![Pest and disease control under shade netting](https://cdn.magzter.com/1373618752/1721908063/articles/bf3W2cDNH1722248521052/PEST-AND-DISEASE-CONTROL-UNDER-SHADE-NETTING.jpg)
Over the years, South Africa has established a reputation for supplying fruit to local and international markets. Farmers have adjusted their practices to comply with strict global phytosanitary regulations amid challenges like adverse weather conditions, water scarcity, and load-shedding, with an ongoing emphasis on year-round pest and disease control.
To reduce the risks associated with weather conditions like hail, sunburn and wind damage in certain production areas, the area under nets in South Africa is expanding rapidly.
Integrated pest management (IPM) programmes, which use a mix of chemical, biological, and cultural controls alongside habitat manipulation, have been widely adopted in the fruit industry for long-term pest management and damage prevention.
By installing nets, farmers are creating a different microclimate for their orchards, which may require an adaptation of their pest and disease control management practices, says André Labuschagne, campaign lead for potatoes and subtropical fruit at Syngenta. Failure to adapt, he warns, can result in a loss of all the benefits associated with crops under protection.
OPEN ORCHARDS VERSUS NETTED AREAS
Production in open fields allows for full sunlight exposure that can help reduce numbers of certain pests, as some insects are less active or unable to survive in intense sunlight. Open fields also allow natural predators like birds, ladybugs, spiders, and parasitoids, such as wasps, to control pests. These beneficial organisms thrive in open environments.
However, there are also some challenges associated with production in open orchards and fields. Some crops are more susceptible to pests in open fields due to lack of protection. Although weeds and other plants in the vicinity can harbour beneficial insects, they also serve as hosts for pests and compete with crops for resources.
Denne historien er fra August 02, 2024-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 02, 2024-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
![More funding needed to flood-proof Olifants River](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/VBasj4FXZ1725539857303/MORE-FUNDING-NEEDED-TO-FLOODPROOF-OLIFANTS-RIVER.jpg)
More funding needed to flood-proof Olifants River
Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism Dr Ivan Meyer recently handed over R14,98 million to the Citrusdal Water Users’ Association.
![Zambia, Burundi agree to maximise agri potential](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/1_uL8lGtf1725539759905/ZAMBIA-BURUNDI-AGREE-TO-MAXIMISE-AGRI-POTENTIAL.jpg)
Zambia, Burundi agree to maximise agri potential
In a bid to capitalise on the livestock and arable land in Zambia and Burundi, the two countries have agreed in principle to review the existing bilateral trade agreement in agricultural products under memoranda of understanding (MoUs) and to bolster foreign exchange earnings.
![Expanded market brings avocado season success](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/gYsTt7Yxm1725539697707/EXPANDED-MARKET-BRINGS-AVOCADO-SEASON-SUCCESS.jpg)
Expanded market brings avocado season success
The South African avocado industry is making headway in India after gaining market access earlier this year. Supported by the World Avocado Organization (WAO), consumers and food businesses in India are being educated about the health benefits of regular avocado consumption and how best to use this fruit in Indian cuisine.
![Plan needed to enhance competitiveness of SA's deciduous fruit canning industry](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/hIPDsywUj1725539549374/PLAN-NEEDED-TO-ENHANCE-COMPETITIVENESS-OF-SAS-DECIDUOUS-FRUIT-CANNING-INDUSTRY.jpg)
Plan needed to enhance competitiveness of SA's deciduous fruit canning industry
Dr Heinrich Jantjies, group risk, safety and security director at Tiger Brands, says the deciduous fruit canning industry has been on a decline in South Africa since 2016. He suggests implementing a Deciduous Fruit Canning Industry Recovery and Competitive Plan to turn the industry around.
![Kruger's memory lingers in his Boekenhoutfontein farmhouses](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/o3E0Gk2-I1725539319019/KRUGERS-MEMORY-LINGERS-IN-HIS-BOEKENHOUTFONTEIN-FARMHOUSES.jpg)
Kruger's memory lingers in his Boekenhoutfontein farmhouses
Lucille Davie visits Kedar Heritage Lodge in North West to see the farmhouses Paul Kruger owned.
![From street art to feats of engineering, Bristol has it all](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/KXiU5nzQP1725539052607/FROM-STREET-ART-TO-FEATS-OF-ENGINEERING-BRISTOL-HAS-IT-ALL.jpg)
From street art to feats of engineering, Bristol has it all
Brian Berkman visits the vibrant UK port city of Bristol and says two days are not enough to explore renowned graffiti artist Banksy's hometown and pop in at all the historical taverns.
![Managing broodmares and foals profitably and safely](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/CMdKpFFox1725538948378/MANAGING-BROODMARES-AND-FOALS-PROFITABLY-AND-SAFELY.jpg)
Managing broodmares and foals profitably and safely
Broodmares and their foals are at high risk of stress, diseases and injuries if their management is suboptimal, says Dr Mac.
![Double cab's leisure features find favour](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/EdKvhkQ4V1725538815110/DOUBLE-CABS-LEISURE-FEATURES-FIND-FAVOUR.jpg)
Double cab's leisure features find favour
The GWM P500 2.0T HEV 4x4 Super Luxury AT has launched in South Africa, and the bakkie takes aim at the more premium, leisure-focused offerings from rival brands. Car Magazine's Marius Boonzaier writes.
![More fungal diseases that can infect beans](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/hGxapspAW1725538716535/MORE-FUNGAL-DISEASES-THAT-CAN-INFECT-BEANS.jpg)
More fungal diseases that can infect beans
Bill Kerr explains the symptoms of angular leaf spot and anthracnose and how to avoid infection in your fields.
![Keeping invasive insects at bay](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1820211/sCJt3-9so1725538531021/KEEPING-INVASIVE-INSECTS-AT-BAY.jpg)
Keeping invasive insects at bay
Featuring an array of delicious fruit from peaches to cherries, stone fruit is attractive to a variety of bugs that can be effectively controlled with integrated pest management, writes Zunel van Eeden.