Comparing organic and conventional farming systems in George, South Africa
- Authors: Swanepoel, Marike
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Organic farming -- South Africa -- George , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- George Agricultural systems -- South Africa -- George
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43946 , vital:37086
- Description: This study presents some of the findings of a long-term comparative study at the Nelson Mandela University George campus which started in 2014. This research compares the differences in crop yields and soil fertility under conventional and organic farming systems. Although previous research that was conducted will be presented briefly, the main focus of this dissertation is to report on the research results generated during the 2016/17 and 2017/18 cropping seasons. The baseline study (indicator measurements) was done in 2014 and investigated soil fertility before the different farming systems were implemented. The rapid increase in human population threatens food security, especially in developing countries. Climate change together with the degradation of soil and other natural resources due to high-input industrial farming, provide further challenges in terms of agriculture and future food security. Agricultural production in South Africa faces three obstacles: water scarcity, infertile soils and poor institutional support. Therefore, regenerative and sustainable agriculture practices such as organic farming, are increasingly being promoted as an alternative to conventional farming systems in southern Africa. What is the best way of farming? This is the question every farmer is confronted with. Some say organic whilst others say conventional, but how do we determine this? What is the role of crop rotation in pest management, soil fertility and crop yield? So we set up the research to compare the two farming systems so that decisions can be based on sound scientific findings. Results showed a significant increase in the case of the organic yield in season 2016/17 for cabbage and in both seasons (2016/17 & 2017/18) for cowpea and sweet potato, proving that organic farming yields can increase over time. Soil fertility changes from the baseline year (2014) till the end of season 2017/18 were compared. Overall organic farming systems showed very promising results with higher levels of soil pH followed by a significant increase in important soil nutrients (P, K & C) compared to conventional systems. Crop rotation also had positive effects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Swanepoel, Marike
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Organic farming -- South Africa -- George , Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- George Agricultural systems -- South Africa -- George
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43946 , vital:37086
- Description: This study presents some of the findings of a long-term comparative study at the Nelson Mandela University George campus which started in 2014. This research compares the differences in crop yields and soil fertility under conventional and organic farming systems. Although previous research that was conducted will be presented briefly, the main focus of this dissertation is to report on the research results generated during the 2016/17 and 2017/18 cropping seasons. The baseline study (indicator measurements) was done in 2014 and investigated soil fertility before the different farming systems were implemented. The rapid increase in human population threatens food security, especially in developing countries. Climate change together with the degradation of soil and other natural resources due to high-input industrial farming, provide further challenges in terms of agriculture and future food security. Agricultural production in South Africa faces three obstacles: water scarcity, infertile soils and poor institutional support. Therefore, regenerative and sustainable agriculture practices such as organic farming, are increasingly being promoted as an alternative to conventional farming systems in southern Africa. What is the best way of farming? This is the question every farmer is confronted with. Some say organic whilst others say conventional, but how do we determine this? What is the role of crop rotation in pest management, soil fertility and crop yield? So we set up the research to compare the two farming systems so that decisions can be based on sound scientific findings. Results showed a significant increase in the case of the organic yield in season 2016/17 for cabbage and in both seasons (2016/17 & 2017/18) for cowpea and sweet potato, proving that organic farming yields can increase over time. Soil fertility changes from the baseline year (2014) till the end of season 2017/18 were compared. Overall organic farming systems showed very promising results with higher levels of soil pH followed by a significant increase in important soil nutrients (P, K & C) compared to conventional systems. Crop rotation also had positive effects.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A taxonomic revision of the genera of the subtribe Dracophilinae (Aizoaceae: Ruschioideae)
- Authors: Mannheimer, Coleen Anne
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Aizoaceae , Plants -- Classification , Cladistic analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4247 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007461 , Aizoaceae , Plants -- Classification , Cladistic analysis
- Description: Namibia, Juttadinteria and Dracophilus, the three genera belonging to the subtribe Dracophilinae Schwantes (Aizoaceae: Ruschioideae) were revised. Macro-morphology, leaf anatomy and micromorphology of leaf epidermides, pollen, tapetal orbicules and seed were studied in order to test taxon limits, to determine relationships between taxa, and to improve knowledge of their characteristics as well as the taxonomy of the subtribe. The investigation was based on herbarium specimens, field observations and cultivated, living plants. Phenetic cluster analyses were used to confirm species while intergeneric and interspecific relationships of the taxa so indicated were later tested by means of a phylogenetic analysis. The existence of the three genera was provisionally upheld by this study although phylogenetic analysis showed Namibia nested as a strongly supported monophyletic group within a poorly supported luttadinteria. Further work is needed to clarify whether Namibia should be sunk into Juttadinteria. The latest treatments of Juttadinteria and Dracophilus by Hartmann (2001) were supprted. However, in contrast to her latest treatment of Namibia, N. pomonae was sunk into N. cinerea and N. ponderosa was reinstated and typified. Juttadinteria was found to be a poorly resolved genus with many intergrading and overlapping characters, possible due to recent speciation. Possible subspecific groups within J. deserticola and J. simpsonii were indicated by the phenetic study but further work is needed before any formal infraspecific taxonomic rank can be assigned to them. Detailed descriptions of the nine elucidated species and the three genera as well as new keys for their identification are provided in order to facilitate further work in this group. Distribution maps are provided for the genera and species, and the subtribe. Variation of character states within the subtribe, distribution area, ecology and biology are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
- Authors: Mannheimer, Coleen Anne
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Aizoaceae , Plants -- Classification , Cladistic analysis
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4247 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007461 , Aizoaceae , Plants -- Classification , Cladistic analysis
- Description: Namibia, Juttadinteria and Dracophilus, the three genera belonging to the subtribe Dracophilinae Schwantes (Aizoaceae: Ruschioideae) were revised. Macro-morphology, leaf anatomy and micromorphology of leaf epidermides, pollen, tapetal orbicules and seed were studied in order to test taxon limits, to determine relationships between taxa, and to improve knowledge of their characteristics as well as the taxonomy of the subtribe. The investigation was based on herbarium specimens, field observations and cultivated, living plants. Phenetic cluster analyses were used to confirm species while intergeneric and interspecific relationships of the taxa so indicated were later tested by means of a phylogenetic analysis. The existence of the three genera was provisionally upheld by this study although phylogenetic analysis showed Namibia nested as a strongly supported monophyletic group within a poorly supported luttadinteria. Further work is needed to clarify whether Namibia should be sunk into Juttadinteria. The latest treatments of Juttadinteria and Dracophilus by Hartmann (2001) were supprted. However, in contrast to her latest treatment of Namibia, N. pomonae was sunk into N. cinerea and N. ponderosa was reinstated and typified. Juttadinteria was found to be a poorly resolved genus with many intergrading and overlapping characters, possible due to recent speciation. Possible subspecific groups within J. deserticola and J. simpsonii were indicated by the phenetic study but further work is needed before any formal infraspecific taxonomic rank can be assigned to them. Detailed descriptions of the nine elucidated species and the three genera as well as new keys for their identification are provided in order to facilitate further work in this group. Distribution maps are provided for the genera and species, and the subtribe. Variation of character states within the subtribe, distribution area, ecology and biology are discussed.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2006
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