JUNE 2023
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The North West Agricultural Union honoured its Young Farmer of the Year at a glittering occasion in Klerksdorp on 12 May. The three finalists were Mick Caroll (Agri Lichtenburg), Gideon van Zyl (Agri Greater Taung) and Hendrik Reyneke (Agri Molopo). They were photographed (above) with Emil Pretorius, Market Development Manager: Santam Agriculture. See article on pages 3+6.
North West young farmers impressive
RED MEAT INDUSTRY
NWRMPO hosts congress NW Honey business thrives Progress against Aids
PAGE 2 JUNE 2023
“Beautiful” Campine
AGRI-PULSE – RUSTENBURG – The Campine had its origin in Belgium, is a light breed, soft feather, produces white eggs and is a non-sitter. The large males weigh 2,7kg and females 2,3kg while the bantam males weigh 680g and females 570g. Campine is pronounced kam-peen and general characteristics of the male are: Alert and graceful, body broad, close and compact, the back rather long, narrowing to the tail.
Wings large and neatly tucked, tail carried fairly high and well spread. The two top tail feathers are slightly curved. The head moderately long, deep and inclined to width, comb normally single, face smooth, ear lobes white medium size, wattles long and fine. Legs and feet moderately long, four toes, slender and well spread. Females’ tail feathers are straight and slightly spread. The Campine colors are only golden and silver.
For more information sms or whatsapp Dawie at
071 196 7696.
JUNIE 2023 BLADSY 3
Agri North West
Young Farmer of 2023 By Charlize van der Linden
AGRIPULSE-VRYBURG: Gidoen van Zyl (39) from Vryburg in the North West, was named Agri North West and Santam Landbou’s Young Farmer of the year on Friday, May 12. Gideon says that he and his wife, Rodien, did not expect the result at all and that the award was an emotional experience. Gideon and Rodien were married in 2007 and have four daughters, Lin-Mari (14), Leané (12), Jana (9) and Mira (6).
Rodien is a part-time physiotherapist and is very involved in the farm’s administration.
All the participants in this year’s competition are dynamic and progressive, says Edric Badenhorst, chairman of Agri North West Young Farmer Committee. Indeed, they help with the committee’s endeavor to improve the image of agriculture.
“I know the other two finalists, Mick Carrol from Lichtenburg and Hendrik Reyneke from the Piet Plessis district, and have a lot of respect for them and their farming and that they are leaders of young farmers in their area.” This Vryburger, who has been farming full-time since 2006, is also a leader in the farming community. He has been serving as vice president of Agri North West since last year. He is also chairman of the Agri Salpeterpan and Agri Taung agricultural association.
Gideon also has a passion for training young people. Gideon was a primary school learner in Vryburg Primary School and matriculated in Bloemfontein, after which he studied BCom Agricultural Economics in Bloemfontein. Gideon and his father Jan and younger brother Jan started farming jointly as Kroonvee Boerdery in 2009 and focus on Brahman genetics for commercial farmers and stud steers. They also grow crops but only for their own use. Gidoen is chief management and CFO of Kroonvee and his father Jan, who is retired, is still involved in farming as an advisory director and focuses on customer service for the farming. In 2012, as a young man of 28 years old, Gideon won the Agri NW Young Farmer of the Year award for the first time. Gideon says that he was grateful to win at a young age because he did self-introspection regarding his farming and was able to set new goals. “I was able to improve my farming by improving the weak points and making the good points even stronger. Farmers get little opportunity to weigh them themselves,” says Gideon. After the 2012 award, Gideon felt that there were many aspects of farming that needed to be worked on and had an objective to re-enter this special competition to possibly compete again at National level. After the award this year, Gideon, his father and brother Jan reflected and saw again the value of the competition, where Kroonvee could improve and which aspects of farming should receive more attention.
The competition confirmed Gideon’s abilities as a farmer and developed a hunger in him to improve himself.
Gideon’s goal to win SA’s National Young Farmer of the year and to get maximum information from their farming database to be able to make better decisions about farming.
Family is the pivot around which everything revolves and that is why Gideon wants to focus on developing the family farm and finding a workable strategy to ensure the successful takeover of the brothers to the next generation in the future. “As a family we support each other, make each other strong and believe in each other’s dreams.” It is of utmost importance that young farmers focus on sustainable farming practices, says Gideon, because they are the future custodians of natural resources. Food supply, trade, employment and the development of the countryside play an essential role in the South African economy.
