Production Technology
Production
This division is mainly responsible for the following:
Flowering / Nicking / Adaptation Trials
These trials are conducted on various crops to determine adaptability, bolting, flowering periods, sowing and planting dates, and disease occurrence. Two locations are used for these trials:
- A warm region (Calitzdorp; 247 m above sea level) in the Klein Karoo, where KKSP’s experimental farm is located
- A colder climate (Fraserburg; 1,217 m above sea level) in the Northern Cape, for crops that require cooler growing conditions for vernalization, such as intermediate-day onions and late-bolting bunching onions
Post controls
Post controls are carried out on the experimental farm on all commercial seed lots produced to determine genetic purity.
Diagnostic service
The Division, in collaboration with a commercial diagnostic service laboratory, offers diagnostic services to KKSP’s growers. Rapid identification of pests and diseases is crucial to ensuring healthy seed production for the export market.
Stock seed production
Stock seed is produced for our clients on a small scale in cages at both locations and includes onion, carrot and bunching onion. Drying and cleaning facilities for these productions are situated at the main office in Oudtshoorn.
Alternative crops
KKSP is also investigating alternative crops that can be used in active crop rotation systems in commercial seed production. This benefits soil health and helps prevent volunteer plants in commercial seed fields.
Nectar & pollen research
As most seed crops depend on bee pollination, KKSP, in collaboration with various key stakeholders, continually conducts research projects on nectar and pollen quality.
Production of plant material (seedlings) for commercial production
Seedlings are produced either by sowing in seed beds (open field) or by sowing in seed trays in various nurseries.
Depending on the type of trial or stock seed production, the following stock seed requirements apply:
Crop Type
Onion
Bunching Onion / New Bunching
Carrots / Cabbage / Cauliflower
Leeks
Summer Crops
Sowing Time
APRIL – MAY
OCTOBER – DECEMBER
FEBRUARY - MARCH
JANUARY
AUGUST - OCTOBER
Flowering Trial (5m²) in Gram
2
2
1
2
2
Stock Seed Production
(1 Tunnel = 200m²) in Gram
100
100
10
20
100
