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Effect of kaolin applications on pome fruit

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.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/52255
Date04 1900
CreatorsLe Grange, Monique
ContributorsTheron, K. I., Wand, S. J. E., Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Horticultural Sciences.
PublisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Format79 p. : ill.
RightsStellenbosch University

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