The avocado (Persea americana) fruit is characterized by its nutritious flesh, which contains an exceptionally high content of unsaturated oil (up to 20% to 30%, fresh weight), and its single large seed. Both the high oil content and the large seed require a high energy input, which is provided by carbohydrates derived from photosynthesis. Plant growth and carbon metabolism are, therefore, closely related since carbohydrates in the form of sucrose, supplies the primary source of building blocks and energy for the production and maintenance of the whole plant biomass. (Lui et al., 1999; Osorio et al., 2014). In our program of 28 June, Dr. Jakkie Stander of Philagro SA and Consultant for Agri Technovation talks about the measuring of carbohydrate levels in avocado orchards and how to manage those levels Tobie Jooste it the Business Information Manager of Cotton SA. He has some information on the BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) standard. The Bettor Cotton Initiative strives to transform cotton production from the ground up. They want cotton farmers to become more resilient to unpredictable climate conditions and be able to make a decent living from farming by producing Better Cotton – better for farmers, the environment, and the sector’s future. Dr. Gerhard Verdoorn, Operational and Stewardship Manager at Croplife SA gives feedback on the current Brown Locust outbreak in the Eastern Cape. The brown locust is endemic to South Africa and southern Namibia and must not be confused with the Desert Locust in East and North Africa. Farmers are urged to report outbreaks as soon as possible. Liezel de Klerk of Weltevreden Fig Farm tells us more about their farming enterprise. This fig farm is one of the oldest in the country and one of the fig trees is over 100 years old.
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