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Factors Affecting Soil Phosphate Distribution and Reactions in Cape Forest Soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Forestry Journal • Authors: T.W. Payn --- Saasveld Forestry Research Centre, M.E. Clough --- Saasveld Forestry Research Centre,The amounts of various forms of phosphate in some Cape soils and the adsorption of phosphate by these soils were investigated. The levels were low and only 2% was in available form. The major fraction of phosphate in the soil... -
Fertilising Commercial Forest Species in Southern Africa: Research Progress and Problems (Part 1)
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Forestry Journal • Authors: M.A. Herbert --- , South Africa A. P.G. Schönau --- , South AfricaSince the inception of forest fertiliser research in Southern Africa in 1926, eight eucalypt, six pine and four acacia species have been tested, encompassing a wide range of sites in summer, winter and uniform rainfall areas. Marked deficiencies of P,... -
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... -
The Influence of Site Factors on the Foliar Nutrient Content of Eucalyptus grandis in Natal
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Forestry Journal • Authors: M.A. Herbert --- Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, South AfricaAlthough foliar analysis is commonly used to diagnose the nutritional status of trees and their ability to respond to fertilising, it is also a measure of site type and quality. The availability of nutrients in the soil varies with climatic... -
Site Evaluation in Black Wattle with Special Reference to Soil Factors
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Forestry Journal • Authors: A. P.G. Schönau --- Silviculture Section, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, South Africa W. J.K. Aldworth --- Silviculture Section, Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, South AfricaTogether with climate, soil characteristics are the most important factors affecting tree growth. However, the attempts in many site evaluation studies to establish a direct relationship between soil factors and tree growth have not been very successful, the exception being... -
Cable Yarding in Southern Africa: An Analysis of its Productivity and Possible Procedure for its Improvement
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Forestry Journal • Authors: R.M. de Laborde --- Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, South AfricaThe demand for timber in southern Africa is increasing and this is resulting in the afforestation of areas which require cable yarding when harvested. The demand for cable yarders, essentially fixed skylines, is therefore increasing rapidly. Stress is being placed... -
The Relationship between Soil Water Status, Rainfall and the Growth of Eucalyptus grandis
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Forestry Journal • Authors: D.I. Boden --- Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, South AfricaAvailable soil water is recognised as the main factor influencing the growth of commercial plantations in southern Africa. This is of strategic importance as successive rotations of demanding species such as Eucalyptus grandis may be depleting the soil water reserves... -
The Hydrological Effects of a Wildfire in a Eucalypt Afforested Catchment
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Forestry Journal • Authors: D.F. Scott --- Division of Forest Science and Technology, Jonkershoek Forestry Research Centre, RSA R.E. Schulze --- Department of Agricultural Engineering, RSAA high-intensity wildfire through a humid, upland catchment which was partially afforested to Eucalyptus fastigata, markedly increased stormflows and caused high soil losses off the afforested slopes. Total streamflow yield was unchanged but baseflow was reduced after the fire. The... -
The Amelioration of Pinus patula Mortality on Former Agricultural Sites through Fertilisation: A Bioassay and Greenhouse Study
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Forestry Journal • Authors: A.D. Noble --- , South Africa A.W. Schumann --- , South AfricaRecent expansion of the timber industry into areas previously used for agronomic production has, in many cases, resulted in poor growth of Pinus patula and P. elliottii seedlings and in certain instances complete stand failure. A bioassay study was initiated... -
The Effects of Phosphorus and Dolomitic Lime on the Production and Volumetrical Conversion Factors of Eucalyptus grandis Wood
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Forestry Journal • Authors: S.V. Valeri --- , Brazil I.B. Aguiar --- , Brazil L. Corradini --- , Brazil S.F. Alvarenga --- , BrazilThe effects of phosphorus and dolomitic lime applications on the stacked wood volume, dry wood weight and form, bark and stacking factors of Eucalyptus grandis Hill ex Maiden trees are presented. The rates of phosphorus (0 kg, 200 kg and... -
Evidence of Induced Nutrient Deficiency in Pine Plantings on Previously Cropped Lands
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Forestry Journal • Authors: A.W. Schumann --- , South Africa A.D. Noble --- , South AfricaWidespread establishment failures of Pinus species have recently occurred on agricultural land acquired for commercial forestry in South Africa. These include about 10 000 ha of previously tilled soils in the north-eastern Cape belonging to Mondi Forests. A lettuce (Lactuca... -
Regeneration Procedures of Pinus radiata in the Southern Cape Province
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Forestry Journal • Authors: J.B. Zwolinski --- , USA D. G.M. Donald --- Forestry Faculty, A. van Laar --- Forestry Faculty,The present paper, which discusses the regeneration of Pinus radiata, represents Part 1 of a series of publications based on experimental studies of the subject. It provides information about the background of the trials and discusses the modification of soil... -
The Impact of Harvesting Operations on Timber Quality: Causes and Remedies
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Forestry Journal • Authors: Walter Warkotsch --- Forest Engineering Technology, Faculty of Forestry,Forests are devastated daily to satisfy the world's timber demands. Tropical forests throughout the world are exploited and endangered. An obligation therefore exists to avoid damage to timber and minimise waste wherever possible. -
The performance of tropical pastures in the drier phase of the Highland sourveld of Natal
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: G.M. Brockett --- Department of Agriculture (Natal Region), N.N. Gray --- Department of Agriculture (Natal Region),Several tropical grasses (Acroceras macrum, Cenchrus ciliaris, Cyndon sp., Digitaria sp. and Pennisetum clandestinum) and legumes (Desmodium uncinatum and Lotononis bainesii) were evaluated at the Kokstad Research Station (Bioclimatic sub‐region 4f of Natal) over a period of seven years. The... -
Long term nitrogen and phosphorus application to veld
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: C.H. Donaldson --- , G. Rootman --- , D. Grossman --- Department of Agriculture,The long term effects of a 5N x 3P factorial fertilizer application trial on hay yields, botanical composition and soil properties of veld are presented. Significant increases in hay yields were recorded during most years. There was a strong correlation... -
Grond‐ en afloopverlies bepalings vanaf natuurlike veld, met behulp van ‘n reënvalnabootser
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: H.A. Snyman --- , W.L.J. Van Rensburg --- , D.P.J. Opperman’ --- ,‘n Oorhoofse roterende reënvalnabootser is gebruik om die sediment‐ en afloopverliese vanaf natuurlike veld in verskillende suksessiestadia en teen verskillende hellings te bepaal. -
Toepassíng van ‘n gronderosievergelyking op natuurlike veld van die sentrale oranje‐vrystaat
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: H A Snyman --- , W L J Van Rensburg --- , D P J Opperman --- ,‘n Oorhoofse roterende rcënvalnabootscr is gebruik orn numericse waardes vir sekere faktore van die universele gronderosi‐evcrgelyking vas te stel. Alhocwei dit tydens hierdie Studie nodig was om sekere belangrike aannames te maak, het die afgeleide data betekenisvol ooreengestem met die... -
Responses of four perennial pasture legumes to soil amendment with lime and superphosphate
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: D L Barnes --- Department of Agriculture and Water Supply (Transvaal Region),Yield response of crownvetch (Coronilla varia) cv. Penngift, lucerne (Medicago sativa) cv. CUF 101, white clover (Trifolium repens) Dusi type and Kenya white clover (T. semipilosum) cv. Safari to differential application of lime and superphosphate were determined in a 5... -
Influence of soil pH and fertilization on the dry matter production, chemical composition and digestibility of perennial grasses: I. Anthephora pubescens nees1
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: L G DuPisani --- Department of Agriculture & Water Supply (Free State Region), W L J Van Rensburg --- Department of Pasture Science, D P J Opperman --- Department of Pasture Science,The influence of soil pH and fertilization (N, P and Zn) on the dry matter (DM) production, chemical composition (crude protein, P, K, Ca, Mg and Zn content) and organic matter (OM) digestibility of Anthephora pubescens Nees was evaluated in... -
Influence of soil PH and fertilization on the dry matter production, chemical composition and digestibility of perennial grasses : II panicum maximum JACQ1
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: L G Du Pisani --- Department of Agriculture and Water Supply (Free State Region), W L J Van Rensburg --- Department of Pasture Science, D P J Opperman --- Department of Pasture Science,The influence of soil pH and fertilization (?, ? and Zn) on the dry matter (DM) production, chemical composition (crude protein, P, K, Ca, Mg and Zn content) and organic matter (OM) digestibility of Panicum maximum Jacq. was evaluated in... -
Performance of Medicago sativa under dryland conditions on the eastern Highveld
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: N F G Rethman --- Department of Plant Production, J J Odendaal --- Department of Agriculture & Water Supply, Transvaal Region, C C De Witt --- Department of Agriculture & Water Supply, Transvaal Region,Increased livestock numbers and improved animal performance based on dryland lucerne pastures requiring little or no nitrogenous fertilizer have been demonstrated to be feasible on the eastern Highveld. With large scale planting of lucerne‐based pasture (25% of arable land) 350... -
Effects of soil compaction on pasture growth during rehabilitation of strip‐mined land
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: P D Tanner --- , C B Roper --- , J M De Villiers --- Department of Soil Science,Compaction of soils by heavy earthmoving equipment is an endemic problem in the rehabilitation of land after strip‐mining. Accordingly, special tillage operations and other precautions to reduce the severity of compaction are practised on strip coal mines of the Anglo... -
Effect of slope and plant cover on run‐off, soil loss and water use efficiency of natural veld
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: H A Snyman --- , W L J Van Rensburg --- ,Run‐off and soil loss were monitored from a climax, subclimax and pioneer veld, each on a 5,9%, 4,1% and 2,1% slope, by means of a rainfall simulator on a Valsrivier soil form. With rainfall intensity, soil moisture content at the... -
Ordination of land types in the karoo region into reasonably homogeneous farming areas based on vegetation and environmental factors1
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: M. Vorster --- Department of Agriculture and Water Supply (Karoo Region), H.R. Becker --- Department of Agriculture and Water Supply (Karoo Region), J.S. Greyling --- Department of Agriculture and Water Supply (Karoo Region), O.J.H. Bosch --- Department of Botany,The 291 preliminary land types in the Karoo Region formed the basis for the demarcation of the 144 Reasonably Homogeneous Farming Areas (RHFAs). The land types were firstly reduced to 23 Floristic Climatic Regions (FCRs) according to character species for... -
A preliminary investigation of woody plant increase in the western Transvaal and implications for veld assessment
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: MargaretH. Friedel --- Division of Wildlife and Rangelands Research, AustraliaThe relationships between tree density and indices of pasture and soil condition were examined in Western Transvaal grasslands where Acacia karroo had increased following disturbance. The correlation between tree density and pasture condition was not linear, indicating a threshold in... -
Ranking of grass species according to visible wilting order and rate of recovery in the central orange free state
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: H.A. Snyman --- , W.D. Venter --- , W.L.J. van Rensburg --- , D.P.J. Opperman --- ,A number of grasses were ranked according to the order in which they wilted with diminishing moisture availability, and according to their ability to recover after water replenishment. Digitaria eriantha and Digitaria argyrograpta were the most sensitive to moisture stress,... -
The development of veld assessment in the northern Transvaal savanna I. Red Turfveld
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: M.H. Friedel --- Division of Wildlife and Rangelands Research, Australia A.C. Blackmore --- ,Grazing‐induced gradients in pasture species composition were characterized for the red turfveld of the Northern Transvaal savanna. A proposed classification of pasture species response to grazing was developed and the influence of state variables and driving forces other than grazing... -
The development of veld assessment in the northern Transvaal savanna II. Mixed bushveld
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: M.H. Friedel --- Division of Wildlife and Rangelands Research, AustraliaDifferences in pasture species composition as a consequence of grazing were used to develop a proposed classification of pasture species response to grazing, for both the Combretum apiculatum and the Acacia tortilis communities of the northern Transvaal mixed bushveld. The... -
Evapotranspirasie in drie plantgemeenskappe van ‘n Rhigozum trichotomum habitat te upington
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: A. Moore --- , J.A.J. Van Eck --- , J.P. Van Niekerk --- , B.L. Robertson --- ,Evapotranspirasie in drie plantgemeenskappe van ‘n R. trichotomum habitat, naamlik, suiwer gras, suiwer R. trichotomum en ‘n gemengde stand van R. trichotomum en gras is gedurende die 1985–86 groeiseisoen bestudeer. Drie persele van elke plantgemeenskap is hidrologies geisoleer, besproei en... -
Lime and phosphorus effects on the dry matter production of eragrostis curvula on dystrophic clay soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: N. Miles --- Department of Soil Science and Agrometeorology, J.M. de Villiers --- Department of Soil Science and Agrometeorology,The dry matter yield responses of Eragrostis curvula to P and lime over two seasons on Balmoral and Balgowan soil series in the Natal Mistbelt are discussed. With this work forming part of a study aimed at characterizing P fixation... -
Die invloed van brand en maai op onbeweide langgrasveld in Natal
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: C.J.G. leRoux --- Departcment Landbou, Republiek van Suid‐AfrikaThe effect of burning and mowing on ungrazed tall grassveld of Natal. The trial was conducted on the Estcourt Research Station to show the effect of 14 burning and mowing treatments without grazing in the tall grassveld of Natal. The... -
The influence of different land‐use practices on soil erosion, herbage production and on grass species richness and diversity
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: J. Venter --- Natal Parks Board, Republic of South Africa B. Liggitt --- Institute of Natural Resources, Republic of South Africa N.M. Tainton --- Department of Grassland Science, Republic of South Africa G.P.Y. Clarke --- Department of Statistics, Republic of South AfricaA fence‐line contrast study compared erosion levels, herbage production and grass species diversity in Umfolozi Game Reserve (UGR) and adjacent KwaZulu (KWZ). There was no significant difference in soil loss or A‐horizon depths measured in KWZ and UGR, but there... -
Some effects of termitaria on veld in the eastern Cape
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: T.D. Steinke --- Department of Botany, Republic of South Africa L.O. Nel --- Department of Agriculture (Eastern Cape Region), Republic of South AfricaA survey was conducted to determine some effects of termite mounds on the veld. Termitaria were found to occupy approximately 0,4% of the area of the paddock under investigation. Growth of grasses immediately surrounding intact termitaria increased as shown by... -
Assosiasie van Cymbopogon plurinodis met klei‐inhoud van grond in die Suuragtige‐Gemengde Bosveld1
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: G.N. Smit --- Departement Plantproduksie, Republiek van Suid‐Afrika N.F.G. Rethman --- Departement Plantproduksie, Republiek van Suid‐AfrikaAssociation of Cymbopogon plurinodis with the day content of soil in the Sourish Mixed Bushveld. In a camp, typical of the Sourish Mixed Bushveld, a marked decrease in the abundance of Cymbopogon plurinodis along a soil gradient from high to... -
Floristiese verskille tussen ekotope in die Potchefstroom distrik1
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: AnnelieS. de Beer --- Departement Landbou en Watervoorsiening, Republiek van Suid‐Afrika G.K. Theron --- Departement Plantkunde, Republiek van Suid‐Afrika G.J. Bredenkamp --- Departement Plantkunde, Republiek van Suid‐AfrikaFloristic differences between eeotopes in the Potchefstroom area. Eeotopes are generally used, in the Highveld Region, as a basis for the division of camps when planning a farm. The possible floristic differences which support this ecological approach, as well as... -
A preliminary investigation of area‐selective grazing in the Southern Tall Grassveld of Natal
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: G.P. Hatch --- Department of Grassland Science, Republic of South Africa N.M. Tainton --- Department of Grassland Science, Republic of South AfricaThe consequences of area‐selective grazing by cattle under three stocking rates and at two sites in the Southern Tall Grassveld of Natal were investigated. Soil compaction was found to significantly distinguish area‐selected patches from non‐selected veld (P≤0.01), while non‐significant differences... -
A multivariate approach to the response of lucerne plants to varying soil conditions in pots
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: G.R. Barnes --- Department of Agricultural Development, Republic of South AfricaFive levels of lime, five levels of P and a constant level of K were applied to soil in pots to create a range of soil conditions. Factor analysis was used to relate a number of soil test variables to... -
Responses of Italian ryegrass to phosphorus on highly‐weathered soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: N. Miles --- Department of Agricultural Development, Republic of South Africa R.J. Eckard --- Department of Agricultural Development, Republic of South Africa J.M. deVilliers --- Department of Agronomy, Republic of South AfricaItalian ryegrass (Loliwn multiflorum cv. Midmar) responses to fertilizer P were studied in field experiments under irrigation on highly‐weathered ferrallitic soils at two localities in Natal. Each experiment was conducted over two seasons (1985 and 1986), the pasture being re‐established... -
Relations between soil factors and herbage yields of natural grassland on sandy soils in the south‐eastern Transvaal
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: D.L. Barnes --- Department of Agricultural Development (Transvaal Region), Republic of South Africa M. Swart --- Department of Agricultural Development (Transvaal Region), Republic of South Africa M.F. Smith --- , Republic of South Africa G.H. Wiltshire --- , Republic of South AfricaForty systematically‐placed observation points were established in a 1.5‐ha area of floristically unifoim veld in which productivity varied spatially. At each point grass yields were determined by harvesting quadrats at eight‐week intervals during the growing season, and the volumetric water... -
Habitat preferences of twenty‐three grass species in the Bankenveld
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: F.P. Jordaan --- Department of Agricultural Development, Highveld Region, Republic of South Africa A.S. de Beer --- Department of Agricultural Development, Highveld Region, Republic of South AfricaSome grass species occur more frequently in certain habitats than in others. There is, however, uncertainty as to exactly which factors are responsible for this phenomenon. Species composition as well as habitat data were collected from plots situated on the... -
Preferential utilization of pans by springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis)
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: S.J. Milton --- FitzPatrick Institute, Republic of South Africa W.R.J. Dean --- FitzPatrick Institute, Republic of South Africa C.P. Marincowitz --- , Republic of South AfricaForage utilization by springbok in pans and surrounding habitats was compared at one karroid shrubland site and two desert grassland sites and was found to be greater in pans than on adjacent plains and dunes. Springbok used pan areas for... -
Considerations on the sustainability and environmental impact of intensive pastures
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: N. Miles --- Department of Agricultural Development, Republic of South Africa A.D. Manson --- Department of Agricultural Development, Republic of South AfricaIntensive pastures form an important component of livestock production systems in South Africa. The sustainability and environmental impact of intensive pastures via their effects on soil properties and nutrient fluxes vary considerably depending on the systems adopted. Soil organic C... -
Effects of animal activity on the absorption rate of soils in the southern Karoo, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa • Authors: W.R.J. Dean --- FitzPatrick Institute, Republic of South AfricaThe rates of absorption into various microsites in Karoo soils were compared. The absorption of water by hard, bare intershrub soils was significantly increased by the presence of emergence holes of adult cicadas (Homoptera: Cicadidae) and near nest‐mounds of the... -
The soil seed bank under nasella tussock infestations at Boschberg
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: D.C. Joubert --- Department of Agriculture,Nassella tussock (Stipa trichotoma Nees.) has a high annual production of seeds per plant. The total seed bank of all plants counted under a dense nassella infestation varied between 50 000 and 100 000 seeds m−2 surface area (5 cm... -
Die rol van sekere omgewingsfaktore by alachloraktiwiteit
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C.F. Reinhardt --- Departement Plantproduksie, P.C. Nel --- Departement Plantproduksie,Biotoetse met graansorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) is in potte in glashuise en groeikabinette uitgevoer. Geselekteerde grond- eienskappe is gekorreleer met alachloraktiwiteit. Organiese materiaalinhoud (% C) was die beste gekorreleerd met die aktiwiteit van alachlor en pH die swakste. Die r-waardes... -
Soil factors affecting tree growth and root development in a citrus orchard
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: D.J. Nel --- , A. T.P. Bennie --- ,Tree- and root-growth parameters correlated well with a number of soil properties Useful relationships were established between unconfined penetrometer resistance, air capacity (at FWC), tree growth and root development. -
Pedogeomorphic aspects of the Roodepoort area, Transvaal: Soil depth-slope relationships
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: M.C. Munnik --- Department of Geography, E. Verster --- Department of Geography, T.C. van Rooyen --- Department of Geography,Fifty hillslope profiles with associated soils in the Roodepoort area, Transvaal, were examined to determine the relationships between soil depth and hillslope characteristics. A meso-scale approach was adopted which implied the relationship between three soil depth phases and the hillslope... -
Factors affecting the activity of atrazine in plants and soil
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: P.C. Nel --- Department of Plant Production, C.F. Reinhardt --- Department of Plant Production,Available research findings concerning (he activity of atrazine in the plant and soil are presented in a brief review. The role of the environment is emphasized. This review is supplemented by recent research results of the University of Pretoria concerning... -
Effect of soil fertility on the vegetative growth, yield and water use of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J.G. Annandale --- Department of Plant Production, Republic of South Africa P.S. Hammes --- Department of Plant Production, Republic of South Africa P.C. Nel --- Department of Plant Production, Republic of South AfricaWell-fertilized wheat was found to use more water than wheat on poorly fertilized plots, but the yield was increased, resulting in increased water-use efficiency. Variations in leaf area duration after anthesis accounted for 81% of the variation in yield. -
Effect of the amount of surface maize residue on infiltration and soil loss from a clay loam soil
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: P.M. Lang --- , Republic of South Africa J.B. Mallett --- , Republic of South AfricaSix levels of maize stover, expressed as percentage ground cover (0–75%) were compared under a rainfall simulator to assess the effect of surface residues on infiltration and soil loss on a clay loam soil with a 3,5% slope. Increasing the... -
Potato irrigation scheduling and straw mulching
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: M.S. Burgers --- Department of Plant Production, P.C. Nel --- Department of Plant Production,The effect of mulching and irrigation frequency on tuber yield was investigated during three seasons at the Glen Agricultural Research Institute The soil on the experimental site consisted of a loamy sand topsoil and sandy clay subsoil with 94 mm... -
Invloed van sekere grondeienskappe op matrikspotensiaal by, en tydsverloop tot, veldkapasiteit
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: D.J. Beukes --- Hoëveldstreek, Departement van Landbou,Veldkapasiteit (VK) is bepaal op 5x5 m-persele op verskeie gronde in Wes-Kaapland. Tekstureel het die gronde gewissel van growwe sand tot sandklei. Gronde van die Avalon-, Dundee-, Fernwood-, Hutton-, Oakleafen Westleighvorme is gebruik. Matrikspotensiaal (ψm) is gemonitor met kwiktensiometers, terwyl... -
Soil-water conservation as affected by primary tillage practices
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: W. A.J. Berry --- Summer Grain Sub-Centre, J.B. Mallett --- Summer Grain Sub-Centre, M.A. Johnston --- ,An investigation of water conservation as affected by different primary tillage methods was conducted on a soil of the Doveton series (fine-loamy, mixed, thermic family of Rhodic Paleudults), where a direct sampling technique was used to monitor the soil-water profiles... -
Soil-water conservation as affected by primary tillage practices
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: W. A.J. Berry --- Summer Grain Sub-Centre, J.B. Mallett --- Summer Grain Sub-Centre, M.A. Johnston --- ,An investigation of water conservation as affected by different primary tillage methods was conducted on a soil of the Doveton series (fine-loamy, mixed, thermic family of Rhodic Paleudults), where a direct sampling technique was used to monitor the soil-water profiles... -
Intercropping of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and sugar-cane: The effect of inter-specific competition on the growth of plant cane
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: M. F.A. Leclezio --- Department of Crop Science, J.D. Lea --- Department of Crop Science, P.K. Moberly --- ,The competitive effects of intercropped beans (maturation period: three months) on the growth, tiller development and yield of plant sugar-cane (maturation period: 18 months) in the subhumid coast-hinterland of Natal were investigated over two seasons. In the first season rainfall... -
The influence of lime and phosphorus on the growth of white clover on highly weathered Natal soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: N. Miles --- , P.E. Bartholomew --- , C.I. Macdonald --- ,Results of field studies conducted on highly weathered Natal soils in which the performance of white clover (Trifolium repens cv. Regal ladino) was examined under a range of lime and P treatments applied in factorial combination, are presented. Despite adverse... -
Spatial variability of two selected soil properties in a semi- arid subcatchment of the Lower Great Fish River
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J.H. Moolman --- Geography Department,The variability of the soluble salt content and the textural composition of the soil were investigated in a 28-ha sub-catchment of the Ecca River, a tributary of the Great Fish River. The frequency distribution of the soluble salts in the... -
Groei en chemiese samestelling van verskillende peulgewasse onder suurgrondtoestande
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: W.J. Fölscher --- Departement Grondkunde en Plantvoeding, R.O. Barnard --- Departement Grondkunde en Plantvoeding,Die groei van verskillende peulplantspesies is op twee suur bogronde by 'n baie lae vlak van Ca-voorsiening, as hidroksied en sulfaat, in 'n glashuis ondersoek. Die hidroksiedbehandelings, wat met 'n mate van pH-styging gepaard gegaan het, het die beste resultate... -
Causes, adverse effects and control of soil compaction
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: A. T.P. Bennie --- Department of Soil Science, G.N. Krynauw --- Department of Agriculture,The causes, adverse effects and control of soil compaction, with special reference to Southern African conditions, are reviewed. The main causes for soil compaction are the well-rounded and -sorted fine sand fraction of the aeolian sandy soils combined with compression... -
Empinese verwantskappe tussen veldkapasiteit en sekere fisiese grondeienskappe
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: D.J. Beukes --- Hoëveldstreek, Departement van Landbou en Watervoorsiening,Veldkapasiteit (VK) is in situ bepaal op verskeie gronde in Wes- Kaapland. Grondtekstuur het gewissel van sand tot sandklei. Veldkapasiteit is op vyf dieptes bepaal en het gevarieer van 4,9% tot 27,2% op massabasis. Matrikspotensiaal by VK het gewissel van... -
Quantitative criteria for distinguishing melanic from vertic soil horizons in the central Kruger National Park
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: S.W. Fraser --- Department of Geography, T.H. van Rooyen --- Department of Geography, E. Verster --- Department of Geography,Criteria based on shrink-swell potential, viz. linear shrinkage and COLErod, were used to distinguish between melanic and vertic soil horizons of the Mooiplaas region in central Kruger National Park. For linear shrinkage the proposed boundary value separating melanic and vertic... -
Effect of exchangeable sodium and phosphogypsum on the hydraulic properties of several South African soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: H.M. du Plessis --- , I. Shainberg --- ,The susceptibility of soils to the deleterious effects of sodicity was assessed for samples which varied with respect to physical, mineralogical and other properties. For this purpose soil samples were collected from different locations in South Africa. The effect of... -
A field evaluation of the differential tolerance to soil acidity of forty-eight South African maize cultivars
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Ana Paula Mendes --- Summer grain Sub-Centre, M. P.W. Farina --- Summer grain Sub-Centre, P. Channon --- Summer grain Sub-Centre, Marie Smith --- Biometry Section, Directorate of Biometrie and Datametric Services,A field experiment was conducted on a Normandien clay loam (Plinthic Paleudult) to compare the acid tolerance of 48 commercially grown maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars. Cultivars were compared in terms of grain yield, plant height and leaf Al content... -
Behaviour of sesquioxic clay soils subjected to alkaline and saline effluents
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J.G. Thompson --- ,The effects of disposal of alkaline and saline effluents on sesquioxic red clay soils have been monitored for many years on a site in the eastern Transvaal. Recently a high chloride content effluent with a sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of... -
Invloed van bewerking en besproeiing op die verwering van gneis in die Augrabies-gebied
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J.F. Eloff --- Departement van Landbou en Watervoorsiening, W. F.A. Kirsten --- Departement van Landbou en Watervoorsiening, B.L. Plath --- Departement van Landbou en Watervoorsiening,Fisiese, chemiese en mineralogiese kriteria is gebruik om te bepaal of veranderinge in eienskappe van gronde op gneise, in die Augrabies-gebied, as gevolg van bewerking en besproeiing plaasgevind het. Bewerking en besproeiing van die halfverweerde gneise het die verweringsproses versnel... -
Soil-site relationships in the Roodepoort area, Transvaal
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: M.C. Munnik --- Department of Geography, E. Verster --- Department of Geography, T.H. van Rooyen --- Department of Geography,Fifty hillslope profiles with associated soils were examined in the Roodepoort area, Transvaal, to determine the relationships between soil and site characteristics, as well as the applicability of the toposequence concept. A mesoscale approach was adopted, which implied a relationship... -
'n Vergelyking tussen berekende en in situ onversadigde geleivermoë van 'n sand en 'n sandkleileem
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: D.J. Beukes --- Hoëveldstreek, Departement van Landbou en Watervoorsiening, Republiek van Suid-AfrikaOnversadigde geleivermoë, K(θ), is bereken vanaf verskeie vergelykings gebaseer op poriegrootteverspreiding en die grondwaterretensiekromme. Versadigde geleivermoë (Ks ) is as passingsfaktor gebruik en is verkry vanaf laboratorium-en veldbepalings. Berekende K(θ) is by verskillende porieklasse vergelyk met waardes vanaf in situ-... -
Assessment of recent drought severity for natural grassland at three locations
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J.A. Dyer --- Crop Production Division, Canada J.M. de Jager --- Department of Agrometeorology, Republic of South AfricaThe relative severity of drought in natural grassland during three growing seasons was analyzed for three South African weather stations. Computer simulation of grassland water use, based upon weather records, was used to quantify drought and to compare the conditions... -
Kleimineralogie, katioonuitruilkapasiteit en waterhouvermoë van grondvorms in die Hoëveldstreek
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: AstridM. Hattingh --- Hoëveldstreek, Departement van Landbou en Watervoorsiening,Kleimineralogiese data vir 12 grondvorms, wat algemeen in die Hoëveldstreek voorkom, is ondersoek. Die persentasie monsters waarin 'n bepaalde kleimineraal voorkom, is bereken. Daaruit is dit duidelik dat smektiet algemeen in gronde van die Arcadia-, Bonheim, en Rensburgvorms voorkom, maar... -