Gideon’s message to young farmers is that you must develop yourself before you develop your farmer. “Measure yourself and your farming and improve yourself in all areas by gathering knowledge so that you can manage the farming optimally,” says Gideon. Gideon will represent North West later this year in Agri SA and Toyota SA’s National Young Farmer of the Year competition. In the recent past, two North-West farmers, Sakkie van Zyl and JP van den Berg, respectively in 2014 and 2018, walked away with these laurels.
“As a family we support each other, make each other strong and
believe in each other’s dreams.”
Gideon and Rodien with the award as Agri North West Young Farmer of the year 2023. (Photo:
provided) Gideon and Rodien with their four
girls, Lin-Mari, Leané, Jana and Mira.
• Elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV;
• Patients can reduce the risk of HIV infection by preventing exposure to the disease. Patients should also take the necessary steps against possible HIV infection by avoiding risky sex; regular testing, awareness of your partner’s status, by avoiding self- administered injections; or reducing of sexual partners;
• Following incidents of rape, the patient should take antiretroviral medication within 72 hours (three days) to prevent infection. Medication should be continued for 28 days and may have side effects;
• There is no effective vaccination against HIV infection;
• Currently, there is no cure against HIV infection, however, should antiretroviral therapy be available to all people with HIV and with additional care, at least 21 million HIV related deaths and 28 million new infections could have been prevented by 2030.
HIV vaccination not yet available internationally
Forty years have passed since HIV had caused a pandemic and more than 40 million people worldwide have perished. Globally, more than 38 million people are living with HIV. Approximately 8.5 million people in South Africa have been infected with HIV by 2022. With a population of around 60.6 million, 13% of the country’s population has been contaminated by HIV.
JUNE 2023
PAGE 4 JUNIE 2023 BLADSY 5
History, occurrence and impact of HIV
Scientists have diagnosed a type of chimpanzee in Central Africa which is generally regarded as a/the source of HIV infection threatening humans.
These scientists believe that the chimpanzee explanation/representation of the immunodeficiency virus (so-called ape [simian] immunodeficiency virus, could possibly have been transmitted to humans and subsequently mutated to HIV when chimpanzees were hunted by humans for their meat and as such came into contact with infected blood. Studies have shown that HIV could possibly have been transmitted to humans as far back as the 1800s. Over decades this virus has slowly spread all over Africa, and in time also to numerous other continents.
This information shows that HIV is indeed a zoonotic disease. A Zoonosis can be defined as a disease or contamination that is naturally transmitted from vertebrates to humans and vice versa. It has been proven that the virus had indeed existed in the United States from the mid to late 1970s. HIV is a world-wide phenomenon.
South Africa has the biggest and most prominent profile of HIV epidemics world-wide. According to calculations, at least seven million people have been infected by HIV in 2015. In the same year, 380 000 humans have contracted the disease while no less than 180 000 South Africans have perished as a result of Aids related diseases.
Globally, South Africa also has the largest antiretroviral therapy programme (ARP) and is funded by the USA by means of the Pepfar contra-Aids programme (US President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief) running into billions of rand.
Annually, the country spends more than $1.5 billion in managing the Aids programme. Since the outbreak of the world-wide epidemic more than 70 million people have been infected by HIV while approximately 35 million have perished.
Internationally, close to 36.7 million (34.0 – 39.8 million) have lived with Aids.
In sub Sahara Africa millions of people have been infected by HIV (25.6 million) while approximately 1 out of every 25 adults (4.4%) have been living with Aids - this represents approximately 70% of all humans internationally that have been infected by the disease. According to calculations no more than 60% of these people have been aware of their HIV status, while 40%, or more than 14 million people still have to be tested. It is interesting to note than tuberculosis still is the primary cause of deaths among people with HIV which represents approximately one out of every three people who have died from Aids.
People who have been infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are largely at risk when they are confronted with or come into contact with opportunistic (waiting for favourable opportunities/conditions) zoonosis such as Candidiasis (spray or moniliasis)*, Cryptococcosis*, Cryptosporidiosis**,
ZOONOSIS: HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (HIV) AND ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS).
Dr Jan du Preez - Veterinary Specialist in Public Health
Currently – there is no effective cure against HIV – with proper treatment and medical care, HIV can be controlled quite effectively;
Scientists have identified a type of chimpanzee in central Africa that is generally regarded as the source of HIV infection to humans.
