Priority setting is mainly influenced by government policy, market requirements and contribution to food security. Research priorities are set with input from our clients. Extensionists are critical elements in the identification and priotisation of researchable areas.

 Problem / need identification is the first step in setting our experimental trials. It should be farmers’ problem or need. When funds permit we conduct monitoring surveys and this keeps our research efforts in line with expectations of the industry. However, client/stakeholder involvement in priority setting needs improvement, and this is possible with formalized interaction and maybe formation of communication platforms.

 Currently the Horticultural Research Institute through its two centers directs much of its energy on the following programs:

 It should be noted that the approach or set up is not yet different from pre-independence era. The only difference is that most linkages with international institutions are no longer in existence. However, the market is still the major force in determining what is relevant and what is marginal. As a nation we have not yet acquired breeding skills in horticultural crops, and this forces us to depend on efforts beyond our borders.

 Our main activity is centered on agronomic evaluations-thus conducting adaptive research. We select varieties which are adapted to local conditions. Our trials are mainly focused on varietal evaluations –observing, recording varietal responses to different fertilizer levels, planting densities, irrigation regimes, etc. The institute also adapts technologies found workable in other countries, and this means that our officers spend part of their time reviewing literature, and this explains why we need contemporary sources of information.

 FRUIT RESEARCH PROGRAM

Current work is focused on varietal selection, and Israel varieties proved to give economic yield and quality fruits in marginal apple producing areas such as Nyazura, Macheke, Marondera and part of Gweru. Annah, Ellah, Mayan and Rushinga are the Israel varieties capable of giving a crop as early as October- before the market is flooded by produce from traditional apple producing areas such as Nyanga.

 The Institute is also investigating ways of managing lichen. This has assumed pest status especially in smallholder orchards and neglected commercial farms. Use of oil-based sprays coupled with good fertilizer management seems to be capable of controlling the lichen.

We are also inviting companies with products that can be used in the control of lichens to join hands with us in the fight against lichen.

 The Institute is also exploring ways of reducing the time needed to raise grafted tree. Conventionally it takes 2 seasons to raise a grafted fruit tree- first year dedicated to rooting the root stock and the second year for grafting the fruit bearing part (scion) to the root stock. Preliminary results indicate that it is possible to root as well as graft within a season. Grafted tree give an early crop and they are products of special root stocks and scions hence sell at a higher price. It is advisable for farmers to buy planting material from reputable suppliers since fruit production is a long term investment which can be very costly to revise any errors done in the production chain.

 What to observe when multiplying deciduous fruit trees

• Choice of material: clean and healthy; Disease and Pest free
• Straight cuttings are collected from current year growth
• Time of collection” Cuttings are collected during the dormant phase of tree growth
• Propagation wood is collected from mother stocks which are maintained in the normal orchard.

Steps when collecting cuttings for rootings

1. Ideal cutting is cut at 30 – 45 cm then dipped in disinfectant to sterilize
2. The bottom of the cutting is dipped in Seradix B_1-3 rooting hormone which encourages root formation
3. Sand beds are rested and sterilized before putting current season cuttings
4. Push about 2/3 of the cutting into the sand observing polarity
5. Maintain the cutting for one or more seasons before potting or straight transplanting into the orchard

 Farmers can access high quality planting material for their orchards from Horticultural Research Centre, Marondera and Nyanga Experiment Station (Nyanga National Park). The majority of varieties which do well in areas which experience pronounced chilling temperatures in order to realize good bloom (flowers) are propagated at Nyanga Experiment Station. Low chill varieties are mainly propagated at the Horticultural Research Centre, Marondera. The idea introduction of low chill varieties was to increase apple production areas into less marginal areas.

       Annah apple cultivar at HRC (18years)                                 Starking apple cultivar at NES

Pear cultivar at HRC()                                                              Grape cultivar at HRC (Himrod)

Ideal time for planting Apples is when they are still dormant August to September. However, when the fruit trees are potted planting can stretch up to December. Fruit trees are available throughout the year. There is a tendency of poor take off it apple trees are planted while they have lost their dormancy.

STRAWBERRY SECTION

Strawberry runner multiplication

• Strawberries are vegetative propagated thus retain vigour of the mother plant but may carry over virus diseases
• At HRC runners are ready for distribution form March
• Field planting of runners is from February – May for fruiting in Sept – December.

Nursery establishment

Site – Frost free area, way from strawberry fields to eliminate viruses and nematodes

Soil – Deep well drained soil. Fumigation with EDB may be necessary.

Raising of strawberry runners in sand bed at HRC    Potted Strawberry plant (Selekta)

 Fertilization – 500kg/ha lime and 5000 kg/ha Compound C

 Can be applied as basal dressing

• Top dressing is split into monthly intervals of 160 kg/ha ammonium nitrate from month after establishment to harvesting.

Field preparation

• Raised beds or ridges are recommended
• Strawberry crop should not follow crops susceptible to verticillium with e.g. Tomato, potato if fumigation is not routinely used

 Fertilization

 Preplanting: 500 – 750 kg/SSP and 200 kg/ha K₂SO_{4 are} broadcasted to a depth of 30 cm

-     At 4 – 6 weeks 75 kg-100 kg/ha AN is top dressed

-     - Commencement of active growth at monthly interval AN at 75 – 1000kg/ha AN and 100 kg/ha K₂SO₄

Planting

• Planting time is from February –April sometimes May
• Supplementary irrigation necessary s plants are shallow rooted.
• It is not advisable to take crop into the third year as fruit size and quality will be greatly reduced
• Spacing of 30 cm x 45 cm on raised bed recommended
• Mulching will help keep the fruit clean apart from conserving moisture and suppressing weeds.

 UV-stabilised black or clear plastic or rye grass are used

• Can be grown in tunnels for suitable varieties e.g. Selekta
• When planting trim roots to about 10 cm and set the plant in the soil with the crown just above ground level
• Should be on moist soils and not hot days
• If nor planting immediately store in a cool shady area or store moist in the refrigeration

Pests and disease

 Nematodes, aphids and mites and white grubs

• Fumigation and acaricides are used to control mites
• Cutworm and white grubs can be drenched using cabaryl or thiodan

Diseases

• Verticilium wilt which is soil borne is most common and be controlled with fumigants
• Strawberries should not follow solanaceous crops
• Leaf spot controlled by Captan
• Botrytis attacks ripening fruits especially during wet period

Harvesting and Postharvest

• Should be at red ripe stage (130 – 135 days after planting for early planting crops)
• Harvesting may last for 2 – 3 or more weeks
• Strawberries for shipping should be harvested earlier
• Fruits should be picked with the stalk attached, placed in shallow punnets and cooled to remove field heat.