Anorganiese stikstof in mieliegronde van die Oranje-Vrystaat en Transvaal met planttyd, 1984
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C.C. du Preez --- Departement van Grondkunde, Republiek van Suid-Afrika R. du T. Burger --- Departement van Grondkunde, Republiek van Suid-AfrikaOndersoek is ingestel na die hoeveelheid anorganiese stikstof wat met planttyd gedurende die 1984/85-seisoen in mieliegronde van die Oranje-Vrystaat en Transvaal teenwoordig was. By 82 lokaliteite, wat verspreid oor hierdie gebied voorkom, is grondmonsters ingesamel. Grondmonsters is op 300 mm... -
Allelopathic influence of Tagetes and Bidens-infested soils on seedling growth of certain crop species
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Ruth Meissner --- Department of Plant Production, P.C. Nel --- Department of Plant Production, E.A. Beyers --- Department of Plant Production,Two naturally-occurring polyacetylene derivatives are found in Tagetes minuta L. and Bidens bipinnata L. which, when released into the soil, may affect crop growth. They are alpha- terthienyl in roots of T. minuta and phenylheptatriyne in leaves of B. bipinnata... -
Sodicity phenomena in red sesquioxic clay subsoils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J.G. Thompson --- ,Monitoring for many years of the soils of an effluent disposal site in the eastern Transvaal has shown that the disposal of alkaline and saline effluents on red sesquioxic clays has not appreciably affected soil permeability but has brought about... -
Evaluering van braakstelsels vir droëlandkoringverbouing in die Oranje-Vrystaat
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C. Engelbrecht --- , Republiek van Suid-Afrika A.J. der Westhuizen --- , Republiek van Suid-Afrika G.D. Joubert --- , Republiek van Suid-AfrikaDrie produksiestelsels vir droëlandkoring is te Glen en Bethlehem geëvalueer. Die kortbraak was vyf tot ses maande, intermediêre-braak was 12 tot 13 maande en langbraak was 17 maande. Glen verteenwoordig 'n semi-ariede somerreëngebied waar die proefgrond 'n plantbeskikbare-waterstoorkapasiteit van 148... -
Season and phosphorus age effects on the relationship between maize yield and phosphorus soil test on a highly weathered soil
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: M. P.W. Farina --- Summer Grain Sub-Centre, Republic of South Africa P. Channon --- Summer Grain Sub-Centre, Republic of South AfricaThis paper discusses data obtained from a long-term N, P, K field experiment with maize (Zea mays L.) on a Normandien clay loam (Plinthic Paleudult) near Newcastle, Natal. After eight seasons plots were split, sub-plots being allowed either to rundown... -
Water storage, soil temperatures and maize (Zea mays L.) growth for various tillage practices
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: W. A.J. Berry --- Summer Grain Sub-Centre, Republic of South Africa J.B. Mallett --- Summer Grain Sub-Centre, Republic of South Africa P.L. Greenfield --- Department of Crop Science, Republic of South AfricaFour tillage treatments ranging from conventional mouldboard ploughing through to direct-drilling were repeated during the second season of an ongoing experiment. At commencement of the new season, differences in plant- available water (PAW) in the top 600 mm of the... -
Soils derived from granite in two Mt. Garnet toposequences, North Queensland, Australia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: E. Verster --- Department of Geography, Republic of South AfricaTwo toposequences derived from granite in the Mt. Garnet area, North Queensland, were examined to determine the detailed soil - landform relationships in order to facilitate subsequent broad-scale mapping of the soil resource. The dominant landsurface feature is gently sloping,... -
Effect of application methods on ammonia volatilization from soils in a controlled environment
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C.C. du Preez --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South Africa R. du T. Burger --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South AfricaThe objective of this investigation was to compare different application methods whereby ammonia losses from nitrogen fertilizers can be limited when applied to alkaline soils. Three application methods were simulated, namely broadcasting, ploughing under and band placement. Five nitrogen fertilizers,... -
'n Evaluering van die volumetermetode om aggregaatstabiliteit van 'n vertisol te kwantifiseer
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: D.J. Beukes --- Departement van Landbou en Watervoorsiening, Republiek van Suid-AfrikaDie 0–10 mm laag van twee proefpersele van 'n vertiese grond waarop graansorghum sonder enige bewerking met behoud van 'n stoppeldeklaag (GBS) en met die Stoppel verwyder (GBG), verbou is, is gemonster. Grond- koolstofinhoud was 1,82% en 1,15% onderskeidelik. Massas... -
Reproduktiewe opbrengskomponente van mielies (Zea mays L.) soos beïnvloed deur verskillende grondvrugbaarheids- en be- sproeiingspeile
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: R.E. Steynberg --- Departement Plantproduksie, Republiek van Suid-Afrika P.C. Nel --- Departement Plantproduksie, Republiek van Suid-Afrika P.S. Hammes --- Departement Plantproduksie, Republiek van Suid-AfrikaDie reproduktiewe opbrengskomponente van mielies (Zea mays L.) is gedurende die 1982/83-seisoen gemonitor by sekere behandelings van 'n langtermyn bemestings- en besproeiingsproef met twee peile elk van besproeiing (W), stikstof (N), fosfor (P), kallum (K) en kompos (M). Addisionele besproeiing... -
Performance of five soybean cultivars in relation to lime and phosphorus levels on an acid Ultisol
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: A.D. Noble --- Department of Crop Science, Republic of South Africa J.D. Lea --- Department of Crop Science, Republic of South Africa M.V. Fey --- Department of Soil Science and Agrometeorology, Republic of South AfricaThe seed-yield response of five soybean cultivars (Hill, Geduld, Forrest, Welkom and Oribi) to applications of lime [Ca(OH)2] and P was evaluated over two seasons in the field on an acid soil of the Normandien series (Plinthic Paleudult). As a... -
The effect of reduced tillage on soil organic carbon
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: H. v. H. van der Watt --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South AfricaThe organic carbon contents of the 0–15-cm and 15–30-cm layers of conventionally tilled, stubble-mulched and no-tilled soils were compared. Samples from four localities in the Transvaal and Orange Free State were analyzed for organic C by means of two methods... -
Improving the isolation of actinomycetes from soil by high-speed homogenization
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: A. A.W. Baecker --- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Republic of South Africa K.C. Ryan --- Department of Statistics and Biometry, Faculty of Science, Republic of South AfricaQuantitative isolation of actinomycetes from five South African soils with different physical and chemical properties was conducted by hammer-mill comminution followed by high-speed liquid homogenization of resultant soil particles using a shaft homogenizer. Soil homogenates were serially diluted and plated... -
Penetration resistance of fine sandy apedal soils as affected by relative bulk density, water content and texture
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: A. T.P. Bennie --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South Africa R. du T. Burger --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South AfricaThe major physical properties that control the penetration resistance of soils are the degree of soil compaction, water content and particle size distribution. Sandy soils with well-sorted particle size distributions and low cohesivity compact and consolidate easily under pressure. Six... -
Invloed van sekere grondeienskappe op aktiwiteit van atrasien
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J.G. Ehlers --- Departement Plantproduksie, Republiek van Suid-Afrika C.F. Reinhardt --- Departement Plantproduksie, Republiek van Suid-Afrika P.C. Nel --- Departement Plantproduksie, Republiek van Suid-AfrikaDie aktiwiteit van atrasien is in biotoetse onder gekontroleerde toestande ondersoek in 43 gronde vanaf 29 lokaliteite geleë in die somerreënvalstreek van Suid-Afrika. Sojabone en hawer is in afsonderlike proewe as toetsgewas gebruik. Geselekteerde grondeienskappe is met atrasienaktiwiteit gekorreleer. In... -
The effect of tillage: maize residue interactions upon soil water storage
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: W. A.J. Berry --- , Republic of South Africa J.B. Mallett --- , Republic of South AfricaFour months before planting a crop of maize, a study was commenced on a well-drained clay loam soil to test the effect of tillage and surface maize residue on soil water storage. Tillage main plots were split into bare (residue... -
A comparison beween short-term chemical and biological methods to measure phosphorus availability in sludge-amended sesquioxic soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: M.J. McLaughlin --- , Republic of South AfricaDue to the transformations which sludge undergoes after addition to soil, single measurements of P availability are of little value in soils which have recently received additions of sewage sludge. This study assessed six procedures on two soils—a clay of... -
Die invloed van grondbewerking op enkele grondeienskappe en die gevolglike ontwikkeling en opbrengs van koring in Suid-Kaapland
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: G.A. Agenbag --- Winterreënstreek, Departement van Landbou en Watervoorsiening, Republiek van Suid-Afrika J.J. Stander --- Winterreënstreek, Departement van Landbou en Watervoorsiening, Republiek van Suid-AfrikaVier verskillende bewerkingsbehandelings, wat Wissel in bewerkingsintensiteit van die intensiewe, konvensionele. skaar- en skottelbewerkingstelsel tot geen-bewerking, is oor 'n periode van 6 jaar vergelyk ten opsigte van die uitwerking op grondfaktore en die groei en opbrengs van koring. In hierdie... -
Rapid simultaneous rating of soil texture, organic matter, total nitrogen and nitrogen mineralization potential by near infra-red reflectance
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J.H. Meyer --- , Republic of South AfricaA rapid non-destructive technique for the determination of various soil properties by near infra-red spectrophotometry is described. Over 100 soils, of which the organic matter content, total nitrogen (N) content, N-mineralizing potential and particle size distribution were known, were used... -
An evaluation of simplified field methods used for estimating soil hydraulic conductivity
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: K.D. Fuller --- , Republic of South Africa J.H. Moolman --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South AfricaHydraulic properties of three soils from the western Cape and two from the eastern Cape were studied. Water content (θ) data, obtained during drainage of field plots were used to estimate soil hydraulic conductivity [K(θ)] using five methods based on... -
The effect of removing maize surface residue from the seed-row on seedzone temperature, soil water and maize development
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: W. A.J. Berry --- Summer Grain Sub-Centre, Republic of South Africa J.B. Mallett --- Summer Grain Sub-Centre, Republic of South AfricaEarly maize development is generally less rapid in the cooler soils of tillage systems which maintain large amounts of crop residues (stubble) on the soil surface. However, soil water storage tends to increase with increasing amount of surface cover, and... -
Importance of selected soil properties on the bioactivity of alachlor and metolachlor
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C.F. Reinhardt --- Department of Plant Production, Republic of South Africa P.C. Nel --- Department of Plant Production, Republic of South AfricaBioassays with grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) cultivar NK222 were conducted in a glasshouse. Thirty-four natural soils were used in each of two experiments with alachlor [2-chloro-2′,6′-diethyl-N- (methoxymethyl) acetanilide] and metolachlor [2-chloro-6′-ethyl-N-(2-methoxy-1-methylethyl)acet-otoluidide] respectively. Linear regression analyses were performed to... -
'n Vergelyking van verskillende metodes vir die ekstraksie en bepaling van aluminium in grond
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Mardel Pretorius --- Hoëveldstreek, Departement van Landbou en Watervoorsiening, Republiek van Suid-Afrika D.J. Beukes --- Hoëveldstreek, Departement van Landbou en Watervoorsiening, Republiek van Suid-AfrikaVier metodes vir die ekstrahering en bepaling van Al in suur gronde is vergelyk vir grondmonsters vanaf 'n verskeidenheid van bronne en met pH (KCl) waardes tussen 3,3 en 4,4. Die oogmerk was om 'n vinnige, eenvoudige, maar steeds betroubare... -
Residual effects of lupins in two lupin/maize fodder production systems
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: H.L. Grobbelaar --- , Republic of South Africa V.D. Wassermann --- , Republic of South Africa B.E. Eisenberg --- , Republic of South AfricaThe residual effects of three lupin species, whose tops were either removed or ploughed in, on a following maize crop were compared with the response of maize, not preceded by lupins, to N fertilizer in field trials over two seasons... -
Voorspelling van nitraatbeweging in 'n fynsandleemgrond gedurende die braakperiode met die Burnsmodel
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: E.J. Haumann --- Departement van Grondkunde, Republiek van Suid-Afrika C.C. du Preez --- Departement van Grondkunde, Republiek van Suid-Afrika'n Eenvoudige model wat deur Burns (1974) ontwikkel is vir die voorspelling van nitraatbeweging in sandtot sandleemgronde is getoets. Verskillende nitraatverspreidingspatrone is in 'n fynsandleemgrond van 1,5-m diepte tot stand gebring waarna water met mikrobesproeiing toegedien is om nitraatbeweging te... -
Amino acids in eight South African topsoil samples
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: A. D.P. Botha --- , Republic of South Africa M.F. Philpott --- , Republic of South Africa M.J. van der Merwe --- , Republic of South AfricaAmino acids were determined by gas chromatography after acid hydrolysis in eight South African topsoil samples. Total amino acid nitrogen in these samples varied from 11% to 47% of total soil-N. A difference in relative proportions of the amino acids... -
Kinetika van nitrifikasie in gronde van die sentrale besproeiingsgebiede in Suid-Afrika
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: D.J. Laubscher --- Departement van Grondkunde, Republiek van Suid-Afrika C.C. du Preez --- Departement van Grondkunde, Republiek van Suid-AfrikaDie verloop van nitrifikasie is in agt gronde, afkomstig van die sentrale besproeiingsgebiede, gemonitor na toediening van (NH4)2SO4 teen die ekwivalent van 100 kg N ha−1 aan beide die bo- en ondergronde. Tydens inkubasie by 30°C is die NH4 +,... -
The erodibility of some soil series In the pineapple-producing coastal area of the eastern Cape
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: M.O. Hartmann --- Department of Agriculture and Water Supply, Republic of South Africa P.J. McPhee --- Division of Agricultural Engineering, Department of Agriculture and Water Supply, Republic of South Africa M.L. Bode --- Department of Agriculture and Water Supply, Republic of South AfricaA rotating-boom rainfall simulator was used to measure soil losses from eight soil series falling within five morphologically dissimilar soil forms, i.e. Bonheim, Glenrosa, Kroonstad, Mayo and Oakleaf. The data obtained were used to calculate the soil erodibility factor (K)... -
Nitrogen mineralization, nitrification and nitrogen balance in laboratory incubation of soil from natural grassland in the central Orange Free State
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: G.H. Wiltshire --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South AfricaAir-dried soil from three layers under grassveld was moistened by the addition of 12 levels of water and incubated for up to two years at five temperatures in screw-capped preserving jars with an air-filled head- space equivalent to seven times... -
Loss of nitrogen fertility and its restoration in some Orange Free State soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: M.A. Prinsloo --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South Africa G.H. Wiltshire --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South Africa C.C. du Preez --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South AfricaThe effects of present or past cultivation on nitrogen fertility in some central Orange Free State soils were investigated by the comparison of paired samples of cultivated or reverted soils with uncultivated soils situated as closely as possible to one... -
Importance of selected soil properties on the bioactivity of acetochlor and metazachlor
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C.F. Reinhardt --- Department of Plant Production, Republic of South Africa P.C. Nel --- Department of Plant Production, Republic of South AfricaThe bioactivity of acetochlor (2-chloro-N-(ethoxymethyl)-6′-ethyl-o-acetotoluidide) and metazachlor (2- chloro-N-(1-pyrazolylmethyl)-aceto-2′,6′-xylidide) was evaluated in thirty-two soils under controlled conditions. Grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) cultivar NK222 was used as the indicator plant in the bioassays. Bioactivity was correlated with organic matter... -
Quantities of phosphorus fertilizer required to raise the soil test value
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: M.A. Johnston --- Department of Agronomy, Republic of South Africa N. Miles --- , Republic of South Africa G.R. Thibaud --- Summer Grain Sub-Centre, Republic of South AfricaTo calculate nutrient requirement it is necessary to know how much of that nutrient must be applied to overcome any buffering effects and raise the test value to a desired level. A glasshouse study was conducted on a wide range... -
Die verwantskap tussen maksimum nitrifikasietempo en relevante eienskappe van gronde vanaf die sentrale besproeiingsgebiede in Suid-Afrika
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: D.J. Laubscher --- Departement van Grondkunde, Republiek van Suid-Afrika C.C. du Preez --- Departement van Grondkunde, Republiek van Suid-AfrikaDie oogmerk van die studie was om die verwantskappe tussen maksimum nitrifikasietempo (Kmaks) en relevante eienskappe van die gronde vanaf die sentrale besproeiingsgebiede uit te wys. Die verloop van nitrifikasie is in agt gronde, afkomstig van die gebiede, gemonitor na... -
Correlation between micro-aggregate stability and soil surface susceptibility to runoff and erosion
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: R. Stern --- , Republic of South Africa B.E. Eisenberg --- Department of Agriculture, Republic of South Africa M.C. Laker --- Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Republic of South AfricaA simple procedure to determine micro-aggregate stability was developed. The micro-aggregates in aqueous suspension were subjected to controlled energy input imposed by sonic vibration to simulate the breaking down of aggregates by raindrop impact during a rain storm event. The... -
Are soil-borne diseases depressing yields of continuously-grown maize in Natal?
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: P. Channon --- , Republic of South Africa M. P.W. Farina --- , Republic of South AfricaLong-term field trials suggest that yields are declining where maize (Zea mays L.) is grown continuously in some parts of Natal. Available evidence indicates that the decline is not ascribable to soil fertility or climatic constraints and the possibility exists... -
Comparison of aluminium, basic cations and acidity in the soil of indigenous forests and pine stands in the southern Cape
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: M.E. Clough --- Saasveld Forestry Research Centre, Republic of South AfricaLitter and topsoil were sampled in plantations of Pinus elliottii and Pinus taeda and in adjacent indigenous forest in three different locations in the southern Cape, to study some of the effects on the soil of the establishment of pine... -
The effect of ridging on the soil water status of a waterlogged vineyard soil
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: P.A. Myburgh --- , Republic of South Africa J.H. Moolman --- Department of Soil and Agricultural Water Science, Republic of South AfricaIn a field trial conducted in a vineyard on a low-lying hydromorphic soil, it was established that ridging increased the depth from the soil surface to the water table. Ridging did not lower the level of the water table, but... -
Ridging—a soil preparation practice to improve aeration of vineyard soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: P.A. Myburgh --- , Republic of South Africa J.H. Moolman --- Department of Soil and Agricultural Water Science, Republic of South AfricaWaterlogged soil conditions during early spring can result in poor grapevine performance. In this study the effect of ridging as a method of soil preparation on the depth to the water table, soil air composition and vine reaction, as indicated... -
Wheat yield probabilities on the Glen/Shorrocks ecotope with different soil water contents at planting
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: M. Hensley --- Department of Agricultural Development, Republic of South Africa P.J. Snyman --- Department of Agricultural Development, Republic of South AfricaTo avoid unnecessary crop failures it would be valuable to have a reliable threshold value of the root zone water content for wheat at planting (θ rp ) below which the risk is too high to plant. An attempt has... -
Lime-phosphorus interactions in the growth of temperate pasture species on highly-weathered soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: N. Miles --- Department of Agricultural Development, Republic of South Africa R.J. Eckard --- Department of Agricultural Development, Republic of South AfricaLime and phosphorus (P) requirements for the growth of temperate pasture species on acid, well-drained soils in the Natal Midlands were evaluated in factorial field trials. Species studied were white clover (Trifolium repens), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and Italian ryegrass... -
Influence of crop production practices on Pythium infections and yield of winter wheat in fumigated and non-fumigated soil
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: D.B. Scott --- Small Grain Centre, Republic of South Africa W.H. Kilian --- Small Grain Centre, Republic of South Africa W.S. Miles --- Small Grain Centre, Republic of South AfricaField trials consisting of different tillage and soil fertility treatments were conducted to study possible causes of yield decline of monoculture winter wheat in the eastern Orange Free State. Soil fumigation with methyl bromide enhanced plant growth, reduced Pythium infections... -
Prosedures en probleme by die gebruik van die PUTU9–87 gewasgroeisimulasiemodel vir koring onder besproeiing in die Vanderkloof-Staatswaterskema
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J. H.F. Botes --- Departement Landbou-ekonomie, Republiek van Suid-Afrika L.K. Oosthuizen --- Departement Landbou-ekonomie, Republiek van Suid-AfrikaDie doel van hierdie ondersoek was om die PUTU9–87 gewasgroeisimulasiemodelte kalibreer om koringop-brengste en die grondwaterinhoud op 'n bevredlgende wyse in die Vanderkloof-Staatswaterskema te voor- spel, gegewe beperkte eksperimentele data. Opbrengste wat met PUTU voorspel is, word vergelyk met eksperimentele... -
Nutrient inflow to the roots of irrigated wheat throughout the growing season under semi-arid climatic conditions
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C.C. du Preez --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South Africa A. T.P. Bennie --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South AfricaThe objective of this study was to obtain information on the inflow of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn to the roots of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown under normal irrigation farming conditions. Except for... -
Maize response to plant population and soil water supply: I. Yield of grain and total above-ground biomass
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: W. van Averbeke --- Department of Agronomy, J.N. Marais --- Department of Agronomy,The effect of the level of water deficit on the yield of grain and total above-ground biomass of maize planted at greatly differing densities was investigated in a strictly controlled field experiment, repeated for four seasons. Differences in water supply... -
Soil and plant potassium optima for maize on a kaolinitic clay soil
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: M. P.W. Farina --- , Republic of South Africa P. Channon --- , Republic of South Africa G.R. Thibaud --- , Republic of South Africa J.D. Phipson --- , Republic of South AfricaIn South Africa, there is an extreme paucity of information relating maize (Zea mays L.) yields to soil and plant K levels and most K fertilizer recommendations are highly subjective. Controversy also surrounds the practice of relating K fertilizer recommendations... -
Effect of ridging on the temperature regime of a waterlogged vineyard soil
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: P.A. Myburgh --- , Republic of South Africa J.H. Moolman --- Department of Soil and Agricultural Water Science, Republic of South AfricaWaterlogged conditions in hydromorphic soils during spring cause low temperatures which may restrict grapevine performance. Ridging is a soil preparation method that can improve internal drainage in the root zone. Temperature measurements showed that ridging tended to increase temperatures in... -
Influence of intensive irrigation and cultivation on selected soil properties: Arid southern Namibia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: E. Verster --- Department of Geography, Republic of South Africa T.H. van Rooyen --- Department of Geography, Republic of South AfricaThe effect of long-term (25 years) intensive irrigation on selected soil properties of the Hardap Irrigation Scheme was determined by comparing soil profiles in irrigated and adjacent non-irrigated areas. The major differences detected between five soil pairs were rubification of... -
Long-term effects of conservation practices on the nitrogen fertility of a soil cropped annually to wheat
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: G.H. Wiltshire --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South Africa C.C. du Preez --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South AfricaSustainable farming in the semi-arid interior of South Africa requires the adoption of conservation practices to maintain and, if possible, increase soil fertility. The effects of some such practices on the nitrogen fertility of a hydromorphic sandy clay loam soil... -
The use of a sewage sludge as a fertilizer for wheat in a glasshouse pot experiment
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J.C. Hughes --- Department of Agronomy, Republic of South Africa A.D. Noble --- Department of Agronomy, Republic of South Africa S. Scott-Brown --- Department of Agronomy, Republic of South AfricaAcid soil infertility is a major limiting factor in crop production on soils along the eastern seaboard of South Africa. Invariably this problem is addressed by effectively liming the topsoil with little influence on subsoil acidity. A study was conducted... -
The possible use of agar gel in plant nutritional studies
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J.J. Bornman --- , Republic of South Africa R.O. Barnard --- Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Republic of South AfricaNutrition-element elimination studies on crops in soil with a high fixation capacity using pot experiments are usually problematic where the realistic and accurate application of nutrients is concerned. The possible use of agar gel in plant nutritional studies was investigated... -
Nature and importance of subterranean insect damage to pre-harvest groundnuts
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C.F. van Eeden --- , Republic of South Africa J. B.J. van Rensburg --- Summer Grain Centre, Republic of South Africa T. C. de K. van der Linde --- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Republic of South AfricaThe nature and importance of insect damage to subterranean pre-harvest groundnuts were determined by regular sampling in commercial groundnut fields. Five categories of damage are described, viz. damage to newly planted seed, pegs, immature pods, mature pods and kernels. Both... -
Soil water use and rooting depth of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) in a small plot experiment
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: R.E. Steynberg --- Department of Plant Production, Republic of South Africa P.C. Nel --- Department of Plant Production, Republic of South Africa N. F.G. Rethman --- Department of Plant Production, Republic of South AfricaItalian ryegrass is planted mainly under irrigation in the summer rainfall region of South Africa. Irrigation practices are often based on the assumption that Italian ryegrass has an extremely shallow root system. A small plot experiment was conducted to ascertain... -
Maize response to plant population and soil water supply II. Plant barrenness and harvest index
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: W. van Averbeke --- Department of Agronomy, Ciskei J.N. Marais --- Department of Agronomy, CiskeiThe effects of level of water deficit and plant population density on plant barrenness and harvest index were investigated in a strictly controlled field experiment, repeated for four seasons. Differences in soil water supply were obtained by the seasonal variation... -
The effect of oven-drying on residual inorganic nitrogen in soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: G.H. Wiltshire --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South Africa C.C. du Preez --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South AfricaResidual ammonium nitrogen in soils which were dried in an oven increased, whereas residual nitrate nitrogen remained almost constant. This observation led to experiments which help to explain the accumulation of ammonium nitrogen in oven-dried soils. It was found that... -
Gips as grond en water ameliorant
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: H. J.C. Smith --- , Republiek van Suid-Afrika A.H. Loock --- , Republiek van Suid-Afrika A.J. van der Merwe --- , Republiek van Suid-AfrikaGips korn algemeen voor, beide as 'n mineraal (gemynde gips) sowel as 'n industriële neweproduk (fosforgips of nywerheidsgips) en word vryelik gebruik as 'n grond en water ameliorant. Groot hoeveelhede nywerheidsgips word jaarliks in Suid-Afrika vervaardig in gebiede waar natuurlike... -
The base status criterion in South African soil classification
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: M.V. Fey --- Department of Agronomy, Republic of South Africa M.J. Donkin --- , Republic of South AfricaEvidence is considered which indicates that the sum of extractable bases and acidity, termed the effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC), is a more reliable criterion than the S-value (sum of exchangeable bases only) for differentiating soils in terms of the... -
Evaluation of chemical control against the insect complex of groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) in the South African Highveld Region
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C.F. van Eeden --- , Republic of South Africa J. B.J. van Rensburg --- Summer Grain Centre, Republic of South Africa T. C. de K. van der Linde --- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Republic of South AfricaChemical compounds representing seed treatments, soil-applied systemic insecticides, contact and systemic corrective sprays were tested on the groundnut pest complex for three seasons in the South African Highveld Region. The efficacy of the compounds was evaluated by determining the effect... -
A comparison of methods used for the extraction of K in soils of the Western Cape
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: G.R. Thompson --- Department of Agricultural Development, Republic of South AfricaA number of common soil extractants, mainly those used for soil P, were used to extract K from a range of widely differing soils which occur in the Western Cape; the objective being to evaluate the simultaneous determination of P... -
The response of Italian ryegrass to sodium, lime and potassium on an acidic Natal soil
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: A.D. Manson --- , Republic of South AfricaUnless corrected, soil acidity and K deficiency frequently limit growth of intensive temperate pastures on highly weathered soils in South Africa. A field trial, with Italian ryegrass (cv. Midmar), was established on a Himeville sandy clay loam (typic Hapludox) for... -
The direct determination of phosphorus in citric acid soil extracts by colorimetry and direct-current plasma emission spectroscopy
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: G.R. Thompson --- Department of Agriculture, Republic of South AfricaThe effect of citrate interference on the direct colorimetric determination of P in 1% citric acid soil extracts of a wide range of soils was investigated and compared to that of removing the citric acid by dry ashing. It was... -
Die invloed van grondsuurheid op koringkultivars (Triticum aestivum L.) met verskillende vlakke van aluminiumverdraagsaamheid in die Oos-Vrystaat. II. Wortelontwikkeling
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: O. J.H. Bosch --- , Republiekvan Suid-Afrika W.M. Otto --- , Republiekvan Suid-Afrika J.J. Human --- Departement Agronomie, Republiek van Suid-Afrika'n Veldproef is uitgevoer in die Oos-Vrystaat om te bepaal of kultivars wat verskil in aluminium (Al)-verdraagsaamheid ook verskil in wortelontwikkeling by verskillende grondsuurheidsvlakke. Drie kultivars wat varleër in Al-verdraagsaamheid is by vier grondsuurheidsvlakke in 'n verdeelde-perseelontwerp getoets. Die twee... -
Evaluation of an undisturbed-soil incubation method as an index of soil nitrogen availability in a limed and non-limed soil
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: P.J. Raath --- , Republic of South Africa D. Saayman --- Department of Soil and Agricultural Water Science, Republic of South AfricaNitrogen mineralization potentials were determined using an undisturbed-soil incubation procedure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the above-mentioned method as an index of soil nitrogen availability. Undisturbed soil samples (0–150 and 150–300 mm) of a limed (pH 7.3)... -
Improved criteria for classifying hydric soils in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: D.C. Kotze --- Department of Grassland Science, Republic of South Africa J.R. Klug --- Department of Grassland Science, Republic of South Africa J.C. Hughes --- Department of Agronomy, Republic of South Africa C.M. Breen --- , Republic of South AfricaThere is an increasing awareness of the ecological and agricultural importance of hydric (wetland) soils. Because of the scarcity of information in South Africa, this study aimed to critically examine systems currently being applied to the hydric soils of South... -
The effect of grazing frequency and intensity on the root development of Lolium perenne L. under subtropical conditions