South Africa has the largest and most prominent profile HIV epidemic of all countries. According to calculations seven million people have had HIV by 2015. These people in the photograph are waiting for antiretroviral medication.
Humans cannot be infected with HIV by means of shaking hands, embracing or kissing with a closed
mouth.
People with HIV or those with a real risk of HIV may still enjoy a long and productive life by taking effective medication.
Hystoplasmosis*, herpes simplex*** (lifelong contamination), Coccidiomikose*, Pneumocystis jirovenii pneumonia *, Mycobacterium avium complex ****, Salmonella septicemia****, toxoplasmosis** and tuberculosis.
Opportunistic infections are more common but are more serious among people with poor immunity. It is especially common among people with HIV. (* = Fungi), (** = Protozoa), (*** = viruses), (**** = bacteria).
Many people with HIV are contracting opportunistic infections because they are unaware of their status as HIV positive. Hence they receive no antiretroviral therapy or the antiretroviral therapy is ineffective in keeping their HIV levels under control to allow their immune systems to counter the disease.
Infection by Campylobacter jejuni which causes Campylobacteriosis, may also lead to bacteremia (the result of bacteria in the blood). These bacteria usually cause acute diarrhea among patients who are infected by HIV. Should HIV patients not be treated, this may lead to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids). Above mentioned opportunistic diseases may be life threatening among people suffering from HIV/Aids. Being tested for HIV is still the only trusted way of knowing your HIV status.
Impact and effect of HIV
Unlike other viruses the human body can never completely recover or undo the effects of HIV infection. The HIV infected person remains infected for life.
HIV attacks the immunity of the body. Specific white blood cells (T lymphocytes or CD4 cells) which protect the body against infection are attacked. Should no treatment follow, HIV will reduce the number of cells in the body which places the patient at greater risk of infection or even prone to related cancers. In time, HIV will increasingly destroy cells in the human body rendering it unable to resist the disease. Such opportunistic infections or cancers benefit from the body’s compromised immune system and progresses to Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids). This is the final stage of HIV infection.
Not all patients diagnosed with HIV will progress to the Aids stage. Though there is no effective cure for HIV, proper treatment and medical care may keep HIV under control. Medication used in HIV treatment is known as antiretroviral therapy (ART). A patient’s health and life expectancy may be dramatically increased provided that the treatment and therapy are administered daily and meticulously.
Of course this also restricts the possibility of the disease’s transmission.
Patients who are diagnosed with HIV soon after diagnosis and in particular before the disease has progressed too far and continues his/her medication, may even live as long as any other person with normal life expectancy. Aids is the disease stage that follows if the body’s immune system have been compromised
or destroyed which renders the body vulnerable to opportunistic infection. The condition is regarded to have progressed to full scale (Aids) if the body’s CD4 cell count has decreased to below 200 cells per cubic mm of blood (200 cells/mm³).
Normal cell counts vary between 500 cells/mm3 to 1 600 cells/mm3. Regardless of your CD4 cell count, you may be diagnosed with Aids if you are diagnosed with one or more opportunistic infections. It is highly unlikely that a patient who has never had treatment against the disease but who is diagnosed with Aids, will survive for longer than three years. The life expectancy of people with dangerous opportunistic diseases is usually no longer than one year - a person diagnosed with Aids will not survive without medical treatment.
Transmission and spread of HIV
HIV could be transmitted by means of various bodily fluids such as blood, semen, preseminal, vaginal, anal fluids as well as mother’s milks from a HIV infected person to another. The transmission of HIV is only possible when fluids come into direct contact with mucous or damaged tissue (perforated skin) or through direct injection into the blood stream with a syringe and/or needle. Mucous membranes are found in the vagina, rectum, mouth, eye and opening of the penis (horizontal infection). HIV can also be transmitted from a HIV-positive pregnant mother to the foetus/unborn child, during childbirth or by breast-feeding her baby.
This infection is known as mother-to-child transmission (vertical contamination).
The risk of infection by means of blood transfusion or organ or tissue transplants from a HIV infected person is extremely rare. Humans cannot be infected by incidental contact with others such as shaking hands, embracing, or kissing (with mouth closed) a HIV positive person. Likewise, chances of transmission through contact with objects such as lavatories, door handles, kitchen plates and similar objects used/touched by an HIV positive person are practically nil.
Signs of HIV
Signs of sickness/disease cannot be trusted to confirm that someone is HIV positive. The only way to make sure whether a person has HIV, is proper testing.
