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...
Say it before you spray it
There has been several unfortunate incidents in South Africa in the past two years where large colonies of bees were tragically lost due to pesticide use.
In response to these events, various industry experts were...
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...
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%...
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...
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...
Importance of monitoring insects in a management programme
September 2018
DR ASTRID JANKIELSOHN, ARC-Small Grain, Bethlehem
The aim of a management programme is to prevent pest infestations in a crop. Managing insect pests requires flexibility since insects are site, crop and area specific. Monitoring...
Riglyne vir die oprigting en bestuur van plaagdoderstore op plase
Elke plaas in Suid-Afrika maak gebruik van plaagdoders, hetsy sintetiese, natuurlike, biologiese of selfs organiese plaagdoders. Sulke middels wat as landboumiddels in die Wet op Misstowwe, Veevoedsel, Landboumiddels en Veemiddels, 1947 (Wet Nr. 36...
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...
