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THE FRUIT November 2016 GROWER

Quality coir is our business - Quality fruit is yours

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NoVeMBer 2016 • 3 oPiNioN The professionalism of our top fruit industry was fully displayed at the National Fruit Show and was rightly praised by Show President Michael Jack, a former government minister. This annual showcase undoubtedly helps us on the political front. Visiting officials from the DTI and DEFRA were impressed, and the message was underlined C O N T E N T S by taking competition fruit to DEFRA’s HQ for their Healthy Harvest Festival. We need to grab all this attention when there is so much at stake in the run up to News Page 4 negotiating Brexit with the EU. Thankfully the NFU Horticulture team is clear and concise on what the industry needs, and it is fortunate that Ali Capper, the Horticulture Board Chairman, is a fruit and hop grower who is a great ambassador Labour requirement Page 5 for the industry and was on hand at the Show to discuss issues. It is often forgotten just how much thought and passion goes into the smooth Fruit Culture Award Page 6 running of the National Fruit Show, a trade show like no other, due to the stunning display of competition fruit at its centre. With this year’s late season, the number of Secret Supper Page 7 entries was down, but it was encouraging to see so many novice entries and terrific wins from the under 40s. The Show runs with a great deal of enthusiasm from Craftsman’s Award Page 8 volunteers and splendid sponsorship from a variety of sources, and long may it remain so. National Fruit Show Page 9 Professionalism is paramount for soft fruit production too, and around 60% of UK strawberry crop production is now in substrates, with growers seeing huge benefits from reduced picking costs, greater yields, better uniformity, and higher quality. The Fruit competition Page 14 living wage and Brexit will create a quicker move to table-tops and covered substrate systems, according to Haygrove’s Angus Davison who predicts, “All berries Prizewinners Page 17 in the high-labour-cost UK will be grown in substrate systems within a decade, other than organic crops, a few PYOs, and perhaps a few larger enterprises in Scotland.” Gala Club Farm The report from the Gala Club Pre-harvest Meeting may convince you that there is no sense in planting trees with table-top branches if they are then removed to Walk Page 20 create a ‘run-through’ tree, that is shaped in the nursery by allowing the tree to grow upwards unchecked; the optimum tree stands 2m high at planting with weaker Research Briefing Page 24 potential fruiting branches from knee height to the top. Table-top strawberry THE FRUIT GROWER IS PUBLISHED BY production Page 25 LION HOUSE, CHURCH STREET MAIDSTONE, KENT ME14 1EN TEL: 01622 695656 FAX: 01622 663733 e-mail: [email protected]

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F News F 4 New bid to save Southwell’s original 200-year-old Bramley tree in a race against time, a last-ditch attempt to save the inc. recently joined forces with BioActive to form the new original 200-year-old Bramley apple tree at Southwell in Anglo-American enterprise Singlobet Ltd. Nottinghamshire has been launched at a food-and-drink The new bid to save the tree, and to produce clones as a festival to celebrate the town’s apple heritage. fail-safe back-up and to develop a research centre, is being The tree was grown from a single pip planted between 1809 supported by a £500,000 crowdfunding campaign that is and 1815 by a young girl - Mary Ann Brailsford - in a cottage being launched on the we fund Any Charity website (‘Save the garden in the shadow of the 14th Century Southwell Minster original Bramley apple tree’ at www.wefundanycharity.com). and Cathedral where the festival was held on 22 october. All “The offspring of this original, wonderful old Bramley apple tree attempts to save the historic ‘mother’ tree from a honey fungus are grown all over the world – it is estimated more than two infection have so far failed and experts fear that it can only million of them - and it would be thrilling and rewarding to survive for another two years at most. think that we might be able to save it. it would really be a “it is really very much a race against time but we are tragedy if it died,” said Mr Noar. optimistic that a chemical that we have developed could Certainly the grand old tree is already a great survivor. Some eradicate the fungus that is slowly killing the tree,” says Guy years ago it was blown down in a storm but managed to re- eatch, managing director of Nottingham-based BioActive root itself and continue to produce its annual crop. Bioscientist environmental Technologies Ltd. “we are planning to spray the Prof. Ted Cocking of Nottingham university, who has studied tree with a unique molecule called SingloTex that when the tree for many years, said that he is now convinced that the activated by light produces a potent, high-energy form of new chemical compound is “worthwhile testing… with good oxygen, called singlet oxygen, that is anti-fungal, anti-microbial, chance of success.” anti-bacterial and anti-viral. it has amazing properties. But Guy eatch said that in return for their generosity, people who before we treat the actual tree we will be carrying out tests on contributed substantial sums to the Bramley tree appeal via the several small Bramley trees and assessing those results. our website would be rewarded with a miniature bonsai version of plan is to start treating the original tree as soon as this research the tree. “People from all over the world have shown an is complete. we also intend to use some other innovative interest in saving this tree, especially in Japan where they really BioActive environmental chemicals to treat the roots of the tree love Bramley apples,” he said. it is also planned to install where there is no light.” monitoring systems on and around the tree in the cottage SingloTex was invented by a distinguished British scientist, garden so that the public can monitor the progress of the Barry Noar, now living in California, whose company Singlogen campaign. rob Saunders appointed Chair of AhDB Top fruit Panel rob Saunders of hutchinsons has been appointed Chair of competition for this position. Gary Taylor MBe, Chair of AhDB the AhDB Top fruit Panel. Mike hutchinson of hutchinsons horticulture Board, says that rob will represent the interests of says that this is a great accolade for rob as there was strong the tree fruit industry on the Board, ensuring that future research reflects the needs of uK tree fruit growers. “The Tree fruit Panel is made up of AhDB levy payers who develop and maintain a tree fruit research strategy. rob’s role will involve leading the Panel to identify solutions to production problems faced by apple, pear, plum, cherry, nut and other tree fruits grown in the uK,” says Gary.

The Fruit Grower is a member of the independent Press Standards organisation that regulates the uK’s magazine and newspaper industry. we abide by the editors’ Code of Practice and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. if you think that we have not met those standards and want to make a complaint, please contact Chris Tanton, editor, at [email protected] or telephone 01622 695656. if we are unable to resolve your complaint, or if you would like more information about iPSo or the editors’ Code, please contact iPSo on 0300 123 2220 or visit www.ipso.co.uk.

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F News F 5 NFU stresses urgent need for access to labour to Home Office The Nfu has impressed upon the home office the urgent need industry will contract and imports will increase. This goes against for a substantial trial of a Seasonal Agricultural Permit Scheme for everything the public tell us about wanting to support British non-eu workers in the 2017 season in a recent meeting. farmers and wanting to see more British food on supermarket Nfu horticulture Board chairman Ali Capper told robert shelves. we’re already experiencing a shortfall in eu workers Goodwill, Minister of State for immigration, that this trial is resulting from long-term declines, and exacerbated by the essential to mitigate the shortfall in eu workers available to work referendum outcome. we urgently need a substantial trial of a on British farms. Seasonal Agricultural Permit Scheme for non-eu workers in 2017. After the meeting Mrs Capper said: “The industry has very we are satisfied that the home office has a full understanding of specific needs for labour in agriculture and horticulture and the how important access to a competent, flexible and reliable Nfu is already in discussions with Government on this. workforce is for food production. however, without basic horticulture alone needs around 80,000 seasonal workers to pick assurances from Government that this labour will be accessible in and pack fruit and vegetables, and plant crops across the future, grower businesses face huge uncertainty and are delaying country. This is expected to rise to 95,000 by 2021, based on investment in British production.” today’s growth projections. “our message to the home office was simple: without workers to produce iconic British crops the Correction hutchinsons appointed sole uK The trials hosted by fAST exploring calcium mobilisation and increased shelf-life, reported in the october issue of The Fruit agents for Carolus fruit trees Grower, were sponsored by Lallemand Plant Care as well as by At the National fruit Show, Vincent reniers of Carolus Trees iCL. The osmo-regulator intraCell is a Lallemand Plant Care from Belgium shook hands with Mike hutchinson of product exclusively marketed in the uK and ireland by iCL. hutchinsons to confirm the appointment of the specialist fruit intraCell is predominantly applied aerially onto foliage, flowers industry distributor as the fruit tree producer’s soles agents in and fruit which can, along with other useful outcomes, help to the uK. improve shelf-life by boosting calcium uptake. “Carolus strive to breed and cultivate the best fruit trees that will exceed growers’ expectations,” says Vincent, who will be responsible for sales, technical support and after-sales service in the uK. he explains that Carolus Trees, based in Niewerkerken, has a philosophy of being the best and he wants to bring this to the uK. Mike hutchinson says that this fits Healthy & Vigorous Plants ideally with hutchinsons, who also strive to be the best in the arena of technical advice and agronomy for fruit growers. “we are good partners with a similar approach to business,” he says.

