A comparative assessment of dairy calf feeding management systems at Fernwood Dairy Farm, Alexandria, Eastern Cape
- Phakwago, Potego Steward Kgaditsi
- Authors: Phakwago, Potego Steward Kgaditsi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Dairy cattle -- Nutrition -- Requirements , Dairy cattle -- Feeding and feeds , Cattle -- Feed utilization efficiency
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48069 , vital:40468
- Description: The study compared fresh milk as group control to three different milk replacers (Blossom® Easymix, Denkavit® Milk-Bar and Surromel® Calf) and two milk supplements (Byboost Calf® and SupaCalf®) mixed with fresh milk at Fernwood Dairy Farm in Alexandria, Eastern Cape. The objectives of the study were to compare the growth rate of the calves in a trial from day two to 49 at weaning and to calculate average daily gain with the aim of comparison of the cost/weight gain ratio of each liquid feed fed. Sixty Holstein (60) heifer calves were used in a completely randomised design to calculate average daily body weight gains in the six calf groups fed six different milk feeds. Calves were fed four litres liquid feeds every day. Water and solid feeds (Olifantskop® calf starter pellets and lucerne hay) were available. Results comprise of details regarding weather conditions, weight gain results, and body stature measurements, including body weight, wither height, hip height and heart girth. Statistical analysis of the weight gain and body stature measurements was essential to determine the usefulness and reliability of the research data. Results of the statistical calculations indicated that the body weight gain data provided very useful results with statistical significant differences between the six groups (F=5.09; P=0.0008). Body stature measurements are not as reliable. Results are summarised as follows: Liquid feed Cost/kg weight gain Average daily gain • Fresh milk R 34.29 0.50 kg/day • Blossom®Easymix R39.25 0.35 kg/day • Denkavit® Milk-Bar R22.57 0.42 kg/day • Surromel® Calf R23.48 0.39 kg/day • Fresh milk + Byboost Calf® R37.46 0.47 kg/day • Fresh milk +SupaCalf® R29.76 0.62 kg/day Comparison of the cost/weight gain ratio of milk replacers and fresh milk draws the following conclusions: The cost of feeding a calf was significantly lower when milk replacers Denkavit® and Surromel® were used; however this yielded a lower average daily gain when compared with that of fresh milk. Denkavit® milk replacer had a lower cost than fresh milk in terms of the average daily gain. The cost of the Denkavit was the lowest of all the products (R22.56/kg) and was in the fourth position in weight gain (0.42kg/day). Surromel® lay in the fifth place for both cost (R23.48/kg) and weight gain (0.39 kg/day). Blossom® Easymix milk replacer had a higher cost than fresh milk. Blossom was the most costly of all the feeds (R39.25/kg) but had the lowest average daily gain (0.35 kg/day). Comparison of fresh milk plus additives to fresh milk alone: The use of SupaCalf® additive to fresh milk resulted in the highest average daily gain of 0.62 kg/day at a cost of R29.76/kg which was more cost effective than the control fresh milk group (0.50 kg/day, R34.29/kg), When using Byboost® additive the average daily gain of 0.47 kg/day at a cost of R37.46, less cost effective than fresh milk (0.50 kg/day, R34.29). Statistical analysis of body stature measurements yielded one significant result(F=3.20; p=0.0140) confirming that use of SupaCalf® additive resulted in the biggest heart girth increase at 16.90 cm and the smallest being Blossom® Easymix at 11.88 cm. Figure for the control fresh milk group was 12.86 cm. Dairy calves all over the world are fed different feeds depending on the farm owner or manager’s preference and budget. For those who have been in the industry for a while as well as the newcomers, this study can help when weighing options and deciding on which feeds to use.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Phakwago, Potego Steward Kgaditsi
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: Dairy cattle -- Nutrition -- Requirements , Dairy cattle -- Feeding and feeds , Cattle -- Feed utilization efficiency
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/48069 , vital:40468
- Description: The study compared fresh milk as group control to three different milk replacers (Blossom® Easymix, Denkavit® Milk-Bar and Surromel® Calf) and two milk supplements (Byboost Calf® and SupaCalf®) mixed with fresh milk at Fernwood Dairy Farm in Alexandria, Eastern Cape. The objectives of the study were to compare the growth rate of the calves in a trial from day two to 49 at weaning and to calculate average daily gain with the aim of comparison of the cost/weight gain ratio of each liquid feed fed. Sixty Holstein (60) heifer calves were used in a completely randomised design to calculate average daily body weight gains in the six calf groups fed six different milk feeds. Calves were fed four litres liquid feeds every day. Water and solid feeds (Olifantskop® calf starter pellets and lucerne hay) were available. Results comprise of details regarding weather conditions, weight gain results, and body stature measurements, including body weight, wither height, hip height and heart girth. Statistical analysis of the weight gain and body stature measurements was essential to determine the usefulness and reliability of the research data. Results of the statistical