Signs possibly indicating HIV vary from person to person and of course, which stage the patient finds him/ herself in – the early stage, clinical latent stage or Aids (final stage of HIV). Some people may show signs of disease or sickness after only two to four weeks after HIV infection while others still feel perfectly healthy after long periods of time. Symptoms reminiscent of flu may be experienced, such as fever, cold sweat, rash, sweating at night, muscle pain, sore throat, exhaustion, swollen lymph glands and sores (ulkus) in the mouth. These signs may continue for up to a few days to several weeks. During this period, HIV tests may still be
negative though the infected person’s condition may be serious enough for him/her to transmit the disease to others.
Do not accept that you are HIV positive or infected simply because you have one or more of above mentioned symptoms! Each of these signs may have been caused by other diseases or illnesses. Some HIV infected people may even show no signs for up to ten years or longer. Ask your doctor about the clinical latent stage and the transition to the Aids stage. Numerous serious signs of illness/disease caused by HIV may have originated from opportunistic infection because the body’s immune system had been compromised or destroyed.
Currently there is no cure for HIV infection, although the condition can be controlled to an extent. Effective antiretroviral (ARV) remedies may control the virus and may help to prevent transmission from a HIV infected
person. People with HIV or with a likely risk of HIV may, with regular treatment, enjoy a long and productive life.
Diagnoses
HIV infection is at times confirmed by an easy diagnostic test (Elisa test). The test confirms whether there are any antibodies against HIV in the bloodstream. The test results are often available the very same day. In positive cases treatment and pre care may begin speedily. PCR or the Western blot test may also be done.
Prevention and control of HIV
• The use of male of female condoms. Inform your partner of your HIV status;
• Public education initiatives and behavioural changes;
• The testing, counseling and information on HIV and sexually transmittable diseased (STD).
• Testing, counseling and information on tuberculoses care. Tuberculosis is the most common disease causing deaths among people with HIV. Early diagnoses of tuberculosis and immediate treatment thereof as well as antiretroviral therapy (ART) may prevent deaths.
• Voluntary circumcision of men;
• The preventative use of antiretroviral medication. Preventative advantages of ART, pre-exposure prophylaxes for HIV negative partners and post-exposure prophylaxes for the HIV positive patients;
• Use of sterilised syringes and needles for injections;
NWRPO congress held in Lichtenburg
The chairman of the NWRPO, Mr. Nico Kilian (centre) presented two awards during the event. A merit award was awarded to Mr. Jannie Raath (left) for his exceptional contribution to the promotion
of the red meat industry during his term as executive member of the NWRPO as chairman of the North West Animal Health Forum and for his dedication and selfless service to red meat producers.
A charter was awarded to Mr. Gert Cruywagen (right). The NWRPO honored him for his outstanding
contribution to the Red Meat Industry. Speakers at the event were mr. Pieter le Roux, mr. Willie Clack and dr. Faffa Malan. On their right stands chairman of the NWRPO, mr. Nico Kilian.
AGRI PULSE - LICHTENBURG - The 2023 North West Red Meat Producers’ Organization Congress was held on 31 May 2023 in Lichtenburg with the theme ‘Your participation makes the difference’.
The congress was opened by the chairman, Mr. Nico Kilian and he said in his chairman’s report that the congress theme is even more applicable today than before. “You will remember that until about 1994, the method of problem handling was very simple: You just call your LPR or LV and ask him to handle your problem at provincial or national level wherever applicable.
Today, with a government that is not always in favour of the producer, the situation is very different. We as producers
and members must handle our affairs and interests within an organization or structure,” he said. Kilian said the RPO has had challenges in the past year such as foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks, challenges with vaccine manufacturing, the roll-out of the LITS system, falling red meat prices, rising production costs, livestock theft and load shedding. He warned members to be involved in the NWRPO, talk to fellow producers, and not stand on the sidelines. “You cannot contribute within NWRPO if you stand on the sidelines - this is your industry and we need every producer. Become part of the NWRPO - insist that your membership fee is collected at the auction stalls and remitted to the NWRPO. This is how you strengthen your organization’s
hands to protect and promote the red meat industry’s interests on a provincial as well as national level to your advantage,” he added.