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: F.R. Mckenzie --- Department of Grassland Science, Republic of South AfricaThe root organic matter (OM) per unit volume of soil of Lolium perenne L. (perennial ryegrass) was evaluated over two years under subtropical conditions. Root OM was measured on five separate occasions in four soil-depth categories (0–50, 50–100, 100–200 and... -
Calibration models for interpretation of soil salinity measurements using an electromagnetic induction technique
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: M.A. Johnston --- Department of Agronomy, Republic of South Africa M.J. Savage --- Department of Agronomy, Republic of South Africa J.H. Moolman --- Department of Soil and Agricultural Water Science, Republic of South Africa H.M. du Plessis --- , Republic of South AfricaA commercially available salinity sensor (model EM-38 of Geonics Ltd., Canada) has been developed for diagnosing and quantifying soil salinity in the field. There is a need, however, to calibrate the instrument reading against a more commonly used measure of... -
Kwantifisering van die opname van atmosferiese en grond-N deur sojabone [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] uit 15 N-verrykte grond
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: A. D. P. Botha --- , Republiek of Suid-Afrika D.C. Pretorius --- , Republiek of Suid-Afrika J.F. Bienkowski --- , Republiek of Suid-Afrika R. L.J. Coetzer --- , Republiek of Suid-AfrikaDie doel met hierdie ondersoek was om die atmosferiese en grondstikstofopname deur die groeiseisoen van sojabone vas te stei, te bepaal in watter plantdele die N afkomstig van die twee bronne versamel, of dit later na die saad getranslokeer word... -
Changes in the organic matter and nutrient contents of some South African irrigated soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C.C. du Preez --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South Africa G.H. Wiltshire --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South AfricaCultivation caused, without exception, a decline in the organic matter content of dryland soils in the central regions of South Africa. The question arose as to how cultivation affects the organic matter content of irrigated soils from these regions. The... -
Water-holding capacity of rock fragments in rehabilitated opencast mine soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J.L. Schoeman --- , South Africa M.M. Kruger --- , South Africa A.H. Loock --- , South AfricaThe water-holding capacity of rock fragments sampled from spoil materials underlying rehabilitated opencast coal mine soils was determined. Four rock types, ranging from grit and coarse sandstone to carbonaceous shale, and four fractions of different size were investigated by means... -
Comparative patterns of sodium accumulation in leaves of selected savanna species growing on sodic and nonsodic soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: CatherineL. Bailey --- Botany Department, South Africa MaryC. Scholes --- Botany Department, South AfricaPlants show differing mechanisms of tolerance to high sodium levels in soils. Physiological and biochemical mechanisms have been investigated for many crop species but little information is available for indigenous tree and grass species. Foliar concentrations of sodium, calcium, potassium,... -
Number of isolates of maize root fungi in different crop rotation systems
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: E. Smit --- , South Africa G. D.J van Rensburg --- , South Africa F. H.J. Rijkenberg --- , South AfricaThe effect of monoculture maize and rotation with soybeans, sunflower and groundnuts on the incidence of maize root rot were studied in a long-term rotation trial for three seasons. The number of isolates of the common root colonizing fungi was... -
Evaluation of CERES-wheat v2.10: Soil water content under rainfed conditions
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: W. H.O. du Toit --- , South Africa J.L. Purchase --- , South Africa M. Hensley --- , South AfricaIn the semi-arid wheat production areas of the Free State province, the low and erratic rainfall, especially during early spring, is the most limiting natural resource for rainfed wheat production. Accurate simulation of soil water content by crop growth simulation... -
The relationship between subsoil colour and degree of wetness in a suite of soils in the Grabouw district, Western Cape I. Characterization of colour-defined horizons
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C.W. van Huyssteen --- , South Africa F. Ellis --- , South AfricaSoil colour is an easily identifiable property that is invariably used as a parameter in all soil classification systems including the system used in South Africa. To test the hypothesis that soil colour is a reflection of the soil water... -
The relationship between subsoil colour and degree of wetness in a suite of soils in the Grabouw district, Western Cape II. Predicting duration of water saturation and evaluation of colour definitions for colour-defined horizons
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C.W. van Huyssteen --- , South Africa F. Ellis --- Faculty of Forestry, South Africa J. J.N. Lambrechts --- Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, South AfricaExisting colour indices were evaluated to determine their correlation with duration of water saturation, for a hydrosequence in the Grabouw district, Western Cape. Correlation coefficients ranged between 0.31 and 0.63. More simple colour indices were developed. Dry soil colour is... -
Interaction between cultivar and soil fertility on grain yield, yield components and grain nitrogen content of wheat
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: LewisA. Metho --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, South Africa P.S. Hammes --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, South Africa J.M. de Beer --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, South Africa H.T. Groeneveld --- Department of Statistics, South AfricaThe effect of soil nutrient status on the performance of four wheat cultivars was studied in a long-term field experiment at the University of Pretoria. The objective was to quantify the effect of soil nutrient status on yield, yield components... -
Soil properties as influenced by cultivation of the aromatic shrub Artemisia afra
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J.H. Hansen-Quartey --- Department of Agronomy, Republic of South Africa S.A. Materechera --- School of Agriculture, Republic of South Africa K. Nyamapfene --- , Republic of South AfricaThe herbaceous aromatic shrub African wormwood (Artemisia afra) is thought to be indigenous to the Eastern Cape region of South Africa. In the natural environment, wherever the plant grows, patches of hard, bare ground develop around the plant. To investigate... -
The effect of a diurnal period of supra-optimal temperature on the seed vigour of sunflower
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: A.A. Nel --- , Republic of South AfricaThe daily maximum temperature in the upper 20 mm of sandy soils is often higher than 45°C on cloudless days during November, December and January in the summer rainfall region of South Africa. At these supra-optimal temperatures, sunflower seedling vigour... -
A comparison of three methods of soil water content determination
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: K.M. Little --- , Republic of South Africa B. Metelerkamp --- , New Zealand C.W. Smith --- , Republic of South AfricaIn forestry the need to manage plantations on a sustainable site-specific basis requires the understanding and management of any growth limiting factors. Soil water regime is a factor considered to be of prime importance with respect to explaining differences in... -
Rootstock-dependent soil respiration in a citrus orchard
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: N. Keutgen --- Department of Horticultural Science, Republic of South Africa M. Huysamer --- Department of Horticultural Science, Republic of South AfricaSoil respiration is a major contributor to the carbon flux in apple orchards, but very little data exist for citrus. Daytime soil respiration, grass respiration, and grass photosynthesis were recorded in a ‘Nules’ clementine (Citrus reticulata Blanco) orchard on ‘Carrizo’... -
Classifying the sensitivity of soils of the South African highveld to acidification
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: M.V. Fey --- Department of Geological Sciences, Republic of South Africa H.A. Dodds --- Department of Geological Sciences, Republic of South AfricaThe potentially acidifying impact of air pollution coupled with agriculture and forestry has stimulated interest in the spatial assessment of soil quality deterioration in the highveld and eastern escarpment region of South Africa. Current information on soils is available as... -
An investigation into the problems associated with revegetating chrysotile tailings
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: L. van Rensburg --- , Republic of South Africa L. Pistoruis --- , Republic of South AfricaThe present investigation was initiated because of the limited success achieved in the past at attempts to revegetate chrysotile tailings with their associated inherent environmental risk factors. The current set of experiments and surveys, as with several previous studies, were... -
Using Ground Penetrating Radar to investigate spoil layers in rehabilitated minesoils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: D.G. Paterson --- , Republic of South Africa M.C. Laker --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, Republic of South AfricaOpencast coal mining on the Highveld of Mpumalanga involves the disturbance of highly productive soils, which must then be rehabilitated on top of the mined spoil. Various problems in this process may occur, however, which may lead to water-logging, compaction... -
Application of Empirical Soil Loss Models in southern Africa: a review
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: H.J. Smith --- , Republic of South AfricaEmpirical soil loss models are relatively simple and have been applied in many parts of the world. The application of the Soil Loss Estimation Model for Southern Africa (SLEMSA), the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and the Revised Universal Soil... -
Aqueous ammonia as a soil steriliser for use in greenhouses
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: H. van Zyl --- , Republic of South Africa WilmaG. Gaum --- , Republic of South AfricaAqueous ammonia was used to determine its effectiveness as a soil steriliser for use in glasshouses and to see if it can be used as an alternative sterilising method. A sandy soil was used to examine the effect of aqueous... -
Influence of residual manure on selected nutrient elements and microbial composition of soil under long-term crop rotation
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: A. Belay --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, Republic of South Africa A.S. Claassens --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, Republic of South Africa F.C. Wehner --- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, Republic of South Africa J.M. de Beer --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, Republic of South AfricaA study was conducted on a long-term field experiment at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, that was established in 1939. The aim was to investigate the effects of residual manure on the characteristics of the total and microbial biomass... -
Effects of Casuarina-amended soil on selected soil and citrus properties
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: P.W. Mashela --- Department of Plant Production, Republic of South AfricaEffects of beefwood (Casuarina cunninghamiana Miq.) leaf residues were evaluated on soil pH, soil electrical. conductivity, growth and foliar nutrient ions of rough lemon (Citrus jambhiri Hush) seedlings in two greenhouse experiments. Casuarina- amended soil reduced soil pH, root weight,... -
A procedure for determining the minimum bulk density of soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: A. D.J. Da C. Nhantumbo --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South Africa A. T.P. Bennie --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South AfricaThe purpose of this study was to establish a procedure and develop equipment for determining the minimum bulk density of soils. Six soils with silt-plus-clay contents varying between 8 and 41% were selected. The determination consisted of pouring the soil... -
Clay-substrate application to sandy open-cast mine soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: G. Reuter --- Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, GermanyThe review gives some insight into the objective of amelioration to improve fertility of sandy soils. The research concept is based on the high water and cation exchange capacity of clay minerals. Technological and economic problems as well as practicable... -
The effect of soil compaction on the water retention characteristics of soils in forest plantations
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: CW Smith --- , MA Johnston --- , SA Lorentz --- ,A study was carried out to evaluate the relative effects of soil compaction on the water retention characteristics of a range of soils in forest plantations in the summer rainfall regions of South Africa. In all cases compaction resulted in... -
Use of solid waste bagasse from a paper mill as an organic amendment and its effect on some soil properties: a case study
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J.C. Hughes --- Soil Science, South Africa S. J.A. Girdlestone --- Soil Science, South AfricaAt a paper mill in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa bagasse waste was disposed of by burying it in a layer resulting in variable sugar cane growth. The waste was mostly organic fibres, had a high water holding capacity, and contained small... -
Relationship between acid saturation and hydrogen activity of soils from different districts in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: A.A. Bloem --- Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, North West Province, Republic of South AfricaSoil analyses results from six districts in the western maize producing areas of South Africa were used for correlating exchangeable acidity and acid saturation with hydrogen ion activity (pH). From the resulting regression equations, the pH values that corresponded with... -
Acidic iron oxide waste as a conditioner for calcareous soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: R. Campbell --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South Africa R.D. O'Brien --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South Africa M.V. Fey --- Department of Soil Science, Republic of South AfricaA fine-grained iron oxide (hematite, (α-Fe2O3), containing 1.2% hydrochloric acid by mass, is the main by-product of an acid recovery plant at Saldanha Bay. The alkalinity of calcareous soils in this semi-arid region causes plant deficiencies in many trace elements,... -
The measurement of low organic matter contents in soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: M.J. Rowell --- Agricultural Laboratory, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development, Namibia M.E. Coetzee --- Agricultural Laboratory, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Rural Development, NamibiaFour methods were compared to measure the small amounts of organic matter present in many Namibian soils and to detect organic amendments added to improve fertility. Two Walkley-Black wet oxidation methods involving titration (WBT-C) and colourimetry (WBC-C) and two loss... -
Recognition of natural soil bodies using textural properties of red freely drained soil profiles from KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: D.P. Turner --- , South Africa M.C. Laker --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, South AfricaThe research examines the range of variation of soil texture for red freely drained soils associated with six of the major geological formations of KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. The soil profile information is derived from particle size analyses of over 4... -
An investigation into soil fertility in two resource-poor farming communities in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa)
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: V.G. Roberts --- KwaZulu-Natal Dept. of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs, Republic of South Africa S. Adey --- , Republic of South Africa A.D. Manson --- KwaZulu-Natal Dept. of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs, Republic of South AfricaLow soil fertility is one of the major constraints affecting agriculture in Africa, a phenomenon that is also evident in fields of resource-poor farmers in KwaZulu-Natal. However, nutrient depletion status is field specific. This paper investigates the hypothesis that among... -
Ceramic suction samplers: A reliable method for extracting soil solutions for analysis
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: L. Grobler --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, South Africa A.S. Claassens --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, South Africa J.G. Annandale --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, South AfricaCeramic samplers are used to extract soil solutions at different depths from the soil profile for chemical analysis. The advantage of this method is that samples can be taken at any time provided that the soil water potential is high... -
Survival of Ralstonia solanacearum biovar 2 in soil under different cropping systems
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: E. I.M. Stander --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, South Africa P.S. Hammes --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, South Africa E.A. Beyers --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, South AfricaSurvival of Ralstonia solanacearum biovar 2 (race 3) was monitored in an artificially infested field over a five year period. Four cultural practices (maize monoculture, potato monoculture, bare fallow and weed-fallow) were applied. Ralstonia populations in the soil were quantified... -
Possible flood irrigation technologies to reduce water use of Sultanina grapevines in a hot, arid climate
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: P.A. Myburgh --- , South AfricaGrowth, production and water use efficiency of Sultanina grapevines irrigated by means of methods where only a fraction of the soil was wetted, were compared to full surface flood irrigation in the hot, arid Lower Orange River region of South... -
An improved phosphorus desorption index for the routine determination of the Ambic 2 phosphorus requirement factor of South African soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: P.C. Henry --- , MarieF. Smith --- ,A short (24 h) laboratory incubation study was conducted and plots of P desorbed in Ambic 2 extraction solutions versus added P were constructed for a wide range of soils of varying P fixing capacity representative of the province of... -
Relationships between Ambic 1 and Bray 1 extractable phosphorus in some South African arable soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C. J.J. Schmidt --- , South Africa F.G. Adriaanse --- , South Africa C.C. du Preez --- Department of Soil, South AfricaSouth African analytical laboratories use different extractants for P in soils of which the most important are Bray 1, Ambic 1, Bray 2, Truog and Olsen. The fertilizer industry prefers to use Bray 1 extractions for fertilization recommendations and the... -
Effect of temperature, soil moisture content and type of cutting on establishment of sweet potato cuttings
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: T. Belehu --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, Republic of South Africa P.S. Hammes --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, Republic of South AfricaEffective rooting is essential for successful crop establishment from cuttings. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of temperature and soil water content on the root and shoot growth during the early establishment of sweet potato cuttings... -
SOIL carbon and nitrogen in five contrasting biomes of South Africa exposed to different land uses
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: A.J. Mills --- Department of Soil Science, South Africa M.V. Fey --- Department of Soil Science, South AfricaStocks of soil C to a depth of 50 cm in untransformed, indigenous veld ranged from 21 t ha-1 in karoo to 168 t ha-1 in thicket and stocks of N ranged from 3.41 ha-1 in karoo to 12.8 t... -
A study of the kinetics of the adsorption of phosphorus by selected South African soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: P.C. Henry --- , MarieF. Smith --- ,Plots of the decline of the concentration of phosphorus in soil suspensions over time were constructed for 23 selected soils from South Africa and, using non-linear regression analysis, various models were fitted to the time curves, including mechanistic first and... -
Threshold values for sulphur in soils of the main maize-producing areas of South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J.J. van Biljon --- , Republic of South Africa D. Fouche --- , Republic of South Africa A. D.P. Botha --- , Republic of South AfricaFertilizers introduced to South Africa after World War 2 contained sufficient sulphur (S) to satisfy the demands of all crops. However, dramatic shifts to high-analysis NPK fertilizers containing little or no S and restriction on sulphur dioxide emissions by industries... -
Modelling the contribution of root accessible water tables towards crop water requirements
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: N.Z. Jovanovic --- Department of Earth Sciences, Republic of South Africa L. Ehlers --- Department of Soil, Republic of South Africa A. T.P. Bennie --- Department of Soil, Republic of South Africa C.C. Du Preez --- Department of Soil, Republic of South Africa J.G. Annandale --- Department Plant Production and Soil Science, Republic of South AfricaProper utilization of shallow water tables could substantially reduce irrigation water requirements in large agricultural areas. The objective was to develop and test a computer model for predicting the contribution of shallow water tables to root water uptake. The model... -
Factors affecting runoff and soil loss under simulated rainfall on a sandy Bainsvlei Amalia soil
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Y.E. Woyessa --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa A. T.P. Bennie --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South AfricaThis study was conducted on a long-term tillage experiment that was designed to evaluate appropriate tillage practices for sustainable dryland crop production. Measurements of runoff and soil loss were conducted on a sandy Bainsvlei Amalia soil (88.0% sand, 3.6% silt,... -
Validation of the soil evaporation subroutine of the SWB-2D model in a hedgerow peach orchard
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: P Lobit --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, NS Mpandeli --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, JG Annandale --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, NZ Jovanovic --- Department of Earth Sciences, N du Sautoy --- Department Soil Science,The SWB (Soil Water Balance) model, previously developed to estimate water use by agronomic crops, has been adapted to describe solar radiation interception and soil evaporation in hedgerow orchards. The distribution of solar radiation (Rs) at the soil surface is... -
The relationship between soil morphology and soil water regime: preliminary results in the Weatherley catchment
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C.W. van Huyssteen --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, Republic of South Africa P. A.L. le Roux --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, Republic of South Africa M. Hensley --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, Republic of South AfricaSoil water contents were measured for five years at Weatherley, an intensively instrumented catchment in the north eastern part of the Eastern Cape Province. Soil water contents are expressed in terms of average duration of saturation with water above 0.7... -
Soil mineralogy research in South Africa, 1978 to 2002 - a review
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C. Bühmann --- , South Africa B.J. Escott --- Soil Science, South Africa J.C. Hughes --- Soil Science, South AfricaOver 160 publications that contain mineralogical information were produced in the last 25 years of which about half were published in national and international journals. In many articles mineralogical data were presented but not discussed. Most studies were concerned with... -
Soils and the environment: the past 25 years
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J.L. Schoeman --- , Republic of South Africa P.W. van Deventer --- , Republic of South AfricaLocal work on selected environmental impacts on soil quality and the role of soils in the attenuation of environmental pollution is reviewed. Examples of negative impacts from mining, industries, urbanization, agriculture and forestry abound. The safe and sustainable use of... -
The effects of spatial variation of certain soil properties on the winter yield of a lucerne stand
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: A. Venter --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, South Africa D.J. Beukes --- , South Africa A.S. Claassens --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, South Africa M. Van Meirvenne --- Department Soil Management and Soil Care, BelgiumIn general, agricultural fields are managed as uniform units, ignoring spatial soil heterogeneity and its effects on growth and yield of field crops. This study was conducted from June 2001—February 2002 and examines the effects of spatial variation of soil... -
Water use of maize in response to planting density and irrigation
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J. B.O. Ogola --- Department of Plant Production, South Africa T.R. Wheeler --- Department of Agriculture, UK P.M. Harris --- Department of Agriculture, UKThis study aimed to quantify the effect of plant population density and irrigation on the water use efficiency (q) of maize crops, with particular emphasis on the partitioning of water use into transpiration (T) and direct evaporation of water from... -
Indications of ferrolysis and structure degradation in an Estcourt soil and possible relationships with plinthite formation
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: P. A.L. le Roux --- Department Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, Republic of South Africa C.C. du Preez --- Department Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, Republic of South Africa C. Bühmann --- , Republic of South AfricaGeographic associations of duplex soils, like the Estcourt form, and plinthic soils, like the Avalon and Westleigh forms, such as are found in the Eastern Free State, are recognised worldwide. These soils share redox morphology. In duplex soils, the redox... -
Interpretation of digital soil photographs using spatial analysis: I. Methodology
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C.W. van Huyssteen --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa P. A.L. le Roux --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa M. Hensley --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South AfricaSystems for the evaluation of soil wetness use soil colour extensively. The determination of soil colour normally relies on the user's perception of colour and usually employs a colour matching system, e.g. Munsell Soil Color Charts. The South African soil... -
Interpretation of digital soil photographs using spatial analysis: II. Application
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C.W. van Huyssteen --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa P. A.L. le Roux --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa M. Hensley --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South AfricaColour variation in digital photographs of soils was quantified and classified meaningfully, using ArcView Spatial Analyst. This procedure holds great promise for the unbiased and quantitative determination of soil colour properties and statistical correlation with related soil hydrological conditions. The... -
Clay mineral associations in soils of the Lusikisiki area, Eastern Cape Province, and their agricultural significance
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C. Bühmann --- , D.J. Beukes --- , D.P. Turner --- ,The study deals with changes in clay mineral associations with soil development and related implications for land users in the Lusikisiki area of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Fifteen profiles, encompassing all major soil forms in the region,... -
Regional sustainability in table grape production on saline soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: W. P. de Clercq --- Department of Soil Science, South Africa M. Van Meirvenne --- Department of Soil Management and Soil Care, BelgiumA study was done in South Africa to investigate the state of the soil salt content and its effect on plant growth on a regional rather than a point basis. The study site went through a development phase since 1996... -
Nature and distribution of South African plinthic soils: Conditions for occurrence of soft and hard plinthic soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: P. A.L. le Roux --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, Republic of South Africa C.C. du Preez --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, Republic of South AfricaThe relevance of using redox morphology and irreversible hardened material to classify soft and hard plinthic soil forms is often questioned as the paleoclimate of South Africa varied significantly. Since the origin of the Soil Classification System of South Africa... -
Determination of the timing and amount of irrigation of winter cover crops with the use of dielectric constant and capacitance soil water content profile methods
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: M.F. Gebregiorgis --- Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum Research Unit, South Africa M.J. Savage --- Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum Research Unit, South AfricaA well-managed irrigation scheduling system needs a rapid, precise, simple, cost-effective and non-destructive soil water sensor that allows for measurements at different depths and different locations across the cropped area. Two soil water content profile measurement methods were used and... -
The effect of fertiliser N rates on growth of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and white clover (Trifolium repens) grown at high soil water levels under controlled conditions
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J. Labuschagne --- , South Africa G.A. Agenbag --- , South AfricaThe response of perennial ryegrass and white clover to fertiliser N rates of 0, 30, 60, 120 and 180 kg N ha−1 when grown at soil water potentials of-10, −20, −25 and −35 kPa were investigated. Increasing fertiliser N levels... -
Extractable soil phosphorus threshold values for dryland maize on the South African Highveld
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C. J.J. Schmidt --- , South Africa F.G. Adriaanse --- , South Africa C.C. du Preez --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South AfricaThe principle objective of this study was to establish P fertilizer guidelines for dryland maize on the South African Highveld according to the sufficiency concept of soil extractable P. Data sets from nine different P fertilizer trials at various localities... -
Predicting the effects of nitrogen and planting density on maize water use in semi-arid Kenya
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J. B.O. Ogola --- Department of Plant Production, South Africa T.R. Wheeler --- Department of Agriculture, U.K. P.M. Harris --- Department of Agriculture, U.K.Models are important tools to assess the scope of management effects on crop productivity under different climatic and soil regimes. Accordingly, this study developed and used a simple model to assess the effects of nitrogen fertiliser and planting density on... -
Soil compaction by tractor tillage in horticultural fields at Molelwane research farm, Mafikeng, North West Province
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: S.A. Materechera --- Crop Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Science & Technology, Republic of South Africa K. Gaobope --- Crop Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Science & Technology, Republic of South AfricaThe study was prompted by concerns that soil compaction in horticultural fields at the University research farm was limiting the performance of fruit trees and vegetable crops after fifteen years of conventional tillage with tractors. Soil penetrometer resistance and bulk... -
The effects of soil amendments and mulch on emergence, pod development and yield of bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L.) in a hard-setting soil
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: S.A. Materechera --- Crop Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Science & Technology, Republic of South Africa B. Motsuenyane --- Crop Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Science & Technology, Republic of South Africa J.R. Modise --- Crop Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Science & Technology, Republic of South AfricaPoor crop establishment is a common problem in the soils of semi-arid areas of South Africa and is often one of the main factors limiting crop yields. Hard-setting Hutton soils (Chromic Luvisol) expose shoots of emerging crop seedlings to high... -
Duration of water saturation in selected soils of Weatherley, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C.W. van Huyssteen --- Department of Soil, South Africa P. A.L. le Roux --- Department of Soil, South Africa M. Hensley --- Department of Soil, South Africa T.B. Zere --- Department of Soil, South AfricaSoil water contents were measured weekly for six years (1997–2005) in the Weatherley catchment in the northern Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, and used to calculate average duration of water saturation above 70% of porosity (ADs>0.7). Data were used... -
Evapotranspiration of Vitis vinifera L. cvs Sunred Seedless and Muscat Supreme in response to soil water depletion and irrigation cutoff during berry ripening
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: P.A. Myburgh --- , South Africa C.L. Howell --- , South AfricaThe effects of soil water depletion and irrigation cutoff during ripening on yield, quality and evapotranspiration (ET) of table grapes were studied to refine irrigation strategies needed during hot, dry summers. Six irrigation treatments were applied to two cultivars, viz... -
Soil organic matter and microbial biomass as influenced by sugar cane (Saccharum hybrid sp.) production practices in Mauritius
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: L.R. Ng Cheong --- , Mauritius K. F. Ng Kee Kwong --- , Mauritius C. C. Du Preez --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South AfricaSugar cane has been grown in Mauritius for over 350 years in a monocropping system. As a result, soil quality could have declined since productivity has been stagnating over the last twenty years in spite of improved agronomic practices and... -
Relationships between plant and soil nutrient status and position in the landscape on Pellic Vertisols of Ethiopia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Lemma Gizachew --- , Ethiopia G.N. Smit --- Department of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences, South AfricaEffects of land use on soil nutrients and related soil parameters of Pellic Vertisols were assessed using soil samples collected from plots subjected to the cultivation of tef (Eragrostis tef) (TF) and grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) (GP) and native grassland... -
