LANDBOU
damage the trees . For that reason , you cannot , for example , use rough lemon , which is a very vigorous grower .” A trifoliate is better as it is more suited to infested soil . Regenerating the soil , turning the worn-out geriatric into a reborn virgin again ? According to Adrian , composting is an option , but the cost involved is prohibitive , although it is a longterm investment .
“ There are no quick-fix solutions . When you plant new trees in old soil , you can try to kill some the pathogens present in the soil , but it does not make it virgin again .”
The difference in yield between old and virgin soil can be as high as 20 per cent .
Another issue is the type of irrigation used – drip or micro .
“ I use drip irrigation because it suits my management style and I can save water to irrigate more hectares with the volume of water available to me .”
All farmers face challenges : drought , pests , illness , markets and prices . Citrus farmers are , of course , no exception . Their foremost challenge nowadays is overproduction .
“ Like with the ostrich and angora farmers , during the boom , ten years ago , everyone planted citrus . Especially lemons . That said , here in the valley , we grow a high-quality lemon so that becomes our fall-back variety . We get good production and quality .”
00 MARKtoe ! Oktober 2023