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F News F 6 eMrA/AhDB horticulture event to update soft fruit growers on research The eMr Association and AhDB horticulture are hosting a include research into aphid control on strawberry, two-spotted technical update for the soft fruit industry on wednesday 23 spider mite and blackberry leaf midge control in raspberry, the November at the orchards events Venue, NiAB eMr, east repeated use of fungicides on the predatory mite Neoseiulus Malling, Kent. The event will provide some of the latest results cucumeris, pheromone trap development for sawflies in bush from a wide range of crop protection projects currently being fruit, blackcurrant herbicides and new research into vine weevil funded by AhDB horticulture for soft fruit growers. control. in addition to the crop protection research, there will There will be a special focus on the control of spotted wing be a presentation into precision fertigation in substrate-grown drosophila and western flower thrips, while delegates will also strawberry. learn about Thrips fuscipennis, another species of thrips that Anyone wishing to attend the event should contact the appears to be damaging to strawberry. other presentations will events department at AhDB at [email protected]. The worshipful Company of fruiterers fruit Culture Award presented to rob Saunders in recognition of the vitally positive influence he has exerted in making the presentation, Past Master Dawes concluded on the blackcurrant industry, rob Saunders of hutchinsons by saying, “rob has always been held in high esteem by the was presented with the annual fruit Culture Award by Mr blackcurrant growers he has served. he has acted as a Sandys Dawes, Past Master of the worshipful Company of fulcrum for the industry, ensuring that everyone involved works fruiterers, at the National fruit Show on 20 october. together for the early in his career rob worked as a crop protection specialist common goals for Pertwee Twyman, a company that has merged several of increasing times and is now part of Agrii. 13 years ago rob took up a new yields, fruit post with Glaxo SmithKline, as GSK ribena Blackcurrant quality and Agronomist. in that role he worked very closely with the ultimately juice company’s blackcurrant growers, visiting them all regularly and quality for the ensuring they were fully briefed on the latest technology and end consumer; developments. he worked closely with the Blackcurrant he is a truly Growers Association, co-ordinating a research programme deserving addressing the most pressing production problems, and with recipient of the the blackcurrant breeding programme at James hutton fruit Culture institute. Award”. David Shapley I was extremely saddened by the news that David Shapley had passed away recently. David was the doyen of fresh produce journalists for many years and was highly regarded, not only as a fine writer and editor but also as one of the most knowledgeable and influential commentators of his generation. I first knew David in 1990 when he wrote about a novel initiative to introduce fresh English apples to the convenience food sector. Thereafter, we communicated regularly about developments in the apples and pears industry. He was always interested but searching in his questioning and not satisfied until he had uncovered the full background. He was very generous in providing advice based on years of experience of products, packs and companies. This was of great assistance, not just to me but to many others who benefited from his wise counsel. In recent years, I spent many happy hours in his company at various events, and his regular reports about new developments in the fresh produce industry, frequently complemented by summaries of previous developments, were insightful and highly informative. It was a tribute to his continuing interest in fresh produce, his thirst for knowledge and his active mind that he continued in his career of journalism for so many years. David will be remembered with much affection and respect. He was a good friend to many in the industry and he will be missed very greatly. Adrian Barlow Chairman, English Apples & Pears Ltd

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F News F 7 A Secret Supper for food bloggers in a Kent orchard Can you keep a secret? This was the intriguing invitation that Adventures in fruit sent to food bloggers and Tweeters across the country who write about their lives and enthusiasm for good food on social media. in late September they found their way, along with fruit industry representatives, growers and M&S buyers, to Simon Bray’s Monks farm near faversham, Kent to celebrate the launch of the 2016 British apple and pear season. worldwide fruit and M&S chose Simon because his family farm has won many awards including ‘Britain’s Tastiest Apple’. As the sun was setting, after the guests had been given an insight into fruit growing with a tour of the orchards, everyone returned to an impressively decorated marquee for an apple and pear-themed fruit supper overseen by celebrity TV chef Marcus Bean. Throughout the event the ‘foodie’ bloggers were busy taking pictures and video, and asking questions about how apples are grown and harvested. These would be used later to add to their recording of the event on blogs and Tweets for their followers on social media. often their background knowledge was lamentably poor, including amazement that we could pick the entire commercial crop by hand, but everyone was very grateful to have their knowledge improved and questions answered. one blogger admitted, “it’s fair to say it was a collision of two very different worlds! The sunset tour over the orchard was not only incredibly beautiful, but it started to unravel what this event was all about. each of the growers talked about the relentless work that goes into growing that apple in your fruit bowl.” A Question and Answer session with a panel of growers at the end of the evening was much appreciated. As one blogger wrote later, “it was lovely to get an insight into their life and work; for example, every time it hails an apple grower’s crop can be reduced from being a crop worth a million quid down to just 100,000. i’ll never look at hailstones in the same way”. Another blogger wrote, “it was such a random evening, when bloggers and farmers collided, but we loved the opportunity to meet some wonderful characters, and enjoy the delicious food.”

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F News F 8 The worshipful Company of fruiterers Craftsman’s Award presented to Melinda Milyan Melinda Milyan was presented with the fruiterers This Award is not presented every year, but whenever it is Craftsman’s Award by Mr Sandys Dawes, Past Master of the merited, to recognise conspicuous craftsmanship and the worshipful Company of fruiterers, at the National fruit Show exercise of practical skills in fruit growing. on 20 october. Melinda’s career with George Thompson Ltd of Great oakley started on vegetable harvesting rigs. when the farm diversified into fruit seven years ago Melinda became enthusiastically involved in all aspects of orchard planning, production and harvesting; she is now responsible for pruning, crop walking and harvesting of apples, pears, apricots, plums, hardy kiwis and figs. without her mastery of Dutch influenced pruning techniques, the farm would not have been able to achieve record-breaking pear yields in recent years. in making the presentation Past Master Dawes concluded by saying, “Melinda is conscientious at passing on her expertise to her team, and has an open-minded approach to innovation; she is precisely the kind of person this Award was designed to celebrate”.