Long-term kinetics of phosphate desorption from soil and its relationship with plant growth
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: A.M. Taddesse --- , Republic of South Africa A.S. Claassens --- , Republic of South Africa P.C. de Jager --- , Republic of South AfricaKnowledge on the availability of residual P in soils is of great importance for fertilization management. The use of dialysis membrane tubes filled with hydrous ferric oxide solution has recently been reported as an effective way to characterize P desorption... -
Nitrogen fixation and biomass productivity of indigenous legumes for fertility restoration of abandoned soils in smallholder farming systems
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: H. Nezomba --- , Zimbabwe T. P Tauro --- , Zimbabwe F. Mtambanengwe --- , Zimbabwe P. Mapfumo --- , ZimbabweMost legume-based soil fertility technologies often fail to make the desired impact on nutrient-depleted soils partly due to low N2-fixation rates and poor biomass productivity. A study was conducted in the 2004/05 and 2005/06 rainfall seasons to evaluate biomass productivity... -
Multivariate analysis of selected allied chemical properties of soils close to an abandoned manganese mine
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: G. E. Ekosse --- , South Africa P. S. Fouche --- , South AfricaThis study aimed at understanding the statistical relationships between base saturation percent (BSP), cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH(water) and electrical conductivity (EC) in soils within close proximity to the abandoned Kgwakgwe Mn oxide ore mine, Botswana. Four hundred soil samples... -
Spatial distribution of selected chemical properties of soils situated close to an abandoned manganese mine
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: G. E. Ekosse --- , South Africa P.S. Fouche --- , South AfricaThis study aimed at understanding the spatial distribution of the base saturation percentage (PSB), cation exchange capacity (CEC), pH(water) and electrical conductivity (EC) in soils situated close to the abandoned Kgwakgwe Mn oxide ore mine, Botswana. Four hundred soil samples... -
A review of advances in hydropedology for application in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: C.W. van Huyssteen --- , South AfricaHydropedology is internationally a new and fast-growing science. It is therefore pertinent to take heed of developments in this regard to guide current and future research in South Africa. This paper aims to discuss the initiation and advances in the... -
Effects of liming on microbial activity and N mineralization in broiler manure-amended soils from Bizana, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: G.G. Jezile --- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, USA D.G. Westfall --- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, USA G. Peterson --- Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, USA D.R. Child --- Department of Rangeland Ecosystem Sciences, USA D.P. Turner --- , RSA W. Van Averbeke --- , RSAA laboratory incubation study was conducted to determine the effects of liming on microbial activity and N mineralization in two Bizana soils amended with broiler manure. The experimental layout was a 4 x 3 complete factorial experiment with three replicates,... -
Effect of microencapsulated alachlor on South African sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) cultivars
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J. Allemann --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa G.M. Ceronio --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South AfricaThe microencapsulated formulation of alachlor is becoming increasingly popular for use on sunflower in South Africa, where it is registered for use at a rate of 1.54 to 1.92 kg ai ha−1. Some injury symptoms, apparently herbicide induced, have been... -
Relationships between soil particle size fractions and infiltrability
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: T.V. Medinski --- Department of Soil Science, South Africa A.J. Mills --- Department of Soil Science, South Africa M.V. Fey --- , Western AustraliaThe influence of particle size fractions on infiltrability was investigated in soils sampled across Namibia and western South Africa. Infiltrability was determined using a laboratory technique calibrated with rainfall simulation, which measures the passage of a suspension of soil particles... -
Infiltrability in soils from south-western Africa: effects of texture, electrical conductivity and exchangeable sodium percentage
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: T.V. Medinski --- Department of Soil Science, South Africa A.J. Mills --- Department of Soil Science, South Africa M.V. Fey --- , Western AustraliaThe effects of particle size, electrical conductivity (EC) and exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) on infiltra-bility were investigated in 35 soils from Namibia and western South Africa. Samples were grouped as follows: sand (5–9% clay + silt), loamy sand (16–20%) and... -
Soil water variability in the Weatherley grassland catchment, South Africa: I. Evapotranspiration
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: CW van Huyssteen --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa TB Zere --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa M Hensley --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South AfricaEvapotranspiration (ET) is a major component of the soil water balance and therefore requires accurate determination to quantify catchment water yield. Six-year daily ET was determined at 300 mm depth intervals in the root zone of 28 soil profiles in... -
Soil water variability in the Weatherley grassland catchment, South Africa: II. Soil water content
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: CW van Huyssteen --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa TB Zere --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa M Hensley --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South AfricaSoil water content is a major factor that affects the hydrological response of a hillslope or catchment. It is therefore important to have reliable soil water content data to estimate catchment water yield. Daily soil water content (θ) data was... -
Agricultural suitability of dune system and Limpopo Basin soils near Xai-Xai, Mozambique
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: M. Brandt --- , Germany R. Bäumler --- , Germany C Samimi --- , AustriaQuaternary dune systems, as well as the Limpopo Basin near the rural city of Xai-Xai in southern Mozambique were studied concerning their soil fertility and sustainability for crop cultivation. Due to population growth, most sites, which are not overbuilt, are... -
Obtaining the parameters required to model labile phosphorus for South African soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: M. Van der Laan --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, South Africa J.G. Annandale --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, South Africa C.C. du Preez --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa S.A. Lorentz --- , South AfricaModelling phosphorus (P) in the environment can increase our understanding of potential transfer pathways into receiving water bodies as well as the plant availability of this nutrient in soil. Many current models make use of algorithms originally developed for the... -
Relationships between soil buffer capacity and selected soil properties in a resource-poor farming area in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: H.G. Jansen van Rensburg --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, South Africa A.S. Claassens --- Department of Plant Production and Soil Science, South Africa D.J. Beukes --- , South AfricaIn this study, the soil buffer capacity (soil BC) was measured for 80 topsoil samples of the most dominant soil forms in a small-scale farming area. Soils used in the study ranged from weakly to strongly buffered, with soil BC... -
Advances in pedology in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: P.A.L. le Roux --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, M. Hensley --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, C.W. van Huyssteen --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences,The ability of soil to serve as a unique buffer of water, organic carbon, nutrients, pH, redox and temperature is recognised in environmental research. A detailed study on hardpan carbonate and dorbank horizons in the commonly occurring ‘heuweltjies’ of the... -
Advances in soil physics: Application in irrigation and dryland crop production
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: L.D. van Rensburg --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South AfricaThis is the third soil physics review to be published in South African Journal of Plant and Soil. In the previous reviews the focus was broad and covered almost every aspect of the subject, providing a comprehensive list of contributions... -
Advances in sugarcane soil fertility research in Southern Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J.H. Meyer --- , R. van Antwerpen --- ,The South African sugar industry is a modern, well organised industry and highly cost-competitive in world terms, producing some 2.3 million tons of sugar annually from 20 million tons of cane. The bulk of the cane is produced by some... -
Phytophtho citophthro trunk and branch canker on Clementine mandarins in the Western Cape province of South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: G.C. Schutte --- , South Africa W.J. Botha --- , South AfricaBark and soil samples collected from trunks of Clementine mandarin cv. `Nules’ orchards in the Knysna area of South Africa were used for isolations to determine the cause of a canker on tree trunks. Phytophthora citrophthora was the predominant species... -
Soil indicators of hillslope hydrology in the Bedford catchments, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J.J. van Tol --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa P.A.L. Le Roux --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa M. Hensley --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South AfricaWater plays a primary role in soil genesis and soil strongly influences hydrological processes (flowpaths, residence times and storage). Morphological soil properties serve as indicators of hillslope hydrological behaviour and can facilitate hydrological predictions. Three catchments in the Bedford district... -
Anew optimum value for zinc in the main maize producing sandy soils of South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: J.J. Van Biljon --- , Republic of South Africa C.A. Wright --- , Republic of South Africa D.S. Fouche --- , Republic of South Africa A.D.P. Botha --- , Republic of South AfricaSouth African farmers commenced applying zinc (Zn) during the 1960s at a rate of approximately 2 kg Zn ha−1. Although good yields were produced and Zn levels increased in South African maize fields, a recent survey revealed that maize meal... -
Soil aggregate properties and total available water as affected by sugar cane (Saccharum hybrid sp.) production in Mauritius
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: L.R. Ng Cheong --- , Mauritius K.F. Ng Kee Kwong --- , Mauritius C.c. Du Preez --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South AfricaConcerns within the sugar industry of Mauritius with respect to soil degradation caused by sugar cane cropping have led to a study on soil quality. As part of this study, the effects of sugar cane production, i.e. cropping and adoption... -
Particulate organic matter, soil texture and mineralogy relations in some Eastern Cape ecotopes in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: AD Nciizah --- Department of Agronomy, South Africa IIC Wakindiki --- Department of Agronomy, South AfricaContrasting reports have been given on the relationships between soil texture, mineralogy and particulate organic matter (POM). The objective of this study was to determine the effects of soil texture and mineralogy on aggregate POM in several ecotopes in the... -
Effect of tillage systems and nitrogen application rates on selected physical and biological properties of a clay loam soil in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: TS Taylor --- Soil Science, School of Environmental Sciences, South Africa LW Titshall --- Soil Science, School of Environmental Sciences, South Africa JC Hughes --- Soil Science, School of Environmental Sciences, South Africa GR Thibaud --- Soil and Analytical Services Division, Department of Agriculture, South AfricaThe effects of agricultural management practices on soil physical and biological parameters provide fundamental information for assessing sustainability. Tillage (annual conventional tillage and no-till) and nitrogen fertiliser (limestone ammonium nitrate at rates of 0, 100 and 200 kg N ha−1)... -
Growth, yield and grain protein content of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in response to nitrogen fertiliser rates, crop rotation and soil tillage
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: GA Agenbag --- Department of Agronomy, South AfricaSoil tillage affects both the profitability and sustainability of cropping systems. Minimum- and no-tillage systems are promoted because research has shown that these systems may reduce production costs and improve biological sustainability when compared to conventional systems, in which mouldboard... -
Hydrological classification of orthic A horizons in Weatherley, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: CW van Huyssteen --- Department of Soil-, Crop- and Climate Science, South AfricaOrthic A horizons carry little interpretive, especially hydrological, value. This paper aims to elucidate the hydrological interpretation of orthic A horizons. Measured water contents in the orthic A horizons of 28 profiles in the Weatherley catchment of South Africa were... -
Carbon stocks in fynbos, pastures and vineyards on the Agulhas Plain, South Africa: a preliminary assessment
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: AJ Mills --- Department of Soil Science, South Africa SC Birch --- , South Africa JD Stephenson --- , South Africa RV Bailey --- , South AfricaLarge tracts of fynbos on the Agulhas Plain are being converted to agriculture. Carbon (C) stocks in fynbos, pastures and vineyards were measured in this preliminary study to determine whether conservation of fynbos results in greater C storage relative to... -
Effects of liming and inorganic fertiliser application on soil properties and maize growth and yield in rural agriculture in the Mbizana area, Eastern Cape province, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: DJ Beukes --- , South Africa TC Mapumulo --- , South Africa TP Fyfield --- , South Africa GG Jezile --- , South AfricaA five-year study was conducted to assess the seasonal and medium-term effects of liming and fertilisation of an acid clay loam topsoil on soil properties and on the growth and yield of maize under dry land. Treatments consisted of a... -
Biomass production, weed suppression, nitrogen and phosphorus uptake in white oat (Avena sativa L.) and grazing vetch (Vicia dasycarpa L.) cover crop bicultures under an irrigated no-till system
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: L Muzangwa --- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, South Africa C Chiduza --- Department of Crop Science, School of Agricultural Sciences, South Africa P Muchaonyerwa --- School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, South AfricaCultivation of a multipurpose cover crop is of interest to Eastern Cape farmers experiencing soil infertility and weed pressures. The objective of the study was to investigate effects of oat–vetch bicultures on biomass production, weed suppression, and nitrogen (N) and... -
Influence of mono- and biculture cover cropping systems on soil polysaccharides and aggregate stability in a sandy loam Oakleaf soil in Eastern Cape, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: HA Mupambwa --- Department of Agronomy, South Africa IIC Wakindiki --- Department of Agronomy, South AfricaMono- and biculture cropping systems are thought to affect aggregate stability by influencing soil polysaccharides but the exact relationship is uncertain. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of cover cropping systems on polysaccharides and aggregate stability... -
Phosphorus enhances aluminium tolerance in both aluminium-tolerant and aluminium-sensitive wheat seedlings
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: MT Iqbal --- Department of Agronomy and Agricultural Extension, BangladeshSeedlings growing in acid soils suffer both phosphorus (P) deficiency and aluminium (Al) toxicity stresses. An experiment was conducted to study the effects of Al and P interaction on Al-tolerant (ET8) and Al-sensitive (ES8) wheat genotypes in an acid soil... -
Principles of soil classification and the future of the South African system
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: CW van Huyssteen --- Soil, Crop and Climate Science, South Africa DP Turner --- ARC–Institute for Soil, South Africa PAL Le Roux --- Soil, Crop and Climate Science, South AfricaHumans classify their environment to create order, make it understandable, aid recollection and to communicate. The nature of these classifications is not always understood, because they are learnt from an early age. Building on these principles provides a sound basis... -
Comparison of medium-term organic and inorganic fertiliser application on leaf nutrient concentration and yield of maize in rural agriculture in the Mbizana area, Eastern Cape province, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: DJ Beukes --- , South Africa TP Fyfield --- , South Africa GG Jezile --- , South Africa TC Mapumulo --- , South AfricaA five-year study was conducted in the Mbizana area, Eastern Cape province, to assess the seasonal and medium term effects of chicken manure and inorganic fertiliser application to an acid clay loam topsoil on nutrient element uptake and yield of... -
Perspectives on the principles and structure of the soil classification system in South Africa: discussion and practical examples
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: DavidP Turner --- , South AfricaThe paper discusses revised principles, perspectives and structure for soil classification of natural soils in South Africa. An expanded ‘sphere of pedological interest’ is proposed through the formal recognition of a wider range of subsurface soil materials. The concept of... -
A revised perspective on principles of soil classification in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: DavidP Turner --- Agricultural Research Council-Institute for Soil, Climate and Water, South AfricaLimited significance has been given to the formal recognition of certain subsoil materials in the South African Soil Classification System. Three principles in the current classification system are discussed using variants of soil profiles associated with the Avalon soil form... -
Disaggregation of land types using terrain analysis, expert knowledge and GIS methods
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: George M van Zijl --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Science, South Africa Pieter Al Le Roux --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Science, South Africa David P Turner --- Agricultural Research Council–Institute for Soil, Climate and Water, South AfricaSoil maps’ value is increasingly recognised for enabling the optimal management of ecosystems. Digital soil mapping (DSM) can overcome the cost constraints of traditional mapping methods, but requires local area-specific research. As South Africa is blessed with the land type... -
Evaluation of soil conservation measures on a highly erodible soil in the Free State province, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: D Garry Paterson --- Agricultural Research Council–Institute for Soil, Climate and Water, South Africa Hendrik J Smith --- Agricultural Research Council–Institute for Soil, Climate and Water, South Africa Andri van Greunen --- Free State Provincial Department of Agriculture, South AfricaSoil erosion is a problem in South Africa, and is exacerbated by poor land use practices and erodible soils. Several methods are available to address the problem and a runoff trial was conducted over four rainfall seasons on an erodible,... -
Chickpea residue properties controlling decomposition dynamics and nitrogen availability in some tropical acid soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Benjamin O Danga --- Department of Agricultural Resource Management, Kenya Aviva Hadas --- Department of Soil Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, Israel Isaiah IC Wakindiki --- Department of Agronomy, South Africa Josephine P Ouma --- Department of Crops, Horticulture and Soils, Kenya Asher Bar-Tal --- Department of Soil Chemistry and Plant Nutrition, IsraelChickpea (Cicer arietinum) grown in a rotation can contribute significant nitrogen (N) if its decomposition and nutrient-release dynamics are known and synchronised with the maximum demand by the succeeding crop. The aims of the study were to investigate the decomposition... -
Conservation agriculture effects on plant nutrients and maize grain yield after four years of maize–winter cover crop rotations
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Ernest Dube --- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, South Africa Cornelius Chiduza --- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, South Africa Pardon Muchaonyerwa --- School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, South AfricaThe effects of maize rotation with oat (Avena sativa cv. Sederberg) and grazing vetch (Vicia dasycarpa cv. Max) winter cover crops on nutrient availability, maize grain yield and maize grain nutrient concentration were investigated. Soil samples were collected from the... -
Preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viceae strains in nodulating hairy vetch (Vicia villosa) in the sandy soils of Zimbabwe
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Akinson Tumbure --- Soil Productivity Research Laboratory, Department of Research and Specialist Services, Zimbabwe Menas Wuta --- Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, Zimbabwe Farai Mapanda --- Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Engineering, ZimbabweHairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) is an introduced temperate forage legume in Zimbabwe that has no locally available commercial inoculant. In this study, Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viceae strains MAR 1504, MAR 833 and MAR 346 available in Zimbabwe's strain bank... -
THE INFLUENCE OF P-RETENTION BY SOILS AND SEDIMENTS ON THE WATER QUALITY OF THE LIONS RIVER
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of the Limnological Society of Southern Africa • Authors: H.D. Furness C.M. BreenThe soils of Midmar dam catchment and the sediments of the Lions river are shown to have high P-retention properties. Present conditions result in little leaching of PO4 −4 from the soils and favour a net transport of P from... -
ENVIRONMENTAL CORRELATES OF PLANT SPECIES DISTRIBUTION ON THE NYL RIVER FLOODPLAIN
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern African Journal of Aquatic Sciences • Authors: M. A.S. Coetzee --- Botany Department, South Africa K.H. Rogers --- Botany Department, South AfricaThe envisaged construction of a dam on a major tributary of the Nyl River will alter the hydrological regime with consequent effects on the structure and functioning of the downstream floodplain ecosystem (Nylsvley). Attempts to minimise this impact will be... -
Effects of fire, bruchid beetles and soil type on germination and seedling establishment of Acacia drepanolobium
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: B.D. Okello T.P. YoungThe effects of fire, bruchid seed beetles and soil type on the germination and seedling establishment of Acacia drepanolobium were experimentally investigated. Seeds subjected to three seed treatments (bruchid damaged, bruchid-free burnt, and bruchid-free unburned) were germinated in three different... -
Defining function in rangelands of the Peddie district, Eastern Cape, using Landscape Function Analysis
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: AR Palmer FJ Killer AM Avis D TongwayPortions of natural rangeland in the Great Fish River Valley have been defined as degraded by several studies using vegetation analysis techniques. It was considered desirable that soil surface condition should also be described to provide an index of landscape... -
Fire and the dynamics of a semi-arid grassland: influence on soil characteristics
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: H A SnymanThe short-term impact of fire burning with the wind (head fire) and against the wind (back fire) on soil characteristics (soil-water content, soil compaction, soil temperature, organic matter, pH, exchangeable Ca, Mg, K, Na and extractable P) were determined in... -
Grass composition and rangeland condition of the major grazing areas in the mid Rift Valley, Ethiopia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Amsalu Sisay R M T BaarsA range inventory and condition study was conducted in three altitude zones: lowland (1500-1700m), medium altitude (1700-2000m), and highland (2000-2500m). Each altitude zone was stratified into four or five important grazing areas. One area represented lightly grazed government ranches or... -
Effect of Balanites glabra canopy cover on grass production, organic matter and soil moisture in a southern Kenyan rangeland
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: VO Wasonga RK Ngugi DM Nyariki G Kironchi TJ NjokaA study was undertaken in Kenya's southern savanna rangelands to determine the seasonal effect of Balanites glabra canopy cover on aboveground grass biomass, grass species composition, soil organic matter and soil moisture content. The study was conducted during the period... -
Soil seed bank evaluation and seedling establishment along a degradation gradient in a semi-arid rangeland
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: HA SnymanThe effects of rangeland degradation on the size and species composition of the seed bank and seedling establishment in the field were quantified over a two year period (2000–2001 and 2001–2002 growing seasons). Soil seed bank sampling was carried out... -
Ecosystem development on seven rehabilitated discard dumps
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: TL Morgenthal L Van RensburgTo successfully rehabilitate disturbed land the initial input of resources and the maintenance afterwards must be an integrated process. The achievement of a good vegetation basal, crown and organic ground cover can be regarded as one of the central aims... -
Secondary succession in the Mopani veld of the Limpopo Valley, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: JJ Jordaan DCJ Wessels CS Dannhauser GT RootmanThe long-term establishment sequences of the herbaceous and woody component of the Mopani veld of the Limpopo Valley were studied and documented. Based on vegetation surveys conducted at three enclosed sites at the Messina Experimental Farm during the period 1964... -
Short-term response of burnt grassland to defoliation in a semi-arid climate of South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: HA SnymanThe impact of defoliation on the productivity and soil temperature of burnt grassland (head and back fires) was investigated over the short term (one and two growing seasons after burning). Head fires had greater flame height and rate of spread... -
Influence of undersowing perennial forages in maize on grain, fodder yield and soil properties in the sub-humid region of western Ethiopia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: A Hassen L Gizachew NFG Rethman WA van NiekerkIn the densely populated mixed farming areas of western Ethiopia, the integration of forages with food crops may be crucial to the achievement of sustainable crop and livestock production. This study investigated the effects of pure grass (Chloris gayana), legumes... -
Effects of season and frequency of burning on soils and landscape functioning in a moist montane grassland
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: AD Manson D Jewitt AD ShortThe effects of burning on soil properties and landscape function were investigated in a long-term experiment comparing different burning strategies in a moist montane grassland. Total C, total N, total S, bulk density, plant-available nutrients, and soil acidity were determined... -
Effect of three grazing intensities on selected soil properties in semi‐arid west Texas
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: E.M. Seitlheko --- Department of Agronomy, United States of America B.L. Allen --- Department of Agronomy, United States of America D.B. Wester --- Department of Agronomy, United States of AmericaSoils in the study, carried out in the Texas Trans‐Pecos region, were fine‐loamy, mixed, thermic Aridic Calciustolls; fine‐loamy, mixed, thermic Aridic Ustochrepts; and fine, mixed, thermic Typic Chromusterts. Our primary objective was to determine the effect of three grazing intensities... -
The effect of defoliation during wilting on the production of Themeda triandra and Eragrostis lehmanniana in semi‐arid grassland
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: H.A. Snyman --- Department of Pasture Science, Republic of South AfricaThe effect of defoliation during wilting on the production of Themeda triandra and Eragrostis lehmanniana was studied over four years (1977 to 1980). Defoliation whilst the plants were at temporary wilting point in the early growing season (before 1 January)... -
Dry matter and nonstructural carbohydrate content as quality parameters in a Lolium multiflorum breeding programme
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: J.P. Marais --- , Republic of South Africa M. de Figueiredo --- , Republic of South Africa D.C.W. Goodenough --- Agricultural Research Council, Republic of South AfricaA Lolium multiflorum cv. Midmar pasture and ninety individual plants (both Italian and Westerwolds types), from 15 different Lolium multiflorum cultivars in a spaced‐plant trial, were assessed for total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) content, TNC yield, dry matter (DM) content, DM... -
Influence of leguminous and non‐leguminous woody plants on the herbaceous layer and soil under varying competition regimes in mixed Bushveld1
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: G.N Smit --- Department of Agriculture, Republic of South Africa J.S. Swart --- Department of Agriculture, Republic of South AfricaFive plots on sandy soil were thinned to differing tree densities. Three subhabitats were distinguished, viz. under leguminous trees, under non‐leguminous trees, and between tree canopies. Soil under both leguminous and non‐leguminous trees was richer in nutrients (% total N,... -
Research note: The influence of applied nitrogen on the root development of Lolium perenne L. one year after establishment
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: F.R. Mckenzie --- Department of Grassland Science, Republic of South Africa C.D. Morris --- , Republic of South AfricaThe effect of different levels of applied nitrogen (N) (ranging from 120–720 kg N ha−1 a−1) on the root development of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was examined at the end of the establishment year. Increasing levels of applied N... -
Responses of productive and unproductive kikuyu pastures to top‐dressed nitrogen and phosphorus fertiliser
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: N. Miles --- KwaZulu‐Natal Department of Agriculture, Republic of South AfricaIn South Africa there is widespread reliance on kikuyu grass as a source of summer forage for intensive dairy, beef and sheep enterprises. There is, however, a dearth of reliable information on the fertility requirements of kikuyu pastures. Responses of... -
Modification of soil nutrients and micro‐climate by tree crowns in a semi‐arid rangeland of south‐western Zimbabwe
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: C.S. Moyo --- , Zimbabwe P.G.H. Frost --- Institute of Environmental Studies, Zimbabwe B.M. Campbell --- Institute of Environmental Studies, ZimbabweTree crowns in semi‐arid areas have often been found to create micro‐habitats of improved soil physical and nutrient status and reduced evapotranspiration. These encourage the growth of mesic, palatable and high yielding perennial grasses in otherwise arid environments. A two‐year... -
Grass species composition, yield and quality under and outside tree crowns in a semi‐arid rangeland in south‐western Zimbabwe
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: C.S. Moyo --- , Zimbabwe B.M. Campbell --- Institute of Environmental Studies, ZimbabweA two‐year study was conducted in lightly grazed areas of Matopos Research Station, Zimbabwe, to evaluate the impact of widely spaced trees on understorey grass composition, yield and quality. The study trees were Terminalia sericea and Acacia karroo. Ordination techniques... -
Physicochemical characteristics of communal rangeland soils along two defined toposequences in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: MS Lesoli --- Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, South Africa S Dube --- Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, South Africa AO Fatunbi --- Agricultural and Rural Development Research Institute, South Africa B Moyo --- Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, South AfricaTo proffer a sustainable solution to rangeland degradation, an understanding of the innate soil properties is vital. This study investigated the relative association of surface (0–20 cm) soil physicochemical properties, viz. electrical conductivity, cation exchange capacity (CEC), soil organic carbon,... -
Detecting the onset of rangeland degradation using soil respiration and boundary lines: preliminary findings from the Nama Karoo
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: A Mills --- Department of Soil Science, South Africa M Fey --- School of Earth and Environment, Australia B Kgope --- , South Africa J Donaldson --- , South Africa J de W Bosenberg --- , South AfricaMean annual soil respiration correlates with net primary productivity and therefore provides an indication of ecosystem functioning. Soil respiration, however, varies considerably in space and time owing to the influence of factors such as soil nutrient content, temperature and water... -
Grass-on-grass competition along a catenal gradient in mesic grassland, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: MJ Tedder --- School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, South Africa CD Morris --- School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, South Africa RWS Fynn --- School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, South Africa KP Kirkman --- School of Biological and Conservation Sciences, South AfricaInteractions between mature grass plants and grass seedlings have been found to be both facilitative and competitive. To examine the effects of aboveground and belowground competition on seedling biomass and the effects of soil depth on competitive interactions, seedlings of... -