calculations indicated that the body weight gain data provided very useful results with statistical significant differences between the six groups (F=5.09; P=0.0008). Body stature measurements are not as reliable. Results are summarised as follows: Liquid feed Cost/kg weight gain Average daily gain • Fresh milk R 34.29 0.50 kg/day • Blossom®Easymix R39.25 0.35 kg/day • Denkavit® Milk-Bar R22.57 0.42 kg/day • Surromel® Calf R23.48 0.39 kg/day • Fresh milk + Byboost Calf® R37.46 0.47 kg/day • Fresh milk +SupaCalf® R29.76 0.62 kg/day Comparison of the cost/weight gain ratio of milk replacers and fresh milk draws the following conclusions: The cost of feeding a calf was significantly lower when milk replacers Denkavit® and Surromel® were used; however this yielded a lower average daily gain when compared with that of fresh milk. Denkavit® milk replacer had a lower cost than fresh milk in terms of the average daily gain. The cost of the Denkavit was the lowest of all the products (R22.56/kg) and was in the fourth position in weight gain (0.42kg/day). Surromel® lay in the fifth place for both cost (R23.48/kg) and weight gain (0.39 kg/day). Blossom® Easymix milk replacer had a higher cost than fresh milk. Blossom was the most costly of all the feeds (R39.25/kg) but had the lowest average daily gain (0.35 kg/day). Comparison of fresh milk plus additives to fresh milk alone: The use of SupaCalf® additive to fresh milk resulted in the highest average daily gain of 0.62 kg/day at a cost of R29.76/kg which was more cost effective than the control fresh milk group (0.50 kg/day, R34.29/kg), When using Byboost® additive the average daily gain of 0.47 kg/day at a cost of R37.46, less cost effective than fresh milk (0.50 kg/day, R34.29). Statistical analysis of body stature measurements yielded one significant result(F=3.20; p=0.0140) confirming that use of SupaCalf® additive resulted in the biggest heart girth increase at 16.90 cm and the smallest being Blossom® Easymix at 11.88 cm. Figure for the control fresh milk group was 12.86 cm. Dairy calves all over the world are fed different feeds depending on the farm owner or manager’s preference and budget. For those who have been in the industry for a while as well as the newcomers, this study can help when weighing options and deciding on which feeds to use.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
A comparison between the game and hunting industries in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Kobus, Louann
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Big game hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Big game hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Game farms -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Game farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10590 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/534 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011724 , Big game hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Big game hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Game farms -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Game farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The objectives of this research, were to investigate the characteristics and develop a profile of the game and hunting industries of KwaZulu-Natal, and to undertake a comparison between the game and hunting industries in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. The comparative part of this study was completed using results obtained from a study done in 2002 in the Eastern Cape (van Niekerk, 2002). The main farming activities in KwaZulu-Natal are large livestock production and sugar cane production. In recent years, private landowners in KwaZulu-Natal have undergone a transition from livestock production to game ranching due to the problems faced and the cost implications of the HIV epidemic, stock theft, difficulties faced with changes in the labour laws and the increasing number of land claims against farmers. Although the game and hunting industries are relatively young industries in KwaZulu-Natal they contribute significantly to the economy of the province. Not only is greater conservation of the biodiversity more effective in game ranching but it is also proving to yield great economic returns. The increase in game ranching in recent years is namely due to the monetary value placed on wildlife, the increased value in ecotourism and its value as an earner of foreign exchange, less dependency on unskilled labour than that of livestock farming and lower rates of animal loss through theft compared to that of livestock farming. In KwaZulu-Natal game numbers indicate that impala have the greatest population amongst the respondents, followed by nyala, blesbok, common reedbuck, kudu and blue wildebeest, whilst other game species occur in smaller numbers. Respondents in KwaZulu-Natal indicate that nyala is the largest economic earner for them followed by buffalo, whereas in the Eastern Cape (2002), kudu and springbok provide the greatest income for the province. In KwaZulu-Natal income generated from hunting is second to that of live game sales compared to the Eastern Cape (2002) where hunting is the most important form of game utilisation in terms of income generated. At the time of this study, respondents in KwaZulu-Natal reported an income of R 15 382 397 generated from live sales and R 13 561 459 from hunting. These respondents also indicated