Southern Africa citrus research programme structure

Citrus research in southern Africa, largely funded by a levy on export cartons, is divided into four programmes. Three of these fall within the Research Division while the Cultivar Evaluation programme falls within the Cultivar Development Division.

Within each focused programme are several projects on particular problem areas identified by the citrus industry. A Project Coordinator oversees the research conducted within each project and this may be conducted at various institutions. Project Coordinators can also belong to different institutions. Within Citrus Research International (Pty) Ltd, Dr Tim Grout manages the Research Division and serves as deputy to the Chief Executive Officer, Prof Vaughan Hattingh who is based at the University of Stellenbosch .

CROP LOAD & FRUIT QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Market requirements have changed in the last 10 years and research to ensure that fruit of the correct quality and shelf-life is delivered to the market is essential. Research focus is primarily on pre- and post-harvest management of fruit quality and condition. Projects: > Crop load management > Fruit quality enhancement > Rind Condition

DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Pre- and Post-harvest Disease challenges that may or may not be of a phytosanitary nature are addressed in this programme. Projects: > Fruit & Foliar > Citrus black spot > Soilborne > Graft-transmissible > Post-harvest > Diagnostic centre

INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

Strategies to manage both indigenous and introduced pests using a biointensive approach, require continual modification as available plant protection products change, pest status or distribution changes and horticultural practices change. Projects: > Cosmetic pests > Fruit fly > Production pests > Biocontrol disruption > Mealybug & Phytosanitary pests > False codling moth

Citrus Research International
P O Box 28, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, 1200 South Africa
+27 13 759 8000