content was found in the peel of the EC treatments. A decrease of up to four percent in leaf and fruit surface temperature was found under EC. No significant difference in trunk circumference was found in any of the cultivars. The late EC treatment in ‘Cripps’ Pink’ had a significantly faster rate of budbreak than the control and early EC treatments. Significantly higher transpiration was observed in leaves under EC. ‘Royal Gala’ fruit under EC had less sunburn than control fruit. Unfortunately the system broke down on a hot day, causing more sunburn on ‘Cripps’ Pink’ fruit under EC. Heat tolerance of apple fruit grown under EC was evaluated in ‘Cripps’ Pink’ and ‘Royal Gala’ by determining the maximum quantum yield of chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm). Measurements were also made 12 hours after the heat treatments to determine recovery. ‘Cripps’ Pink’ fruit from both EC treatments, but particularly the early EC treatment, were less resistant to heat stress than control (non-EC) fruit at the “threshold” air temperature of 45°C. Apples were able to recover from heat treatments in the range of 32-38oC fruit surface temperature, and generally also recovered fully after 43-45°C fruit surface temperature when exposure did not exceed four hours. This knowledge could be helpful in the management of sunburn, for example when determining the threshold temperature for the activation of evaporative cooling treatments. Knowledge about the various effects evaporative cooling and the subsequent lowering of ambient temperatures has on fruit trees and fruit could contribute greatly to producers’ ability to grow high quality fruit. EC can be used successfully for controlling sunburn and increasing fruit colour, but the system needs to be controlled very carefully and care should be taken that it does not fail on a hot day, as it did during this study.