that the total value of game utilised annually was in excess of R 30 million. Although game utilisation is occurring on a sustainable basis, there is room for greater utilisation of some game species which, if undertaken correctly, can increase the revenue for the province significantly and also contribute positively to further sustainability of the game populations. KwaZulu-Natal’s competitive advantage is derived from the fact that there is an abundance of game on the ranches, quality trophy animals are available, the number of game species available for hunting and quality of service rendered to hunters by the professional hunters and ranch owners. This study has clearly shown that there is a need for further investigation into the game and hunting industries in KwaZulu-Natal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Kobus, Louann
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Big game hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Big game hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Game farms -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Game farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10590 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/534 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1011724 , Big game hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Big game hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Hunting -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Hunting -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Game farms -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Game farms -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Description: The objectives of this research, were to investigate the characteristics and develop a profile of the game and hunting industries of KwaZulu-Natal, and to undertake a comparison between the game and hunting industries in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. The comparative part of this study was completed using results obtained from a study done in 2002 in the Eastern Cape (van Niekerk, 2002). The main farming activities in KwaZulu-Natal are large livestock production and sugar cane production. In recent years, private landowners in KwaZulu-Natal have undergone a transition from livestock production to game ranching due to the problems faced and the cost implications of the HIV epidemic, stock theft, difficulties faced with changes in the labour laws and the increasing number of land claims against farmers. Although the game and hunting industries are relatively young industries in KwaZulu-Natal they contribute significantly to the economy of the province. Not only is greater conservation of the biodiversity more effective in game ranching but it is also proving to yield great economic returns. The increase in game ranching in recent years is namely due to the monetary value placed on wildlife, the increased value in ecotourism and its value as an earner of foreign exchange, less dependency on unskilled labour than that of livestock farming and lower rates of animal loss through theft compared to that of livestock farming. In KwaZulu-Natal game numbers indicate that impala have the greatest population amongst the respondents, followed by nyala, blesbok, common reedbuck, kudu and blue wildebeest, whilst other game species occur in smaller numbers. Respondents in KwaZulu-Natal indicate that nyala is the largest economic earner for them followed by buffalo, whereas in the Eastern Cape (2002), kudu and springbok provide the greatest income for the province. In KwaZulu-Natal income generated from hunting is second to that of live game sales compared to the Eastern Cape (2002) where hunting is the most important form of game utilisation in terms of income generated. At the time of this study, respondents in KwaZulu-Natal reported an income of R 15 382 397 generated from live sales and R 13 561 459 from hunting. These respondents also indicated that the total value of game utilised annually was in excess of R 30 million. Although game utilisation is occurring on a sustainable basis, there is room for greater utilisation of some game species which, if undertaken correctly, can increase the revenue for the province significantly and also contribute positively to further sustainability of the game populations. KwaZulu-Natal’s competitive advantage is derived from the fact that there is an abundance of game on the ranches, quality trophy animals are available, the number of game species available for hunting and quality of service rendered to hunters by the professional hunters and ranch owners. This study has clearly shown that there is a need for further investigation into the game and hunting industries in KwaZulu-Natal.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
A comparison of different strategies to control pests and diseases in Brassica spp. production in the Western Cape
- Van Niekerk, Abraham Johannes
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Abraham Johannes
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Pesticides , Pests -- Control Agricultural pests , Plant diseases
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44122 , vital:37113
