Managing the local risk of fall armyworm infestation in maize
The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) has now been present in South Africa for three cropping seasons. This pest has its origin in the tropical and sub-tropical areas of South America and the most southern...
Update on wheat rusts in South Africa
Wheat rusts are fungal diseases that primarily infect the leaves and stems of wheat. There are three types of rust diseases (stem rust, leaf rust and stripe rust) which commonly occur on wheat worldwide.
All...
A plant out of place
Six Urochloa-species are found in South Africa, of which bushveld herringbone grass (Urochloa mosambicensis or bosveldbeesgras) and herringbone grass (U. panicoides or beesgras) are important grass weeds.
Both of these weed species are documented to...
Towards a better understanding of entomopathogens for insect biocontrol
Insects are prone to infection by various microbes, termed entomopathogens (from the Greek: Entomon = insects and pathos = suffering).
These disease-causing entities contribute to the suppression of insect pests through not only natural infection,...
False armyworm – forecasting outbreaks
During 2019 the first results of the false armyworm forecasting model became available and clarity regarding the population growth started to develop. This insect is a sporadic pest on barley, wheat, maize and sorghum...
Volhoubare gewasproduksie deur grondverbetering
Vrugbare grond is die basis vir gesonde plante met ’n hoë gebruikswaarde.
Die doelwitte van ’n grondverbeteringstrategie sal die volgende insluit:
Die volhoubare verhoging van die nettoboerdery-inkomste per eenheid. Dit beteken dat óf die inkomste...
‘n Kykie na insekplae op MIELIESAAILINGE
September 2018
ELRINE STRYDOM, LNR-Graangewasse, Potchefstroom
Gedurende die ontkieming en opkoms van ‘n mielieplantjie is dit belangrik dat ‘n mens bewus sal wees van insekte wat skade daaraan kan aangerig en om pro-aktief op te tree...
The South African Sclerotinia Research Network: Finding management solutions to a devastating pathogen
September 2018
LISA ROTHMANN, Plant Sciences Department, University of the Free State and MIEKIE HUMAN, research assistant, Grain SA
Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is the causal agent of Sclerotinia stem rot on soybean and Sclerotinia head rot on sunflower....
TELA to control stem borers in SA
Bt maize is genetically modified to express insecticidal proteins and have been planted in South Africa since 1998. In the 2017/2018 season, 1,62 million hectares of Bt maize were planted locally, which is 71%...
Staying one step ahead of the false armyworm
September 2018
DR GODDY PRINSLOO, ARC-Small Grain, Bethlehem
The false armyworm, Leucania loreyi, is a cosmopolitan pest that has been known in South Africa for years, causing minor damage to maize and grain sorghum (Photo 1 and Photo 2)....
