Plant Manipulation Schedule

Step 1: Planting material

One of the first steps in establishing a plant manipulation schedule is to guarantee that the crop, particularly grafts and rootstocks, is selected for disease and salinity resistance, high production capacity, ideal tree size, and weather tolerance in the area.

Moreover, apple and nut crops, especially almonds and pecans, rely greatly on the pollen compatibility of their pollinisers (the pollen-providing trees). To achieve a specified ratio of interplanting and ensure optimal pollination of the production trees, it is essential to carefully arrange the plant architecture.

Step 2: Pre-planting and Planting

Plant manipulation methods are very specific to the growth stage of the crop and the time of the year. For example, for crops that need to be trellised, like tomatoes in tunnels and some orchard trees and vines, the systems are usually erected after soil preparation and installation of the irrigation system, but before the plants are planted. The training of young trees begins during planting by supporting their tender stems with stakes. Additionally, the lowest portion of the stem is covered with thick plastic or another substance to protect it from herbicides and sunburn.

Before the planting season, all supplies for installing the trellising systems and training the crops must be ordered and supplied on-site.

Step 3: Setting up a Schedule

Part 1: Choosing the system

The following factors should be considered before erecting any kind of manipulation system:

Schedules for plant manipulation vary depending on the type of crop grown. A schedule for setting up a trellising system for table grapes is given as an example.

Other than the Western Cape, where grapes have been grown traditionally, they are currently cultivated in the Northern Cape near Upington on the Gariep River (Orange River), in the North West Province in Rustenburg and Brits, and in Mpumalanga near Marble Hall.

Establishing a vineyard is a significant investment, and some areas may present risks that farmers must anticipate. Because Mpumalanga is prone to hail, the following schedule is for a factory cap trellis system outfitted with hail netting.

Part 2: Installing the System

Part 3: Manipulating the System

Manipulation methods applied once again are dependent on both the chosen system and the crop. For the grapes, multiple pruning techniques give the desired outcome for their associated systems. These systems are called single-split cordoning, double-split cordoning or T-capping. These systems will be discussed in more detail in the “Viticulture” specialised courses.

For other crops, the manipulation method pertaining to the particular crop, discussed in the sections about Plant Manipulation: Fruit-bearing Vegetable Crops and Plant Manipulation: Tree Crops, may be applied here.

Troubleshooting and problem-solving are skills any manager should possess. Success however comes with experience and practice. The following table lists some of the most common problems that may arise during the implementation of a manipulation schedule.

Possible problems with solutions regarding the implementation of a plant manipulation schedule.