Topographical units and soil types prove more efficient for vegetation sample site placement than Land Type units in semi-arid savanna, North West province, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Francois Viljoen --- Department of Nature Conservation, South Africa Kerryn Bullock --- Department of Nature Conservation, South Africa Mike Panagos --- Department of Nature Conservation, South Africa Willem Myburgh --- Department of Nature Conservation, South AfricaLand Type mapping units were used to stratify the Heritage Park corridor, in the North West province, South Africa, into eight Land Type units prior to placing 109 floristic sample sites. At each site, species composition and relative frequency data... -
Soil characteristics under legume and non-legume tree canopies in signalgrass (Brachiaria decumbens) pastures
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Jose CB Dubeux --- North Florida Research and Education Center, USA Mario de Andrade Lira --- Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco (IPA), Brazil Mercia V Ferreira dos Santos --- Zootecnia, Brazil Jim Muir --- Borlaug Institute, South Africa Monica A da Silva --- Zootecnia, Brazil Vicente I Teixeira --- Zootecnia, Brazil Alexandre C Leão de Mello --- Zootecnia, BrazilTree canopies can change soil environments. Our study looked at soils 10%, 50%, 100% and 150% the distance from tree trunk to canopy edge of leguminous sabiá (Mimosa caesalpiniifolia Benth.) and espinheiro (Machaerium aculeatum Raddi) and non-legume cajueiro (Anacardium occidentale... -
Bushclump-grass interactions: influence of bushclumps on their local environment in a south-east African savanna
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: L.C. Jarvel T.G. O'ConnorThe interaction between multi-species bushclumps and the herbaceous layer was investigated in a mesic Eastern Cape bushclump savanna. Bushclumps had a moderating effect on their microclimate when compared with the open grassland: lower maximum and higher minimum temperatures. higher humidity... -
The effect of long-term mowing and ungulate exclusion on grass species composition and soil nutrient status on the Athi-Kapiti plains, central Kenya
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: D. Berliner J. KiokoThe long-term (>30 years) impacts of mowing (for hay-making) and ungulate exclusion, on natural, unfertilised rangelands were investigated. Changes in grass species composition and soil nutrient status were measured The study site, situated on the Athi-Kapiti plains of central Kenya,... -
Soil fertility management in pasture small-plot trials: potential pitfalls
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: N. Miles M.B. HardySmall-plot cutting trials are of particular importance in research relating to intensive pastures. Undetected changes in soil fertility during the course of experimentation may detract from the validity of results in trials of this kind. Information from field trials conducted... -
Quantification of the soil-water balance under different veld condition classes in a semi-arid climate
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: H.A. SnymanThe monthly herbage production, water-use efficiency (WUE: above-ground phytomass production per unit of evapotranspiration), surface runoff and soil loss were determined on grassland in three different ecological conditions, viz. poor, moderate and good, over a four year (1995/1996 to 1998/1999)... -
The effect of harvesting operations, slash management and fertilisation on the growth of a Eucalyptus clonal hybrid on a sandy soil in Zululand, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: The Southern African Forestry Journal • Authors: ColinW Smith Ben du ToitHarvesting operations during clearfelling and extraction of timber from commercial plantations result in many processes that may affect long-term site productivity such as soil compaction and residue manipulation. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of various... -
A comparison of different planting methods, including hydrogels, and their effect on eucalypt survival and initial growth in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: The Southern African Forestry Journal • Authors: PaulW.M. Viero KeithM. LittleResearch to minimize mortality and enhance early growth during the re-establishment of eucalypts includes the use of optimum growing stock and planting techniques, the application of adequate volumes of water at planting (where appropriate), correct fertilizer application and placement, and... -
A Site-growth Study of Eucalyptus grandis in the Mpumalanga Escarpment Area
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: The Southern African Forestry Journal • Authors: J.H. Louw --- ,A site-growth study was conducted on Eucalyptus grandis on the granitic soils of the Mpumalanga escarpment area. The objectives were twofold, namely to identify those site factors that can be related to the growth of the species, as well as... -
An investigation into the establishment of indigenous trees on treated mine residue soils in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: The Southern African Forestry Journal • Authors: NeerajM. Dharamraj --- , WilmaG. Gaum --- Department of Applied Natural Sciences, South Africa Annelize Hildebrand --- Department of Applied Natural Sciences, South AfricaMine residue soils have been the cause of barren landscapes and due to its toxic nature, these soils have proved difficult in establishing any form of vegetation. A selection of indigenous tree species mainly used for the establishment of indigenous... -
Group invariant solutions for two dimensional solute transport under realistic water flows
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Quaestiones Mathematicae • Authors: R.J. Moitsheki P. Broadbridge M.P. EdwardsWe consider a form of the solute transport equation in streamline coordinates. Symmetry analysis of the equation for solute transport with realistic water flows, result in a number of admitted nontrival classical Lie point symmetries. Reduction by one of the... -
Land use and cover changes in the Likangala catchment of the Lake Chilwa basin, Malawi: implications for managing a tropical wetland
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: DM Jamu JB Chimphamba RE BrummettThis study analyses land use and cover changes in the Likangala River catchment of Lake Chilwa, Malawi, an endorheic tropical African lake. It also examines how land use-related physico-chemical and hydrological parameters in two affluent rivers of the lake affect... -
Overland Flow on Small Plots at the Jonkershoek Forestry Research Station
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Forestry Journal • Authors: D.B. Versfeld --- Department of Environment Affairs,Overland flow was found to be negligible on small plots at Jonkershoek in the Western Cape. Treatments such as the burning or hoeing of fynbos and the thinning of a plantation had no significant effect on this phenomenon and the... -
8. A Different Approach to Site Evaluation and Some Preliminary Results
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Forestry Journal • Authors: A. P.G. Schönau --- , R.C. Purnell --- de Wet Forestry Research Centre,This paper describes a new approach towards site evaluation of exotic tree species which have a limited and non-representative occurrence. Instead of applying the classical site factor analysis and measuring a considerable number of sample plots of different ages at... -
Factors Affecting the Timing of Grassland Regrowth after Fire in the Montane Grasslands of Natal
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Forestry Journal • Authors: C.S. Everson --- , South Africa TheresaM. Everson --- , South AfricaRecent research has indicated that burning Highland Sourveld once growth has been initiated increases grass tiller mortality. Present burning prescriptions could therefore be improved by an insight into the factors controlling the initiation of grass growth in spring. It was... -
The effect of a soil-amended hydrogel on the establishment of a Eucalyptus grandis clone on a sandy clay loam soil in Zululand during winter
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: The Southern African Forestry Journal • Authors: P.W.M. Viero --- , South Africa K.E.A. Chiswell --- , South Africa J.M. Theron --- , South AfricaTo ensure acceptable survival and growth of Eucalyptus grandis clonal material planted in the sandy clay loam soils of the Zululand interior of South Africa, the current planting season is limited to the summer rainfall period. A field trial was... -
The impact of the addition of Eucalyptus grandis wood chips on nitrogen availability in plantation soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: The Southern African Forestry Journal • Authors: TheresaL. Bird --- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, MaryC. ScholesThe impact of plantation residues, as a result of clearfelling, on nutrient availability in plantation systems, as well as the difficulties during subsequent planting and harvesting, should be considered in the development of plantation management strategies. The aim of this... -
Site and stand age effects on fertiliser responses in Pinus patula pulpwood plantations in Swaziland
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: The Southern African Forestry Journal • Authors: Andrew R. Morris --- Sappi Forests Research: Shaw Research Centre,Six fertiliser trials were establishedin separate stands in their 4th , 7th or 12th year on both granite and gabbro derived soils intheUsutu Forest, Swaziland. All trials compared the same factorial combination ofN, P and K fertilisers. Tree growth response... -
Does soil compaction on harvesting extraction roads affect long-term productivity of Eucalyptus plantations in Zululand, South Africa?
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: The Southern African Forestry Journal • Authors: Colin W. Smith --- ,The effect ofsoil compaction on the growth of Eucalyptusgrandis and two clonal hybrids (Eucalyptus grandis x urophylla (E. gxu) and Eucalyptus grandis x camaldulensis (E. gxc)) was evaluated on harvesting extraction roads at three sites in the Zululand region ofKwaZulu-Natal... -
Effect of rainfall and under-canopy vegetation on the ability to debark Eucalyptus grandis x E. camaldulensis when felled in Zululand, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: The Southern African Forestry Journal • Authors: Gert J. van den Berg --- , Republic of South Africa Keith M. Little --- , Republic of South AfricaThe combined effects of seasonal variation in rainfall and the presence or absence of under-canopy vegetation on soil moisture content may have a negative or positive impact on the ability to debark eucalypts. A study was initiated to investigate these... -
Critical water stress levels in Pinus patula seedlings and their relation to measures of seedling morphology
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: CA Rolando --- , New Zealand NW Pammenter --- , South Africa KM Little --- , South AfricaA pot trial was implemented to determine the effect of soil water stress following transplanting on shoot water potential and stomatal conductance of Pinus patula seedlings. The relationship of seedling morphology to measures of water stress was also investigated. The... -
A review of management impacts on the soil productivity of South African commercial forestry plantations and the implications for multiple-rotation productivity
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Louis Titshall --- Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, South Africa Steven Dovey --- Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, South Africa Diana Rietz --- Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, South AfricaAn overview of southern African research that has investigated the impact of management practices that can potentially affect the long-term site productivity of plantations is presented, with an emphasis of these impacts on soil productivity and with the implications for... -
Trace metal contamination of water at a solid waste disposal site at Kariba, Zimbabwe
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: PortiaC ChifambaTrace metal concentrations were determined in soil samples collected from within, and close to, a solid waste disposal site at Kariba, Zimbabwe, and in water flowing from the area during 1996 and 1997. Soil samples were collected from the surface... -
The effects of soil conditions and grazing strategy on plant species composition in a semi-arid savanna
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: M-L Britz D WardThe tree:grass ratio of savannas is important, especially in the semi-arid savannas of South Africa. An increase in tree cover leads to reduced productivity and profitability of rangelands. We investigated the effects of soil type and grazing strategy on the... -
Dynamics of woody vegetation in a semi-arid savanna, with a focus on bush encroachment
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: M-L Britz D WardIncreases in the tree: grass ratio with accompanying changes in herbaceous composition, called bush or shrub encroachment, is a worldwide phenomenon in savanna regions. Although heavy grazing by livestock is often believed to be the cause, it is clear that... -
Exploring differences of soil quality as related to management in semiarid rangelands in the western Bophirima District, North West province, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: AS Moussa L van Rensburg K Kellner A BationoDifferences in land-use management may result in different rangeland condition (soil, vegetation and biodiversity) and productivity. Vegetation condition in contrasting land-use management systems is well documented in semiarid rangelands, but relatively little information is available on soil quality. This study... -
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,... -
Health and nutrition of plantation eucalypts in Asia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: B Dell G Hardy T BurgessUnderstanding site fertility constraints has lifted productivity of eucalypt plantations in East and South-east Asia through targeted application of inorganic fertilisers. Whilst most attention has been given to the supply of nitrogen and phosphorus in silvicultural prescriptions, and inoculation with... -
Assessing the ability of fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L. ‘Brigadier’) to absorb sodium from a soil irrigated with sodium-enriched water
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Philip A Myburgh --- Agricultural Research Council–Infruitec/Nietvoorbij, South Africa Carolyn L Howell --- Agricultural Research Council–Infruitec/Nietvoorbij, South AfricaA pot experiment was carried out to determine the sodium (Na) absorption ability of halophytic fodder beet (Beta vulgaris L. ‘Brigadier’) irrigated with water enriched to Na levels found in winery wastewater. Treatments comprised (1) soil without plants irrigated with... -
Geology and groundwater regions to quantify primary salinity, sodicity and alkalinity in South African soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Johannes P Nell --- Agricultural Research Council–Institute for Soil, Climate and Water, South Africa Cornelius W van Huyssteen --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Science, South AfricaAlthough anthropogenic salinisation and sodification has been researched extensively, little is known about the primary salinity in South Africa. This paper therefore aimed to determine the primary salinity, sodicity and alkalinity conditions for South African soils, based on geological units... -
Soil classification groups to quantify primary salinity, sodicity and alkalinity in South African soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Johannes P Nell --- Agricultural Research Council–Institute for Soil, Climate and Water, South Africa Cornelius W van Huyssteen --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Science, South AfricaThis study aimed to quantify the primary salinity, sodicity and alkalinity of South African soils based on soil classification groups and rainfall classes, by using available analysed data. The 73 soil forms used by the Soil Classification Working Group were... -
Nutrient leaching under zero tension in a subtropical clonal eucalypt plantation on a sandy soil in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Steven B Dovey --- Sustainable Forest Productivity Research, South Africa Ben du Toit --- Department of Forest and Wood Science, South Africa Willem P de Clercq --- Department of Soil Science, South AfricaLittle is known about the effects of residue burning or retention on nutrient leaching during the inter-rotation of clonal Eucalyptus grown on the sandy soils of subtropical Zululand, South Africa. A study compared zero-tension nutrient leaching through the top metre... -
Impact of cultivation method on productivity and botanical composition of a kikuyu–ryegrass pasture
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Pieter A Swanepoel --- Research and Technology Development Services, South Africa Philip R Botha --- Research and Technology Development Services, South Africa Hennie A Snyman --- Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences, South Africa Chris C du Preez --- Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South AfricaKikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum)–ryegrass (Lolium spp.) cultivated pastures form the base for dairy production in the southern Cape region of South Africa. The impact of various methods and implements used to over-sow ryegrass on the productivity and botanical composition of the... -
Performance of simple irrigation scheduling calendars based on average weather data for annual ryegrass
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Melake K Fessehazion --- Plant Production and Soil Science, South Africa John G Annandale --- Plant Production and Soil Science, South Africa Colin S Everson --- Plant Production and Soil Science, South Africa Richard J Stirzaker --- Plant Production and Soil Science, South Africa Michael van der Laan --- Plant Production and Soil Science, South Africa Wayne F Truter --- Plant Production and Soil Science, South Africa Amanuel B Abraha --- Plant Production and Soil Science, South AfricaPoor irrigation management in pastures can lead to yield and quality reduction as well as loss of income through extra pumping and leaching of nitrate fertiliser. A number of irrigation scheduling techniques of varying levels of sophistication have been developed... -
Effects of plantation residue management on the community structure of wattle regeneration invertebrate pests in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Prem Govender --- Research Directorate, Faculty of Health Sciences, South AfricaThere is a limited availability of land for the expansion of South African black wattle plantations. One way to increase productivity is to ensure the survival of seedlings during regeneration, thereby increasing the stocking of compartments. Soil invertebrate pests constitute... -
Impact of soil amendments and weather factors on bacterial wilt and yield of two tomato cultivars in Abeokuta, Nigeria
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Akinola R Popoola --- Department of Crop Protection, Nigeria Sikiru A Ganiyu --- Department of Crop Protection, Nigeria Oluwatoyin A Babalola --- Department of Soil Science and Land Management, Nigeria Emily I Ayo-John --- Department of Crop Protection, Nigeria Ayodele A Fajinmi --- Department of Crop Protection, Nigeria Iyabo A Kehinde --- Department of Biological Sciences, Nigeria Taiwo H Adegboye --- IFSERAR, NigeriaTomato bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum, leads to tomato yield losses of up to 80% in south-western Nigeria. Soil amendments and weather conditions are important in the management of the disease. Field experiments were conducted at the Research Farm... -
Soil properties and elements other than hydrogen that can affect the field calibration of a neutron water meter
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Reedah M Mampana --- Agricultural Research Council–Institute for Soil, Climate and Water, South Africa Danie J Beukes --- Agricultural Research Council–Institute for Soil, Climate and Water, South Africa Corrie M Swanepoel --- Agricultural Research Council–Institute for Soil, Climate and Water, South AfricaA neutron water meter (NWM) operates on the principle that emitted high-energy neutrons are thermalised by elastic collisions with atomic nuclei present in soil, such as that of the hydrogen atom. Thermalised neutrons, however, are affected by other nuclear-matter interactions... -
Improving productivity and sustainability of successive rotations of Acacia auriculiformis plantations in South Vietnam
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Vu Dinh Huong --- Forest Science Institute of South Vietnam, Vietnam EK Sadanandan Nambiar --- CSIRO Land and Water Flagship, Australia Le Thanh Quang --- Forest Science Institute of South Vietnam, Vietnam Daniel S Mendham --- CSIRO Land and Water Flagship, Australia Pham The Dung --- Forest Science Institute of South Vietnam, VietnamWe studied the productivity of Acacia auriculiformis plantations in South Vietnam over three successive rotations covering 15 years. The focus of our study was on the effects of inter-rotation management on stand growth and soil properties. Contrastin g slash and... -
Abundance of earthworms in Nigerian ecological zones: implications for sustaining fertilizer-free soil fertility
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: S. O. Owa --- Department of Biological Sciences, Nigeria G. A. Dedeke --- Department of Biological Sciences, Nigeria S. O. A. Morafa --- Department of Soil Science and Farm Mechanization, Nigeria J. A. Yeye --- Department of Geography and Regional Planning, NigeriaThe abundance of earthworms in the ecological zones in Nigeria has been determined and the possibility of earthworm functions replacing both mechanized land preparation and organic fertilizers discussed. The most abundant earthworms, comprising 62 % of the population, were the... -
The effects of organic and conventional management practices on feeding activity of soil organisms in vineyards
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: A. J. Reinecke --- Department of Botany and Zoology, South Africa R. M. C. Albertus --- Department of Botany and Zoology, South Africa S. A. Reinecke --- Department of Botany and Zoology, South Africa O. Larink --- Technical University, GermanyThis study investigated whether the activity of soil organisms in a vineyard soil in the Western Cape, South Africa, was affected differently by different management practices. The influences of organic and conventional treatments were compared in two vineyard blocks, one... -
Rediscovery of Boulengerula denhardti Nieden 1912 (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Caeciliidae) in Meru County, Kenya
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: G. John Measey --- Department of Zoology, South Africa Vincent Muchai --- Section of Herpetology, National Museums of Kenya, Kenya Stephen Spawls --- 7 Crostwick Lane, Spixworth, U.K.The dearth of information on caecilian amphibians is most likely due to a lack of directed field studies. Here we report the rediscovery of a population of Boulengerula denhardti nearly a century after its description by Nieden in 1912. Morphological... -
Fire and the dynamics of two unpalatable grass species (Cymbopogon pospischilii and Elionurus muticus) in a semi-arid climate
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Hennie A Snyman --- Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences, South AfricaCymbopogon pospischilii and Elionurus muticus are unpalatable for most of the growing season and form a reasonably large component of the vegetation composition in semi-arid grassland areas. The influence of an accidental fire on the dynamics of these two grass... -
The California bearing ratio (CBR) of some mechanically stabilised laterite sub-base soils along the Ibadan-Oyo Road, Southwestern Nigeria
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development • Authors: P.A. Fasanmade --- Civil Engineering Department, Nigeria G.O. Adeyemi --- Geology Department, Nigeria E.O. Eze --- Civil Engineering Department, NigeriaMechanical stabilisation by mixing one lateritic soil with another is not a popular subject of research, hence this study. Samples were taken from two locations along the Ibadan-Oyo Road in Southwestern Nigeria. The study focused on determining the California bearing... -
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... -
The Effects of Phosphate Fertilizers and Manure on Maize Yields in South Western Kenya
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal • Authors: J. S. Ademba --- Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) Kisii, Kenya J. K. Kwach --- Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) Kisii, Kenya A. O. Esilaba --- Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) Headquarters, Kenya S. M. Ngari --- Egerton University, KenyaPhosphorus, nitrogen and Striga hermonthica are the major constraints to maize production in the Nyanza Province of Kenya. Field trials were conducted on-farm in Nyanza Province to investigate the effects of phosphate fertilizers and manure on maize yields. The experimental... -
Geotechnical properties of non-crystalline coastal plain sand derived lateritic soils from Ogua, Niger Delta, Nigeria
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development • Authors: Gabriel Oladapo Adeyemi --- Department of Geology, Lekan Olatayo Afolagboye --- Department of Geology, Alexandra Chinwenwa Chukwuemeka --- Department of Geology,Lateritic soils derived from coastal plain sands around Ogua, Niger Delta in Nigeria, were investigated with a view to elucidate their geotechnical characteristics, which may have influence on their engineering applications. The geotechnical properties of these soils (their compaction parameters,... -
Effects of oats and grazing vetch cover crops and fertilisation on microbial biomass and activity after five years of rotation with maize
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Caroline Mukumbareza --- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, South Africa Pardon Muchaonyerwa --- School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, South Africa Cornelius Chiduza --- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, South AfricaDegraded soil quality could be improved by cover crops. This study determined effects of maize–oats and maize– vetch rotations with or without fertilisation on soil microbial biomass and activity. Winter treatments were oats, vetch and weedy fallow, in rotation with... -
In situ evaluation of internal drainage in duplex soils of the Tukulu, Sepane and Swartland forms
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Sabelo SW Mavimbela --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa Leon D van Rensburg --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South AfricaInternal drainage is a critical hydrological process in soil water conservation. Pedological and physical properties of the South African Tukulu, Sepane and Swartland soil types were studied in respect to soil water storage and hydraulic characteristics during internal drainage. Soil... -
Carbon stocks in a 50‑year‑old Eucalyptus camaldulensis stand in Sicily, Italy
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Riccardo Scalenghe --- Dipartimento Scienze Agrarie e Forestali, Italy Luisella Celi --- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentari, Italy Giovanna Costa --- Dipartimento Scienze Agrarie e Forestali, Italy V Armando Laudicina --- Dipartimento Scienze Agrarie e Forestali, Italy Stefania Santoni --- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Forestali e Alimentari, Italy Dario Vespertino --- Dipartimento Scienze Agrarie e Forestali, Italy Tommaso La Mantia --- Dipartimento Scienze Agrarie e Forestali, ItalyEucalyptus stands in semi‑arid areas may contribute to enhance carbon (C) stocks in both biomass and soil. However, the limited information available is mainly focused on short‑rotation plantations. In this study, the above‑ and below‑ground C pools in five 50‑year‑old... -
Estimation of stability-related soil properties using mid-infrared spectroscopy for non-agricultural land use in Lake Victoria basin, Kenya
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal • Authors: B. K. Waruru --- Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Kenya K. D. Shepherd --- World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Kenya G. M. Ndegwa --- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya A. Sila --- World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Kenya P. T. Kamoni --- Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), KenyaMethods for rapid and accurate soil tests are needed for stability-related soil properties, which are valuable for non-agricultural land use. The study tested the applicability of mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy for rapid estimation of selected stability-related soil properties. Two sample sets,... -
An approach to land capability evaluation for agriculture using remote sensing and GIS in Barberspan, North West Province of South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development • Authors: T.H. Kabanda --- Department of Geography and Environmental Science, South AfricaTo guarantee food security, job creation and graduate small-scale farmers to commercial farmers, unproductive farms in the North West Province that have resulted from the land reform programme need to be restructured and evaluated for agricultural productivity. This study aimed... -
Effect of organic cultivation of rooibos tea plants (Aspalathus linearis) on soil nutrient status in Nieuwoudtville, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Samson BM Chimphango --- Department of Biological Sciences, South Africa Dawood Hattas --- Department of Biological Sciences, South Africa Noel Oettlé --- Rural Programme, South AfricaThe shoots of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f.) R.Dahlgren) plants, cultivated organically by small-scale farmers in Nieuwoudtville, are harvested for the production of tea. These practices could lead to decreasing soil fertility. It was hypothesised that soil from cultivated rooibos plots... -
Predicting soil nitrogen content using narrow-band indices from Eucalyptus grandis canopies as proxy
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Thamsanqa Mzinyane --- University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Jan van Aardt --- Rochester Institute of Technology, UK Fethi Ahmed --- University of Witswatersrand, South Africa Michael Gebreslasie --- School of Agriculture, Earth and Environmental Science, South AfricaOptimal fertiliser applications for sustainable forest stand productivity management, whilst protecting the environment, is vital. This study estimated soil nitrogen content using leaf-level narrow-band vegetation indices derived from a hand-held 350-2 500 nm spectroradiometer. Leaf-level spectral data were collected and subjected... -
Soil water and mineral nitrogen content as influenced by crop rotation and tillage practice in the Swartland subregion of the Western Cape
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Japie D Wiese --- Department of Agronomy, South Africa Johan Labuschagne --- Directorate Plant Science, South Africa Gert A Agenbag --- Department of Agronomy, South AfricaAdoption of conservation agricultural practices, reduced tillage and crop rotation in the grain-producing areas of the Western Cape, South Africa, resulted in a gradual build-up of organic matter on the soil surface. It was expected that the increase in organic... -
Physical crust formation and steady-state infiltration rate in soils dominated by primary minerals in some South African ecotopes
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Adornis D Nciizah --- Department of Agronomy, South Africa Isaiah IC Wakindiki --- Department of Agronomy, South AfricaPhysical crust formation is affected by the inherent soil properties such as texture and mineralogy. However, inconsistencies exist in soil mineralogy effects of soil crusting. In addition, investigations of soils dominated by primary minerals such as quartz, especially in South... -
Effect of Prosopis (mesquite) invasion and clearing on vegetation cover in semi-arid Nama Karoo rangeland, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Thabisisani Ndhlovu --- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, South Africa Suzanne J Milton --- Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST–NRF Centre of Excellence, South Africa Karen J Esler --- Centre for Invasion Biology and Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, South AfricaThe Nama-Karoo is the largest of the three biomes that comprise the semi-arid Karoo-Namib ecoregion of southern Africa. Large tracts of Nama-Karoo rangeland have been invaded by alien leguminous trees of the genus Prosopis. We assessed the impact of Prosopis... -
The cropping potential of South Africa: land evaluation results obtained during the last 50 years
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Pieter AL Le Roux --- Soil, Crop and Climate Science, South Africa Malcolm Hensley --- Soil, Crop and Climate Science, South Africa Leon D van Rensburg --- University of the Free State, South Africa J Jacobus Botha --- Agricultural Research Council–Institute for Soil, Climate and Water, Glen Research Institute, South AfricaReliable detailed information regarding the crop production potential of a country is necessary for the planning and execution of the proactive activities needed to avoid future food shortages due to increases in population and/or adverse climatic conditions. The land-type survey... -
Effect of soil amendments on yield of wild okra (Corchorus olitorius) in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Sydney Mavengahama --- Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, South Africa Willem P de Clercq --- Department of Soil Science, Faculty of AgriSciences, South Africa Milla McLachlan --- Division of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, South AfricaThe consumption of semi-domesticated indigenous vegetables such as Corchorus olitorius is being promoted in South Africa. Presently, cultivation of indigenous vegetables is hampered by the absence of cultivation guidelines due to lack of agronomic research on the various production aspects... -
The value of six key soil variables for incorporation into a South African forest site classification system
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Josua H Louw --- School of Natural Resource Management, South AfricaThe intensive nature of management practices in the exotic monoculture plantations of South Africa requires reliable decision support systems. Recent socio-economic developments, the need for optimal forest productivity, as well as increasing awareness of broader ecosystem values and environmental risks,... -
Soil carbon dioxide effluxes from different vegetation environments in semi-arid Eastern Cape, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Rebecca Zengeni --- Soil Sciences Department, South Africa Vincent Kakembo --- Department of Geosciences, South Africa Nsalambi Nkongolo --- Centre of Excellence for Geospatial Information Science, USAThough important, CO2 effluxes from non-agricultural ecosystems are poorly characterised. Given that thicket vegetation is prevalent in Eastern Cape, South Africa, we monitored soil CO2 effluxes from an intact thicket, degraded thicket (DT) and grassland (G) over 10 months, as... -
Wetland hydrology indicators of Maluti Mountains wetlands in Lesotho
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Botle E Mapeshoane --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa Cornelius W van Huyssteen --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South AfricaHydric soil morphological features are generally accepted to be reliable indicators of wetland hydrology. The relationship between soil water saturation and soil morphological indices is evaluated in this study from bi-weekly water level data taken over a period of two... -