Kilian also thanked the main sponsor of the congress for 2023 – 2025, NWK, for their continued support to the NWRPO and its members. Three interesting speakers discussed points of discussion affecting farmers during the event. Pieter le Roux, Chief Animal and Grazing Scientist: NWK discussed Ultra High-Pressure Strip Grazing while dr. Faffa Malan, Managing Director RuVasa discussed ‘One wrong decision can cause you huge economic damage in your production management’. Mr. Willie Clack, First Vice-Chairman National RPO talked about the regulatory challenges within the red meat industry of South Africa.
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Ingredients:
1½ kg pork belly About 500g of cherries Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Ingredients for sauce:
8 large onions 2 tablespoons curry powder
1 tablespoon turmeric 4 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons cornflour (Maizena)
2 cups white vinegar Salt and pepper to taste Method for sauce:
Cut the onions into rings and fry in enough oil until the onions become translucent. Add sugar,
JUNE 2023 PAGE 6
Pork belly lollipops with a surprise
AGRIPULSE - BRITS - A pork belly is no porky story, because this humble cut of meat has recently become more and more of a delicacy.
AgriPulse visited Alet Pauley, a caterer from Brits and she passionately shared how she likes to experiment with food, especially to do something different from the usual with cuts of meat. During one of her recent “experiments”, she created rolled pork belly lollipops with a sweet and sour curry and onion marinade. It’s a mouth-watering snack that you just can’t get enough of. “With thousands of different gravies and marinades on the market and in recipe books, I wanted to do something different. In one of my grandmother’s very old recipe books, I came across her
wonderful sweet and sour curry and onion sauce and it was nostalgic,” says Alet.
The recipe is easy and with pork belly being one of the more affordable cuts of meat, it is definitely a hit. It can be served as a main course, starter or even as a snack. “I believe giving food must be special, as you give a piece of your heart,” says Alet.
Alet Pauley with her rolled pork belly lollipops.
Some of the spices that perfectly compliment pork belly.
The secret of the dish is the sweet and sour curry and onion sauce.
AGRI-PULSE - Farmers are the real
‘electricity’ in the country.
This is the message that was sent out during the Young Farmer Conference that was held recently in Klerksdorp.
Agri NW presented it and the theme was
“From strength to strength”.
Nelius Beyers, vice-chairman: Young Farmer Committee, opened the conference and Edric Badenhorst, chairman, delivered the chairman’s report. He placed particular emphasis on new junior agricultural unions that came into being at Klerksdorp Hoërskool and Hoërskool Wolmaransstad. Some of the high school students also attended the conference.
He emphasized the role of young farmers as those who should help look for solutions to the country’s problems and improve farmers’
image. The main sponsors of the conference were Senwes, Toyota, NWK, LWO, ATKV,
Absa and Work Accident Support (Pty) Ltd.
The panel discussion focused on alternative energy sources with speakers Nicol Jansen, vice-president Agri SA, Juan Tomlinson, CEO:
Son SA, and Johann Becker, electrical engineer Senwes. Francois de Kock, CEO: Senwes financial credit solutions, was the facilitator.
De Kock did not mince words when he told that Eskom was only operating at 63% capacity and that stage 10 load-shedding was a reality.
“In 2001, Eskom was named the best power supplier in the world and now it cannot deliver power. We must turn on our own lights,” he said. Jansen said alternative sources of energy are now a reality with Tomlinson saying “food sharing” may be our front land if farmers don’t keep the lights on themselves.
Becker painted an apocalyptic picture for 2050 by saying the world will then need 80%
more electricity, Africa 300% more and SA
80% more. More and more digitization and electric cars need more electricity,” he told the audience. According to Jansen, no farmer can afford to be without power and that they must decide how to limit risk instead of how they can grow. “Farmers who have not yet invested in alternative energy may already be too late,” says Tomlinson. He urged farmers to act now. “The North West has enough sun and solar energy is the future. NW has capacity and farmers can help Eskom. There are various sources of alternative power such as nuclear and gas, wind, water and biomass and solar power is the best because the sun always shines,” concluded Tomlinson. In summary, it was said that farmers should not lose heart and that agriculture has always carried the country, especially during the pandemic. Agriculture will do it again: no matter how bleak the future looks. The most important point on the agenda
was the announcement of the NW young farmer of the year. The finalists were Mick Caroll (Agri Lichtenburg), Gideon van Zyl (Agri Greater Taung) and Hendrik Reyneke (Agri Molopo).