Pressing ahead with investment Biddenden Vineyards has unveiled its brand new, state-of- year. Admission is free of charge and anyone wishing to see the-art belt press, which was installed for the 2016 harvest to the press is welcome to turn up from 10am till 5pm Monday to increase juice and cider making capabilities at the third- friday, or can book onto one of the Saturday morning free generation family-owned estate situated at Biddenden in Kent. tours at 10am, or for a more in-depth and personal experience, The Voran double belt press can press 7,000 kg/hour, with can book a private guided tour. the twin-belt system producing very high juice yields of up to for more information please visit 80%, and a rotary belt cleaning brush system for reduced www.biddendenvineyards.com or phone 01580 291726. water consumption. The press, together with a Voran bin tipper and a Voran mill, all supplied by Vigo Ltd, are the result of a £250,000 investment into the cider and juice making facilities at Biddenden Vineyards. As well as catering for its own juice and cider production, which totals around 400,000 litres annually, Biddenden also carries out contract work for several juice and cider producers, thus helping to elevate the quality and choice available in the local drinks sector. Managing Director at Biddenden Vineyards, Julian Barnes, comments: “we are impressed with the new press, which is actually the first belt press of its kind in the whole country. it forms part of a long-term investment plan for the juice and cider side of the business along with the installation of a new cross-flow micro-filtration system.” Biddenden Vineyards is open daily to visitors throughout the

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F National f ruit Show F 9 National fruit Show 2016 report by Joanna wood n his introduction to this year’s National fruit Show, Show President, the right honourable Michael Jack, praised the iquality of the 100-plus stands, the professionalism of the industry and the excellence of the fruit on display. in the post- referendum world, he spoke of the challenges and opportunities for the industry in the next few years as we head for Brexit. The hardworking Show team had risen to the challenge yet again to provide a showcase for the uK’s fruit industry and the sponsors had helped to keep the 83-year- old tradition going. Chairman Sarah Calcutt said that the fruit display was looking amazing this year with the best spread of entries for many years. fewer restrictions meant that there were 15 entries in class 12 - Any other Variety - with the results this year placing Junami (96.25 points) in fourth place; Cheerful Gold (96.75 points) in third place; Braeburn ‘Mariri’ (97.25 points) in second place; and Jonagored (97.25 points) in first place. it was encouraging to see 12 entries in the Novice Class 20, and throughout the competitions there were numerous first-time winners.

Post-referendum priorities fruit and hop grower Ali Capper, Nfu horticulture and Potatoes Board Chairman, was on hand on the first day of the Show, keen to discuss with growers the whole programme of post-referendum initiatives being developed by the Nfu. She summarised the four priorities as: labour availability, trade, plant health and crop protection. Labour was the top priority for all growers; many having been reporting a rapid change in the availability of seasonal labour from the eu during the second half of this year as the currency devaluation and the ‘you are not welcome’ message affected workers who would have come here to pick fruit, causing them to change plans and go to work in italy, Germany and france. The Nfu is hoping to get an agreement from the home office for a trial of a permit scheme to employ labour from outside the eu next year to fill the gap. This will be no mean task, judging by Ali’s comment “wish me luck”. Another issue, separate from seasonal labour concerns, is the granting of ‘right to remain’ for eu citizens currently in full-time middle management positions on British farms. The often-asked question about sourcing local labour is well known to the industry, but Ali pointed to the low unemployment figures that show that there is a labour shortage in this country, as a further argument. on trade, Ali Capper was clear that the Nfu is lobbying for free access to markets inside and outside the eu. The positive impact of the Producer organisation scheme on the

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F National f ruit Show F 10

region. we will also take a selection of the fruit to DefrA’s healthy harvest festival at Nobel house, westminster that was so successful last year. A city farm harvest festival and Ashford Vineyard church in Kent will also be receiving fruit. The remainder will be used for tasting sessions with Kent Primary school children through our education programme.” Now in its fifth year, the education Programme run by Samantha Smith on behalf of the Marden fruit Show Society, provides industry in the last 10 or 12 years has been massive, so it is interactive classroom visits important to stress to government that Pos are essential and that demonstrate how point out what investment is needed. Plant health in a post- versatile and exciting a year in the life of an apple tree can be Brexit future must not be too complex for trade to take as a primary school classroom topic. The children get the place, but must protect us from pests and diseases. Crop opportunity to taste different varieties of apple and make their protection issues will depend on what settlement we get. if own apple juice. The visit culminates in the school receiving an there is a free trade deal with the eu very little will change, apple tree to plant in its grounds. The Programme is supported but if not, these issues will be dealt with wholly within the by Loddington farm, Avalon Produce Ltd, AC Goatham & Son uK. and Tesco. further sponsors would lead to more children being reached. During the coming year it is planned that 5,000 Post-Show activity children will receive the message. Post-Show activity for the use of the competition fruit is a Married to Paul Smith and so a member of Loddington f feature of the event, to promote english fruit to the public. This arm’s fruit-growing family, Samantha is a passionate educator year the Show’s ‘festival of British fruit’ team will be ensuring who has devised a range of downloadable teaching materials that competition fruit benefits the Society’s own education including her new teachers’ pack for Key Stage 2 - “A year in Programme. Maria Clarke, Show organiser said, “we have the life of an apple tree”. The annual cycle of an apple tree may visited some amazing places throughout the country and have not be on the National Curriculum for Key Stage 2 as obviously w w ii spoken to thousands of consumers. This year we are going to as ‘The Tudors’ and ‘ orld ar ’, but it is an inspiring topic donate a portion of the fruit to fareShare Kent, an organisation that covers lots of areas of the curriculum in a wide variety of that redistributes surplus food to charities and community subjects; most obviously, it covers important components of he ◆ organisations working with disadvantaged people across the science and PS ’s healthy eating. Blueberry-Plants t

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F National f ruit Show F 11 New fruit growing technology on display at National fruit Show Malcolm withnall reports

iven that today’s trends in fruit growing will be shaped by covering systems based on european practices, it was encouraging to see high concrete posts and Gprominent european businesses at the National fruit wires, carrying either hail- Show for the first time. nets or other crop German metal fabricator Metasa revealed its range of protection fabrics for high- polytunnels and covering systems, and harvesting aids for value top fruit and vine tunnel-grown crops. Many German growers contend with five crops such as cherries, metres of wet snow annually, and the company’s Metapat apricots and wine grapes. system features strong 60mm tubing, and costs around €6.5 per The systems cost €15,000- sqm, including all materials. The tunnels are delivered as a kit to 20,000/ha. be assembled on the Claire Seymour of NP farm, in various spans and Seymour Ltd has secured a sizes. unique new alliance with Jan willem van Giessen felco becoming the first uK of Van Giessen Service and Support international offered Centre, along with a direct innovative modern dealership for felco’s technologies for intensive felcotronic 811 battery- tree training systems with powered, lightweight secateurs that in time could easily become steel replacements for the industry’s standard tool with its 35mm cut, rapid response today’s systems and a capacity to improve pruning performance. employing bamboo and for commercial fruit growers and juice producers, Core concrete posts. The steel equipment offered a range of fruit and juice processing verticals were forged with equipment including apple juice lines, fruit puree production clips to accommodate equipment and apple crisp dryers. Core has supplied equipment wires, and are guaranteed to some of the largest companies in the juice, cider, wine, beer for 60 years. The and spirit-making industries, including Gh Dean, Chase Distillery company also offered a and Chapel Down. with a large range of equipment of varying system using tubular V- capacities, there is an assortment of technology for any struts made of an aluminium/zinc alloy that was particularly commercial fruit grower or drink manufacturer at Core interesting for pear growers adopting intensive V-systems. equipment. fruit Security holland (a subsidiary of fruit Security Gmbh with information technology making a major impact on the fruit from Austria) was represented by Gerben van Veldhuizen and Teus de Jong. They exhibited various tried and tested crop

