Department of Soil Science Dissertations

PhD Dissertations

2023

SMITH, J.F.N. (Mar 2023). Determination of optimal soil conditions and foliar nutrient levels in commercial rooibos tea production. PhD (Agric), Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr AG Hardie/Dr JE Hoffman.

2022

BARICHIEVY, K.R. (2022). Evaluating soil and terrain variables in a production environment: implications for agricultural land assessment. PhD (Agric), Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr CE Clarke/Dr AB Rozanov.
ATKINSON, J.T. (2022). Using remote sensing and geographical information systems to classify local landforms using a pattern recognition approach for improved soil mapping. PhD (Agric), Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr WP de Clercq/Dr AB Rozanov.

2016

2015

ISRAEL, S. (2015). In situ denitrification of nitrate-rich groundwaters in South Africa. PhD (Agric), Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr A. Rozanov/Dr N Jovanovic.

2014

BUGAN, R.D.H. (2014). Modeling and regulating hydrosalinity dynamics in the Sandspruit river catchment (Western Cape). PhD (Agric), Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr W.P. de Clercq/ Dr N. Jovanovic.

2013

MASHIMBYE, E.Z. (2013). Remote sensing of salt-affected soils. PhD (Agric), Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr W.P. de Clercq/ Dr A. van Niekerk.
MAVENGHAMA, S. (2013). The contribution of indigenous vegetables to food security and nutrition within selected sites in South Africa. PhD (Agric), Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr W.P. de Clercq/ Prof M. McLachlan.

2012

ORENDO-SMITH, R. (2012). Sanjeevak as a source of nutrients and phytohormones for production and propagation of plants. PhD (Agric), Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr A. Rozanov/Prof T. Kate

2008

FRANCIS, M.L. (2008). Soil Formation on the Namaqualand Coastal Plain. PhD (Agric), Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Prof MV Fey/Dr F Ellis.

2007

HERSELMAN, J.E. (2007). The concentration of selected trace metals in South African soils. PhD (Agric), Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Prof MV Fey/Dr F Ellis.

2005

VOLSCHENK, T. (2005). The effect of saline irrigation on selected soil properties, plant physiology and vegetative reproductive growth of Palsteyn appricots (Prunus armeniaca L.). PhD (Agric), Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr WAG Kotze/Dr MD Kramer.

2003

MILLS, A. (2003). Reciprocal relationships between vegetation structure and soil properties in selected biomes of South Africa. PhD (Agric). 152 pp. Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Prof MV Fey/Prof MC Scholes.

MSc Dissertations

2023

PRETORIUS, J.J. (Mar 2023). Evaluating the effect of low flow continuous drip irrigation on selected growth parameters of citrus trees. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr JE Hoffman/Dr PJ Raath.
SAKALA, B. (Mar 2023). Total carbon characteristics of the West Coast heuweltjies and the effect of terrain and cultivation on topsoil carbon and salts. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr CE Clarke/Dr M Francis
VISSER, J.M. (Mar 2023). The impact deficit irrigation regimes have on the physiological responses and yield of grapevine (cv. Shiraz) in three different climatic regions. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Mr EL Lategan/Dr JE Hoffman
DAIBER, R. (Mar 2023). The effect of soil carbon on yield and quality of wheat in crop rotational systems under conservation agriculture. MSc in Sustainable Agriculture. Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr AG Hardie/Dr J Strauss
KEMP, B. (Mar 2023). The effect of biochar application to sandy soil on nitrogen nutrition of maize (Zea mays). MSc in Sustainable Agriculture. Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr A Rozanov/Dr AG Hardie.

2022

HATTINGH, M. (2022). Structure and chemistry of two heuweltjies in areas with contrasting aridity in the Olifants/Doorn catchment: evidence for downward salt movement. Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr CE Clarke/Dr M Francis.
VAN DER MERWE, A. (2022).The effects of long-term tillage and crop rotation practices on nutrient stratification in the Western Cape. Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr AG Hardie/Dr J Labuschagne.
VAN DER MERWE, H. (2022). Quantifying water movement in soils irrigated by continuous drip irrigation with citrus in the Western Cape. Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr JE Hoffman/Dr PJ Raath.

2021

DU TOIT, D.J.J. (2021). Effect of lime source, form and placement on soil pH neutralisation and permeation. Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr AG Hardie/Dr PA Swanepoel.
NEL, T. (2021). Conversion of soil pH values and exchangeable base cation quantities determined by different methods. Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr AG Hardie/Dr CE Clarke.
OLIFANT, K.I. (2021).The effects of selected soil physical properties on the soil water balance, soil water redistribution and pyrrolizidine alkaloids loads in two diferent textured soils in the nieuwoudtville rooibos tea production area. Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr JE Hoffman/Dr AG Hardie.
STEYTLER, J.G. (2021). Water treatment residual: potential amendment to a sandy soil. Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr CE Clarke/Dr AG Hardie.