The finalists are pillars in their communities • Caroll (28) is a young man who lives with his wife, Susan, on the farm Kalkspruit outside Lichtenburg. He is the fourth generation of Carolls. He farms with cattle, crops, game and has a feedlot on his farm.
• Van Zyl (39) is married to Rodien and they have four daughters. He farms with cattle and game. He is a former chairman of the Young Farmer Committee and former vice- president of Agri NW. He is involved in Bible distribution and at the Boland Agricultural School.
• Reyneke farms with cattle and vegetables in the Vryburg area. He is the vice president of Agri Molopo.
Farmers are the ‘power’ that keeps the lights on
The three finalists with their certificates.
The winner is Gideon van Zyl (39), who was named the NW Young Farmer of the Year.
He represents the province in November at the national competition. His wife, Rodien, is in the picture with him. He celebrates his 40th birthday on September 1.
The panel discussion focused on alternative energy sources with speakers Nicol Jansen, vice-president Agri SA, Juan Tomlinson, CEO: Son SA, and Johann Becker, electrical engineer Senwes. Francois de Kock, far left, CEO:
Senwes financial credit solutions, was the facilitator. A proud Gideon van Zyl receives his trophy from Emil Pretorius.
mix the rest of the ingredients in with the vinegar. Add vinegar mixture to onions and simmer for 10 minutes.
Method for the rolled pork belly lollies:
The clean pork belly that has been frozen quite hard, should be cut into thin strips. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the strips. Use one cherry for one strip of pork belly and roll up. Stick the rolls in a skewer. Place in bowl and pour over the curry and onion sauce.
Marinate for one hour and fry in an Air Fryer at 180ºC for 10min, turn over and bake again for 10min.
JUNIE 2023 BLADSY 7
AGRI-PULSE - Grafted tomato seedlings became available in commercial vegetable production in Japan and Korea in the early 1960s, and their commercial use in North America and Europe began in the 1990s.1 Grafted tomatoes were initially used primarily in greenhouse (protected) production; however, grafted seedlings are now used in several production systems, including open-field, high tunnel, low-tech greenhouse, and high-tech glasshouse (soilless cultivation).2,3 The higher cost of grafted seedlings has limited their widespread adoption in some situations. The added cost of using grafted seedlings can be offset by higher yields, increased earliness, the reduced number of plants needed per hectare, a reduced need for fertilizers, and elongated cropping cycles resulting from more vigorous root systems.1
ROOTSTOCKS
Rootstocks can be intraspecific, where the rootstock and scion belong to the same species, or they can be interspecific, where the rootstock and scion belong to different species or genera. Many of the rootstocks used with tomatoes are interspecific hybrids (ISHs), such as hybrids of the wild Solanum species S. habrochaites and the domesticated tomato S. lycopersicum.4,6
Not all scion/rootstock combinations work equally well in all situations. In a meta-analysis study that evaluated results from 159 publications, yield levels were found to be affected by specific rootstock/scion pairings, the environment, and the production systems used. A few studies showed minor but significant differences in fruit
Grafted Tomatoes - tall and tasty
• Grafted tomatoes can be used to help manage soilborne diseases and the effects of abiotic stress.
• Under protected conditions, grafted tomatoes are being used to help support high fruit yield potential over a long season.
• Rootstock/scion combinations adapted to the local conditions should be chosen to address specific production issues.
SOURCES
1 Spano, R., Ferrara, M., Gallitelli, D., and Mascia, T. 2020.
The Role of Grafting in the Resistance of Tomato to Viruses. Plants-Basel 9.
2 Thies, J. A. 2021. Grafting for managing vegetable crop pests. Pest Management Science 77:4825-4835.
3 Kyriacou, M. C., Rouphael, Y., Colla, G., Zrenner, R., and Schwarz, D. 2017. Vegetable Grafting: The Implications of a Growing Agronomic Imperative for Vegetable Fruit Quality and Nutritive Value. Frontiers in Plant Science 8.
4 Grieneisen, M. L., Aegerter, B. J., Stoddard, C. S., and Zhang, M. H. 2018. Yield and fruit quality of grafted tomatoes, and their potential for soil fumigant use reduction. A meta-analysis. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 38.
5 Guan, W. and Hallet, S. 2016. Techniques for tomato grafting. Purdue Extension. HO-260-W.
6 Louws, F., Rivard, C., and Kubota, C. 2010. Grafting fruiting vegetables to manage soilborne pathogens, foliar pathogens, arthropods and weeds. Scientia Horticulturae 127:127-146.