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industry it was inevitable that it would be in evidence at the vehicles. Show. Affinitus, based near Sittingbourne, Kent, offered field-to- with continued investment around the fruit growing industry in shelf delivery and tracking systems suited not only to fruit improved facilities, it was reassuring that both Scorpion growers, but also to retailers, hospitals and schools. having engineering Construction from Marlborough in wiltshire and installed systems at Avalon Produce Ltd and Cottage farms, the company is familiar with the supply-chain needs of the industry, offering Agrilogik, Chef-serve, foodlogic and freshware Systems to more than 230 clients in the uK. Select Technology is based at Paddock wood, Kent and offered an iT service that eliminates confusion, with jargon-free advice that fits the systems to the business and vice-versa. The company’s strategy is focused on people within a business and is a fully strategic engagement. with 10 machines already operating at AC Goatham & Son, Prins forklifts uK Ltd, based at hythe in Kent, offer the Tiger XL and the Boxer iii as the models most suited to the fruit growing industry. These machines are versatile and agile, and more economical than equivalent rough terrain four-wheel-drive

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Shufflebottom Ltd from Llanelli in South wales offer the primary service for all installations. one of their major customers is fabrication of farm buildings. Scorpion handles the complete Clockhouse farm at Coxheath near Maidstone, Kent. processes until installation without employing subcontractors, Chase organics exhibited a range of seaweed extracts. The and are undertaking a new project at Peter Kedge’s Victoria company’s Bernard Courtney manages their range of plant farm, near hadlow, Kent. Shufflebottom has completed projects growth stimulants that can be used across a range of tree fruits at ian overy’s business near Goudhurst, Kent and at soft fruit and vines, stimulating plants biotically and abiotically throughout producers hall-hunter and John Deering. the season to address plant stresses through the presence of A welcome addition to the supply of irrigation equipment is glycine betaine. with a high content of auxins, cytokinins and Kent’s T-Mex express, offering a vast array of irrigation supplies gibberellins, Chase organics’ SM6 product has a powerful from a wide range of manufacturers. T-Mex also offers a repair impact on plants. ◆

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F National f ruit Show F 14 winners galore and success for organic apples by Joanna wood espite lower numbers of entries due to the late harvest, the competition fruit once again remains the heart of the DNational fruit Show. There were 127 entries for top fruit classes 1 to 21 from 37 exhibitors. The prize money runs to over £10,000 in value, so it’s good to see that novice entries were up and the competition organisers were pleased at the wide range of winners this year. The headline apple variety successes, that receive the most media coverage, were Bramley, as Best in Show with 99/100 points for veteran show entrant Annette Bardsley, and organic apple growers, Mole end farms, winner of the Tastiest Apple Competition, sponsored by The Fruit Grower, with rubinstep. The Marden fruit Show Society (the Society) Chairman of Judges, Brian Tompsett, introduced several innovations this year, including expanding the judging team, plus a couple of changes to the Competition schedule. former east Malling researcher Neil hipps was one of the new judges and his first impression was the large number of people needed to examine the entries to reach perfection, the time required being freely given by volunteers. Neil was also struck by how seriously the process is taken, with the emphasis on trying to be both consistent and fair across all categories. Andrew Tinsley, newly appointed Vice-Chairman of the Society, discovered that his job included the task of who were genuinely surprised to win,” commented Andrew. fu e telephoning the winners on the night before the Show. he had 20 Bardsley and Sons won the coveted N South- ast ‘Best in people to call and found it an unexpected pleasure. “There was Show’ with an entry of Bramley gaining 99 points from a possible such a great reaction from people, particularly younger winners, 100 and, amongst several other prizes, also won the Taste of Kent Awards tastiest apple competition. Annette Bardsley has been a winner for many years and her tips for success are “Never polish Bramleys and wear cotton gloves to prevent bruising”. She also says that nothing beats spending hours in the orchard to select the fruit. her winning ‘Mariri’ Braeburn entry was picked at the last moment to get the best colour. Not everything went her way this year as the judges knocked off four points for poor skin quality for her rubens. however, as Annette says, “i’ll ask for guidance from the judges to learn for next year.” Nigel Bardsley says that the win for Bramley is great for the variety as grubbing has been a feature of the last few years due to poor returns. he said, “Now, hopefully, we have a balanced supply and demand, so prices will reflect this and growers will be encouraged to carry on growing our unique cooking apple”. The

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Media interest in the organic apple success led to television new Mariri clone of Braeburn has impressed Nigel as it can be interviews such as the one with iTV News that asked the harvested in one go rather than over two picks. This is important question, “why do your apples taste so good?” Paul’s reply was, u for import substitution as most Braeburn is imported, but K fruit “They’re grown under an organic regime with great attention to e is better than the uropean product in terms of colour and taste, soil and plant health using natural organic products”. he makes u so it will encourage more K-grown fruit. an economic point about organic growing: for 60ha he employs seven people full-time as well as two directors, but it would be Organic apples win again fewer on a conventional fruit farm. The business does all its own A feature this year was the number of new entrants, many growing, picking, storage, grading and packing. This high labour involving people under 40, which is exactly what the industry requirement is one of the reasons why organic fruit requires needs. Class 20 under 40 Dessert apple – The Sue Daly Novice higher prices. A new and growing outlet for the farm’s organic trophy, was won for the second year running by Nicoleta ionita, Class ii apples is as juice for London Juice Bars that are growing farm manager at Mole end farms, this time for their Spartan that in popularity. also won a first prize in Class 18. with their success in the Tastiest Apple Competition with rubinstep (a scab resistant Other competition winners e f w Czech variety) Mole nd arm’s owner Paul ard was glowing More success for younger growers came with Kelly Ann Shears u with pride. This variety is marketed in the K as ‘Blaze’ due to its who won several prizes including the David Burd Memorial Trophy fiery red colour and Paul grew 100 tonnes this year that went to selected Tesco stores in their organic apple range. This was another impressive win for the only organic farm to enter, particularly as a second year of winning shows consistency for this 20-year-old organic fruit farm, near Staplehurst, Kent. Paul considers that his crop protection success is due to a combination of a weed-free environment with careful mechanical weeding, sprays of seaweed-based biostimulants and the strict use of computer models to get the timing right for the application of low rate sulphur and potassium bicarbonate products. Nicoleta ionata had 13 years of conventional top-fruit growing before getting the job at Mole end farms three years ago. She dedicated her win this year to Mike and Dorothy Pullen. “Mike has been my mentor – he’s passed all his knowledge to me, we call him ‘Dad’ on the farm.” The winning Spartan came from an orchard that Mike planted 33 years ago and grew conventionally until the farm was converted to organic production when Paul ward too it over. Nicoleta emphasises the team work involved with the win, but admits that “hard work and a love for the fruit” helps. Mike just says, “She’s a clever girl and very dedicated”.

