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Influence of Soil Organic Matter Content on the Responsiveness of Eucalyptus grandis to Nitrogen Fertiliser
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Forestry Journal • Authors: A.D. Noble --- Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, South Africa M.A. Herbert --- Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, South AfricaIt is widely recognised that the inherent nitrogen (N) mineralisation capacity of a soil is directly related to the organic matter content. Consequently, in estimating the N requirements of Eucalyptus grandis at planting this mineralisation potential must be taken into... -
Use of Ecological Site Classification in the Prediction of Forest Productivity and Response to Fertilisation
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Forestry Journal • Authors: Reid Carter --- Forest Sciences Department, Canada Karel Klinka --- Forest Sciences Department, CanadaThe principals of biogeoclimatic ecosystem classification were used to stratify sites supporting immature stands of coastal Douglas-fir. The resulting strata were shown to represent unique segments of regional gradients of available soil moisture and nutrients. Regression models indicated strong relationships... -
A critical soil sulphur level for maize (Zea mays L.) grown in a glasshouse
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: L. Grobler --- Department of Plant and Soil Science, Republic of South Africa A.A. Bloem --- Department of Agriculture North West Province, Republic of South Africa A.S. Claassens --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, Republic of South AfricaSulphur is an essential nutrient for the production of the amino acids cysteine and methionine, which are important for protein syntheses. Previous studies showed that sulphur deficiencies are becoming common because of the tendency to use more concentrated and liquid... -
Evaluation of petiole nitrate measurement as an aid for N fertilization of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) on sandy soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: P.P. Brink --- Department of Agronomy and Pastures, N. J.J. Combrink --- Department of Agronomy and Pastures, F.H. Knight --- Department of Agriculture, Western Cape,Potatoes are produced in the Sandveld of the Western Cape on soils with extremely low clay and organic material contents. A low nitrogen mineralisation potential and high leaching hazard complicate the management of the nitrogen supply to the plant. This... -
The delta yield procedure for nitrogen fertilisation of maize in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: A.A. Nel --- , Republic of South Africa A.A. Bloem --- Department of Agriculture, Republic of South AfricaThe nitrogen fertilisation requirement for maize in South Africa is generaly estimated through the optimum yield-nitrogen rate procedure. The efficacy of this procedure is questionable. Delta yield, the difference between the maize grain yield at the economic optimum and that... -
Effect of nitrogen levels and sources on production of Swiss Chard (Beta vulgaris var. Cicla)
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: G.M. Engelbrecht --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa G.M. Ceronio --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa P.C. Motseki --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South AfricaTo optimise the production of Swiss chard, high levels of nitrogen fertiliser are often applied. This may have adverse effects on both the economy of fertilisation and the nutritional value of the human diet. Very little is known about both... -
Application of the 3-PG model to a Eucalyptus grandis stand subjected to varying levels of water and nutritional constraints in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: The Southern African Forestry Journal • Authors: J. M. Campion L.J. Esprey M.C. ScholesThe 3-PG model has shown considerable potential as a tool for predicting forest productivity. As part of a model validation exercise, 3-PG was applied to an irrigated and fertilised Eucalyptus grandis stand in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Simulations were run over... -
Different responses of Eragrostis curvula and Themeda triandra to rapid- and slow-release fertilisers: insights into their ecology and implications for fertiliser selection in pot experiments
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: RWS Fynn J NaikenIn a pot experiment, we examined the response of Eragrostis curvula and Themeda triandra to 0, 15, 30 and 60 g m−2 of nitrogen (N) supplied either as a rapid-release fertiliser (Sasol Nitro NPK) or a slow-release fertiliser (Plantacote Plus)... -
Productivity gains by fertilisation in Eucalyptus urophylla clonal plantations across gradients in site and stand conditions
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: JM de Aguiar Ferreira --- , Brazil JL Stape --- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, USANutrition management in Eucalyptus plantations is fundamental for sustaining high production. Fertilisation is routinely used to improve tree nutrition, providing profitable returns on large investments. Growth responses to fertilisation differ dramatically among sites, however, so efficient investment decisions in fertilisation... -
The effects of mid- and late-rotation fertiliser application on tree growth and wood quality in softwood saw-timber stands: a critical review
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: JM CampionThe economic benefits of mid- and late-rotation fertiliser application in saw-timber stands are well documented. These benefits are significantly related to a reduction in the length of the compound interest period over which the investment in fertiliser is carried, compared... -
Assessing the effects of early silvicultural management on long-term site productivity of fast-growing eucalypt plantations: the Brazilian experience