In pursuit of a South African national soil database: potential and pitfalls of combining different soil data sets
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: George M van Zijl --- University of the Free State, South Africa Jacobus O Botha --- Natural Resources Section, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, South AfricaA national soil profile database will be a huge asset to South Africa, enabling improved soil information products to be created. However, numerous practical pitfalls exist in reliably creating such a database. This project aimed to identify such pitfalls, while... -
Effect of integrated soil bunds on key soil properties and soil carbon stock in semi-arid areas of northern Ethiopia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Birhane Tadesse --- Natural Resource Management, Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ethiopia Shimbahri Mesfin --- Department of Land Resource Management and Environmental Protection, Ethiopia Girmay Tesfay --- Department of Natural Resource Economics and Management, Ethiopia Fetien Abay --- Department of Dryland Crop and Horticultural Science, EthiopiaLand degradation is a serious global problem. To reclaim degraded land, many soil bunds have been implemented. However, their effectiveness has not been studied in all regions of Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of... -
Variations on soil carbon dioxide flux with land-use type and selected soil properties in the hardveld of Botswana
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Oagile Dikinya --- Department of Environmental Science, Botswana Julius Atlhopheng --- Department of Environmental Science, Botswana Trust Manyiwa --- Department of Environmental Science, BotswanaThe dynamics of carbon dioxide (CO2) flux in the hardveld regions of Botswana are poorly understood, with previous studies having concentrated on sandveld and pan environments. In particular, soil organic carbon (SOC) has a positive influence on CO2 emissions to... -
Potential use of wood ash in South African forestry: a review
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Gerhardus P Scheepers --- Department of Forestry and Wood Science, South Africa Ben du Toit --- Department of Forestry and Wood Science, South AfricaThe use of landfills as a disposal method for wood ash is costly, environmentally detrimental and is pitted against increasingly stern environmental regulations. Literature has shown that wood ash has the potential to be used as a forest fertiliser and... -
The effects of conservation tillage practices and fertiliser management on soil structural properties at an experimental farm
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Danie Beukes --- Agricultural Research Council–Institute for Soil, Climate and Water, South Africa Corrie Swanepoel --- Agricultural Research Council–Institute for Soil, Climate and Water, South AfricaCrop rotation and reduced tillage under conservation agriculture (CA) practices may induce higher soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) levels compared with conventional (Con) tillage practices. Soil organic carbon may increase soil aggregate stability (AS). The study site was... -
Improved usefulness of continental soil databases for agricultural management through local adaptation
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Mats Söderström --- International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Kenya Kristin Piikki --- International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Kenya Jeremy Cordingley --- Crop Nutrition Laboratory Services Ltd, KenyaThe usefulness of a continental digital soil map (AfSoilGrids250) was investigated at two levels relevant for agricultural fertiliser recommendations in Rwanda (point locations and administrative sector unit averages). Analysis of 900 soil samples for pH and soil organic carbon (SOC)... -
A new species of Zygaspis (Reptilia: Squamata: Amphisbaenidae) from north-eastern Mozambique
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Herpetology • Authors: Donald G. Broadley --- , , Zimbabwe G. John Measey --- , , South AfricaWe describe a new species of Zygaspis based on a single specimen collected in north-eastern Mozambique and deposited in the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe, Bulawayo. The new species is characterised by its extensively black pigmentation, 191 body annuli, discrete... -
Comparison of soil properties under tropical Acacia hybrid plantation and shifting cultivation land use in northern Vietnam
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Trieu Thai Hung --- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture and School of Land and Food, Australia Richard Doyle --- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture and School of Land and Food, Australia Alieta Eyles --- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture and School of Land and Food, Australia Caroline Mohammed --- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture and School of Land and Food, AustraliaDespite the common use of Acacia species in Vietnam, few studies have examined changes to total soil nitrogen (TN) and total soil carbon (TC) following the planting of Acacia mangium × Acacia auriculiformis (Acacia hybrid) plantations (AH) on formerly eroded... -
Variations in water and macronutrient uptake of soilless tomato as affected by the nutrient solution composition
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Estelle Kempen --- Department of Agronomy, South Africa G André Agenbag --- Department of Agronomy, South Africa Stan Deckers --- Soil Service of Belgium, BelgiumGreenhouse growers must reduce the nutrients that leach from soilless growing systems. To enable continued use of nutrient solutions, the water and nutrient uptake by plants in soilless systems needs to be quantified. Plants were grown in water culture with... -
Stabilization of lateritic soil with pulverized palm kernel shell (PPKS) for road construction
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development • Authors: Adeyemi Adeboje --- Department of Civil Engineering, South Africa Williams Kupolati --- Department of Civil Engineering, South Africa Emmanuel Sadiku --- Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, South Africa Julius Ndambuki --- Department of Civil Engineering, South Africa Chewe Kambole --- Department of Civil Engineering, South Africa Oladapo Ogunleye --- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, NigeriaThis paper discusses the stabilization of lateritic soil with pulverized palm kernel shell (PPKS), an agricultural waste, for road construction. Samples of lateritic soil with the addition of 5.00–12.50% PPKS at an increment of 2.50% were prepared for index and... -
Restoration of degraded ecosystems in the Afromontane highlands of Ethiopia: comparison of plantations and natural regeneration
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Abrham Abiyu --- Amhara Agricultural Research Institute, Ethiopia Demel Teketay --- Department of Crop Science and Production, Botswana Gerhard Glatzel --- Institute of Forest Ecology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria Raf Aerts --- Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity Conservation Section, Belgium Georg Gratzer --- Institute of Forest Ecology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, AustriaThe scale of deforestation in sub-Saharan Africa underscores the need for forest restoration. Information is scarce for evidence-based restoration options. Sown Senna didymobotrya, planted Ficus thonningii cuttings, sown S. didymobotrya and planted F. thonningii combined, and previously occurring native non-browse... -
A review of carbon dynamics and assessment methods in the miombo woodlands
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Ferdinand Handavu --- Forest Science Postgraduate Programme, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, South Africa Paxie W Chirwa --- Forest Science Postgraduate Programme, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, South Africa Stephen Syampungani --- Department of Environmental and Plant Sciences, Zambia Larwanou Mahamane --- African Forest Forum, c/o World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), KenyaProvision of accurate carbon (C) measurements and analysis are critical components in quantification of C stocks. The objectives of this review were to (1) compile and synthesise current knowledge of available methods for C stock estimation, (2) examine socio-economic drivers... -
Soil fertility and growth of Eucalyptus grandis in Brazil under different residue management practices
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Hemisphere Forestry Journal • Authors: JLM Gonçalves MCP Wichert JL Gava AV Masetto ArthurJ.C. Junior MIP Serrano SLM MelloSilvicultural operations such as soil preparation, logging residue management and application of fertilisers can influence soil fertility, and hence nutrient uptake and tree growth. This paper reports the effect of site management practices of minimum and intensive cultivation of the... -
Improvement of spatial modelling of crop suitability using a new digital soil map of Tanzania
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Kristin Piikki --- International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Kenya Leigh Winowiecki --- World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Kenya Tor-Gunnar Vågen --- World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Kenya Julian Ramirez-Villegas --- International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Colombia Mats Söderström --- International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), KenyaClimate change is projected to have widespread impacts on the climate suitability and geographical distribution of agricultural crops. Simulations were conducted on the suitability of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Tanzania under progressive climate change, taking into account a... -
Interaction of small-scale supplemental irrigation, sawah preparation intensity and soil amendment type on productivity of lowland sawah-rice system
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: John C Nwite --- Department of Crop Production Technology, Nigeria Sunday E Obalum --- Department of Soil Science, Nigeria Charles A Igwe --- Department of Soil Science, Nigeria Toshiyuki Wakatsuki --- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, JapanSole dependence on rainfall, poor water management and low soil fertility largely explain the fluctuations in agricultural productivity in West Africa. Lowlands for sawah-based rice farming often offer opportunities for small-scale supplemental irrigation but these are rarely explored and their... -
Utilization of pulverized cow bone (PCB) for stabilizing lateritic soil for road work
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development • Authors: Adeyemi Adeboje --- Department of Civil Engineering, South Africa Williams Kupolati --- Department of Civil Engineering, South Africa Rotimi Sadiku --- Department of Chemical, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, South Africa Julius Ndambuki --- Department of Civil Engineering, South Africa Dolapo Yussuf --- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nigeria Chewe Kambole --- Department of Civil Engineering, South AfricaThis research explored the possibility of improving the engineering properties of lateritic soil with pulverized cow bone (PCB), a processed animal waste obtained from slaughtered cows, for road construction. The effects of PCB on the lateritic soil samples were evaluated... -
Long-term livestock grazing increases the recruitment success of epigeal termites: insights from a >75-year grazing experiment in the Karoo, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: James G Hagan --- Department of Biological Sciences, South Africa Justin CO du Toit --- Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute, South Africa Michael D Cramer --- Department of Biological Sciences, South AfricaEpigeal termites alter ecosystem-level processes through foraging and mound building. These effects are proportional to density. Whilst much is known about the factors influencing mound density in natural settings, how termites respond to livestock grazing has been overlooked. We compared... -
Use of hydrogels in the planting of industrial wood plantations
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Jacob W Crous --- Sappi Forests, South AfricaThe quantity of available water in soil is crucial for plant growth, especially after transplanting as this water will enable the growth of new roots to facilitate nutrient and water uptake. Water absorbed by a hydrogel (superabsorbent polymer) has the... -
The development of reforestation options for dryland farmland in south-western Australia: a review
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Richard J Harper --- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Australia Stanley J Sochacki --- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Australia John F McGrath --- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, AustraliaCurrent forest industries in south-western Australia are based on regrowth natural eucalypt forests and Pinus and Eucalyptus spp. plantations, and restricted to areas with >600 mm y−1 annual rainfall. Dryland farming systems have been developed across 20 million ha in... -
Changes in forest cover and carbon stocks of the coastal scarp forests of the Wild Coast, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Kagiso Mangwale --- Department of Environmental Science, South Africa Charlie M Shackleton --- Department of Environmental Science, South Africa Ayanda Sigwela --- R3G, South AfricaLand-use intensification and declines in vegetative cover are considered pervasive threats to forests and biodiversity globally. The small extent and high biodiversity of indigenous forests in South Africa make them particularly important. Yet, relatively little is known about their rates... -
Possible rehabilitation methods of Galenia africana-dominated old lands in the Cederberg Mountains, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Nelmarie Saayman --- Directorate Plant Sciences, South Africa Clement Cupido --- Agricultural Research Council–Animal Production Institute, c/o Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, South Africa Hannes Botha --- Western Cape Department of Agriculture, South Africa Rudi Swart --- Western Cape Department of Agriculture, South AfricaSeveral methods to rehabilitate old cropping lands in the Cederberg Mountains were tested to determine what type of soil disturbance, if any, and which of five indigenous perennial plant species are the most successful and economically feasible. Old lands are... -
Role of site in the mortality and production of Acacia mangium plantations in Indonesia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Marcus Hardie --- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Australia Nawari Akhmad --- Research and Development RAPP, APRIL Group, Indonesia Caroline Mohammed --- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Australia Daniel Mendham --- CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences and Sustainable Agriculture Flagship, Australia Ross Corkrey --- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Australia Abdul Gafur --- Research and Development RAPP, APRIL Group, Indonesia Sabar Siregar --- Research and Development RAPP, APRIL Group, IndonesiaIn Indonesia, Acacia mangium plantations exceed 1.6 Mha contributing approximately 3.5% of the country’s GDP. The viability of these plantations is increasingly threatened by fungal pathogens, insect pests, squirrels, monkeys, elephants and wind damage. Studies indicate that the problem is... -
The effect of Cymbopogon citratus aqueous leaf extract on Solanum lycopersicum seed germination and seedling growth under saline conditions
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Taofik Sunmonu --- Department of Biological Sciences, Nigeria Aishat Mohammed Naibi --- Department of Biological Sciences, Nigeria Suaib Osineye --- Department of Chemical Sciences, Nigeria Hussein Oloyede --- Department of Biochemistry, NigeriaThe allelopathic potential of Cymbopogon citratus aqueous leaf extract on the germination of Solanum lycopersicum seeds under saline conditions was investigated in a laboratory bioassay. At the end of the eight-day trial, the seeds were evaluated for germination parameters and... -
Soil quality effects on regeneration of annual Medicago pastures in the Swartland of South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Pieter A Swanepoel --- Department of Agronomy, South Africa Flackson Tshuma --- Department of Agronomy, South AfricaAnnual medic (Medicago spp.) pastures are widely used as the forage component of crop rotation systems in the Mediterranean region of South Africa. Reliable establishment of medics can be challenging. This may be related to poor soil quality, an inherent... -
A new species of Scolecoseps (Reptilia: Scincidae) from coastal north-eastern Mozambique
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Herpetology • Authors: Luke Verburgt --- , , South Africa Ursula K. Verburgt --- , , South Africa William R. Branch --- , South AfricaSeven specimens of Scolecoseps Loveridge, 1920 from the vicinity of Palma on the north coast of Mozambique are compared morphologically with other known material of this genus. The new material can be distinguished morphologically from all other Scolecoseps by the... -
Effect of proximity to highways on soil chemical properties and grass condition at Mafikeng, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Chris Munyati --- Department of Geography and Environmental Science, South Africa Oratile Menwe --- Department of Geography and Environmental Science, South AfricaRoads have motor vehicle traffic-sourced ecological effects. This study examined the effect of proximity to roads on soil and grass. Surface soil samples were collected along 60 m transects perpendicular to the four major paved highways of Mafikeng, in two... -
Effect of soil- and foliar-applied nitrogen fertiliser on growth, yield and protein content of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under glasshouse conditions
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Mongezi M Mbangcolo --- Dohne Agricultural Development Institute, South Africa Petrus J Pieterse --- AgriSciences, Department of Agronomy, South AfricaFoliar application of nitrogen (N) can be essential in improving yield and grain protein content of wheat. Limestone ammonium nitrate and calcium nitrate solution were used as two N top-dressing treatments applied at three growth stages to evaluate their effect... -
Concentrations and ecological risks of metals in surface sediments of some coastal creeks in the Niger Delta, Nigeria
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: CMA Iwegbue --- Department of Chemistry, Nigeria OV Beecroft --- Department of Chemistry, Nigeria JE Ogala --- Department of Geology, Nigeria FE Egobueze --- Environment Department, Nigeria GO Tesi --- Department of Chemistry, Nigeria GE Nwajei --- Department of Chemistry, Nigeria BS Martincigh --- School of Chemistry and Physics, South AfricaThe concentrations of nine metals were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in surface sediments of three coastal creeks, namely, the Ifie, Egbokodo and Ubeji creeks, in the Niger Delta of Nigeria, from August 2012 to January 2013. The aim of... -
Considering soil quality when comparing disc and tine seed-drill openers for establishing wheat
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Pieter A Swanepoel --- Department of Agronomy, South Africa G André Agenbag --- Department of Agronomy, South Africa Johann A Strauss --- Directorate Plant Sciences, Western Cape Department of Agriculture, South AfricaWheat (Triticum aestivum) is planted widely in the Western Cape of South Africa in conservation agriculture systems. Although most producers rely on tine openers to establish wheat, the interest in planters with disc openers is increasing. Given that the soils... -
Soil taxonomy proposals for acid sulfate soils and subaqueous soils raised by the 8th International Acid Sulfate Soils Conference
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Barret M Wessel --- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, USA John M Galbraith --- Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, USA Mark H Stolt --- Department of Natural Resources Science, USA Martin C Rabenhorst --- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, USA Delvin S Fanning --- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, USA Maxine J Levin --- USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, USAThe 8th International Acid Sulfate Soils Conference presented examples and discussions for classification of ‘acid sulfate soils’ and related issues for ‘subaqueous soils’. When these soils are disturbed or exposed, the sulfides (predominantly pyrite) react with oxygen to produce sulfuric... -
Spodosols in Brazil: distribution, characteristics and diagnostic attributes of spodic horizons
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Andressa R de Menezes --- Agronomy Institute, Department of Soil Science, Brazil Ademir Fontana --- Embrapa Solos, Brazil Lúcia HC dos Anjos --- Agronomy Institute, Department of Soil Science, BrazilSpodosols are reported in specific environments of Brazil, such as sandy materials in the Amazon and Pantanal basin, sandbanks in the coastal fringes and coastal tableland areas, and a few in high-altitude mountains with quartz-rich rocky substrates. This study describes... -
Effect of residue and fertiliser management on soil fertility in a long-term sugarcane trial in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Sandile Mthimkhulu --- South African Sugarcane Research Institute, South Africa Neil Miles --- South African Sugarcane Research Institute, South Africa Rianto van Antwerpen --- South African Sugarcane Research Institute, South Africa Dimpho Elephant --- South African Sugarcane Research Institute, South AfricaUnderstanding the impact of long-term continuous addition of sugarcane residues and fertiliser on soil fertility is important for development of best management practices. The experiment commenced in 1939. The fertility of the 0–10 cm soil layer was affected by the... -
Where are we with whole regolith pedology? A comparative study from Brazil
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Jérôme Juilleret --- Department of Environmental Research and Innovation, Luxembourg Antonio C de Azevedo --- Department of Soil Science, Brazil Roseclenia A Santos --- Department of Soil Science, Brazil Jean CB dos Santos --- Department of Agronomy, Brazil Fabricio de A Pedron --- Department of Soil Science, Brazil Stefaan Dondeyne --- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, BelgiumAn integrated knowledge of the soil and its deeper substratum is required when dealing with environmental issues and Critical Zone research. Though the lower boundary for classifying soils is set at 200 cm in both Soil Taxonomy (ST) and the... -
Quantitative pedology to evaluate a soil profile collection from the Brazilian semi-arid region
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Helena SK Pinheiro --- Agronomy Institute, Soil’s Department, Brazil Lúcia Helena C dos Anjos --- Agronomy Institute, Soil’s Department, Brazil Pedro AM Xavier --- Agronomy Institute, Soil’s Department, Brazil Cesar S Chagas --- Embrapa Solos, Brazil Waldir de Carvalho Junior --- Embrapa Solos, BrazilThis work applies pedometric tools to analyse soil property information relevant to morphological characterisation and soil classification. The objective of this paper was further to identify similarities in soil properties among a soil profile collection. The harmonisation of soil data... -
Impacts of fundamental changes to Soil Taxonomy
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: John M Galbraith --- Department of Crop and Soil Environmental Sciences, USA Mark H Stolt --- Department of Natural Resources Science, USA Martin C Rabenhorst --- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, USA Michel D Ransom --- Department of Agronomy, USASoil Taxonomy is one of the dominant soil classification systems in the world, but has undergone revisions on a regular basis since 1983. It is larger and some parts have become difficult to apply without considerable experience. Some pedologists that... -
Assessing the success of experimental rehabilitation on a coastal mineral sands mine in Namaqualand, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Marco J Pauw --- South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON): Arid Lands Node, South Africa Karen J Esler --- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, South Africa David C Le Maitre --- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, South AfricaThe success of different rehabilitation treatments following surface mining on the arid west coast of South Africa was assessed. Treatments consisting of one or a combination of topsoil addition, plant translocation and seeding were applied to experimental rehabilitation sites in... -
Sensitivity of selected chemical and biological soil quality parameters to tillage and rotational cover cropping at the Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Arnold N Njaimwe --- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, South Africa Pearson NS Mnkeni --- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, South Africa Pardon Muchaonyerwa --- School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, South Africa Cornelius Chiduza --- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, South Africa Isaiah IC Wakindiki --- Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, South AfricaSustainable management of soils requires knowledge of the impact of agronomic practices such as tillage and crop rotation on soil quality. The objective of this study was to identify soil chemical and biological soil attributes with high sensitivity to tillage... -
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... -
Evaluating parents for cane yield in sugarcane breeding using best linear unbiased prediction analysis of progeny data derived from family plots
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Ntombokulunga W Mbuma --- South African Sugarcane Research Institute, South Africa Marvellous Zhou --- South African Sugarcane Research Institute, South Africa Rouxlene van der Merwe --- Department of Plant Sciences, South AfricaThe success of sugarcane breeding is determined by the choice of parents, crosses made and progeny testing. The objectives of this study were to use best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) to evaluate parents using progeny data obtained from family plots... -
Remediation of salt-affected soil by natural and chemical amendments to improve berseem clover yield and nutritive quality
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Zainab Mohamed Abd El-Naby --- Forage Research Department, Egypt Wafaa Abd El-Karim Hafez --- Soil, Water and Environment Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Egypt Hanan Ahmed Hashem --- Botany Department, Faculty of Science, EgyptSalinity is a major problem affecting crop production worldwide. The potential of different soil amendments (sulphur, gypsum, compost, and combination of gypsum, compost and sulphur) and two plant-growth stimulators (potassium silicate and calcium carbonate nanoparticles) to alleviate the harmful effects... -
The effect of fire history on soil nutrients and soil organic carbon in a semi-arid savanna woodland, central Namibia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Elise Nghalipo --- Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Sciences, Namibia Dave Joubert --- Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Sciences, Namibia Heather Throop --- School of Earth and Space Exploration and School of Life Sciences, USA Alexander Groengroeft --- Institute of Soil Science, GermanyFire is an integral part of savanna ecosystems that has shaped these systems since the Miocene. Substantial uncertainty about fire effects in semi-arid ecosystems exists. Fire may affect ecosystem productivity directly through nutrient volatilisation, increased mineralisation and altering organic matter... -
Characterisation of the soil pore system in relation to its hydraulic functions in two South African aeolian soil groups
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Achamyeleh G Mengistu --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa Sabelo SW Mavimbela --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa Leon D van Rensburg --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South AfricaThe characterisation of soil pores has a prime importance in soil hydrology particularly for soil water management in both irrigated and dryland agriculture. Hence, this study describes the soil pore system in the Clovelly and Hutton soil forms and its... -
Effects of stockpiling on selected properties of opencast coal mine soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: D Garry Paterson --- Agricultural Research Council–Institute for Soil, Climate and Water, South Africa M Nicky Mushia --- Agricultural Research Council–Institute for Soil, Climate and Water, South Africa Siseko D Mkula --- Agricultural Research Council–Institute for Soil, Climate and Water, South AfricaSoil stockpiling is a necessary component of opencast coal mining and, because most of the soils involved have arable potential, this involves the possibility of serious soil degradation. A study at four mines on the Highveld of South Africa involved... -
Selected chemical properties of agricultural soils in the Ethiopian highlands: A rapid assessment
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Eyasu Elias --- College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Centre for Environmental Science, EthiopiaLack of information on the characteristics of soils occurring in different locations has constrained the development of soil- and site-specific fertiliser recommendations in Ethiopia. A rapid assessment of the fertility status of some dominant agricultural soils was conducted. A total... -
Long-term effects of pig slurry application on selected soil quality parameters and tissue composition of maize in a subhumid subtropical environment
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Tichaedza J Chikuvire --- School of Agricultural Earth and Environmental Sciences, South Africa Pardon Muchaonyerwa --- School of Agricultural Earth and Environmental Sciences, South Africa Rebecca Zengeni --- School of Agricultural Earth and Environmental Sciences, South AfricaEffects of long-term application of pig slurry (PS) on soil organic carbon (SOC) pools, nutrients and maize tissue composition under continuous conventional tillage in a maize–soyabean rotation system in subhumid subtropical environments are unclear. The soil and plant parameters have... -
Nutrient status of sandy soils in smallholder areas of Zimbabwe and the need to develop site-specific fertiliser recommendations for sustainable crop intensification
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Gabriel Soropa --- Department of Environmental Sciences and Technology, Zimbabwe Justice Nyamangara --- Department of Environmental Sciences and Technology, Zimbabwe Ermson Z Nyakatawa --- Department of Crop Science and Post Harvest Technology, ZimbabweSustainable crop intensification in sub-Saharan Africa cannot be achieved if farmers cultivate inherently infertile soils that are deficient in key essential nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Most smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa are resource-constrained and apply suboptimal fertiliser amounts,... -
Assessment of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spore density and viability in soil stockpiles of South African opencast coal mines
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Obinna T Ezeokoli --- Agricultural Research Council–Institute for Soil, South Africa Cyril C Nwangburuka --- Agricultural Research Council–Institute for Soil, South Africa Rasheed A Adeleke --- Agricultural Research Council–Institute for Soil, South Africa Ashira Roopnarain --- Agricultural Research Council–Institute for Soil, South Africa D Garry Paterson --- Agricultural Research Council–Institute for Soil, South Africa Mark S Maboeta --- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, South Africa Cornelius C Bezuidenhout --- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, South AfricaThe symbioses between arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi and plant roots is essential for nutrient uptake and growth of most vascular plants. Soil condition and management influence the density and viability of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) spores. In this study, AMF... -
Variations in heavy metal concentrations among trophic levels of the food webs in two agroecosystems
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Mustafa Soliman --- Entomology Department, Egypt Mohamed El-Shazly --- Entomology Department, Egypt Emtithal Abd-El-Samie --- Entomology Department, Egypt Hamed Fayed --- Zoology Department, EgyptExcessive accumulation of trace metal in soil represents a growing environmental problem posing severe risks to biota, humans and ecosystems. Concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn were determined in soil, as well as in representatives of some trophic levels... -
Relationships between commonly-used South African and international soil phosphorus extraction tests on pristine and cultivated soils
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: VG White --- , South Africa AG Hardie --- , South Africa PJ Raath --- , South AfricaThe availability of soil phosphorus (P) norms for various plant available P tests is limited due to the cost of establishing these norms. Consequently a need exists for a means of converting between the values of commonly used South-African and... -
Relationship between carbon stocks and tree species diversity in a humid Guinean savanna landscape in northern Sierra Leone
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Edward Amara --- Earth Change Observation Laboratory, Department of Geosciences and Geography, Finland Janne Heiskanen --- Earth Change Observation Laboratory, Department of Geosciences and Geography, Finland Ermias Aynekulu --- World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Kenya Petri KE Pellikka --- Earth Change Observation Laboratory, Department of Geosciences and Geography, FinlandGlobal sustainable development goals include reducing greenhouse gas emissions from land-use change and maintaining biodiversity. Many studies have examined carbon stocks and tree species diversity, but few have studied the humid Guinean savanna ecosystem. This study focuses on a humid... -
Physico-chemical analysis of soils for the better yield of sugarcane and rice using Heber soil quality index
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: East African Agricultural and Forestry Journal • Authors: A Rajendran --- Department of Chemistry, India M Shanmuganathan --- Research and Development Centre, Bharathiar University, IndiaSoil quality plays an important role in the assessment of sustainable land-use systems. Assessment of soil quality will always help farmers to apply correct fertilisers in correct proportions to their soil. This will definitely help them achieve maximum yield with... -
High-resolution digital soil mapping of multiple soil properties: an alternative to the traditional field survey?