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for the entrant with the most points in Classes 18/19/20/21. This year she beat her proud grandfather David Banfield as he missed out on first prizes, but did won the coveted Bonanza Prize for the second time. Now a mother herself, Kelly Ann first won a prize at the Show when she was seven and learnt her skills while sitting with her grandfather at the selection table from an early age. There were 14 qualifiers for the Bonanza Prize draw sponsored by wealden AM who provide the rural sector with steel structure ‘design and build’ solutions. Managing Director rob Kendall says, “There are so many unsung heroes in this industry and as a company involved in infrastructure projects it is great to award the Bonanza Prize.” David Banfield and three others will enjoy a

delighted when told of his win, “That’s great news, i had no expectations of winning”. in the pear classes Agrii did well, winning the Bayer rose Bowl for the Best exhibit of Pears, among others. Colin Bird was delighted that their entry, grown on the Agrii ifarm at NiAB eMr gained the highest points in all pear classes with a total score of 97.5. Selected and packed by Diana Day – a veteran of the fruit Show – this is the third year in which Agrii have entered fruit, weekend away at the english wine Centre in east Sussex, set in gaining improved placings each year. Colin says that the success the South Downs National Park, sampling english wines and shows that although a trials site, the ifarm at east Malling good food. produces commercial fruit grown to a standard that allows them After success in her first year of competition last year, Clive to submit winning entries to the fruit Show. “we’re not risking Baxter’s sister Alison Cannon took four firsts this year for Jazz, customer’s fruit with trials work by using the ifarm, but we do run pears and egremont russet. Miller and Bradley won the roderic it on commercial lines” he says. They also won first prize for Cox Sarson Memorial Trophy for the Best exhibit of Dessert Apples in Class 4, winning the Landseer prize. with their Gala and the fruiterers Company medal for the Most The prize for the heaviest Single Apple, weighing 1064g, went Meritorious exhibit of Dessert Apples. David Bradley was to Derrick May (farms) Ltd and the heaviest Single Pear - 942g - went to L. Stevens & Sons. for the five heaviest Apples Derrick All current and promising new varieties strawberry plants, raspberry plants and asparagus plants May (farms) won with Bramley at 5,108g, and L Stevens & Sons won the five heaviest Pears with 3616g of Celebration. winners in the Soft fruit Classes were Clockhouse farm, near Maidstone, Kent for everbearer strawberries and blackberries, LONGCANE MODULE WB i h plug tray and AJ & C Snell of erefordshire for raspberries. As usual the standard and number of trade stands at the 2016 Show made it a difficult and time-consuming job for the judges, FRIGO fresh who commented on the excellent quality. Agrii this year won Best Trade Stand with their custom-built stand that reflects the company’s commitment to British growers. Kirkland uK won the Midden Peelweg 10 NL-5966 RE AMERICA T +31 (0)77 464 81 00 F 31 (0)77 464 81 01 Best Machinery Stand and Adventures in fruit won the Best [email protected] www.vissers.com Small Stand. ◆

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F National f ruit Show F 17 National Fruit Show Prize Winners 2016 GROWER POINTS PRIZE or TROPHY AWARDED FOR Agrii 97.5 The Bayer Rose Bowl Best exhibit of pears (Conference) Agrii 97.5 The Fruiterers Company Medal The most meritorious exhibit of pears Agrii 94.75 Landseer Prize Class 4 Cox Agrii 94.75 Prize Money: The Asplins Producer Organisation Ltd Class 4 Cox Agrii 94.75 Systhane Cup Class 4 Cox 70mm+ Agrii 97.5 AMG Trophy Class 14 Conference Agrii 97.5 Wilkins Kennedy FKC Prize Class 14 Conference Agrii South East Farmer Best Open Space Stand AJ Snell 89 CPM Ltd Trophy Class 32 ‐ raspberries (Kweli) AJ Snell 89 F Edmed & Sons Prize Class 32 ‐ raspberries Bardsley & Sons 99 The NFU Prize Best all round exhibit in Show Bardsley & Sons 99 The Roderic Sarson Memorial Trophy Best all round exhibit of apples Bardsley & Sons 99 The Podger Norton Trophy Best exhibit of culinary apples Bardsley & Sons 99 The Fruiterers Company Medal* The most meritorious exhibit of culinary apples Bardsley & Sons 99 The Fyffes Salver Best exhibit of Bramley Bardsley & Sons 99 The Twyman Prize (Agrii Ltd) Class 1 Bramley Bardsley & Sons 99 Prize Money: Wealden AM Class 1 Bramley Bardsley & Sons 99 The Alfred Shread Challenge Cup Class 1 Bramley Bardsley & Sons 97.75 The Squire Salver Class 2 Bramley Bardsley & Sons 97.75 The Avalon Produce Ltd Prize Class 2 Bramley Bardsley & Sons 97.75 Prize Money: Marden NFU Class 2 Bramley Bardsley & Sons 97.75 The WASP Bin Trophy Class 11 Braeburn Bardsley & Sons 97.75 Worldwide Fruit Ltd Prize Class 11 Braeburn Clive & Richard Edmed 1224.5 The Winch Memorial Challenge Cup Exhibitor gaining the highest points total for Weald of Kent Clive & Richard Edmed 1224.5 The Fiennes Cornwallis Trophy Exhibitor gaining the highest total of points in all classes Clock House Farm 83 Berry Gardens Prize Class 31 ‐ Everbearer strawberries Clock House Farm 90.5 TBC Class 33 ‐ Blackberries Clock House Farm 90.5 TBC Class 33 ‐ Blackberries Derrick May (Farms) Ltd 5108g Channel Weighing Five heaviest apples (Bramley) Derrick May (Farms) Ltd 1064g Channel Weighing Single Heaviest Apple Elverton Farms 1218 The John Thwaites Challenge Bowl Exhibitor gaining the highest points total for all exhibits in all classes (restricted to exhibits grown in Kent, north of the M20) Elverton Farms Ltd 279.5 The John Acock Memorial Rosebowl Exhibitor with most points Elverton Farms Ltd 82 The Rural Planning Practice Class 51 ‐ any other variety of cobnuts Elverton Farms Ltd 82 Prize Money: Associate PBFIG Class 51 ‐ any other variety of cobnuts Farmcare Trading Ltd 29.75 The Dan Wuille Cup Exhibit of culinary apples showing the best colour and skin for variety FW Mansfield & Son 96.25 Segro Salver Class 16 ‐ any other variety of pear FW Mansfield & Son 96.25 NFU Sittingbourne Prize Class 16 ‐ any other variety of pear FW Mansfield & Son 96.25 Prize Money: Hadlow College Class 16 ‐ any other variety of pear

