A few weeks ago, Provar held its annual Information Day, bringing together industry partners, growers, and researchers to discuss Provar’s role in cultivar evaluation and its influence on the South African fruit industry.
At the heart of Provar’s work is a commitment to independent cultivar and rootstock evaluation — a process that enables growers to make data-informed decisions based on unbiased trialling across South Africa’s production climates. This impartial approach has become an essential tool for selecting the best varieties, rooted in years of objective, unbiased testing.
Peter Dall, a highly respected horticultural consultant with decades of experience in the deciduous fruit industry, presented on the risks of selecting untested cultivars, emphasising independent evaluation as an invaluable resource for minimising costly mistakes. By distinguishing between “Dogs” (cultivars with low commercial potential) and “Stars” (high-performing options), Provar provides growers with crucial data to support confident investments.
André Smit, Chair of Hortgro Stone, presented “Post-Cultivar Evaluation – What Are the Next Steps in Practice?”, offering growers practical guidance on using Provar’s evaluation results to enhance orchard outcomes.
His key recommendations:
- Engage with quality nursery stock:
Work with clean, true-to-type trees, and personally inspect nursery stock for quality. - Align with market demands:
Conduct semi-commercial trials to assess market fit and avoid trendy varieties that may not perform well over time. - Collaborate across the supply chain:
Cultivar choice should be a collaborative effort among marketers, growers, and technical experts to ensure long-term viability and market alignment.
At its core, Provar’s mission is to empower growers through knowledge and data. Each evaluation conducted reduces risk, improves outcomes, and contributes to a sustainable, resilient industry. Looking ahead, Provar’s dedication to independent, unbiased evaluation will continue to guide growers, ensuring the South African deciduous fruit industry thrives for generations to come.
Tristan serves as the CEO and Pome Rootstock Researcher at Provar. He holds a Master of Science in Horticultural Sciences from Stellenbosch University and specialises in the interactions between genotype and environment that affect adaptability in diverse production and management conditions. His research combines applied science with commercial horticulture, focusing on converting field-based evidence into practical information that supports decision-making for producers and industry stakeholders.