A valuable asset

I was most interested in Peter Mashala’s article (27 July, pg 58) about his recent trip with minister of agriculture Tina Joemat-Pettersson and others on a fact-finding junket to Costa Rica, courtesy of Walmart.

More common potato diseases

Early blight is caused by the fungus Alternaria solani, and attacks tomatoes as well as potatoes.

Learning the ropes

Many people think that when they plan to market their fruit or vegetables, their first stop should be a supermarket.

Late blight: fast & very destructive

Late blight in potatoes is caused by airborne spores of the Phytophthora infestans fungus. The disease manifests as irregular dark lesions on the stems and leaves and spreads quickly.

Co-operation works!

I was paging through the archives of the Institute of Market Agents of SA (IMASA) the other day when I came across the minutes of a joint meeting of the executive committees of IMASA and the Institute of Market Masters of SA (IMMSA) held 25 years ago, on 19 October 1987.

Potato tuber moth and other spud pests

Many pests target potatoes but most of these occur very occasionally and are likely to do minimal damage.

Tomatoes year-round – new cultivars

Producing tomatoes in tunnels is highly scientific, expertise-intensive and efficient in terms of area, water, nutrient and resource use. Keri Harvey visited Amanda Viljoen to find out how she does it.

About bureaucracy

A bureaucracy is a “system of administration distinguished by its clear hierarchy of authority; rigid division of labour; written and inflexible rules and regulations; and impersonal relationships.

The risks of nematodes in potatoes

Nematodes are often referred to as ‘eel-’ or ‘roundworms’ because they resemble the common earthworm, but these parasites belong to a different grouping or phylum.

It’s Conference season again

On 22 and 23 August, the Produce Marketing Association of Southern Africa (PMA) will host its annual international conference, ‘Fresh Connections’, at the University of Pretoria.

Likely potato insect pests

One pest will invariably occur if provision isn’t made to deal with it. This is cutworm.

Supervision is all

In the 22 June issue of Farmer’s Weekly, Paul Lynch, chairperson of the SA Wool & Mohair Buyers Association, bemoans the lowering of wool classing standards, saying: “Farmers are not spending as much time in shearing sheds as in the past.”

Controlling nitrogen application is important

Your basic fertilisation of the potato crop should have been done according to a soil analysis, leaving the main variable, nitrogen, to be managed as circumstances require.

Food safety

A market may not process food, but it can surely be classified as a ‘food distribution facility’, the food here being ‘fresh produce’.

Weed control and ridging of potatoes

Management of the potato crop after planting depends on various factors. One is weed control. The procedure you use will depend on what sort of weeds you can expect in the particular land.

Lofty objectives

A reader emailed me recently about his fruit being rejected at the market by a department of agriculture inspector because the cartons weren’t properly marked with all the information required by law.

Why potato irrigation is so important

As potatoes can have a confined and intense root system, together with a fairly large leaf area, it stands to reason irrigation requirements will differ from other crops.

Now’s the time!

While I’m on a roll about the positive developments taking place on markets, there’s another issue which I believe needs attention in the sector.

Potato planting procedures

Potatoes are a productive crop and as such are heavy feeders. The potato also has a rather confined root system, so make sure the fertiliser is placed where the roots have easy access to it.

Are you in or out?

The industry-related initiative to help improve markets launched by the Institute of Market Agents of SA (IMASA) last year seems to have gained a lot more momentum than expected.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Vegetables