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F National f ruit Show F 18 GROWER POINTS PRIZE or TROPHY AWARDED FOR G.H. Chambers and Son 97.75 A R Piller Challenge Cup Class 6 Rubens G.H. Chambers and Son 97.75 The Avalon Produce Ltd Prize Class 6 Rubens J L Baxter and Son 96.5 Fuller Water Systems Trophy Class 7 Jazz J L Baxter and Son 96.5 Worldwide Fruit Ltd Prize Class 7 Jazz J L Baxter and Son 98 Foreman Salver Class 9 Russets Egremont or St Edmunds J L Baxter and Son 98 The Fruit Grower Prize Class 9 Russets Egremont or St Edmunds J L Baxter and Son 95 Ernest White Cup Class 13 Comice J L Baxter and Son 95 Richard Hochfeld Prize Class 13 Comice J L Baxter and Son 95 Prize Money: Lambert & Foster Class 13 Comice J L Baxter and Son 94.25 East Kent Packers Cup Class 15 Concorde J L Baxter and Son 94.25 UNIVEG UK Prize Class 15 Concorde Kelly‐Anne Shears 97 The JP Fruit Distributors Cup Best exhibit of Cox’s Orange Pippin or any sport in Class 20 Kelly‐Anne Shears 568.75 The David Burd Memorial Trophy Entrant with the most points in Classes 18/19/20/21 Kelly‐Anne Shears 95.75 Horticultural Container Wine Goblets Class 19 Pears, classes 13‐16 Kelly‐Anne Shears 95.75 The ICA Ltd Prize Class 19 Pears, classes 13‐16 Kelly‐Anne Shears 95 The Arthur Goatham Memorial Trophy Class 21 Bramley Apple entrants under 40 Kelly‐Anne Shears 95 The AC Goatham & Son Prize Class 21 Bramley Apple entrants under 40 Kirkland UK South East Farmer Best Machinery Stand L Stevens & Sons 3616g Realprint & Media Ltd Five heaviest pears (Celebration) L Stevens & Sons 942g Realprint & Media Ltd Single Heaviest Pear Littlechild & Son Ltd 96.5 The John Henshall Salver Best exhibit of any dessert apple grown in the UK outside Kent Littlechild & Son Ltd 96.5 Agrovista Regional Champion Cup Growers with most points from Eastern Counties Loddington Farm 96.75 The John Breach Award Best exhibit of Cheerfull Gold Loddington Farm 97 Dufaylite Developments Cup Class 17 ‐ any other variety of culinary apple Loddington Farm 97 Wealden AM Prize Class 17 ‐ any other variety of culinary apple Mallions Farm 97.25 George Harlow Cup Class 12 ‐ any other variety of dessert apple Mallions Farm 97.25 Invicta Petroleum Shield Class 12 ‐ any other variety of dessert apple Mallions Farm 97.25 New Spitalfields Market Prize Class 12 ‐ any other variety of dessert apple Miller & Bradley 98.25 The Stokes Bomford Rose Bowl Best exhibit of dessert apples Miller & Bradley 98.25 The Fruiterers Company Medal The most meritorious exhibit of dessert apples Miller and Bradley 98.25 Pask Cornish & Smart Cup Class 8 Gala Miller and Bradley 98.25 Greencell Ltd Prize Class 8 Gala Mole End Organics 98.25 The W Bruce Challenge Cup Best exhibit of any dessert apple variety excluding Cox or any sport thereof Mole End Organics 98 The R Mitchell Challenge Cup Best Exhibit of any dessert apple variety introduced after 2000 Mole End Organics 96 Henshall Rose Bowl Class 18 Dessert Apples classes 4 ‐ 10 Mole End Organics 96 The FP Matthews Prize Class 18 Dessert Apples classes 4 ‐ 10 Mole End Organics 96 Prize Money: ICA Ltd Class 18 Dessert Apples classes 4 ‐ 10 Mole End Organics 98.25 The Sue Daly Novice Trophy Class 20 Dessert Apples entrants under 40 Mole End Organics 98.25 Haynes Agricultural Prize Class 20 Dessert Apples entrants under 40 Mole End Organics 98.25 Prize Money: DSH Ltd Class 20 Dessert Apples entrants under 40 Mole End Organics Prize Money: The Fruit Grower Tastiest apple (Rubinstep) Newmafruit Farms Ltd 98 Cornwallis Cup Class 10 Cameo Newmafruit Farms Ltd 98 The Avalon Produce Ltd Prize Class 10 Cameo

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F National f ruit Show F 19 GROWER POINTS PRIZE or TROPHY AWARDED FOR NOT AWARDED The Cantagrians Association Cup Best exhibit picked or packed by a former student of Hadlow College or Kent Farm Institute NOT AWARDED The Norman Collett Memorial Trophy Panel Prize NOT AWARDED Agrovista Regional Champion Cup Growers with most points from West Midlands Not Awarded Richard Hochfeld Cup Class 3 Kanzi Not Awarded Richard Hochfeld Prize Class 3 Kanzi Not Awarded Berry Gardens Prize Class 30 ‐ Summer Fruiting Strawberries Not Awarded The Joan Buttfield Trophy Class 30/31 PJ Nicolls 91 Hadlow College Prize Class 50 Kentish Cobnuts PJ Nicolls 91 The John Bardsley Tankard Class 50/51 RD Applegrowers 95.75 The UKF Fertilisers Cup Best exhibit of Cox’s Orange Pippin or any sport RD Applegrowers 97.5 The BIFGA Prize Exhibit gaining most points entered by a BIFGA member RD Applegrowers 95.75 Vernon Hayes (Seeds) Ltd Challenge Cup Class 5 Cox’s Orange Pippin 65mm‐70mm RD Applegrowers 95.75 The Bayer CropScience Prize Class 5 Cox’s Orange Pippin 65mm‐70mm RD Applegrowers 95.75 Prize Money: South East Farmer Class 5 Cox’s Orange Pippin 65mm‐70mm Simon WL Brice 85 Bennett Opie Ltd Prize Class 55 Walnuts The Great Fruit Adventure Fresh Produce Consortium Best Shell Scheme Stand Farmcare Trading Ltd BTF Partnership Garden of England Champion ‐ Pears Bardsley & Son BTF Partnership Garden of England Champion ‐ Apples

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F Gala Club walk F 20 Gala Club Pre-harvest Meeting 2016 John Guest reports he Gala Club Pre-harvest Meeting has become one of the most important fixtures in the diaries of uK apple growers. it Tprovides an opportunity to discuss prospects for the coming season, with maturity and marketing criteria presented and analysed in conjunction with social networking with fellow growers and industry representatives. The 2016 meeting took place at farmcare’s highland Court farm at Bridge near Canterbury in early September with the kind permission of Sean finlayson, farm Manager. over the last five years Gala has become the dominant uK grown dessert apple and now accounts for more than 25 per cent of sales of uK-grown dessert apples. in 2015 almost 50,000 tonnes were sold in uK supermarkets. Peter Checkley and the Gala Club committee set a programme for the evening that focused on keeping costs down. farmcare has invested in the most modern orchard systems to maximise fruit quality and value, employing mechanisation designed to reduce the need for labour. the estate. A programme to replace old orchards with high yielding f Sean inlayson has been developing the ethos since Co-operative fruit walls has been ongoing, with uniformity being the objective. f h arms took over ighland Court’s orchards in 2011 on a 20-year in 2014, the Co-operative sold its farming interests to The h lease of the estate’s five farms - ighland Court, Paramour, wellcome Trust and Sean finlayson adjusted to a change in the f u h w h elderland, pper orton and orth ill, plus the pack-house and investment policy. A move to mixed farming is part of a 10-year cold stores. There are approximately 420ha of farmed land across plan for farmcare, whose 20,000ha arable business was formerly owned by the Co-operative. Sean led the 50-plus Gala Club members on an hour-long walk, stopping at three orchards, viewing an apple picking rig and seeing a demonstration of the UK Agents for Lipco two-row recycling orchard sprayer, before refreshments and LIPCO Sprayers presentations from Dr Martin Luton, James Simpson and Adrian Barlow. Sean emphasised that one of the main ways to cut costs is to reduce the traditional three-pick harvesting process to a one-pick Suppliers of Orchard & Vineyard Machinery operation. for many years Gala production has employed the Mondial Gala clone that needs to be picked over two or three times to obtain sufficient red colour. Sean is matching naturally

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highly-coloured clones with good tree management to facilitate a clones allowing the crop to be harvested in one pick will deliver one-pick policy, and sees this as essential to keeping costs down. more of the fruit in suitable condition for long term storage. Gala he pointed out that the rise in minimum wages will have a royal Beaut - a mutation of royal Gala - is a more highly coloured dramatic impact on the cost of harvesting. in the past a three-pick clone of Gala that is rapidly gaining favour due to its ability to harvest would see about 60% of the crop harvested in the first attain red colour much earlier than other Gala clones. Several pick, the second pick might account for 30% and the final pick other new early-colouring Gala clones are also in the pipeline. would clear the trees, but the value of the pick would be unlikely Braeburn has also been dominated by a bi-coloured clone - to be more than juice value in most years. The second pick hillwell, but this is also being replaced, with more highly coloured generally lacks long-term storability, and growing highly coloured clones becoming the standard for new plantings.