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: JLM Gonçalves JL Stape J-P Laclau J-P Bouillet J RangerEucalyptus is the dominant and most productive planted forest in Brazil, covering around 3.4 million ha for the production of charcoal, pulp, sawtimber, timber plates, wood foils, plywood and for building purposes. At the early establishment of the forest plantations,... -
Growth and tiller production of Themeda triandra as affected by NPK fertilisation
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Justin CO du Toit --- Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute, South AfricaThemeda triandra Forssk. is a common perennial grass in southern African grasslands that tolerates low nutrient soils. Establishment of the species into degraded or transformed areas is difficult, but there have been some advances with clonal propagation using tillers. To... -
A critical view on the soil fertility status of minimum-till kikuyu–ryegrass pastures in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Pieter A Swanepoel --- Department of Agronomy, South Africa Chris C du Preez --- Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa Philip R Botha --- Research and Technology Development Services, Department of Agriculture Western Cape, South Africa Hennie A Snyman --- Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences, South AfricaCultivated pastures provide increased productivity and contribute inter alia to food security. Rangelands in the southern Cape region of South Africa have had a low animal production potential and were therefore improved through time as cultivated pastures. Initially, annual pastures... -
Managing cultivated pastures for improving soil quality in South Africa: challenges and opportunities
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Pieter A Swanepoel --- Department of Agronomy, South Africa Philip R Botha --- Directorate Plant Services, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, South Africa Chris C du Preez --- Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa Hennie A Snyman --- Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences, South Africa Johan Labuschagne --- Directorate Plant Sciences, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, South AfricaLoss of productive agricultural land due to soil degradation poses a serious threat to agricultural output and sustainability. Soil degradation of cultivated pastures manifests as a long-term decline in production potential. There are concerns that soils under pastures in certain... -
Establishing Cynodon dactylon on mining tailings and mining-impacted soil of a copper–cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: JE Granger --- SAEON, South Africa TG O'Connor --- SAEON, South AfricaMining for copper and cobalt generates extensive mounds of removed topsoil and subsoil, and tailings with toxic levels of copper and cobalt. The threat of soil erosion in a high rainfall regime can be countered with rapid establishment of a... -
Assessing the potential benefits of organic and mineral fertiliser combinations on legume productivity under smallholder management in Zimbabwe
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Grace Kanonge --- Chemistry and Soils Research Institute, Zimbabwe Florence Mtambanengwe --- Soil Fertility Consortium for Southern Africa (SOFECSA), Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Zimbabwe Muneta G Manzeke --- Soil Fertility Consortium for Southern Africa (SOFECSA), Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Zimbabwe Hatirarami Nezomba --- Soil Fertility Consortium for Southern Africa (SOFECSA), Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Zimbabwe Paul Mapfumo --- Soil Fertility Consortium for Southern Africa (SOFECSA), Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, ZimbabweProductivity of grain legumes on sandy soils of southern Africa is critically limited by marginal fertilisation. Effects of co-applying phosphorus (P)-based mineral fertilisers and organic nutrient resources to cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) and soyabean (Glycine max L.) were investigated... -
Nutritional quality of baby spinach (
Spinacia oleracea L. ) as affected by nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilisationItem type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Bongekile O Zikalala --- Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, South Africa Mpumelelo Nkomo --- Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, South Africa Hintsa Araya --- Agricultural Research Council–Roodeplaat Vegetable and Ornamental Plant Institute, South Africa Wonder Ngezimana --- Marondera College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Zimbabwe Fhatuwani N Mudau --- Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, South AfricaBaby spinach is a nutritious vegetable rich in phytochemicals and minerals. Cultural practices such as fertilisation have an impact on the nutritional composition of vegetables. Hence, the current study investigated the responses of the chemical composition of baby spinach to... -
Diagnosing foliar nutrient dynamics of Eucalyptus grandis in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, using optimal element ratios and the diagnosis and recommendation integrated system (DRIS)
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Hemisphere Forestry Journal • Authors: JM Campion MC ScholesFertilisation is one of the most cost-effective methods of increasing and maintaining the productivity of Eucalyptus grandis plantations in South Africa. This silvicultural practice can be optimised by using the foliar nutrient ratios measured in plants at maximum growth as... -
Efforts Toward Improving Maize Yields on Smallholder Farms in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, through Site-specific, Soil-testing-based Fertiliser Recommendations: A Transdisciplinary Approach
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal • Authors: Arusey Chebet --- University of Eldoret, Kenya Njoroge Ruth --- University of Eldoret, Kenya Otinga A. Nekesa --- University of Eldoret, Kenya Wilson Ng’etich --- University of Eldoret, Kenya Koech Julius --- University of Eldoret, Kenya Roland W. Scholz --- Danube University, AustriaThis study evaluated the effects of site-specific, soil-testing-based fertiliser recommendations on maize yields using the transdisciplinary (TD) process. The TD process utilizes knowledge from science and practice. Farmers, extension officers, local financial institutions, and other practitioners collaborated with local scientists... -