7 Hu. B., Moyseenko, J., Short, S., Walker, S., and Kleinhenz, M. 2014. Eighteen rootstock and five scion tomato varieties: seedling growth rates before grafting and success in grafting the ninety variety combinations.
Midwest Vegetable Trial Report for 2014.
8 Cortada L, Sorribas FJ, Ornat C, Fé Andrés M and Verdejo-Lucas S. 2009. Response of tomato rootstocks carrying the Mi-resistance gene to populations of Meloidogyne arenaria, M incognita and M javanica. Eur J Plant Pathol 124:337– 343.
9 Soare R., Dinu M., Babeanu C. (2018): The effect of using grafted seedlings on the yield and quality of tomatoes grown in greenhouses. Hort. Sci. (Prague), 45: 76–82.
10 Rahmatian, A., Delshad, M., Salehi, R. 2014. Effect of grafting on growth, yield and fruit quality of single and double
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Performance may vary from location to location and from year to year, as local growing, soil and weather conditions may vary. Growers should evaluate data from multiple locations and years whenever possible and should consider the impacts of these conditions on the grower’s fields. The recommendations in this article are based upon information obtained from the cited sources and should be used as a quick reference for information about vegetable production. The content of this article should not be substituted for the professional opinion of a producer, grower, agronomist, pathologist, and similar professional dealing with vegetable crops.
Figure 1. Grafted tomatoes result from the union of
the stems of scion and
rootstock seedlings. Figure 2. Plastic grafting clips are used to stabilize the graft union until the two stems have joined together.
quality factors, such as acidity, soluble solids, firmness, and taste, with some pairings.4 GRAFTING PROCEDURES
Growers can purchase grafted seedlings or create their own from rootstock and scion seedlings.7 The process involves growing the scion and rootstock seedlings, cutting and uniting the scion tops and rootstock bases, and a post-grafting healing period.5 The conditions for both the scion and rootstock seedlings should be optimized to obtain
uniform germination and growth. Because rootstock and scion varieties can have different rates of emergence and development, sowing and grafting schedules may need to be adjusted so that both rootstock and scion stem diameters are similar and within the desired range. Growth rates can be adjusted by regulating temperature, light intensity, fertilization, and irrigation.5,7
Grafting is done when stem diameters are between 1.5 and 3.0 mm. Any rootstock suckers should be removed before grafting. Stems are cut with a sharp blade on an angle to increase the area of stem-to-stem contact. Grafting clips are used to align and support the graft union (Figure 2)5,7
Newly grafted seedings should be held in a moist (85 to 95% RH) environment at temperatures between 22° and 29°C for the first 48 to 72 hours. Temperature fluctuations should be minimal, and the relative humidity should not be allowed to reach 100%. Healing locations should have low light levels for the first few days to reduce water loss. After two to three days, humidity levels should be gradually reduced to around 70%, and light levels should be gradually increased.5
DISEASE MANAGEMENT
A primary reason for using grafted tomatoes is to help manage soilborne diseases. Many commercially available rootstocks have resistance genes for several common soilborne pathogens and nematodes.1,5 Most commonly available rootstock varieties have high (HR) resistance to Fusarium wilt, races 1 and 2, usually indicated as Fol:1,2, and a few have resistance to race 3 (Fol:3).4 Resistance is also available for bacterial wilt, Fusarium crown and root rot, Verticillium wilt, and tomato mosaic virus. Some studies have shown that yield levels on grafted plants with high levels of resistance in fields infested with the corresponding pathogens are similar to those of plants grown in fields treated with soil fumigants.4,6
Many ISH rootstock varieties provide intermediate
resistance (IR) to various species of root-knot nematodes (RKN) conferred by genes at the Mi locus. Some forms of resistance prevent colonization and reproduction of RKN on tomato roots, lowering disease levels and pathogen populations. Other forms of resistance reduce symptom expression and help protect yields but do not inhibit the reproduction of nematodes, which can result in increased RKN populations.6,8
It is best if rootstock-based resistance traits are used as a part of an integrated pest management (IPM) program. Integrating resistance with strategies such as crop rotation, soil fumigation, biofumigation, flooding, and soil solarization can help prevent yield losses and the build- up of pathogen populations. The selection of rootstock varieties should be site-specific and based on the pathogen populations present, local growing conditions, and other factors.6
EFFECTS ON PRODUCTION
Several studies have evaluated the effects of grafting on tomato yield. To help maximize yield potential, the needs of both the rootstock and scion should be optimized.
