Pannar’s quality seeds ensure a prosperous future
At NAMPO 2023, Pannar’s team of experts will be available to help farmers determine which maize hybrid seed with PowerCore™ technology best suits their farm for the next growing season.
Fruit sector research: power-generating trees, solar nets, and more!
Soaring energy and labour costs have sparked research into new production practices in the fruit industry. Calla du Toit, procurement manager at Tru-Cape, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about these developments.
Fertilising cucurbits: how much to apply and when to do it
Fertiliser is expensive, so it’s important to start with a soil analysis, and to get the balance right, says Bill Kerr.
Preventing and controlling diseases of sunflowers
Diseases of sunflowers, such as brown rust and head rot, can cause severe economic losses for farmers. Janine Ryan looks at the signs of these and other diseases that can help farmers...
Minor cucurbit pests
Bill Kerr looks at the leaf miner, cucurbit ladybird beetle and African bollworm, all of which, despite being minor pests, can cause damage.vd
Dealing with weeds in cucurbits
Uncontrolled weeds can rob pumpkins and other cucurbits of the nutrients they need for a good yield. Yet weeds can also protect pumpkins at a later phase in their growth,...
Defeat Liriomyza leaf miner without paying a cent
Leaf miners are a serious threat to tomato plants. Yet tiny parastic wasps are on hand to help bring their numbers down. All it requires is a bit of patience...
Surviving the troughs of the blueberry market
Three years ago, few would have foreseen that blueberry prices would plunge by more than 50%, forcing many investors to the brink of collapse. Berry farmer Luan Swart of Mpumalanga...
The award-winning cucumber farmer who’s focused on the future
Planning and forward thinking are important in farming, says Kobela Mokgohloa, the owner of Korema Farm in Winterveldt near Pretoria. He spoke to Magda du Toit about how he grew...
Transform maize production with Pannar’s PowerCore™ technology
Farmers can reclaim their power by integrating powerful insect-resistant seed traits in their maize crop production, thanks to Pannar's PowerCore™ technology
Cucurbits: A fascinating history of cultivation for over 11 000 years
These much-loved vegetables, which are technically fruits, were among the earliest cultivated crops in the world, says Bill Kerr.
Plant health: Protect your canola from blackleg
With blackleg being amongst the worst diseases of canola, South African researchers are conducting trials to find the most resistant cultivars and most effective fungicides for local conditions. Dr Gert van Coller...
Cassava: an untapped resource in South Africa
Light Ngobeni and Zinhle Nkosi, agricultural economists and master’s students at the University of Pretoria and the University of Limpopo respectively, write about the importance of cassava production for farmers...
A shorter growth cycle for higher lettuce profits
Lettuce is beholden to an inconsistent market, with demand often dependent on the weather. Sustainable production therefore requires careful management of supply and demand. Equally important, as farmer Jakkie Mellet...
Cucurbit planting strategies
To ensure a successful crop, it’s crucial to plant out the seedlings at the optimal time. Getting it wrong may prove expensive, says Bill Kerr.
Cactus pear: one crop, three profitable markets
One of the most important decisions the Van der Berg brothers ever made was to include the production of cactus pear in their farming operation. Dewald van der Berg spoke...
Factors influencing maize yield
Yield potential refers to the maximum yield that a farmer can obtain from a crop in a given environment and is largely determined by a specific combination of factors. Magda...
Avocado farmers prove the value of ridging
Limpopo farmers Kosie and Manie Eloff, faced with the need to re-establish their avocado orchards, decided to conduct a multiyear experiment comparing the yields of trees planted on ridged and...
The pros and cons of tunnel tomatoes
Growing tomatoes in tunnels is not as easy or affordable as some people think. Do your research before committing yourself, cautions Bill Kerr.
A guide to optimising blueberry production
Blueberries are a challenging crop to cultivate, as the plants don’t readily absorb key nutrients, and the berries can therefore vary in flavour, quality and size. With an increasingly picky...
ADVERTISEMENT
MUST READS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