- Description: Brassica spp. are cultivated all over the world, commercial species include: cabbage, broccoli, kale, kohlrabi and turnip. In this study the focus was on broccoli (Brassica oleracea) production in the Western Cape province of South Africa and its economically important pests and diseases: sugar beet cyst nematode (Heterodera schachtii), diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), white blister (Albugo candida) and clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae), and the different methods to control these pests and diseases. The control methods focused on in this study included a commercial chemical control programme, a biological control programme and a holistic approach. Other factors were bio-fumigation and chemical fumigation and different crop rotation practices including rotation crops versus no rotation crops. The experimental design was a strip split plot design, with different pest and disease management strategies as the main plot treatment and fumigation and rotation treatment combinations arranged in strips across the main plot treatments. The main plot design was a randomized complete block with four programmes (Control, Holistic, Chemical and Biological) replicated four times and laid out in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD). The treatment design of the strip plot factors was a 2x2 factorial with two fumigations (fumigated chemically and fumigated biologically) and two rotations (crop rotated and monoculture) randomly allocated across main plot treatments. Each experimental unit consisted of 40 plants. Plants were evaluated weekly for the incidence of white blister and diamondback moth. Incidences of clubroot and white blister infection of heads of broccoli were recorded 78 days after planting. Baseline soil samples were analysed to establish the soil chemical properties. Post-trial soil samples were also analysed to investigate the effect of the different practices and programmes on the soil chemical properties. Nematodes were extracted pre-trial and post-trial, and the effect of fumigation and crop rotation on plant parasitic nematodes and the nematode population diversity investigated. In the post-trial soil chemical analysis, a significantly higher concentration of Na was recorded for the biological programme when crop rotation was included compared to the no rotation treatment. The concentration of K was also significantly higher in the no rotation compared to the rotation treatment. The nematode results showed very high numbers of bacterial feeders in all the samples. Overall nematode diversity was lacking and showed very few fungal feeders, omnivores and predators. The nematode indices for all of the samples showed that nematodes were highly enriched and unstructured. Of the plant parasitic nematodes, only Heterodera spp. were obtained in the pre-trial analysis, and incidences of these nematodes were lower at the end of the trial. Low numbers of other plant parasitic nematodes viz. Pratylenchus, Paratrichodorus and Tylenchorhynchus were reported for the post-trial analysis of the soil. Because of the low numbers of plant parasitic nematodes, it was not possible to analyse the data statistically. With regard to diamondback moth and the fungal diseases, crop rotation and fumigation did not significantly affect the incidence of white blister and diamondback moth. A significant “days after planting by control programme” interaction was reported for the incidence of white blister on foliage and the incidence of diamondback moth. All three control programmes significantly reduced the incidence of diamondback moth with the chemical programme being significantly more effective than the other two programmes. All three programmes also significantly reduced the incidence of white blister on foliage and the holistic and biological programmes significantly reduced the incidence of white blister on broccoli heads with the holistic programme being significantly more effective than the biological programme. There was no clubroot infection in the trial for any of the treatments. Results of this study showed that it is possible to manage diseases and pests of broccoli using a holistic approach. However, long term trials are needed to confirm the results obtained in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Van Niekerk, Abraham Johannes
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Pesticides , Pests -- Control Agricultural pests , Plant diseases
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44122 , vital:37113
- Description: Brassica spp. are cultivated all over the world, commercial species include: cabbage, broccoli, kale, kohlrabi and turnip. In this study the focus was on broccoli (Brassica oleracea) production in the Western Cape province of South Africa and its economically important pests and diseases: sugar beet cyst nematode (Heterodera schachtii), diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), white blister (Albugo candida) and clubroot (Plasmodiophora brassicae), and the different methods to control these pests and diseases. The control methods focused on in this study included a commercial chemical control programme, a biological control programme and a holistic approach. Other factors were bio-fumigation and chemical fumigation and different crop rotation practices including rotation crops versus no rotation crops. The experimental design was a strip split plot design, with different pest and disease management strategies as the main plot treatment and fumigation and rotation treatment combinations arranged in strips across the main plot treatments. The main plot design was a randomized complete block with four programmes (Control, Holistic, Chemical and Biological) replicated four times and laid out in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD). The treatment design of the strip plot factors was a 2x2 factorial with two fumigations (fumigated chemically and fumigated biologically) and two rotations (crop rotated and monoculture) randomly allocated across main plot treatments. Each experimental unit consisted of 40 plants. Plants were evaluated weekly for the incidence of white blister and diamondback moth. Incidences of clubroot and white blister infection of heads of broccoli were recorded 78 days after planting. Baseline soil samples were analysed to establish the soil chemical properties. Post-trial soil samples were also analysed to investigate the effect of the different practices and programmes on the soil chemical properties. Nematodes were extracted pre-trial and post-trial, and the effect of fumigation and crop rotation on plant parasitic nematodes and the nematode population diversity investigated. In the post-trial soil chemical analysis, a significantly higher concentration of Na was recorded for the biological programme when crop rotation was included compared to the no rotation treatment. The concentration of K was also significantly higher in the no rotation compared to the rotation treatment. The nematode results showed very high numbers of bacterial feeders in all the samples. Overall nematode diversity was lacking and showed very few fungal feeders, omnivores and predators. The nematode indices for all of the samples showed that nematodes were highly enriched and unstructured. Of the plant parasitic nematodes, only Heterodera spp. were obtained in the pre-trial analysis, and incidences of these nematodes were lower at the end of the trial. Low numbers of other plant parasitic nematodes viz. Pratylenchus, Paratrichodorus and Tylenchorhynchus were reported for the post-trial analysis of the soil. Because of the low numbers of plant parasitic nematodes, it was not possible to analyse the data statistically. With regard to diamondback moth and the fungal diseases, crop rotation and fumigation did not significantly affect the incidence of white blister and diamondback moth. A significant “days after planting by control programme” interaction was reported for the incidence of white blister on foliage and the incidence of diamondback moth. All three control programmes significantly reduced the incidence of diamondback moth with the chemical programme being significantly more effective than the other two programmes. All three programmes also significantly reduced the incidence of white blister on foliage and the holistic and biological programmes significantly reduced the incidence of white blister on broccoli heads with the holistic programme being significantly more effective than the biological programme. There was no clubroot infection in the trial for any of the treatments. Results of this study showed that it is possible to manage diseases and pests of broccoli using a holistic approach. However, long term trials are needed to confirm the results obtained in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
A comparison of harvester productivity and stump volume waste in coppiced and planted eucalyptus grandis pulpwood compartments in the KwaZulu-Natal forestry region of South Africa
- Ramantswana, Mufhumudzi Muedanyi
- Authors: Ramantswana, Mufhumudzi Muedanyi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Forest productivity , Forest management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10744 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019844
- Description: Over the past decade the South African forestry industry has gradually experienced the ramifications of labour scarcity, increases in labour costs, the effect of HIV and AIDS and increasing timber demand. Consequently, this has led to an increase in the mechanisation rate, especially in timber harvesting operations. Due to the labour challenges in South Africa, mechanised forestry equipment has increasingly been required to operate in complex forest conditions, such as coppiced compartments, where they have not operated before. It therefore occurs that harvesters are either used in certain coppiced compartments with uncertain productivity expectations, or the harvesters are not used in these compartments due to a lack of productivity knowledge. The influence that certain factors have on harvester productivity and stump volume loss – factors such as coppice regeneration practices and stem form – is poorly understood and has not been quantified. No scientific research exists regarding the effects of coppice compartments on the productivity of a harvester and the amount of stump volume waste. This research aimed at determining the influence of tree volume, tree form, stem felled first and distance between stems on the productivity of an excavator based harvester in coppiced double, coppiced single and planted Eucalyptus grandis pulpwood compartments. Furthermore, the research determined whether there was any stump volume waste, and quantified how much of it was due to excessive stump heights by the harvester. Through regression analysis, productivity equations were derived to make productivity predictions in both coppiced and planted compartments. All stumps were evaluated for waste and the average stump volume waste in coppiced double, coppiced single and planted trees was determined. The