The influence of species, tree improvement and cultural practices on rotation-end fibre production of Eucalyptus pulpwood plantations in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Jacob Crous --- Sappi Forests, South Africa Giovanni Sale --- Sappi Forests, South Africa Thimagren Naidoo --- Sappi Forests, South AfricaTo remain competitive on a global scale it is necessary for forestry companies to increase the yield per hectare and work towards reducing the unit cost of timber. A three-trial series with a 24 factorial design and two replications at... -
Integrated influence of soil tillage, nitrogen–potassium fertiliser and mulching on pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) growth and yield
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Elvire L Sossa --- Research Unit of Eco-Pedology, Laboratory of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, Benin Codjo E Agbangba --- Laboratory of Research in Applied Biology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, Benin Guillaume L Amadji --- Research Unit of Eco-Pedology, Laboratory of Soil Sciences, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, Benin Kossi E Agbossou --- Laboratory of Hydraulic and Water Control, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, Benin Djidjoho J Hounhouigan --- Laboratory of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, BeninPineapple is one of the most important fruit in the world and its production requires appropiate cultural practices. This work aimed to investigate the influences of soil tillage, nitrogen–potassium (N-K) fertiliser and mulching on pineapple growth and yield. The experimental... -
Assessing long-term nutrient and lime enrichment effects on a subtropical South African grassland
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Naledi Zama --- University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa Anathi Magadlela --- University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa Ntuthuko Mkhize --- University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa Michelle Tedder --- University of Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa Kevin Kirkman --- University of Kwazulu-Natal, South AfricaNutrient enrichment influences grassland ecosystem structure, typically manifested by reduced species richness and increased productivity. Quantifying the long-term impacts of nutrient enrichment on grasslands contributes to understanding eutrophication effects on grassland, particularly for grasslands adapted to low soil nutrient status... -
Rainfed-based production of Megathyrsus maximus in sub-Saharan Africa: the case of the semi-arid environment of Sudan
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Hussein I Mohamed --- , Sudan Shamseddin M Ahmed --- Water Management and Irrigation Institute, University of Gezira, Sudan Adil D Mohamed --- Water Management and Irrigation Institute, University of Gezira, SudanThe performance of rainfed-based Megathyrsus maximus (syn. Urochloa maxima and Panicum maximum) was investigated in the semi-arid pastures of Sudan. Split-plot complete design experiments with three replications were applied for two consecutive seasons (2020–2021). The treatments were two in situ... -
Magnesium and zinc fertilisation improves rice yield and yield component responses to nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Firmin N Anago --- University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin Emile C Agbangba --- University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin Brice C T Oussou --- National Institute of Agronomic Research of Benin, Benin Gustave D Dagbénonbakin --- National Institute of Agronomic Research of Benin, Benin Lucien G Amadji --- University of Abomey-Calavi, BeninThe aim of this study was to assess the effects of magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) on the response of rice to nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) application. Two sets of field experiments were carried out in Benin... -
Comparison of single vs composite soil electrical apparent conductivity-directed samples of irrigated soils for inorganic nitrogen estimation with electromagnetic induction sensors
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: --- University of the Free State, South Africa --- University of the Free State, South Africa --- University of the Free State, South Africa --- University of the Free State, South AfricaThe management of soil can be improved by precision agriculture. A way to achieve this is by quantifying NH4+–N and NO3−–N in soil. The sampling of soil for quantifying these N species is a laborious task. Electromagnetic induction (EMI) sensors... -
Nitrogen fertiliser demand of canola is low when produced in conservation agriculture systems in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Izané Riana Crous --- Stellenbosch University, South Africa Johan Labuschagne --- Stellenbosch University, South Africa Pieter Andreas Swanepoel --- Stellenbosch University, South AfricaCurrent fertiliser guidelines for nitrogen (N) application for canola under conservation agriculture (CA) in South Africa, may result in over-fertilisation. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of N rates and foliar applied N on biomass, seed and oil yield... -
Silvicultural management strategies for climate change mitigation with the focus on plantation forests
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Ben du Toit --- Stellenbosch University, South AfricaThis technical note explores several practical actions whereby short-rotation plantation forests in warm climates can be managed for increased resilience in the face of climate change. It includes landscape level issues such as ecosystem resilience, limiting the invasive tendencies of...