CRI Launches Citrus Irrigation Handbook to Guide SA Growers on Water Management

Citrus Research International (CRI) has launched a new irrigation handbook, Citrus Irrigation, aimed at helping South African citrus growers make more informed water-management decisions. The publication was unveiled on 24 August at the 13th CRI Citrus Research Symposium at Champagne Sports Resort in the Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal, an event that draws citrus producers and industry stakeholders from across the country.

Copies were presented to Prof Vaughan Hattingh, CEO of CRI, and Dr Boitshoko Ntshabele, CEO of the Citrus Growers' Association of Southern Africa (CGA).

A practical and scientific resource

Written by Dr PA Myburgh and Dr JL van Zyl, the handbook was developed through a CRI-led project sponsored solely by Netafim. It combines scientific research with practical field experience to help growers improve water-use efficiency and apply sound irrigation principles on their own farms. The need for the publication was identified by CRI's extension team during irrigation training sessions run with Netafim.

"We wanted to put together a handbook that is practical for the industry, while retaining the scientific depth to serve as a reference in academic settings," said Coenraad Fraenkel, CRI's extension manager for the Western and Northern Cape. "Different terminology and gaps in understanding can make irrigation unnecessarily confusing. The aim was to bring the information together in a form that growers can use."

The authors drew on South African and international research, supported by visits to citrus-growing regions around the country. Growers contributed practical experience and assisted with orchard investigations, including soil profile examinations and root studies, while technical specialists reviewed chapters. The handbook covers irrigation strategies, the effects of poor irrigation and over-irrigation, and water-quality considerations, including the use of treated wastewater — issues CRI says are increasingly pressing given water scarcity pressures on producers.

Dr Myburgh noted that developing guidance on irrigation strategies was demanding "because published results are not always consistent," while Dr Van Zyl pointed to growers' willingness to share information and support field investigations as key to grounding the research in practical realities.

The project also marks a personal milestone for the authors, who began working together in August 1976, meaning the handbook represents 50 years of shared experience.

Industry response

Jaco Lindeque, production manager at Groep 91 Uitvoer in Letsitele, attended the launch and said the publication was a vital contribution to the citrus industry after reading several chapters. "Irrigation is the foundation of what we do," he said.

Michael Esmeraldo of Netafim said sponsoring the handbook reflected the company's longstanding relationship with citrus producers and CRI. "Supporting the handbook was an easy decision. It is a token of our gratitude towards the citrus industry and reflects the relationship we have with CRI. We hope there will be many more projects of this kind."

Citrus Irrigation is available for purchase through the CRI online resource centre at R350 per copy.