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Trevan Flynn --- Department of Soil Science, South Africa Willem de Clercq --- Stellenbosch Water Institute, Stellenbosch University, South Africa Andrei Rozanov --- Department of Soil Science, South Africa Cathy Clarke --- Department of Soil Science, South AfricaSpatial information on soil particle size distribution and soil organic carbon (SOC) are important for land-use management, environmental models and policy-making. Digital soil mapping (DSM) techniques can quantitatively predict these soil properties using minimal resources. However, DSM has not been... -
Interactive effect of planting date and fertiliser application on maize growth and yield under dryland conditions
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Dolapo B Akinnuoye-Adelabu --- Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, South Africa Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi --- Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, South Africa Albert T Modi --- Crop Science, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, South AfricaUnderstanding the relationships among management practices during planting period will help producers to improve crop production under climate change. The interaction of planting date and soil fertility on maize yield was evaluated. Field trials were conducted during summer in 2014/15... -
Hydropedological grouping of South African soil forms
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Johan J van Tol --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South Africa Pieter AL Le Roux --- Institute for Groundwater Studies, University of the Free State, South AfricaThe science of hydropedology has progressed significantly in the past two decades, especially with regards to the interpretation of soil morphology and relating these interpretations to the hydrological behaviour of horizons, profiles, hillslopes and catchments. Soil classification is pivotal to... -
Influence of tillage, fertiliser regime and weeding frequency on germinable weed seed bank in a subhumid environment in Zimbabwe
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Nilton Mashavakure --- School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Zimbabwe Arnold B Mashingaidze --- School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Zimbabwe Robert Musundire --- School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Zimbabwe Edson Gandiwa --- School of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation, Zimbabwe Christian Thierfelder --- CIMMYT – International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, Southern Africa Regional Office, Zimbabwe Victor K Muposhi --- School of Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation, Zimbabwe Ezekia Svotwa --- School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, ZimbabweMinimum tillage (MT) under conservation agriculture (CA), fertiliser application and weeding frequency influence weed seed-bank dynamics in cropping systems. A study was conducted at the Chinhoyi University of Technology farm, Zimbabwe during the 2014/15 and 2015/16 cropping seasons to investigate... -
A pedogenetic method for land type survey disaggregation into soil association maps
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: George Munnik van Zijl --- , South Africa Christina Botha --- , South AfricaThere is an increasing demand worldwide for spatial soil information. Unfortunately, gathering new soil data is expensive, leading to a focus on extracting detailed information from existing datasets. The most extensive dataset in South Africa is that of the land... -
The effects of different gold mine tailings on growth, reproduction and avoidance-behaviour of earthworms
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Zoology • Authors: Bryan McGuirk --- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, South Africa Pieter Theron --- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, South Africa Mark Maboeta --- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, South AfricaThe mining industry plays a key role in the economic development of South Africa as one of the largest exporters of valuable resources, such as gold, platinum group metals and other metals and minerals. Unfortunately, mining produces large volumes of... -
Soil organic carbon in agricultural systems of six countries in East Africa – a literature review of status and carbon sequestration potential
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: S Namirembe --- Stepup Standard Ltd., Uganda K Piikki --- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Sweden R Sommer --- WWF Deutschland, Agriculture & Land Use Change, Germany M Söderström --- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Sweden B Tessema --- Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Ethiopia SS Nyawira --- International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), KenyaCropland soils are considered to have the potential to sequester atmospheric CO2 through agronomic best management practices (BMPs). To estimate this potential in East Africa, the authors reviewed 69 published studies from Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Burundi assessing... -
Effects of long-term grazed crop and pasture systems under no-till on organic matter fractions and selected quality parameters of soil in the Overberg, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Jacques DV Smith --- Department of Soil Science, South Africa Johann A Strauss --- Western Cape Department of Agriculture, South Africa Ailsa G Hardie --- Department of Soil Science, South AfricaThere is limited soil research on semi-arid, grazed no-till crop and pasture systems. The long-term (10 years) effect of three grazed no-till dryland crop and pasture rotation systems, and perennial lucerne pasture were assessed on soil carbon (C) and nitrogen... -
Hydropedology in South Africa: Advances, applications and research opportunities
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Johan van Tol --- Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences, South AfricaThe need to characterise and quantify hydrological processes in order to manage scarce water resources led to significant progress in the field of hydropedology in South Africa during the past decade. The adoption of hydropedological research by industry and government... -
Effect of vermicompost tea on rooibos (
Aspalathus linearis ) growth and rhizosphere microbial diversity under field conditionsItem type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Stefanus G van Heerden --- Department of Soil Science, South Africa Ailsa G Hardie --- Department of Soil Science, South AfricaIncreasing demand for rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis) requires producers to increase production in a sustainable manner. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of applying vermicompost tea (VCT) (100 and 500 L ha–1 month–1) and tap water... -
The effectiveness of coal fly ash in the amelioration of acid soils of the South African highveld: a comparison with conventional liming materials
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: JR Harper --- , South Africa I Mbakwe --- , South AfricaSoil acidity is one of the greatest limitations to crop production in South Africa, while the country’s coal-fired power plants generate millions of tonnes of alkaline coal ash per year. A field experiment was carried out to evaluate the liming... -
Effect of land terracing on soil physical properties across slope positions and profile depths in medium and high altitude regions of Rwanda
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Aloys Fashaho --- , Rwanda George M Ndegwa --- , Rwanda Joyce J Lelei --- , Kenya Amos O Musandu --- , Kenya Samuel M Mwonga --- , KenyaAlthough land terracing is promoted as a management practice for effective soil conservation in hilly areas, construction of terraces causes changes in soil properties. This study evaluated the effect of land terracing on some soil physical properties across slope positions... -
Maize (Zea mays) yield and its relationship to soil properties under integrated fertility, mulch and tillage management in urban agriculture
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: A Shumba --- , Zimbabwe N Dunjana --- , Zimbabwe B Nyamasoka --- , Zimbabwe P Nyamugafata --- , Zimbabwe S Madyiwa --- , Zimbabwe J Nyamangara --- , ZimbabweUrban agriculture improves people’s livelihoods in developing countries. An experiment was carried out to assess effects of soil fertility, mulch and tillage on soil organic carbon (SOC), aggregate stability (Ima), bulk density (BD), steady state infiltration rate (SSIR) and maize... -
Response of soil organic matter indices and fractions after 37 years of wheat production management practices in semi-arid South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: T Motema --- , South Africa E Kotzé --- , South Africa PF Loke --- , South Africa CC du Preez --- , South AfricaThe current study evaluated the long-term response of soil organic matter (SOM) indices and fractions on wheat production management practices in the semi-arid region of South Africa. The treatments included three tillage methods (no-tillage, stubble mulch and ploughing), two residue... -
Soil β-glucosidase activity, organic carbon and nutrients in plant tissue in response to cover crop species and management practices
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Adewole T Adetunji --- , South Africa Bongani Ncube --- , South Africa Andre H Meyer --- , South Africa Reckson Mulidzi --- , South Africa Francis B Lewu --- , South AfricaCover crop (CC) management can be improved to enhance carbon storage, microbial activity and fertility in agricultural soils. This study assessed the immediate effect of living CCs and residues, two termination stages (vegetative and flowering) and two termination methods (slash... -
Germinable weed seed-bank response to plant residue application and hand weeding under two contrasting tillage systems in a granite-derived clay loam soil in Zimbabwe
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Nilton Mashavakure --- , Zimbabwe Arnold B. Mashingaidze --- , Zimbabwe Robert Musundire --- , Zimbabwe Edson Gandiwa --- , Zimbabwe Ezekia Svotwa --- , ZimbabweHigh levels of weed infestation are among the major reasons for the limited adoption of conservation agriculture techniques by farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated the effects of plant residue application (zero: NR, low: LR, medium: MR and high:... -
Parasitic infections and environmental influences on verbal memory and learning potential of isiZulu speaking pre-school children
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Journal of Psychology in Africa • Authors: Xolisile I. Mazibuko --- , South Africa Moses J. Chimbari --- , South AfricaThis study aimed to explore the effects of parasitic infections, demographic, and contextual factors on verbal memory and learning potential. Applying a cross sectional, experimental, and comparative design, we sampled 112 black pre-school children from a historically poor rural South... -
Influence of the soil on the spatial structure of forest species – preliminary results in a terra firme secondary forest plot, Amapá, Brazil
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Ronaldo Oliveira dos Santos --- , Brazil Robson Borges de Lima --- , Brazil Rubiene Neto Soares --- , Brazil Bruno de Souza Dantas --- , Brazil Adriano Castro de Brito --- , Brazil Michelle Vasconcelos Cordeiro --- , Brazil Jadson Coelho de Abreu --- , Brazil Breno Marques da Silva e Silva --- , BrazilIn recent years there has been increasing interest in the relationships between edaphic factors in tropical forests due to the complexity and the dynamic nature of plant interactions with the physical environment. This research sought to investigate the correlation of... -
Differences in soil microbial communities and enzyme activity due to the application of bioslurry under cultivation
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Motiki M Mofokeng --- , South Africa Johan Habig --- , South Africa Stephen O. Amoo --- , South Africa Christian P du Plooy --- , South Africa Phatu W Mashela --- , South Africa Mokhele E Moeletsi --- , South Africa Sonja Venter --- , South Africa Hintsa T Araya --- , South AfricaSoil micro-organisms influence soil ecosystem processes and properties. Their influence can be modified by cultivation practices, which affect their interaction with cultivated plants as well as soil physical and chemical properties. The study investigated differences in soil microbial activities between... -
Drip irrigation systems controlled by soil moisture sensors and a soil water balance model for cassava grown in soils of two different textures
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Xintai Xie --- , Thailand Thitiporn Machikowa --- , Thailand Sodchol Wonprasaid --- , ThailandCassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) yield could be improved by drip irrigation if irrigation scheduling is correctly organized. Soil moisture content is an important factor for controlling irrigation. It can be directly monitored by soil moisture sensors or predicted by soil... -
Seasonal habitat utilisation and morphological characteristics of Chamaeleo dilepis on Telperion Nature Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Herpetology • Authors: Trevor L O’Donoghue --- Applied Behavioural Ecology and Ecosystem Research Unit, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, South Africa Kerry Slater --- Applied Behavioural Ecology and Ecosystem Research Unit, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, South Africa Leslie R Brown --- Applied Behavioural Ecology and Ecosystem Research Unit, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, South AfricaLimited information on the habitat utilisation and seasonal activity of flap-necked chameleons (Chamaeleo dilepis) is available. We investigated habitat utilisation, seasonal distribution, and sexual dimorphism of C. dilepis on Telperion Nature Reserve (a privately protected natural area) in South Africa... -
Profiling the community structure of ectomycorrhizal fungi at endemic pine (Pinus greggii) stands of northeastern Mexico
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Rebeca Casique Valdés --- , México Fernando Galindo García --- , México Leho Tedersoo --- , Estonia Sten Anslan --- , Estonia Eladio H Cornejo Oviedo --- , México Sergio R Sánchez-Peña --- , MéxicoThe biological communities of endemic, relictual ecosystems are poorly known and the rate of destruction of these ecosystems is high worldwide. Pinus greggii is a near-threatened Mexican pine endemic species with a highly restricted distribution. In healthy tree stands, the... -
Pot trial screening of chemical, biological and natural insecticides for the management of white grubs (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) during eucalypt and wattle establishment
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Benice J Sivparsad --- , South Africa Andrew R Morris --- , South Africa Ilaria Germishuizen --- , South AfricaIn South African forest plantations, white grubs (Scarabaeidae larvae) can contribute to high transplant mortality following re-establishment. Currently registered insecticides are considered highly hazardous and their use is restricted by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Therefore, there is an immediate... -
Evaluation of phytoremediation effects of chicken manure, urea and lemongrass on remediating a lead contaminated soil in Kabwe, Zambia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Yui Yoshii --- , Japan Isabell von Rein --- , USA Kabenuka Munthali --- , Zambia Mukuka Mwansa --- , Zambia Hokuto Nakata --- , Japan Shota Nakayama --- , Japan Mayumi Ishizuka --- , Japan Yoshitaka Uchida --- , JapanHigh levels of lead (Pb) in the soil is a serious issue in the city of Kabwe, Zambia. Phytoremediation is an effective approach to revive the life-supporting functions of the soils. Locally available soil amendments, such as chicken manure, can... -
Phosphorus availability and fractions in a humic soil amended with poultry manure and lime
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: NP Mkhonza --- , South Africa NN Buthelezi-Dube --- , South Africa P Muchaonyerwa --- , South AfricaPhosphorus (P) availability in highly weathered soils is limited. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of poultry manure (PM) and lime on P availability in humic soils. The soils were amended with lime and PM, separately... -
A characterisation of wetland soil types on the Maputaland Coastal Plain
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: ML Pretorius --- , CW van Huyssteen --- , LR Brown --- , AT Grundling --- , CT Downs --- ,This paper addresses the shortage of wetland soil data on the Maputaland Coastal Plain. It does so by investigating the relationship between wetland types, slope position and soil properties. Four wetland types (a valley-bottom system, perched pans, hygrophilous grasslands and... -
The new soil classification system in South Africa, its history, important changes made and implications for users
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: George van Zijl --- , South Africa Dave Turner --- , South Africa Garry Paterson --- , South Africa Jaco Koch --- , South Africa Johan van Tol --- , South Africa Kurt Barichievy --- , South Africa Cathy Clarke --- , South Africa Martiens du Plessis --- , South Africa Piet van Deventer --- ,The board of the Soil Science Society of South Africa endorsed the “Soil Classification: A Natural and Anthropogenic System for South Africa”, in 2020 making it the official soil classification system to be used in South Africa. This classification system,... -
An assessment of the ecological condition of a wetland on the Lions River floodplain based on soil and vegetation parameters, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: H Ndlovu --- , South Africa DC Kotze --- , South Africa GPW Jewitt --- , South Africa CD Morris --- , South AfricaWetlands are increasingly exposed to human activities, resulting in degradation. As the wetland degrades, it loses functionality. In South Africa, wetlands can play an important water-regulating role. This study aims to establish the ecological condition of a historically utilised wetland... -
Assessing wetland functionality using soil surface indicators in Letšeng- la-Letsie wetland in Quthing District, Lesotho
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Nthuseng Kahlolo --- , Lesotho Botle Mapeshoane --- , Lesotho Peter Chatanga --- , Lesotho Lerato Seleteng-Kose --- , Lesotho Makoala V Marake --- , LesothoWetlands are globally valuable ecosystems as they provide many important services to the human society, yet the ecology of some of them is yet to be understood. This study assessed the functionality of Letšeng-la-Letsie wetland in Lesotho, using the Landscape... -
Earthworm diversity and density as affected by soil and climatic factors in Raymond Mhlaba municipality, Eastern Cape province, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Sixolise Mcinga --- , South Africa Alen Manyevere --- , South Africa P Mnkeni --- , TanzaniaEarthworms play a key role in improving soil health, and their diversity and density are mainly affected by soil and climatic factors. This study determined the effects of rainfall, temperature and selected soil properties on the diversity and density of... -
Effect of encroaching woody plant species on soil nutrients and selected soil chemical properties in communally managed semiarid savanna grazing lands in the North West province, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Pieter W Malan --- , South Africa Makuété A P Tiawoun --- , South Africa Khumoetsile S Molatlhegi --- , South Africa Simeon A Materechera --- , South AfricaWoody plant encroachment is recognised as one of the major threats to biodiversity in ecosystems. In many arid and semiarid areas of South Africa, indigenous encroacher species are proliferating, but the factors that favor their abundance are poorly understood. This... -
Phosphorus extraction by selected methods in alkaline and calcareous soils after mono-ammonium phosphate application at different rates
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: AE Venter --- , South Africa CC du Preez --- , South AfricaLittle research has been done on extractable phosphorus (P) in alkaline and calcareous irrigated soils of South Africa. This study aimed to quantify extractable P by selected methods in these soils after application of mono-ammonium phosphate (MAP) at different rates... -
A comparison of the results of phosphorus analyses of alkaline and calcareous soils amongst South African laboratories
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: AE Venter --- , South Africa CC du Preez --- , South AfricaLarge areas of alkaline and calcareous soils are irrigated in South Africa. For these soils, proper fertilisation programs based on soil phoshorus (P) analyses are required. Little is known about P analyses of alkaline and calcareous soils. The study aimed... -
Characterisation of Eucalyptus rhizospheric communities using fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profile analysis
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Chimdi Nwigwe --- , South Africa Annabel Fossey --- , South Africa Olga de Smidt --- , South AfricaHybrid vigour is exploited in Eucalyptus forestry through the production of interspecific hybrids. Hybrids are deployed via cuttings that often suffer from poor rooting. Rhizospheric microorganisms have been associated with rooting enhancement, therefore knowledge of the diversity of microorganism communities,... -
Organic carbon content in the diagnostic horizons and materials of South African soil forms
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: CW van Huyssteen --- , South Africa NR Rantoa --- , South Africa CC du Preez --- , South AfricaSoil classification aims to group similar soils to facilitate communication and management. Management of soil organic carbon is gaining international recognition in an attempt to manage atmospheric carbon in addressing global warming. This paper explored the soil morphological and analytical... -
Effects of biostimulants on tissue and rhizospheric acid phosphatase activity of chickpea genotypes
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Rebahlotse Mapula Moloto --- , South Africa Felix D Dakora --- , South Africa Puffy Soundy --- , South Africa Sipho Thulane Maseko --- , South AfricaAlthough the application of biostimulants to soils and plants affects their phosphatase activity, this has not been shown in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) grown under South African conditions. In this study, chickpea genotypes were grown in silty-loam and silty-clay-loam soils... -
Weed species diversity and shifts in Conservation Agriculture-based crop rotation systems on the Highveld area of South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Elbé Hugo --- , South Africa Maryke Craven --- , South Africa Andries A Nel --- , South AfricaThe occurrence and infestation levels of weed species are known to vary greatly within Conservation Agriculture (CA) systems as weed species will react differently to different habitats. Two on-farm CA trial sites, near Buffelsvallei and Viljoenskroon respectively, were established during... -
Soil C sequestration and CO2 fluxes under maize-based Conservation Agriculture systems in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Lindah Muzangwa --- , South Africa Pearson Nyari Stephano Mnkeni --- , Tanzania Cornelius Chiduza --- , South AfricaTraditional farming methods deplete soil carbon and contribute to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. We investigated the effects of Conservation Agriculture principles on C sequestration and CO2 flux from two agroecological regions in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa, over five... -
Soil management for carbon sequestration
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Rattan Lal --- , United StatesAn increase in atmospheric CO2 by ∼146% and global temperature by ∼1 °C since the year ca. 1750 has created an urgency to identify potential sinks for storage of excess CO2. The historic depletion of soil organic carbon (SOC) from... -
Challenges and opportunities for water conservation in irrigated agriculture in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Willem de Clercq --- , South Africa Marlene de Witt --- , South Africa Giel Laker --- , South AfricaThis review provides a brief overview of problems in irrigated agriculture that have become more evident as a result of climate change. In most irrigated regions in South Africa, the demand for water is exceeding the supply, as surface water... -
A history of Conservation Agriculture in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: JA Strauss --- , South Africa PA Swanepoel --- , South Africa H Smith --- , South Africa EH Smit --- , South AfricaConservation Agriculture (CA) is a holistic farming system aimed at the conservation of natural resources by halting soil erosion and increasing biodiversity in cropping systems, while still effecting sustainable production. Conservation agriculture is based on three principles, namely minimum soil... -
Importance of detailed soil surveys for Conservation Agriculture
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: JL Schoeman --- , E Verster --- , HB Booyens --- , MJ du Plessis --- ,This paper explores the role that detailed soil surveys can play in Conservation Agriculture (CA). While it is widely acknowledged that CA practices have to be adapted to local conditions, it appears as if in-field physical soil and hydrological properties,... -
The effects of Acacia mearnsii (black wattle) on soil chemistry and grass biomass production in a South African semi-arid rangeland: implications for rangeland rehabilitation
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Onalenna Gwate --- , South Africa Sukhmani K Mantel --- , South Africa Lesley A Gibson --- , United Kingdom Zahn Munch --- , South Africa Bukho Gusha --- , South Africa Anthony R Palmer --- , South AfricaGlobally, grasslands are under threat from woody encroachment by invasive alien plants and this undermines grass production. The study sought to determine the effects of Acacia mearnsii clearing on soil physico-chemical properties and grass production. Soil samples were collected from... -
Increased resolution of soils information through morphon segmentation of the Korentepoort mountain catchment
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: GJ Malan --- , South Africa WP De Clercq --- , South Africa AB Rozanov --- , South Africa C Clarke --- , South Africa H Helness --- , Norway S Damman --- , Norway N Elema --- , South Africa J Atkinson --- , South AfricaRecent climate instability necessitates a fresh approach to water cycle services in the Hessequa municipal region. Attention is drawn to impacts on water storage in this region, and an assessment of the current status is necessary. Land-use change and soil... -
Contrasting effects of soil pH on seed germination and early seedling growth of Calobota sericea and Lessertia frutescens subs. frutescens
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Francuois L Müller --- ,This study evaluated the impacts of pH on the germination and early seedling growth of Calobota sericea and Lessertia frutescens subsp. frutescens, two perennial legume species found in the semi-arid rangelands of South Africa. The results of this study revealed... -
Assessment of soil surface scarification and reseeding with sulla (Hedysarum coronarium L.) of degraded Mediterranean semi-arid rangelands
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Slim Slim --- , Tunisia Mounir Louhaichi --- , Tunisia Mouldi Gamoun --- , Tunisia Serkan Ates --- , United States Sawsan Hassan --- , Jordan Oumeima Ben Romdhane --- , Tunisia Azaiez Ouled Belgacem --- , United Arab EmiratesClimate change and degradation of natural resources pose daunting challenges in arid and semi-arid rangelands of southern Mediterranean region. Overcoming these challenges requires considerable management actions efforts. In this context, the current two-year (2017/2018 and 2018/2019) study investigated the effects... -
Comparison of three soil health indicators between different vegetative strip compositions
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Robyn Nicolay --- , South Africa Simon Jeffery --- , United Kingdom Nicola Randall --- , United KingdomContemporary evidence shows biotic factors play a prominent role in the soil health and the provision of soil functions. Herbaceous grassland species differ in their modulation of soil communities, effects on soil components, as well the processes they interact with... -
Effect of soil type on spatial distribution and nutritive value of grass species growing in selected rangelands of South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Khuliso E Ravhuhali --- , South Africa Victor Mlambo --- , South Africa Tefera S Beyene --- , South Africa Lobina G Palamuleni --- , South AfricaThe distribution and status of grass species is essential for sustainable management of rangelands. Therefore, this study assessed the spatial distribution and nutritive value of grass species as influenced by soil type in selected rangelands of the North West province... -
Response of soil carbon fractions in a Haplic Cambisol to crop rotation systems and residue management practices under no tillage in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: I Gura --- , South Africa PNS Mnkeni --- , South Africa CC du Preez --- , South Africa JH Barnard --- , South AfricaSoil organic carbon (SOC) is a major indicator of soil quality and/or health but its slow short-term response to management changes has prompted the search for more sensitive indicators for monitoring short-term changes in soil organic matter (SOM). This study... -
Tillage, crop rotation, residue management and biochar influence on soil chemical and biological properties
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Patrick Nyambo --- , South Africa B Thengeni --- , South Africa Cornelius Chiduza --- , South Africa Tesfay Araya --- , South AfricaSoil and crop productivity cannot be maintained unless declining soil fertility is replenished. A three-year factorial experiment using a split-split-plot design, replicated three times, was used to evaluate the response of pH, electrical conductivity, exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg, K and... -
Long-term frequent fires do not decrease topsoil carbon and nitrogen in an Afromontane grassland
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Nicola Findlay --- , The Netherlands Alan Manson --- , South Africa Joris PGM Cromsigt --- , The Netherlands Paul Gordijn --- , South Africa Cathy Nixon --- , South Africa Max Rietkerk --- , The Netherlands Guy Thibaud --- , South Africa Martin J Wassen --- , The Netherlands Mariska te Beest --- , The NetherlandsFire has been an integral evolutionary force shaping and maintaining grassy biomes, such as the Afromontane grasslands of South Africa. Afromontane grasslands represent a large carbon reservoir, but it is uncertain how fire affects their long-term C storage. We investigated... -
First assessment of the blue carbon storage of Rhizophora and Bruguiera mangrove stands on the island of Mauritius (western Indian Ocean)
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Phanesh Raghbor --- , Mauritius Linisha Devi Seeruttun --- , Mauritius Chandani Appadoo --- , MauritiusBlue carbon has gained recognition as a strategy to mitigate climate change. Mangroves allow significant amounts of carbon to be sequestered and stored and are considered an important component in the offset of greenhouse gas emissions. Despite this, little is... -
Soil quality index for extensive pastures in hilly landforms region of highly weathered soils in an Atlantic forest biome, Brazil
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: DL Burak --- , Brazil E de C Monteiro --- , Brazil RR Passos --- , Brazil E de Sá Mendonça --- , BrazilExtensive pasture systems established in highly weathered tropical soils on steep slopes are vulnerable to soil degradation. Soil degradation can be monitored using an soil quality index (SQI). The SQI can assess both environmental aspects and indices related to pasture... -
Development and validation of an operational multi-layered model for estimation of soil moisture at point-scale in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: L Myeni --- , South Africa ME Moeletsi --- , South Africa AD Clulow --- , South AfricaData discontinuity is the major challenge that hinders the integrity of datasets from the sparse soil moisture monitoring networks in developing countries. In this study, a simplified, multi-layered soil water balance model to estimate daily soil moisture at point-scale from... -
Is application of commercial potassium humates beneficial to soil and wheat?