research results showed that planted trees had the highest productivity across all tree sizes, followed by coppiced single trees and then coppiced double stems. When harvesting a 0.2 m3 tree, the mean harvester productivity was 8.7 m3 per PMH in coppiced double trees, 13.8 m3 per PMH in coppiced single trees and 16.1 m3 per PMH in planted trees. In coppiced double stems the productivity was not significantly influence by the distance between stems. However, the productivity was significantly influenced by the stem felled first. The regression results showed that if the smaller stem was felled first, the productivity would increase if the larger stem’s volume was less than 0.18 m3; however where the larger stem was greater than 0.18 m3, the relationship was reversed. In addition, the productivity for both coppiced single trees and coppiced double stems were significantly influenced by stem form. The poorly formed trees had low productivity compared to the trees with good form. The stump volume findings showed that coppiced double stems had the highest average stump volume waste per stump, with 0.00307 m3 waste, followed by coppiced single trees (0.001954 m3) and planted trees (0.001650 m3). The average stump volume waste per stump with waste for the planted trees was negligible. This research provides forestry companies and harvesting contractors with information on the effect of tree volume, tree form and stem felled first on harvester productivity in E. grandis coppiced double, coppiced single and planted compartments. This information will assist in making equipment and system selection decisions and improve operational management and control. In addition, they will also be aware of stump volume losses that will occur in the three scenarios.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Ramantswana, Mufhumudzi Muedanyi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Forest productivity , Forest management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10744 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019844
- Description: Over the past decade the South African forestry industry has gradually experienced the ramifications of labour scarcity, increases in labour costs, the effect of HIV and AIDS and increasing timber demand. Consequently, this has led to an increase in the mechanisation rate, especially in timber harvesting operations. Due to the labour challenges in South Africa, mechanised forestry equipment has increasingly been required to operate in complex forest conditions, such as coppiced compartments, where they have not operated before. It therefore occurs that harvesters are either used in certain coppiced compartments with uncertain productivity expectations, or the harvesters are not used in these compartments due to a lack of productivity knowledge. The influence that certain factors have on harvester productivity and stump volume loss – factors such as coppice regeneration practices and stem form – is poorly understood and has not been quantified. No scientific research exists regarding the effects of coppice compartments on the productivity of a harvester and the amount of stump volume waste. This research aimed at determining the influence of tree volume, tree form, stem felled first and distance between stems on the productivity of an excavator based harvester in coppiced double, coppiced single and planted Eucalyptus grandis pulpwood compartments. Furthermore, the research determined whether there was any stump volume waste, and quantified how much of it was due to excessive stump heights by the harvester. Through regression analysis, productivity equations were derived to make productivity predictions in both coppiced and planted compartments. All stumps were evaluated for waste and the average stump volume waste in coppiced double, coppiced single and planted trees was determined. The research results showed that planted trees had the highest productivity across all tree sizes, followed by coppiced single trees and then coppiced double stems. When harvesting a 0.2 m3 tree, the mean harvester productivity was 8.7 m3 per PMH in coppiced double trees, 13.8 m3 per PMH in coppiced single trees and 16.1 m3 per PMH in planted trees. In coppiced double stems the productivity was not significantly influence by the distance between stems. However, the productivity was significantly influenced by the stem felled first. The regression results showed that if the smaller stem was felled first, the productivity would increase if the larger stem’s volume was less than 0.18 m3; however where the larger stem was greater than 0.18 m3, the relationship was reversed. In addition, the productivity for both coppiced single trees and coppiced double stems were significantly influenced by stem form. The poorly formed trees had low productivity compared to the trees with good form. The stump volume findings showed that coppiced double stems had the highest average stump volume waste per stump, with 0.00307 m3 waste, followed by coppiced single trees (0.001954 m3) and planted trees (0.001650 m3). The average stump volume waste per stump with waste for the planted trees was negligible. This research provides forestry companies and harvesting contractors with information on the effect of tree volume, tree form and stem felled first on harvester productivity in E. grandis coppiced double, coppiced single and planted compartments. This information will assist in making equipment and system selection decisions and improve operational management and control. In addition, they will also be aware of stump volume losses that will occur in the three scenarios.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A study of lanthanide complexes with di-2-pyridyl ligands