2020

HARTNICK, E.K. (2020). Assessing the potential of using microcomputerized tomography to determine the physical properties of different textured soils. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr A du Plessis/Mr EL Lategan.
MADUBELA, N. (2020). The effect of domestic greywater on soil quality of urban soils from the Cape Town and Stellenbosch areas. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr AG Hardie/Dr CE Clarke/Mr EL Lategan.

2019

HOOGENDIJK, K. (2019). Soil and grapevine responses to irrigation with treated municipal and winery wastewaters. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr JE Hoffman/Dr PA Myburgh.
NGEJANE, N. Soil spectral characteristics and their predictive value in relation to spatial and temporal variability in wheat yield and soil quality within a long-term field trial. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr AB Rozanov/Dr CE Clarke
VAN HEERDEN, S.G. (2019). Organic and mineral fertilizer field trial on rooibos tea under Northern Cape climatic conditions. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr AG Hardie/Dr JE Hoffman
WHITE, V.G. (2019). Improving phosphate fertilizer recommendations using soil phosphorus buffer capacity and evaluation of various P extraction tests on a variety of South African soils. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr AG Hardie/Dr P Raath.

2018

DINWA, S. (2018). Development, optimization and use of a reduced-sample, water dispersible clay extraction technique for taxonomic horizon discrimination. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr CE Clarke/Dr A. Rozanov.
GOBOZI, T.K.S. (2018). Evaluation of a peri-urban smallholder farmers’ soilamendment practices on soil quality and crop growth, yield and quality. MScAgric, Supervisor: Dr AG Hardie.
LOURENCO, M.R. (2018). Effect of NPK application on young rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) under Clanwilliam field conditions. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr AG Hardie/Dr AJ Valentine.
STOFBERG, A. (2018). The effect of irrigation scheduling on the performance ofyoung apple trees in newly established orchards. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr JE Hoffman/Dr JL van Zyl.
VAN SCHALKWYK, R. (2018). Soilwater balance and root development in Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) plantationsunder Clanwilliam field conditions. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr JE Hoffman/Dr AG Hardie.

2017

COOPER, G.D. (2017). Long-term effect of tillage and crop rotation practices on soil C and N in the Swartland, Western Cape, South Africa. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr AG Hardie/Dr JA Strauss/Dr J Labuschangne.
ESMERALDO, M.Q. (2017). Effects of tillage practices on some key soil parameters : A case study in the Kwazulu-Natal Midlands, South Africa. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr A Rozanov/Ms L Wiese.
NIEUWOUDT, S.F. (2017). The effect of residue management on the nutrient cycle in the production of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) at Nieuwoudtville, Northern Cape. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr WP de Clercq/Dr AG Hardie.
OSBORNE, D.G. (2017). Spatial variation, bias and experimental design in agronomic field trials: a case study of a farming systems trial in the Western Cape province, South Africa. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr A Rozanov/Dr J Strauss/Dr CE Clarke.
VAN DER BERG, V. (2017). An evaluation of lime Requirement methods for selected SouthAfrican soils. Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr AG Hardie/Dr P Raath.

2016

BOTHA, O.G. (2016). The effect of composted biochar on compost properties and mineralisation. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr AG Hardie/Dr A Rozanov.
CARSTENS, M.E. (2016). Properties of bleached topsoils on apedal subsoils: analysis from the land type profile database. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr CE Clarke/Dr WP de Clercq
LEYGONIE, I.R. (2016). Effect of once-off tillage on soil physical and chemical properties and crop response on a shale-derived soil under no-till in the Swarland, Western Cape. MScAgric, Supervisor: Dr JE Hoffman.
MALAN, G.J. (2016). Investigating the suitability of land-type information for hydrological modelling in the mountain regions of Hessequa, South Africa. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr WP de Clercq/Dr A Rozanov.

2015

LE ROUX, J.L. (2015). The occurrence of bleached topsoils on weakly structured subsoil horizons in the Western Cape and Mpumalanga Provinces of South Africa. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr CE Clarke/Dr WP de Clercq.
ROS-MESA, I. (2015). Stochastic modelling of soil organic carbon stocks under different land uses in a catchment located within the upper reaches of the Mvoti river, South Africa. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr A Rozanov/Prof T. Seifert
SMUTS, I. (2015). The effects of acid mine drainage on the weathering of primary and secondary minerals in soils of Nababeep, Northern Cape. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr CE Clarke/Dr AG Hardie.
VAN DER HAM, I. (2015). The effect of inorganic fertilizer applications on plant litter and compost decomposition dynamics in sandy soil. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr AG Hardie/Dr A Rozanov.
VOSTER, A.H. (2015). Influence of tillage and cropping sequence on the soil physical properties, water balance and water use efficiency of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and canola (Brassica napus) under rainfed-conditions in the Rȗens sub-region of the Western Cape. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr JE Hoffman/ Dr J Labuschagne.