The effects of grafting on yield are clearly apparent when disease-resistant rootstocks are used where there is disease pressure. Grafting is also used to help increase production in the absence of disease, especially in long-season, protected culture systems.9,10 The non-disease related effects on yield in shorter season, open field systems may not be as consistent. One meta-analysis study of 159 publications found that yields of grafted and non-grafted tomatoes were not significantly different in 65% of the reviewed studies.4 However, this analysis did show that specific rootstock/scion pairings did impact yield potential.
The benefits of using grafted plants is most evident in long season protected culture systems. Rootstock varieties with larger root systems are used to sustain long-season (up to nine months) crops with extended harvest periods.9,10 This is one reason that a large percentage of protected culture operations used grafted tomato seedlings.
CONCERNS WITH GRAFTING
In addition to the added cost of grafted seedlings, there are some concerns about using grafted tomato plants.
One concern is the increased chance of transmitting seedborne diseases. Because two different plants are used for each seedling planted, the chance of transmitting a seedborne disease is doubled. Also, the over-reliance on a relatively small number of rootstock varieties for managing diseases and nematodes increases the risk of developing resistant-breaking strains of these pathogens. Growers should carefully evaluate the various risks and benefits
of integrating grafted plants into their tomato production operations and understand that rootstock selections should be based on the specific practices used in the operation, desired varieties of scions, and the biotic and abiotic production conditions.6 Factors such as pruning strategies, fertilization, irrigation schedules, and the length of the harvest period also should be considered.
JUNE 2023 PAGE 8
AGRI PULSE - South Africa’s honey industry faces an undersupply crisis, but one North West woman
is determined to change that. Meet Makhotso “Mems” Ramaila, a candidate attorney-turned-beekeeper making a profound impact in South Africa with her thriving honey business. The demand for honey in South Africa far outweighs the supply. According to Agri Farming, South Africa produces about 2 000 tons of honey per year, however the demand is for around 3 000 tons per year. Mems’
journey began in 2019 in Brits. She had
been growing lucerne on her field whena swarm of bees arrived and never left.
Mems had a fascination with them and began researching bees.
That’s when she dived into the
beekeeping world. “There is an abundant forest resource in South Africa which can be harnessed for beekeeping, creating many jobs, especially for rural women and youth. We should not have to depend on exports because we can make our own honey,” says Mems. In 2020, she established her beekeeping farm, Bee African, providing a range of products, including pure honey, creamed honey, and immune-boosting honey. She also recently added Linden honey to her line.
Her one-stop shop also manufactures beehives and protective bee suits, allowing her to extend her footprint into Gauteng and Limpopo. Mems has also
been
gaining popularity with enquiries from London in the United Kingdom.
She has adopted a progressive climate change approach in her business, and further practices circularity thanks to The Fetola Foundation’s Circular Economy Accelerator program that she attended. To this end, nothing goes to waste and all materials are
utilized. Among the waste are offcutsfrom the beehives that are used to make corporate wooden gift hampers.
The sawdust from the sanded timber make up the bottom of the hampers, and is also used as compost for plants which are included in the gift. Customers are encouraged to reuse the compost in their gardens. But that’s not where it ends. Mems’ vision goes beyond selling honey. She is committed to opening the beekeeping sector by creating employment for rural youth and women.
She has five employees so far, and her
brother, Lebogang Ramaila, a fashion designer, manufactures the bee suits. Bee
African also offers beekeeping training toall, but there is a focus on school-going
learners to fill the biodiversity knowledgegap. “We need to catch them young to maintain the knowledge and encourage sustainability,” says Mems. Since
entering the industry, Mems’
journey has not been easy.
There were a few bee stings here and there,
but her significant challenges lay in beehivevandalism and theft of honey. Despite this, Mems has managed to thrive and build a sustainable
business.
Her commitment to job creation and transforming the beekeeping sector
in South Africa is a testament to the
power of entrepreneurship to effectpositive change. As a result, she became the recipient of the coveted 2022 South African Women Entrepreneurship Climate Change Award.
Her story is powerful because it is a reminder of the impact one person can have on an entire country.
Mems and her co-workers regularly inspect the beehives to monitor the health and behaviour of the bees.
Mems and a co-worker harvest the honey.
Mems and her team ensure that the beehives are secure, well-ventilated and protected from extreme weather conditions.
