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With over a quarter of a million trees already purchased, Bigbucks, the improved Corder Gala apple strain, is now the most successful new variety in terms of orders placed in the history of the South African Plant Improvement Organization since launch date. Named after Buks Nel, Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing’s New Variety Expert, and a fruit […]

SAPO will be hosting a information day for the apple varieties Fuji Royal and Shortie. For more information, click on the link below. SAPO Invite_Fuji Royal_15 March 2023-Elgin

The semi-dwarfing rootstock is currently under evaluation in South Africa and this short article is aimed at providing the South African pome fruit industry with an update on the rootstock’s current status and experiences. saplant.co.za/…/G.969-Rootstock-A-status-update-2022.pdf  

Amidst a constantly evolving industry landscape, it remains important for all role players and service providers to stay relevant and to optimize their value proposition. SAPO Trust (SAPO), the official plant improvement organization of the South African deciduous fruit industry, is not immune to this process and therefore continues to move with the times in

Come and equip yourself to help create the best possible product on the market. https://youtu.be/8toyB3RcO8s

SAPO Trust hosted a successful field day on Wednesday, 1st March 2023 in Robertson. John W, a high potential plum from USDA was showcased. Please contact the SAPO TRUST team for more information.

SAPO wishes to invite you to apple variety Lola’s Orchard Day on 23 March 2023. For more details, see link below. Lola Orchard Day 23 March 2023@10h00_Laastedrif_Ceres

Information regarding exiting new plantings to be found at the link below. New plantings and block registrations for future certified plant material 1  

SAPO are inviting you to the Parys Granny Orchard Walk on 23 March 2023. For more details, see link below. Parys Granny Invite 23 Maart 2023@13h30_Molenrivier_Ceres

The SAPO laboratory passed the SANAS (South African National Accreditation System) assessment in June and accreditation was approved for a further cycle.  SANAS is South Africa’s sole national accreditation body that provides an internationally recognized and effective accreditation system in respect of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).  Our SAPO laboratory is accredited for all virus tests

Information regarding the phytosanitary tests conducted during 2020 are available at the link below. Phytosanitary Tests for SAPO’s Foundation + Mother blocks during 2020

SAPO Trust presented the new improved Fuji Royal variety to apple growers in the Elgin – Grabouw and Vyeboom area just before it’s harvesting during March 2020. Unfortunately the Ceres field day was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

SAPO Trust recently spoke to Fresh Plaza about it’s role within the Deciduous Fruit Industry and the trends that are seen within the Industry. The long-term outlook within the Industry, is also discussed. https://www.freshplaza.com/article/9425920/south-african-plant-improvement-body-plays-the-long-game-amid-challenges/

Expansion of SAPO’s budwood parks explained below. SAPO expands bud wood parks for future supply of quality plant material

Following a strategic decision by SAPO to outsource the evaluation of its new cultivars to Provar, an expert Plant Genetics Evaluation company, table grapes has been added to the list of cultivars to ensure even greater impartiality. The following number of selections are currently been tested in trails: EVALUATION APPLE PEAR PEACHES NECTARINES PLUMS CHERRIES

Stephen Rabe, a well-known figure within the deciduous fruit industry, has taken over the reigns from long serving Chairman, Peter Dall in the latter part of 2019. Stephen serves on several Boards within the fresh produce industry as well as a few private and innovative companies. We welcome Stephen to the SAPO Trust family and are

SAPO is hosting a Fuji Royal Field day near Ceres on 16 March 2023. For more details, use link below. SAPO Invite_Fuji Royal_16 March 2023-Ceres

SAPO is proud to announce that it has now grafted more than 2 000 combinations at its Tygerhoek Nursery in Riviersonderend. This is by far the largest number of end combinations in the sector making SAPO the leader in this category of plant improvement within South Africa. More specifically, phase 2 and phase 3 evaluation

SAPO Trust’s laboratory is currently hard at work testing stone fruit, pome fruit and grapevine samples for various viruses. Spring is the optimal season for testing for a large variety of viruses.  This is due to viral loads increasing during spring for certain viruses, ensuring easier detection. Viruses currently tested for by our laboratory are

Ever since the Fuji apple was bred in 1939 in Japan there has always been a search for better coloured red fruit. SAPO Trust has the home-grown full-red Fuji mutation – Fuji Royal –  available for South African producers. Plant Breeder’s Rights were granted for Fuji Royal in 2018 which bears testament to its uniqueness. The

Shelanti Agri and SAPO Trust invites you to a insightful information day at Wakkerstroom Boerdery, Ceres. For more information, use link below. Valente Technical Solutions for Orchards

SAPO Trust presented the latest Raisin-and Table grape varieties to producers within the Lower Orange River, Hex River and Berg River region during the 2020 harvest season. Divan Venter, Grapevine Manager is optimistic about the new varieties of the California Table Grape Commission (Sweet Scarlet, Scarlet Royal, Summer Royal, Autumn King) and the performance of

SAPO is on track with the multiplication of the new virus-free Merbein Seedless clone, which was virus eliminated through heat treatment. Almost 7000 vines was planted in SAPO Trust Foundation blocks this winter. The trueness-to-type clarification and evaluation of this new clone has been done and is very similar to the existing clones with superior

SAPO Trust had the honour of hosting a delegation from the Western Cape Department of Agriculture on Friday 11 December 2020. The visit coincided with the Department’s visit to their Tygerhoek research facility where an overview of operations and research projects was canvased. Presentations on research into economically and ecologically sustainable farming practices as well