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Mariri red, a naturally occurring sport of Braeburn discovered in Maigold and elstar, and has a fresh, fruity flavour and a crunchy 1990, is currently the first choice. bite. Moving on to a new orchard, Sean continued to stress the drive for uniformity - uniform tree shape, yields of high quality apples, Labour-saving machinery and systems for managing tree shape and harvest. Planted in Growing fruit trees to maximise quality and yield is important, february 2015 this orchard offers a comparison of Gala Galaxy but it does not end there - spraying orchards to control pests and and Junami. The Galaxy were standard ‘knip’ trees with strong disease is a vital and costly operation. Many pests can now be base branches designed to create a table-top, with fruit on the controlled by predators, but scab and mildew require regular table-top and the central leader. The Junami are ‘run through’ applications of fungicides. trees shaped in the nursery by allowing the tree to grow upwards harvesting is expensive and reducing costs, without unchecked; the optimum tree stands 2m high at planting with compromising quality, is essential. recent years have seen the weaker potential fruiting branches from knee height to the top. introduction of picking trains that speed up the picking process Sean told his visitors that he could see no sense in planting trees and picking platforms that allow easy access to the tops of the with table branches if they are then removed to create a run- trees. through tree. Sean finlayson has introduced a picking rig that allows pickers Knip trees are headed off at the end of the first year in the to place the apples directly onto belts that transfer the apples nursery after budding or grafting and allowed to become a strong gently into the harvest bins. The Pluk-o-Trak, manufactured by young tree with bold feathers that are ideal to become trees with Munckhof, operates with six pickers on board. This system has base branches and grown as an ‘A’ shape. run- through trees are not headed off and are allowed to continue in the second year forming a tree of 2m high with weak side shoots that will become cropping units. Sean believes this is the way forward - to create well-balanced trees with a narrow profile to encourage light interception, capable of cropping evenly all the way up the tree and still capturing maximum light that is essential for good colour and fruit-bud formation for the following year. he emphasised his objective of growing only apples of high quality and value, rather than pushing for maximum yields. “rather 50 tonnes of high value than 70 tonnes of mixed quality and value,” said Sean. Note: The variety Junami originates from Switzerland, created from a hybrid of idared,

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F r esearch Briefing F 23

been slow to be adopted in uK orchards, although popular in James Simpson, Adrian Scripps Ltd europe for many years. Discussing the merits of using the rig, James Simpson, managing director at Adrian Scripps Ltd, Sean said that currently there is no cost benefit, but with the highlighted the problem of ‘give-away’ - an important element of considerable increase in labour costs expected in the next two packing accuracy, where an excess above the minimum weight in years, he is preparing for the future. each pack has led to increase in ‘give-away’ in packs of apples The Lipco two-row recycling sprayer arrived on the farm in now that packs are increasingly marketed by ‘count’ rather than August, and Sean and his team are getting to grips with the ‘weight’ but are still required to meet a minimum weight and fruit concept and measuring the potential cost saving - in time spent size in the pack. and spray chemical saved. A saving of 15% in chemicals used has Give-away was not so much of a problem in the past when been made in recent spraying operations and Sean anticipates minimum weight was the key element, but since selling by count considerable savings in the early stages of the season when leaf- became the standard, it has become an important factor for cover is minimal. growers and packers to be aware of, said James. he warned that following the tour of the orchards, Gala Club members enjoyed it can easily be as much as 15% and advises growers to be a hog roast before several presentations were delivered. aware and negotiate, or more precisely, ensure that their ‘marketing desk’ negotiates a fair price, giving the consumer fair Dr Martin Luton, Fruition value but without negatively impacting on their own financial with the Quality fruit Group having been disbanded in 2014, the returns. monitoring of maturity depends on Producer organisations, and James said that he learnt this the hard way when the Braeburn Dr Martin Luton shared fruition Po data with Gala Club members. apples at Adrian Scripps Ltd were larger than planned one year The data presented covered fruit firmness, starch pattern, and the larger fruit was not compensated for by a higher price. background colour, Brix and Strief index. The data supported the The result was a loss of income running into £100,000s! belief that the season, in early September, was about three days later than 2015, with dry weather in July and warm weather in Adrian Barlow, Chairman, English Apples & August driving an acceleration in maturity. Pears Ltd Caroline Ashdown, also of fruition Po, presented Martin with Adrian Barlow presented a wealth of sales data, presenting a the David hilton Memorial Medal, presented annually by the east clear picture of the success of uK-grown Gala and the dominant Kent fruit Society, for his outstanding contribution to the top fruit position Gala has in the marketplace. Sales of uK-grown apples industry. Martin had been away on holiday when the annual have almost doubled in the last six years and Gala has moved presentations were made at the Society’s AGM and Dinner in from four per cent of all dessert apples sold in supermarkets in January. 1991, to 29% in 2015/16. ◆

research Briefing by Dr David Pennell Growth analysis of Sonata strawberries grown under controlled temperature and day-length Scientists in Norway investigated the relationship was associated with an between environmental conditions and vegetative growth increased allocation of and reproductive development in Sonata strawberries dry matter production using freshly rooted runner-plants grown in a phytotron at into leaves and less into temperatures of 12C, 18C and 24C and photoperiods of crowns and roots. Low 10-hour short day and 20-hour long day for 31 days and temperature promoted harvested at 10-day intervals (Scientia Horticulturae). starch accumulation markedly in all parts of the plants, over the entire 31-day growth period, the relative with a further enhancement by long day conditions, while growth rate increased linearly with increasing temperature the concentrations of soluble sugars were less affected across the range of temperatures, with a further 10-13% by the climatic environment. forcing of plants for 31 days enhancement by long days reaching a maximum value of showed that all plants at 12C and 18C and 80% of those 0.077 grams per day in long days at 24C. increases in at 24C had initiated flowers in short days, whereas none the relative growth rate were driven by a combined had initiated flowers in long days, regardless of increase in net assimilation rate and leaf area ratio and temperature conditions.

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F r esearch Briefing F 24 Strawberry responses to biochar Biochar, a solid co-product of biomass pyrolysis, has been rhizosphere microbiology. it also led to an increase of bacterial proposed as a soil amendment. A Belgian research team has diversity and a shift in composition of the rhizosphere studied the effect of biochar on substrate physio-chemical microbiota. extra inorganic plant nutrition and lime added to properties, plant growth, disease susceptibility and the peat reduced the effects of biochar on the strawberry rhizosphere microbiology in strawberries grown in white peat plants. They concluded that in certain plant-growth media, (Applied Soil Ecology). biochar amendment can result in chemical changes that The addition of 3% biochar to peat resulted in a higher fresh induce multiple responses in the plant, including shifts in the and dry plant weight, a lower susceptibility to Botrytis rhizosphere microbiome. Biochar can be beneficial for plant cinerea on both leaves and fruits, and changes in the growth, especially in conditions of limited nutrient availability.

Non-invasive fluorescence-based sensors for assessment of vine nutrient status optical sensors can enable frequent and spatially widespread sides of leaves of nine Vitis vinifera cultivars, manually with the

non-destructive monitoring of plant nutrient status. Spanish and DX4 and MXh, and with the MXM mounted on an all-terrain french researchers set out to calibrate a fluorescence sensor, vehicle. A significant correlation was obtained for the chlorophyll

used both manually (MXh) and on-the-go (MXM), for the and nitrogen indices. assessment of the spatial variability in the vineyard of the The capability of the fluorescence sensor, used manually and concentration of chlorophyll, flavonol and nitrogen in grapevine on-the-go, to characterise the nutritional status of grapevines, leaves, against that of a leaf-clip type optical sensor (DX4) was demonstrated with the first calibration of the hand-held (Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research). and on-the-go fluorescence sensor to assess key nutritional Measurements were taken in a commercial vineyard on both parameters of grapevines.