2014

ADAMS, A.R. (2014). The degradation of atrazine by soil minerals : effects of drying mineral surfaces. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr CE Clarke/Prof AN Roychoudhury
PIENAAR, C.J. (2014). Increased water productivity in irrigated tomato production in the smallholder farming community of Giyani. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr WP de Clercq/Dr N Jovanovic.
SMITH, J.D.V. (2014). The effect of long-term no-till crop rotation practices on soil organic matter functional pools. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr AG Hardie/Dr JA Strauss.
SMITH, J.F.N. (2014). Investigation of soil quality (health) in commercial production of rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis) in the Western Cape, South Africa. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr AG Hardie/Prof A Botha.
SWIEGELAAR, N.A. (2014). Evaluating the effect of crop rotations and tillage practices on soil water balances of selected soils and crop performances in the Western Cape. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr JE Hoffman/ Dr J Labuschagne.

2013

BOTHA, P.B. (2013). The effect of long-term tillage practices on selected soil properties in the Swartland wheat production area of the Western Cape. MScAgric, Supervisor: Dr WP de Clercq
KOETLISI, A. (2013). Influence of soil texture, water management and fertilizer N on the biomass production and antimicrobial properties of Mentha longifolia L. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr JE Hoffman/ Dr AJ Pienaar
OLIVIER, G. (2013). Gully erosion in the Sandspruit catchment, Western Cape, with a focus on the discontinuous split gully system at Malansdam. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr WP de Clercq/Dr BHA Schloms.
VILJOEN, D.W. (2013). Evaluation of the effect of an orange oil based soil Ameliorant on selected soil physical properties. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr JE Hoffman/Dr DC Uys.
WASSEFALL, M.N. (2013). Rain events based hillslope hydrological processes at the Langgewens Experimental Farm, Western Cape, South Africa. MScAgric, Supervisor: Dr WP de Clercq
WRIGHT, N. (2013). Evaluation of the effects of an orange-oil based soil ameliorant on soil water management. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr JE Hoffman/Dr DC Uys.

2012

MCHUNU, S.E. (2012). Distribution and stability of soil carbon in spekboom thicket, Eastern Cape, South Africa. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr AG Hardie/Dr AJ Mills
SIKA, M.P. (2012). Effect of biochar on chemistry, nutrient uptake, and fertilizer mobility in sandy soil. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr AG Hardie/Dr JE Hoffman
ZEELIE, A. (2012). Effect of biochar on selected soil physical properties of a low potential sandy soil. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr JE Hoffman/ Dr AG Hardie

2011

BEKKER, S.J. (2011). Exploiting soil and terrain heterogeneity : an investigation into vigour and physiology of grapevines on and off "heuweltjies‟ in the Western Cape, South Africa. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr JE Hoffman/Dr SM Jacobs
KRITZINGER, D.J. (2011). Evaluering van grondvoorbereidingspraktyke wat in die wingerdbedryf uitgevoer word in terme van geselekteerde grondfisiese eienskappe. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr JE Hoffman/Dr PA Myburgh
LATEGAN, E.L. (2011). Determining of optimum irrigation schedules for drip irrigated Shiraz vineyards in the Breede River Valley. Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr JE Hoffman/ Dr PA Myburgh
MATHYS, I.L. (2011). Soil health and quality concept in agricultural extension and soil science : an assessment of topsoil conditions in a long term vineyard soil management trial in Robertson, South Africa. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr A Rozanov/Dr JE Hoffman
OLIVIER, C.F. (2011). An investigation into the degradation of biochar and its interactions with plants and soil microbial community. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr A. Rozanov/Prof A. Botha
STANDER, M.D.T. (2011). An investigation into the influence of soil pattern on preferential flow and groundwater recharge in fractured bedrock and cover sand aquifers. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisors: Dr A Rozanov/Dr F. Ellis & Dr N. Jovanovich

2010

AWKES, M.M. (2010). Comparison of calcium ameliorants and coal ash in alleviating the effects of subsoil acidity on maize root development near Middelburg, Mpumalanga. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Prof MV Fey/Dr JE Hoffman.
VAN ZIJL, G.M. (2010). An investigation of the soil properties controlling gully erosion in a sub-catchment in Maphutseng, Lesotho. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr A Rozanov/Dr F Ellis.
VERMEULEN, T. (2010). Plant water relations of Elytropappus Rhinocerotis with specific reference to soil restrictions on growth. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr WP de Clercq/Dr JE Hoffman.

2009

COETZEE, M.E. (2009). Chemical characterisation of the soils of East Central Namibia. MScAgric, Supervisor: Dr F Ellis.
VAN DER MERWE, N. (2009). Nitrates in a catchment cleared of alien woody legumes in relation to ground water quality in the Atlantis aquifer (South Africa). MScAgric, Supervisor: Dr A Rozanov.

