A comprehensive list of all research articles is available here.
In the disciplines of winter cereals and oilseed crops the focus is on optimal fertilisation levels of wheat and canola, as well as on the long-term effect of soil tillage methods and rotational cropping systems on soil fertility and subsequent wheat and canola productivity and quality. In a project funded by the Winter Cereal Trust, differences in soil chemical and physical characteristics were used to develop a mathematical model to predict the N-mineralisation potential of the soil. In a follow-up study, the efficiency of different application methods and nitrogen fertiliser rates are being evaluated at four localities in the Swartland and Ruens. A PhD(Agric) student was also involved in a study on the N and S requirements of canola (Wonder Ngezimana). MScAgric student Japie Wiese studied the effect of crop rotation and the method of tillage on the development, yield and quality of wheat and in an on-going study Beverley-Anne Joseph are studying the effect of sprout management on hop production. MScAgric student John Kadende is studying the effect of paraffin on the germination of several crop species because claims has been made historically that paraffin could protects seeds and seedlings from predation by insects and animals.
In the discipline of weed science, the main focus is on the herbicide resistance of weeds and the management thereof. Seed and plant samples received from farms where herbicide efficacy has not been satisfactory were tested for herbicide resistance by Dr PJ Pieterse. In a project funded by the PRF the effect of sowing density of canola on the weed suppression ability of canola was studied. The objective of these studies is to identify alternative techniques to weed management by chemical control that can be used in conjunction with chemical control in an integrated weed control programme. Integrated weed control programmes can decrease the reliance on herbicides, thereby reducing herbicide use, which can lead to a cleaner environment and a longer life for the herbicides – in short, increase sustainability in cropping systems. Bontleng Molefe (MScAgric student) is studying different herbicide mixtures that can be used to obtain satisfactory weed control in GM canola.
In the discipline of pasture science, Carien Bester is conducting a MScAgric study on the Elsenburg Experimental Farm to investigate optimal nitrogen fertiliser applications on three different planted pastures, viz. a pure grass mixture, a grass/clover mixture and a grass/lucerne mixture. This project is carried out in conjunction with Dr Johan Labuschagne of the Department of Agriculture: Western Cape and is funded by the Western Cape Agricultural Research Trust.
In the discipline of intensive plant production systems, the research emphasis is on improving the efficiency of resource use. Research is currently being conducted to investigate the water and nutrient use of various greenhouse crops to enable an increase in the application efficiency of water and fertilisers and also to enable the re-use of drained nutrient solutions. A re-circulating hydroponic system for growing tomatoes has been implemented at the experimental farm and is currently being tested and adjusted as part of Estelle Kempen's PhD study. In another study, the effect of additional lighting on the out-of-season production of greenhouse tomatoes has been studied. These trials will be repeated with other high-value crops to determine the feasibility of local year-round production in greenhouses. MScAgric students Geline Derbyshire and Steve Tshishola are studying the effect of different nutrient mixtures on the marketability and vase life of local greenhouse grown tulips and the effect of different nitrate and calcium concentrations on the production of aeroponically grown seed potatoes respectively. Research is also being conducted for Potatoes South Africa to determine the effect of different calcium and boron application rates during crop growth on the quality and disease resistance of tubers during storage. In conjunction with this, monitoring of the irrigation water quality of some of the Sandveld potato farmers has been initiated to determine whether this could have an effect on the availability of calcium in the soil. Trials were also done to compare different organic production/fertilisation practices, including the use of vermicompost, to compare crop yields as well as the plants' resistance to pests and diseases.
