Pollination research: a missing link in subtropical fruit production.
Toit A. P. du
Author Affiliation: Agricultural Unit, Plant Protection Research Institute, Private Pag X134, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
Acta Horticulturae : 239-243
Abstract : The results of a questionnaire on the status of pollination of subtropical crops in South Africa are presented. Information was obtained from Research Institutes on past and present research on pollination and 8 subtropical species were identified as needing further research (avocado, coffee, guava, granadilla, litchi, macadamia, mango and pawpaw). A survey of 40 selected farmers in Natal and Transvaal showed 75% offered pollination services while 33% used their fruit trees as a honey crop. Other non-subtropical crops were also pollinated and it was estimated that during 1986, of an estimated 60?000 pollinating units only 2000 were used in orchards containing subtropical crops. Generally there was very little information available on the pollination requirements for South African cultivars and progress would be hampered by lack of supporting scientific research.