Photo Above: left to right: Esmé Louw (HORT434 module coordinator and lecturer, Department of Horticultural Science, Stellenbosch University), Dr Keanu Martin (pre-harvest researcher, Department of Horticultural Science, Stellenbosch University), Schalk Reynolds (Marketing and Technical Manager, Philago SA), Dr Nigel Cook (Cook Horticultural (Pty) Ltd) and Dr Elke Crouch (Chair of the Department of Horticultural Science, Stellenbosch University).
Horticultural science is more than just cultivating crops; it's a blend of science, art, and passion instilled in every undergraduate student at the Department of Horticultural Science. Access to quality resources is vital for nurturing this next generation of horticulturists. This past semester, the journey of each Horticulture 434 student was enriched by the receipt of sponsored copies of "Fundamentals of Temperate Zone Tree Fruit Production" (Editors Tromp, Webster & Wertheim, Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, 2005).
This textbook, a successor to the esteemed Dutch publication "Grondslagen van de Fruitteelt" ("Fundamentals of Fruit Production") from 1976, features contributions from fruit researchers across the Netherlands, Belgium, and South Africa. Its comprehensive coverage of topics related to temperate pome and stone fruit production, spanning fundamental principles to applied methodologies, renders it a revered resource in the field.
Tailored to complement the rigorous curriculum of the HORT434 module, aimed at providing final-year students with a profound understanding of physiological principles behind pre-harvest horticultural practices, these textbook promises to enrich the academic experience of the students.
The sponsorship of these textbooks was made possible through the collaboration of Dr. Nigel Cook of Cook Horticultural (Pty) Ltd. and Philagro SA (Pty), a supplier of plant nutrition products to the South African agricultural industry. Their joint initiative ensured that each fourth-year Horticulture student received a copy of this invaluable resource, empowering them to delve deeper into the intricacies of fruit production.
The Department of Horticultural Science extends its gratitude to Dr Cook and Philagro SA for their support. This sponsorship not only underscores the department's commitment to fostering industry-academia partnerships but also signifies a crucial investment in building human capacity for the fruit industry.
Article supplied by: Dr Esme Louw, Dr Elke Crouch
Photo credit: Kyra-Kay Rensburg; Hortgro