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,...
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%...
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...
Aalwurmbeheer op eenjarige gewasse: Is dit regtig nodig?
Die spreekwoord “groot gif in klein pakkies” is die perfekte beskrywing vir aalwurms. Plantparasitiese aalwurms is inderdaad een van die groot skobbejakke tussen die grondorganismes.
Hulle is skelm (’n mens kom altyd te laat agter...
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...
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...
New hybrid insect pest spells danger
September 2018
DR WYNAND J VAN DER WALT, FoodNCropBio Consulting and member of Maize Forum Steering Committee
The plant pest environment contains endless pathogens that can mutate, interact with other insects and microbes and can cause...
Olieboom, kankerroos, purperwinde – die drie sondebokke
September 2018
DR MARYKE CRAVEN, MARLENE VAN DER WALT en DR JEANETTA SAAYMAN-DU TOIT, LNR-Graangewasse, Potchefstroom
Olieboom, kankerroos en purperwinde is drie onkruide wat tot afgradering van graan kan lei. Die effektiewe beheer van dié onkruide...
Contribution of insects in agriculture: The value of ecosystem functions
According to a recent 2019 UN report on biodiversity, human activities are severely threatening global biodiversity, with a million species predicted to go extinct within the next few decades. What does this imply for...
Biological pest control – eco-friendly but lethal
Crop protection is the science and practice of managing pests and diseases. Three key approaches to crop protection include:
pesticide-based approaches such as insecticides and fungicides;
biotechnology-based approaches such as plant breeding and genetic...