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: GM Ceronio --- , South Africa JT van Tonder --- , South Africa CC du Preez --- , South AfricaCommercial humates manufactured from oxidised lignites are often recommended to improve soil condition and crop growth. The benefits ascribed to these products are questioned, since they differ from humates that exist naturally in soils. Growth chamber, glasshouse and field experiments... -
Effect of biochar, farmyard manure, and lime on soil properties, and on growth and nutrient uptake of wheat on acidic soils in Southern Ethiopia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Mekedes Lulu --- , Ethiopia Bekele Lemma --- , Ethiopia Legesse Hidoto --- , Ethiopia Asmare Melese --- , EthiopiaThis study assessed the effect of the interactions of biochar (BC), farmyard manure (FYM) and lime on soil chemical properties, and on different wheat attributes in Southern Ethiopia. The experimental design was a randomised complete block in three replications. The... -
Evaluation of soil physico-chemical properties as affected by canopies of scattered agroforestry trees on croplands
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Shimbahri Mesfin --- , Ethiopia Hailay Haileselassie --- , EthiopiaAgroforestry tree species play an important role in improving soil fertility. Though studies have confirmed that different species show different potentials to improve soil fertility, it is difficult to compare them as the studies were conducted in different areas. The... -
Forage legumes from the Mediterranean Fynbos biome of South Africa with potential for domestication: slope aspect affects tissue fibre and mineral composition
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Samson BM Chimphango --- , South Africa Luke H Gallant --- , South Africa M Igshaan Samuels --- , South Africa Odette E Curtis-Scott --- , South Africa A Muthama Muasya --- , South Africa Clement Cupido --- , South Africa James S Boatwright --- , South Africa John Howieson --- , AustraliaFabaceae plants contribute greatly to a high quality of pasture in rangelands, because of high levels of protein in their tissues. Despite this established importance, only a few southern African legumes have been evaluated for nutritional value and domestication. The... -
Effect of lime source, fineness and granulation on neutralisation of soil pH
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Dawid JJ du Toit --- , South Africa Pieter A Swanepoel --- , South Africa Ailsa G Hardie --- , South AfricaLittle information is available regarding the liming efficiency of various local lime sources and products currently available in South Africa. Recently, granulated micro-fine limes are being widely marketed as being superior to class A limes. Therefore, the aim of this... -
Nitrogen mineralisation and N2O emissions in pure and mixed-species plantations of Eucalyptus urograndis and Acacia mangium
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Felipe Martini Santos --- , Brazil Fabiano de Carvalho Balieiro --- , Brazil Danilo Henrique dos Santos Ataíde --- , Brazil Pedro Vaz da Rocha --- , Brazil Bruno JR Alves --- , Brazil Guilherme M Chaer --- , BrazilWe hypothesised that N inputs to the soil from residues of adult trees of Acacia mangium Willd. increase soil nitrate availability and consequently induce higher nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes, irrespective of being in pure or mixed stands with Eucalyptus. A... -
Nutrient use efficiency in commercial eucalypt plantations in different soils under temperate climate
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Alejandro González --- , Uruguay Jorge Hernández --- , Uruguay Amabelia del Pino --- , Uruguay Andrés Hirigoyen --- , UruguayThe sustainability of forest production is based on an adequate balance between soil nutrient supply and its demand by forest plantations, which may vary depending on the species and the site. In Uruguay, the low to medium fertility of the... -
Gradual increase in the intensity of machine traffic in timber harvesting: effects on soil composition and functionality
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Miriam Fernanda Rodrigues --- , Brazil Diego Rodrigues --- , Brazil André Pellegrini --- , Brazil Elisandra Pocojeski --- , BrazilThis study describes the effects of gradually increasing the intensity of machine traffic in timber harvesting of Pinus taeda L. in a cut-to-length system on the severity of compaction and changes in functionality of a subtropical Oxisol in southern Brazil... -
Correlation of variations in species abundance of Atlantic forests regenerating on abandoned pastures with different environmental and spatial variables
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: João Paulo de Maçaneiro --- , Brazil Laio Zimermann Oliveira --- , Brazil Lauri Amândio Schorn --- , Brazil Franklin Galvão --- , Brazil Guilherme Salgado Grittz --- , Brazil André Luís de Gasper --- , BrazilThe conversion of native forests into pastures is still a common practice in Brazil. Abandoned pastures have great potential for natural regeneration and therefore could play an important role in meeting the enormous demand for forest restoration. Few studies, however,... -
Soil carbon stock assessment using depth and spatial models on afforested arable lands
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Trevan Flynn --- , Czech Republic Liesl Wiese --- , South Africa Andrei Rozanov --- , South AfricaThe change from grasslands and natural shrubs to afforested arable land has a major impact on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. Grasslands are known to be SOC sinks as seen in the Chernozems of North America, Eurasia and South Africa... -
Effects of form, fineness and placement of lime with and without soil tillage on barley and canola growth and development
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: JR van der Nest --- , South Africa AG Hardie --- , South Africa J Labuschagne --- , South Africa PA Swanepoel --- , South AfricaNo-tillage systems and slow movement of surface-applied limestone can lead to stratification of soil acidity. Incorporation of lime by tilling soil is not preferred by producers following conservation agriculture practices. There is limited research on ways to facilitate lime movement... -
Long-term effects of micro-fine and class A calcitic lime application rates on soil acidity and rooibos tea yields under Clanwilliam field conditions
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Jacobus FN Smith --- , South Africa Ailsa G Hardie --- , South AfricaPrevious research on the effect of soil liming on rooibos tea growth was limited to short-term greenhouse trials. This is the first long-term field study to investigate the effect of lime application on rooibos tea production. Micro-fine and class A... -
The chemistry of the pedoderm – part 4: grasslands and savannas within Mokala National Park, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Anthony J Mills --- , South Africa Klaus Kellner --- , South AfricaTreed savannas and treeless grasslands occur across Mokala National Park, South Africa. To identify soil properties potentially underpinning these marked differences in vegetation structure, we analysed the soil chemistry of 27 composite pedoderm samples in both savannas and grasslands. Savannas... -
The chemistry of the pedoderm – part 1: grasslands and savannas in the central Kruger National Park, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Anthony J Mills --- , South Africa Tercia Strydom --- , South Africa Jessica L Allen --- , South Africa Julia Baum --- ,Treeless grasslands occur within landscapes that are predominantly wooded savannas in the central Kruger National Park, South Africa. As a first step in identifying soil properties potentially underpinning differences in vegetation structure in these landscapes, we analysed the soil chemistry... -
The chemistry of the pedoderm – part 3: Colophospermum mopane shrublands and woodlands in the central Kruger National Park, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Anthony J Mills --- , South Africa Tercia Strydom --- , South Africa Jessica L Allen --- , South Africa Julia Baum --- ,The woody plant, Colophospermum mopane, occurs as either a shrub or tree in shrublands and woodlands, respectively, in the central Kruger National Park, South Africa. As a first step in identifying which soil properties potentially influence the structure of C... -
An IoT-based soil moisture monitor
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development • Authors: Opeyemi A. Osanaiye --- Nile University of Nigeria, Nigeria Thomas Mannan --- Federal University of Technology, Nigeria Folayo Aina --- University of Central Lancashire, United KingdomOver the years, monitoring soil moisture levels of farmlands has been performed manually. This is often time-consuming and inefficient, necessitating a solution that is efficient in controlling and monitoring soil moisture conditions. This work therefore proposes an Internet of Things... -
Sludge as an initial nutrient driver for yield improvement in the poor soils of northern Namibia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Ehsan Ebrahimi --- University of Rostock, Germany Jana Zinkernagel --- Hochschule Geisenheim University, GermanyThe northern part of Namibia suffers from drought and low-quality soil. The soil needs a boost of nutrients, and the water must be used in a frugal manner. Thereby, the objective of this research was to investigate the effect of... -
Liming guidelines for soils under wheat cropping in the eastern Free State, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: HJJ van Zyl --- University of the Free State, South Africa CC du Preez --- University of the Free State, South AfricaSoil acidity hampers the sustainability of wheat production in the eastern Free State, South Africa. Specific guidelines for liming are needed by farmers and advisors to ameliorate this condition. In this study, soils from four representative wheat producing farms were... -
Long-term experimental data and crop modelling to inform the ecological intensification of irrigated wheat production in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: S Magwaza --- University of Pretoria, South Africa M van der Laan --- University of Pretoria, South Africa D Marais --- University of Pretoria, South AfricaWheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production is threatened by climate change and the decline in agricultural land available due to urbanisation, farmers switching to other crops, and environmental degradation. The aim of this study was to investigate the ecological intensification (EI)... -
Soil organic carbon stocks and properties are affected by plant cover types in an urban ecosystem in Colombia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Víctor Mondragón --- Universidad Nacional de, Colombia Sede Medellín Flavio Moreno Hurtado --- Universidad Nacional de, Colombia Sede Medellín Daniel Francisco Jaramillo Jaramillo --- Universidad Nacional de, Colombia Sede MedellínSoil organic carbon (SOC) is the main element in soil organic matter (SOM) and its storage or release into the atmosphere is sensitive to changes in land use. This study evaluated SOC storage and SOM quality in the Metropolitan Regional... -
Genotypic variability in nutrient uptake and use efficiency in chickpea grown under low phosphorus availability in a Mediterranean climate
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Hanine Loucif --- Université Djilali Bounaama de Khemis Miliana, Algeria Brahim Bousalhih --- Université Djilali Bounaama de Khemis Miliana, Algeria Rebiha Chaoui --- Université Djilali Bounaama de Khemis Miliana, Algeria Jean Jacques Drevon --- Université de Montpellier, France Mohamed Farissi --- Sultan Moulay Slimane University, Morocco Mohamed Lazali --- Université Djilali Bounaama de Khemis Miliana, AlgeriaLow phosphorus (P) availability is a major constraint for chickpea production. Consequently, P-efficient genotypes can improve productivity under conditions where the higher application of P is not economical. This study was conducted to characterise four chickpea genotypes for nutrient uptake... -
Niche separation and comparative abundance of Boulengerula boulengeri and Scolecomorphus vittatus (Amphibia: Gymnophiona) in an East Usambara forest, Tanzania
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: The Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa • Authors: DavidJ. Gower --- The Natural History Museum, UK SimonP. Loader --- University of Glasgow, UK CliveB. Moncrieff --- The Natural History Museum, UK Mark Wilkinson --- The Natural History Museum, UKThe ecology of the sympatric caecilians Boulengerula boulengeri and Scolecomorphus vittatus was studied in Nilo Forest Reserve in the East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. Three sampling methods (timed digging, pitfall trapping and casual visual encounter surveys of the forest floor) yielded... -
Rediscovery of Boulengerula fischeri, with notes on its morphology and habitat
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Herpetology • Authors: G. John Measey --- Applied Biodiversity Research, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa HaraldH. Hinkel --- The World Bank Country Office Kigali, Rwanda Bonny Dumbo --- University of Koblenz-Landau, Germany Eberhard Fischer --- University of Koblenz-Landau, GermanyCaecilians remain an enigmatic component of the tropical terrestrial fauna due in part to their cryptic life-history but also to a lack of directed effort towards their study. Many species are known from single specimens associated with poor collection data,... -
Spatial interpolation of vertisol physico-chemical properties through ordinary kriging in south-eastern Zimbabwe
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Muketiwa Chitiga --- Lupane State University, Zimbabwe Gabriel Soropa --- Chinhoyi University of Technology, Zimbabwe Trevor Dube --- Midlands State University, Zimbabwe Progress Sengera --- GreenFuel, ZimbabweA decline in sugarcane yields from Block G (∼400 ha) of GreenFuel’s Chisumbanje Estate in south-eastern Zimbabwe prompted a study on spatial variability of the soil physico-chemical parameters in the 2017–2018 farming season. Using a systematic gridding schema, 123 geo-located... -
Predicting soil carbon in granitic soils using Fourier-transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy: the value of database disaggregation
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Kelebohile Rose Seboko --- University of the Free State, South Africa Johan van Tol --- University of the Free State, South Africa Elmarie Kotze --- University of the Free State, South AfricaSoil carbon (C) is an important component in quality assessments and efficient models are required to estimate C rapidly. Accurate C assessments are valuable in monitoring land-use changes. Fourier-transform mid-infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy has proved to be a powerful tool for... -
Effects of short-duration kraaling depend on initial conditions in a mesic grassland
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Heidi-Jayne Hawkins --- , South Africa Nompendulo Mgwali --- , South Africa Susanne Vetter --- Rhodes University, South AfricaShort-duration overnight kraaling has been suggested as a tool for restoring degraded rangelands. However, the response of different plant functional types and communities to such intense livestock impact may vary depending on local context. We thus examined the effects of... -
Herbicide trials on Campuloclinium macrocephalum (Asteraceae) during adverse conditions reveal incompatibility with biocontrol and a narrow window of opportunity for chemical control
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: JM Goodall --- University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa ETF Witkowski --- University of the Witwatersrand, South AfricaHerbicide trials on pompom weed Campuloclinium macrocephalum (Less.) DC. (Asteraceae) were carried out in grasslands with xeric and hydric soils, at sites in Gauteng, South Africa, from 2005 to 2008. The rust fungus Puccinia eupatorii Dietel, an established self-perpetuating biocontrol... -
The influence of grass competition and soil moisture on the growth and phenology of Karoo shrubs in the Eastern Upper Karoo
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Lisa Hebbelmann --- , South Africa Timothy G O’Connor --- , South Africa Justin CO du Toit --- Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute, South AfricaRainfall in the Nama-Karoo is sporadic and a plant’s ability to access and utilise available soil moisture will determine its ability to persist in the system and to successfully recruit. When summer rainfall in the Eastern Karoo increases, grassiness increases... -
Comparison of rehabilitation treatments on mechanically reconstructed soils following strip coal mining activities: effects on soil properties
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: DJ Beukes --- Agricultural Research Council, South Africa LD Wiese-Rozanov --- Agricultural Research Council, South Africa MV Kidson --- Agricultural Research Council, South AfricaA rainfed rehabilitation trial on mechanically reconstructed soil, following strip coal mining, was laid out in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. It was used to evaluate seven rehabilitation treatments with four different depths of topsoil on coal spoil over... -
Calculating soil titratable acidity from routine soil analyses of cultivated South African soils using various model structures
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: VG White --- Citrus Research International, South Africa PJ Raath --- Citrus Research International, South Africa AG Hardie --- Stellenbosch University, South Africa V van der Berg --- Stellenbosch University, South Africa GF Sutton --- Rhodes University, South AfricaSoil titratable acidity (TA) is determined through extraction with an acetate-buffered salt solution (potassium sulphate, K2SO4) and is routinely used to predict the soil lime requirement using the Eksteen method. Soil TA is not always reported by commercial soil testing... -
Evaluating the effects and benefits of cover crops in citrus orchards: a review
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Sibongiseni Silwana --- ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, South Africa Azwimbavhi Reckson Mulidzi --- ARC Infruitec-Nietvoorbij, South Africa Nebo Jovanovic --- University of the Western Cape, South AfricaCover crops are used in sustainable agricultural practices to improve soil quality and minimise the effect of climate change, water restrictions and drought. The South African citrus industry produces and exports a diverse range of citrus fruits; however, knowledge of... -
Soil nutrient deficiency assessment under soybean cropping systems using the DRIS system in northern and central Benin
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: --- Integrated Soil and Crop Management Research Unit, Benin --- Agricultural Research Centre (CRA) of Agonkanmey, Benin --- Polytechnic School of Abomey-Calavi, Benin --- Agricultural Research Centre (CRA) of Agonkanmey, Benin --- University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin --- Integrated Soil and Crop Management Research Unit, Benin --- Integrated Soil and Crop Management Research Unit, BeninSoybean is one of the promising crops in the Benin agro-industrial sector, but its production is carried out at the expense of the inherent soil fertility. The present study aims to apply the DRIS (Diagnosis and Recommendation Integrated System) for... -
Some physical properties of a sandy clay loam humic soil under native forest and sugarcane in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: --- School of Agricultural, South Africa --- School of Agricultural, South Africa --- School of Agricultural, South AfricaThe conversion of native forest land to commercial farming can have profound effects on soil physical properties. This study compared bulk density (BD), saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and other physical properties of a sandy loam humic soil under native forest... -
Effect of abattoir activities on the quality of water and surrounding soil of the Anwai River in Asaba, Nigeria
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Aquatic Science • Authors: OT Fatunsin --- University of Lagos, Nigeria IG Enenya --- University of Lagos, Nigeria P Ebomese --- University of Lagos, NigeriaThe Anwai River is the most important river in Asaba, Nigeria, because of its many uses, and these include abattoir activities. The aim of this study was to assess the surface water and surrounding soil of the Anwai River for... -
Digital soil mapping enables informed decision-making to conserve soils within protected areas
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: George M van Zijl --- North-West University, South Africa Johan van Tol --- University of the Free State, South AfricaProtected areas are regarded as pristine land, but often they require rehabilitation and effective management to prevent increased land degradation. Soil management should be based on soil maps, which are difficult to create in protected areas due to their large... -
Determination of optimal soil pH and nutrient concentrations for cultivated rooibos tea using the boundary line approach
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Jacobus FN Smith --- Stellenbosch University, South Africa Ailsa G Hardie --- Stellenbosch University, South AfricaOptimal soil pH and nutrient conditions for rooibos cultivation in South Africa have not yet been established as limited field research has been conducted. Soil chemical (0–300 mm) and yield data were collected from 120 commercial rooibos plantations in the main... -
A bioassay of mine-affected soils and ameliorants in semi-arid rehabilitation
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Chrizette D Neethling --- University of the Free State, South Africa Suzanne J Milton --- South African Environmental Observation Network, South Africa Falko T Buschke --- University of the Free State, South Africa Joh R Henschel --- University of the Free State, South Africa Pieter W van Deventer --- North-West University, South Africa Surina Esterhuyse --- University of the Free State, South AfricaGlobal restoration is a priority given the onset of the United Nations’ decade for restoration. It is challenging to restore arid lands from mining impacts, especially where topsoil deficits exist. Successful rehabilitation is essential for alternative land use after mining... -
The effect of crop rotation on soil health in the north-western Free State region, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Melanie de Bruyn --- University of the Free State, South Africa Andre Nel --- University of the Free State, South Africa Johan van Niekerk --- Independent research agronomist,Soil health is an important aspect of sustainable agriculture. By maintaining soil health, crop yields can be consistently successful without negatively affecting the environment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects that different cropping systems have on... -
Transpiration efficiency of lucerne under unlimited soil water conditions during the first growing season
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: CM Tfwala --- University of the Free State, South Africa G Mengistu --- University of the Free State, South Africa IB Ukoh Haka --- University of the Free State, South Africa LD van Rensburg --- University of the Free State, South Africa CC du Preez --- University of the Free State, South AfricaLucerne production is regarded as requiring high water inputs, making it necessary to understand its transpiration efficiency, especially in countries with water scarcity such as South Africa. The resurgent opportunities in the local lucerne markets prompted the publication of this... -
Nutrient uptake and yield response of wheat (Triticum spp.) to different fertiliser applications in Ethiopia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Shimbahri Mesfin --- Land Resource Management and Environmental Protection, Mekelle University, Ethiopia Mitiku Haile --- Land Resource Management and Environmental Protection, Mekelle University, Ethiopia Girmay Gebresamuel --- Land Resource Management and Environmental Protection, Mekelle University, Ethiopia Amanuel Zenebe --- Land Resource Management and Environmental Protection, Mekelle University, Ethiopia Abera Gebre --- Soil Resource and Watershed Management, Aksum University, Ethiopia Christy van Beek --- Wageningen University and Research Centre, the NetherlandsIn northern Ethiopia, the persistently low crop yield is often attributed to inadequate soil fertility and inappropriate fertiliser recommendations. This study employed the Quantitative Evaluation of the Fertility of Tropical Soils (QUEFTS) model for site-specific fertiliser recommendations to enhance wheat... -
Comparison of the effectiveness of mined and by-product South African gypsums and other calcium sources for soil sodicity remediation
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Marina du Plessis --- Stellenbosch University, South Africa Pieter A Swanepoel --- Stellenbosch University, South Africa Ailsa G Hardie --- Stellenbosch University, South AfricaStudies evaluating the effectiveness of South African gypsum sources are scarce or outdated because of newly introduced products, such as granulated and liquid gypsums. The efficacy of calcium (Ca) nitrate and micro-fine (MF) calcitic limes in comparison to gypsums has... -
Biostimulant effects on the herbage yield and nutritive composition of a mixed ryegrass–clover pasture
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: J de Beer --- Stellenbosch University, South Africa PA Swanepoel --- Stellenbosch University, South Africa JHC van Zyl --- Stellenbosch University, South Africa L Steyn --- Stellenbosch University, South AfricaDairy producers are continuously searching for environmentally friendly and economically sustainable alternatives to increase pasture herbage yield and reduce reliance on chemical fertilisers. A possible means to reduce fertiliser reliance is the use of biostimulants. Biostimulants such as fulvic acid... -
Biomass production and nutritional efficiency in short rotation eucalypt clone plantations for energy in north-east Brazil
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Welluma Teixeira Barros --- State University of Southwest Bahia, Brazil Patrícia Anjos Bittencourt Barreto-Garcia --- State University of Southwest Bahia, Brazil Valdemiro da Conceição Júnior --- State University of Southwest Bahia, Brazil Marcos Gervasio Pereira --- Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Paulo Henrique Marques Monroe --- State University of Southwest Bahia, Brazil Maicon dos Santos da Silva --- São Paulo State University, Brazil Mariana dos Santos Nascimento --- State University of Southwest Bahia, Brazil Jaqueline Lima Morais --- State University of Southwest Bahia, BrazilSelecting adapted hybrids with greater efficiency in the use and return of nutrients is essential to ensure the success of forestry activities. Although topics on the nutritional sustainability of eucalypt biomass harvesting have frequently been discussed, few studies have focused... -
Lucerne establishment in dryland conditions: effects of crop residues and wheat as a nurse crop
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Stephan le Roux --- Stellenbosch University, South Africa Pieter A Swanepoel --- Stellenbosch University, South AfricaEstablishing lucerne (Medicago sativa) in dryland conditions poses challenges due to unpredictable rainy seasons and seedling vulnerability. A potential solution is adopting a nurse crop during the first year in the same field. This study aimed to assess the impact... -
Gibberellic and salicylic acids improve seedling emergence, early growth and some physiological characteristics of Phaseolus vulgaris L. under soil compaction
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Hamid Reza Eisvand --- Lorestan University, Iran Hadis Nasrollahi --- Lorestan University, Iran Feizollah Shahbazi --- Lorestan University, Iran Mohammad Feizian --- Lorestan University, Iran Donald L Smith --- McGill University, CanadaHeavy soil compaction and crusting adversely affect the percentage and speed of seedling emergence, particularly in dicotyledonous epigeal plants. This study aimed to evaluate ways to cope with this phenomenon in kidney bean through hormonal priming. A factorial experiment was... -
Coastal carbon storage in degraded, natural, and restored mangrove ecosystems of Guyana
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Sabrina Dookie --- University of Guyana, Guyana Sirpaul Jaikishun --- University of Guyana, Guyana Abdullah Adil Ansari --- University of Guyana, GuyanaMangroves are among the most carbon-rich forests in the tropics due to their capacity to sequester and store carbon within their ecosystems. However, the combination of natural and human-induced phenomena causes changes in these ecosystems which can affect the flow... -
Phosphorus sorption kinetics in calcareous soils of selected arid and semi-arid toposequences and its relationship with plant growth
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: A. Jafari --- Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran H. Shariatmadari --- Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran Y. Rezainejad --- Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Iran Sh. Ghalami --- Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, IranAn array of kinetic equations has been used to describe time-dependent sorption of P by soils. We investigated P sorption kinetics in calcareous soils at upper-, mid-, and lowerslope positions of two arid and two semi-arid landscapes and its relationship... -
The influence of Connochaetes taurinus carcass decomposition on soil nutrient composition in grasslands
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: EA Kullander --- University of South Africa, South Africa MS Deutschländer --- University of South Africa, South Africa VM Ngole-Jeme --- University of South Africa, South Africa HI Melville --- University of South Africa, South AfricaDecomposing carcasses leach nutrients into soils, forming dense, nutrient-rich islands. The effect of liquid influx on ecological dynamics from decomposing blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) carcasses on soil nutrient content at various stages of decomposition in a grassland ecosystem was investigated... -
Soil properties influence tree fall in a fragment of Atlantic Forest in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Maria Salomé de Lima --- Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil Fernando José Freire --- Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil Débora de Melo Almeida --- Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil Brivaldo Gomes de Almeida --- Rural Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil Renato Lemos dos Santos --- Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Pernambuco, Brazil Luiz Carlos MarangonTrees falling in natural environments can be attributed to tree age, terrain topography, amount of rainfall, wind strength, root type and soil properties. Soil plays a role in nutrient cycling, water retention and distribution, and tree support, and can be... -
Comparison of rehabilitation methods on mechanically reconstructed soils following strip coal mining activities: effects on grass properties
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: DJ Beukes --- ARC-Soil, Climate and Water, South Africa LD Wiese --- ARC-Soil, Climate and Water, South Africa MV Kidson --- ARC-Soil, Climate and Water, South Africa F Breytenbach --- ARC-Livestock Business Division,Opencast coal mining has devastated the grassland biomes in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. A rain-fed rehabilitation trial on mechanically reconstructed soil, following strip coal mining, was conducted to demonstrate that the post-mining landscape can be returned to sustainable... -
Impact of long-term pig slurry application on phosphorus fractions in profiles of contrasting soils in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Sbonakaliso Msizeni Zwane --- University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Pardon Muchaonyerwa --- University of KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaLong-term applications of pig slurry (PS) can lead to phosphorus (P) accumulation in soil, but its distribution across soil profiles remains poorly studied, particularly after 50 years of PS application on pasture soils, compared to undisturbed and cropped Luvisols, and... -
Impact of land use changes on soil physical quality in southeastern Tigray, Ethiopia
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Araya Kahsay --- Adigrat University, Ethiopia Mitiku Haile --- Mekelle University, Ethiopia Girmay Gebresamuel --- Mekelle University, Ethiopia Muktar Mohammed --- Oda-Bultum University, EthiopiaThis study evaluates the effects of land use changes on soil physical quality in southeastern Tigray, northern Ethiopia, using the visual evaluation of soil structure (VESS) method. Soil samples were collected from cropland, grassland, and shrubland sites during two field... -
The effect of eucalypt slash burning and repeated disc harrowing on fuel load reduction, soil properties, and stand productivity
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: Angel A Goldsmith --- Stellenbosch University, South Africa Ben du Toit --- Stellenbosch University, South AfricaIn plantation forestry systems, disc harrowing is sometimes used as a fuel load reduction measure to minimise wildfire risk. This study reports the long-term effects of repeated disking on fuel loading, soil properties and tree growth in two eucalypt stands... -
Assessment of near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy for monitoring soil carbon, nitrogen and organic matter in South African forestry plantations
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: DR Ramesar --- Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, South Africa DS Naidoo --- Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, South Africa GD Cooper --- Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, South Africa RJ Burgdorf --- Institute for Commercial Forestry Research, South AfricaSoil organic matter, carbon and nitrogen contribute to soil quality, which influences plant growth. In forestry planta- tions soil carbon, nitrogen and organic matter significantly influence site productivity. In South Africa, plantation forestry occurs across a diverse landscape requiring assessment... -
The genetic control of early growth properties in Pinus patula × Pinus tecunumanii hybrid families
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: Southern Forests: a Journal of Forest Science • Authors: JP de Villiers --- Sappi Shaw Research Centre, South Africa A Nel --- Sappi Shaw Research Centre, South Africa B du Toit --- University of Stellenbosch, South AfricaThe objective of this study was to determine the genetic control of growth properties in Pinus patula × Pinus tecunumanii hybrid families across seven sites planted in the summer rainfall region of southern Africa. Genetic material included in the analyses... -
Simulated rangeland conditions and seasonal variations influence soil quality in semi-arid central South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: JDJ Marx --- University of the Free State, South Africa E Kotzé --- University of the Free State, South Africa JJ van Tol --- University of the Free State, South Africa PF Loke --- University of the Free State, South AfricaThe study examined long-term effects of rangeland conditions and seasonal variations on soil quality without confounding grazing effects. Samples were collected seasonally from good, moderate, poor, bare and cultivated rangeland conditions at soil depths of 0–10 cm and analysed for... -
Invasion of Neltuma juliflora (mesquite) and its effects on soil physicochemical properties in a semi-arid rangeland of South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: African Journal of Range & Forage Science • Authors: Siviwe Odwa Malongweni --- Sol Plaatje University, South AfricaInvasive species threaten ecosystem functions in African rangelands by altering soil properties, and affecting overall health and productivity. This study compared soil physicochemical characteristics under invasive Neltuma juliflora and native Vachellia karroo across two zones (beneath tree canopy versus open... -
Phosphorus and nitrogen fertiliser effects on anion-exchange-resin phosphorus and sugarcane yield in Plinthic soils of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Sandile Siphesihle Mthimkhulu --- Mangosuthu University of Technology, South Africa Sizwe Vincent Mbona --- Durban University of Technology, South AfricaEfficient phosphorus (P) extraction methods are vital for optimising sugarcane production, yet no single chemical extractant currently suits the diverse soil conditions across South Africa’s sugarcane regions. This study explored the potential of anion-exchange-resin phosphorus (AER-P) as a possible alternative... -
A reduced-parameter predator–prey model of soil formation from bedrock and biomass
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Animesh Samanta --- The Neotia University, India Priyanka Mandal --- The Neotia University, India Ayan Chatterjee --- The Neotia University, IndiaSoil–bedrock interaction on hillslopes is not well-studied, though it's affected by many physical and chemical factors. The aim of the present mathematical modelling study is to construct a model for soil formation utilising ordinary differential equations, all while reducing the... -
Model and measure: comparing soil organic carbon stocks quantification approaches at field scale in South Africa
Item type: Journal Article • Journal: South African Journal of Plant and Soil • Authors: Willie Herman Cloete --- North-West University, South Africa Gerhard du Preez --- North-West University, South Africa George Munnik van Zijl --- North-West University, South AfricaThere is an ongoing debate about the most appropriate approach for quantifying changes in soil organic carbon stocks (SOCS). The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of the Rothamsted carbon (RothC) modelling approach against the re-measured SOCS...