Farming for Tomorrow

Ionised gases are being used to kill food pathogens on packaged food. This method could bypass current heat treatment and chemical sanitising methods.

Plants of the brassica family can act as natural biofumigants when chopped up and worked into the soil, says plant pathologist Dr Reinette Gouws of the Agriculture Research Council.

Precision agriculture (PA) allows farmers to operate more efficiently and become better decision-makers. Australian Tim Neale and Sharon Clay from the US took part in a PA conference in Potchefstroom. Annelie Coleman compiled this report.

The use of bees as crop pollinators is well-known, but a group of scientists warns against confusing the European bumblebee with the South African carpenter bee.

Bumblebees have been used worldwide since the mid-80s to deliver pollen to flowers. Now they’ve become ‘flying doctors’. Robyn Joubert reports.

Due to underdeveloped gut microflora and immature immune systems piglets are highly susceptible to pathogenic infections which result in poor performance. To withstand these pathogens, a protective gut microflora and an optimised non-specific immune system are crucial. Feed expert Dr Thomas Volker explains why.

Activated oxygen water treatment trials in North West have shown positive results in wheat and maize yields. Annelie Coleman reports.

Australian research has shown the possibility of eliminating the horn gene in Merino sheep.

Research conducted by HortResearch SA’s Dr Steve Oosthuyse shows that timely pruning of litchi trees can produce a rich flush and yield a greater harvest.

Co-operation between South African and Argentinian agricultural organisations has led to a series of multi-year trials in selected South African localities to compare Argentinian direct planting technology and conventional systems with those used in South Africa. Pietman Botha reviews the first year of the trials, which were launched in 2011.

‘Switching off’ a gene that slows germination in high temperatures will allow farmers to grow lettuce all year round.

A novel approach to controlling a destructive root parasite has produced good results with sorghum in Ethiopia, according to Robyn Joubert.

Scientists have identified a virus found in US vineyards as the culprit, and are certain it will be found worldwide.

‘African leafy vegetables’ is a term used to describe indigenous, indigenised and recently introduced plant species collected by African women as a source of food for their families for centuries.

UK researchers find that crop fuels produce more pollution than the plants they replace.

Scientists have discovered that supplementing cattle feed with flaxseed results in less saturated fats.

An inexpensive new test may soon allow farmers to manage crops better and ascertain crop sizes accurately.

Research has shown that spiders are the first predators to colonise newly planted lands. Best of all, they are pest control specialists, says Dr Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman, specialist scientist at the ARC’s Plant Protection Research Institute.

A bacterium provides energy to pigs during weaning which helps boost their immune systems and reduce infections.

The venom from Anthopleura may soon be used to develop environmentally friendly pest control and new medicines.