Solaxe in South Africa- An Adaptation to Low Chill

摘要

Roughly 20,000 hectares (49,500 acres) of apples are grown in South Africa, mostly under conditions of inadequate winter chilling. Apples are widely accepted to need ca. 1000-1200 Utah model chill units to break dormancy. In South Africa, apples are produced in regions with 450-1400 chill units at altitudes of 300-1,600 meters (984-5,250 feet). This often leads to inadequate winter chilling that dramatically reduces budburst, flowering, and fruiting, and modifies the branching habit; a phenomenon described as delayed foliation. Delayed foliation has a negative impact on branching, tree architecture and the economic viability of apple orchards.