2008

MBAKWE, I. (2008). An evaluation of the effectiveness of coal ash as an amendment for acid soils. MScAgric, Supervisor: Prof MV Fey.
SYMONS, J. (2008). Soil fertility constraints to small-scale agriculture in North-west Zambia. MScAgric, Supervisor: Prof MV Fey.
EUSTICE, T. (2008). Efficiency of irrigation practices for table grapes in the Hex River Valley. MScAgric, Supervisor: Dr JE Hoffman.

2007

ISRAEL, S. (2007). In situ denitrification of nitrate rich groundwater in Marydale, Northern Cape. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Prof MV Fey/Dr G Tredoux.
BRINK, D. (2007). Die effek van verskillende oppervlakbewerkingspraktyke op die wortelverspreiding van wingerd. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr JE Hoffman/ J Fourie.
MWEPU, M.K.M. (2007). Attenuation of ionic pollutants in selected South African soils. MScAgric, Supervisor: Prof MV Fey.

2006

AGENBACH, G. (2006). Experiments to modify grape juice potassium content and wine quality on granite derived soils near Paardenberg. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Prof MV Fey/Mr D Saayman.

2005

ROUX, F.A. (2005). Invloed van spesifieke grond en klimaats parameters op wingerdprestasie, wynkwaliteit en -karakter. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr JE Hoffman/Prof MV Fey

PRINSLOO, H.P. (2005). Alteration of the soil mantle by strip mining in the Namaqualand Strandveld. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Prof MV Fey/Dr F Ellis.

2004

DOWDING, C.E. (2004). Morphology, mineralogy and surface chemistry of manganiferous oxisols near Graskop, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. MScAgric, 124 pp. Supervisor/co-supervisor: Prof MV Fey/DrF Ellis.
ENGELBRECHT, H.N. (2004). Water- en soutbalanse van geselekteerde besproeide gronde van die benede Bergrivier opvanggebied. MScAgric, Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Dr WP de Clercq/Dr JE Hoffman
HARDIE, A.G. (2004). Decontamination of soils by activation with acids and bases. MScAgric, 120 pp. Supervisor: Prof MV Fey.
HOWELL, C.L. (2004). Improvement of existing laboratory method by means of which water holding capacity of soil is determined on a routine basis. MScAgric, 126 pp. Supervisor: Dr JE Hoffman.
MONGWE, H.G. (2004). Soil organic matter status of natural and plantation forests in the Northern Province. MScAgric, 163 pp. Supervisor/co-supervisor: Dr A Rozanov/Prof MV Fey.

2003

BURGERS, C. (2003). Synthesis and characterization of sesquioxidic precipitates formed by the reaction of acid mine drainage with fly ash leachate. MScAgric, 110 pp. Supervisor: Prof MV Fey.

2002

ENGELBRECHT, G.P. (2002). Influence of vineyard and soil management practices on the potassium content and quality of grape juice and wine. MScAgric, 120 pp. Supervisor: Mr D Saayman.
KOTZE, T.G. (2002). Acidification of sands in citrus orchards fertilized by drip irrigation. MScAgric, 99 pp. Supervisor/Co-supervisor: Prof MV Fey/ Dr JE Hoffman.
PIJL, I. (2002). Daily drip fertigation: effect on water movement, soil characteristics and root distribution. MScAgric, 105 pp. Supervisor: Dr JE Hoffman.

2001

SMUTS, M.N. (2001). Determination of the lime requirement of sandy, organic-rich, and structured, high Mg:Ca ratio soils by the Eksteen method. MScAgric. 73 pp. Supervisor/Co-suspervisor: Mr JJN Lambrechts/Mr D Saayman
VAN SCHOOR, L.H. (2001). Geology, particle size distribution and clay fraction mineralogy of selected vineyard soils in South Africa and the possible relationship with grapevine performance. MScAgric. 113 pp. Supervisor/Co-suspervisor: Mr JJN Lambrechts/Mr D Saayman

Department of Soil Science Dissertations

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​PhD Disser​​tati​​​ons​

2023

2021

2019​

2018

2016

2015

2014

2​​013

2​0​​12

2​​0​08​

2​​0​07

20​0​​5

200​​3

MSc Dis​​sertations​

2023

2022​

2021​

2020

2019

2018​

2017

2016

2015

2014

2​​0​13

2​0​12

2​011​

2​0​10​

2​​​009

​2​008​

2​​0​07

​​2006

2​​0​05​

2​​00​4

2003​

20​​​02​

​​2​001​​

PhD Dissertations

2019

2013

2012

2008

2007

2005

2003

MSc Dissertations

2022

2021

2018

2013

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001