Fruit surface temperature of red-blushed pear - threshold for sunburn damage Pear fruits are subject to sun damage from high fruit weather conditions, continuously monitoring both, together surface temperature, but the thresholds for the occurrence with observations of sunburn damage, to determine a of sunburn are currently unknown, and basic relationships threshold for the development of sunburn (New Zealand between fruit surface temperature of pears and weather Journal of Crop and Horticultural Science). The parameters have not been reported. This knowledge would threshold on ‘ANP-0131’ (Deliza®) pears was estimated to help in devising management practices and orchard design be 47.1C. They also discussed the use of fruit surface to minimise sunburn. Australian scientists looked at the temperature thresholds to improve the mitigation of relationships between pear fruit surface temperature and sunburn. Thermal imaging to monitor crop-water status in irrigated vines Canopy temperature can be a robust indicator of grapevine Aragonez (syn. Tempranillo). Vines were subjected to two water status but the assessment by thermography in field irrigation regimes: sustained-deficit irrigation - based on the conditions requires optimization, especially under variable farm’s schedule (control) and regulated-deficit irrigation (50% environmental conditions (daily and seasonal). Simplicity and of control). robustness should be the basis of a wider use of Measurements made between 11:00am and 5.00pm thermography in field conditions. provided the most significant correlations between canopy researchers in Portugal assessed the performance of four temperature, crop water stress index, leaf stomatal common thermal indicators (canopy temperature, crop water conductance and net photosynthesis for both varieties. stress index, index of relative stomatal conductance, and the results emphasize the value of canopy temperature as an difference between canopy temperature and the surrounding explanatory variable of vine’s physiological status, despite air) to support irrigation decisions (Agricultural Water being a simpler and non-normalized thermal indicator. Management). The trial was conducted in south Portugal Thermal imaging is a feasible technique for remote monitoring with two red Vitis vinifera varieties, Touriga Nacional and of grapevine water status.

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F Table Tops F 25 Strawberry growers vote for table-top production, post-referendum he impact of the rising National Living wage (NLw) and limited, compared to Brexit will mean that the vast majority of strawberries current levels. it’s a Tgrown in the ‘high-labour-cost’ uK will all be grown in substantial initial substrate systems within the next decade, according to outlay, but depending experts. with labour being the single greatest cost within on the type of table- horticultural businesses - accounting for between 35% and top system, the 60% of business turnover - the industry has long sought ways payback in reduced of increasing productivity and labour efficiency. picking costs averages with the current unstable political climate, uK strawberry 20% to 40%, plus growers are looking for increased productivity, better quality reduced husbandry and less wastage more than ever before, and the move to costs. if land substrate-based table-top systems may be set to increase in a availability is limited bid to future-proof businesses. and rent is high, and in soft fruit growing, the land area in production has fallen within an unpredictable significantly in the last 20 years and, according to the labour environment, Andersons’ report commissioned by the Nfu and published these benefits alone this year, this is a consequence of the investment in far outweigh the initial polytunnels, that has also increased productivity and the value investment, and this is of the crop by 296%. it has also significantly increased the before we look at efficiency of labour. The report shows that over the next five improved quality and years predicted increases in the National Minimum wage yield,” says Angus. (NMw) alone are equivalent to 47% to 58% of current business he says that around 60% of strawberry crop production is in profit. The additional cost of NLw over the same period is substrates in the uK now, and growers are seeing huge equivalent to 129% to 158% of current business profit. in other benefits from reduced picking costs, greater yields, better words, sometime between year three (2018-2019) and year uniformity, higher quality and fewer husbandry tasks such as four (2019-2020) of NLw being put in place, the additional cost bed-making or moving tunnels. “There are more has the potential to make horticultural businesses unprofitable. kg/worker/hour/day and the welfare conditions are better, This is coupled with the threat of labour availability being less as because pickers aren’t bending down as much.” Angus a consequence of Brexit. believes that coir substrate is the first choice for growers. “Coir Angus Davison of haygrove, the herefordshire-based grower is the preferred growing medium because it maintains better air- and supplier of polytunnels and substrate systems, believes the filled porosity [better drainage ability] than peat. it’s more increased cost of labour to be a key driver in the move to substrate growing on table-tops. “The living wage and Brexit will create a quicker move to table-tops and covered substrate systems because labour is more expensive and may become

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F Table Tops F 26

absorbency and drainage level is uniform across the crop.” Kalum comments that some growers use coir growbags on raised beds to keep the initial costs down, but once the benefits are seen, the conversion rate to table-tops is high. “having said that, some of our larger growers are going straight from the ground to table-tops because the long-term savings are so well understood. with labour costs rising and political sustainable, and transport costs are relatively low compared to uncertainty, coir substrate systems can alleviate some of this peat because it’s transported while compressed and dry, and pressure, because a higher quality, lower waste product, with then wetted and expanded on site. All berries in the high- improved labour efficiency is almost guaranteed,” adds Kalum. labour-cost uK will be grown in substrate systems within a richard Leeds, Business Development Manager at withers decade, other than organic crops, a few PYos, and perhaps a fruit farm in herefordshire grows 50ha of strawberry crops in few larger enterprises in Scotland,” adds Angus. coir substrate on table-tops. A large proportion of the Labour is a concern post-referendum and offering pickers growbags richard uses are supplied by Botanicoir; “we get table-top strawberries to pick is an important step in future- less wastage from soil and mud splash and we get better yields proofing businesses, according to Mark Davies, Commercial from the coir substrate that we use. This lowers picking costs head of fruit at Agrovista. “Growers have always worked hard and gives better picking conditions for our workers, which is to attract and retain workers on fruit farms through good very important to us. we first tried growing on table-tops in remuneration, and good living and working conditions, and this 1996, and this was quite a risk then because returns weren’t is ever more important when labour is likely to be short,” says guaranteed. we converted one acre of strawberry crops, but Mark. “Already, towards the end of this season, i’m hearing this was with peat and the air-filled porosity and overwintering stories of pickers returning home early, having hit their earning was poor. we moved to coir in 2003 and haven’t looked back target and not knowing whether they will be welcome back next since. Now we’re growing 100% of our strawberries in coir year to pick. Lobbying groups are working hard to raise the substrate and the results far outweigh the initial costs. we profile of this issue, but the perishable nature of soft fruit means supply five leading supermarkets in the uK, so hitting quality that a shortage of labour for even just a day or two can have specifications is crucial and since converting to coir substrate devastating effects on a field of fruit in full pick. Converting more wastage is down from 25% to 10%. crops to table-tops grown in coir substrate is becoming “Labour costs are a big proportion of the business overheads increasingly important to retaining valuable pickers,” adds Mark. and with the continued increase in wages, all growers are “Growing strawberries in coir substrate on table-tops is now looking to increase productivity in any way possible, and coir an industry standard,” says Kalum Balasuriya, Managing substrate helps this process because we’re getting more kg/ha, Director at leading coir substrate producer, Botanicoir. less waste and improving efficiency all the time.” The strawberry “Although the initial capital investment is an important crop on withers farm has been grown in coir substrate on consideration, the long-term benefits are clear. environmental table-tops for over ten years. “we have a very close working pressures are easier to monitor and overcome because there relationship with Botanicoir; the coir growbags we receive are are fewer variables in coir than soil. Pests are easier to contain so important for producing such a large crop - the product has and coir can completely overcome any weed issue. irrigation a good open texture and consistent great quality, and this is and fertiliser applications can be optimised, because the crucial,” adds richard. ◆

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