- Authors: Coetzee, Louis-Charl Cloete
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Rare earth metals
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4731 , vital:20659
- Description: The ligands di(2-pyridyl) ketone (DPK) and cis-1,2 di(2-pyridyl) ethylene (DPE) are N,N,Odonor ligands that can undergo nucleophilic addition and become more flexible for coordination. The reaction between the lanthanide thiocyanate salt and DPK gave rise to seven novel complexes of the general formula [Ln(NCS)3(DPKOH)3], where Ln = La, Ce, Nd, Eu, Tb, Dy and Ho. 1H NMR spectroscopy verified that the ligand underwent nucleophilic addition upon coordination. This was further confirmed using UV-Vis spectroscopy which showed a shift in the absorption bands due to conjugation of electrons within the pyridyl ring upon coordination. UV-Vis spectroscopy was also utilised to test the covalent character of the neodymium and holmium complexes. X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy showed that three DPK ligands coordinated bidentately through a pyridinic nitrogen and a hydroxyl oxygen, while three isothiocyanato molecules completed the coordination environment around each metal. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction also revealed that these complexes are isostructural, ninecoordinate and the polyhedron which encloses each ion is of trigonal tricapped prismatic shape with D3h symmetry. Micro-analysis on all the complexes, except lanthanum and holmium confirmed the molecular formulae produced from the crystallographic data of each complex. The reaction between the lanthanide thiocyanate salt and DPE produced poor quality crystals which could not be detected by X-ray diffraction. The lanthanide salts used for this reaction were lanthanum, neodymium, europium, dysprosium and holmium. Upon coordination, conductivity measurements detected the presence of lanthanide ions in each solution. 1H NMR and IR spectroscopic studies showed that the ethylenic moiety of DPE underwent nucleophilic addition upon coordination. UV-Vis spectroscopy further confirmed nucleophilic addition upon coordination due to shifts in absorption bands. IR spectroscopy verified the possibility of a bidentate coordination to each metal through a pyridinic nitrogen and a hydroxyl oxygen as well as a monodentate coordination through isothiocyanato ligands. A micro-analysis on all the complexes provided the molecular formulae that can best fit each complex. The effect of the solvent molecules on the bonding parameters of the lanthanum complex was investigated. An analysis of the results produced from crystallographic data revealed the presence of intermolecular forces which interacted and stabilised the complex.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Coetzee, Louis-Charl Cloete
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Rare earth metals
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4731 , vital:20659
- Description: The ligands di(2-pyridyl) ketone (DPK) and cis-1,2 di(2-pyridyl) ethylene (DPE) are N,N,Odonor ligands that can undergo nucleophilic addition and become more flexible for coordination. The reaction between the lanthanide thiocyanate salt and DPK gave rise to seven novel complexes of the general formula [Ln(NCS)3(DPKOH)3], where Ln = La, Ce, Nd, Eu, Tb, Dy and Ho. 1H NMR spectroscopy verified that the ligand underwent nucleophilic addition upon coordination. This was further confirmed using UV-Vis spectroscopy which showed a shift in the absorption bands due to conjugation of electrons within the pyridyl ring upon coordination. UV-Vis spectroscopy was also utilised to test the covalent character of the neodymium and holmium complexes. X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy showed that three DPK ligands coordinated bidentately through a pyridinic nitrogen and a hydroxyl oxygen, while three isothiocyanato molecules completed the coordination environment around each metal. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction also revealed that these complexes are isostructural, ninecoordinate and the polyhedron which encloses each ion is of trigonal tricapped prismatic shape with D3h symmetry. Micro-analysis on all the complexes, except lanthanum and holmium confirmed the molecular formulae produced from the crystallographic data of each complex. The reaction between the lanthanide thiocyanate salt and DPE produced poor quality crystals which could not be detected by X-ray diffraction. The lanthanide salts used for this reaction were lanthanum, neodymium, europium, dysprosium and holmium. Upon coordination, conductivity measurements detected the presence of lanthanide ions in each solution. 1H NMR and IR spectroscopic studies showed that the ethylenic moiety of DPE underwent nucleophilic addition upon coordination. UV-Vis spectroscopy further confirmed nucleophilic addition upon coordination due to shifts in absorption bands. IR spectroscopy verified the possibility of a bidentate coordination to each metal through a pyridinic nitrogen and a hydroxyl oxygen as well as a monodentate coordination through isothiocyanato ligands. A micro-analysis on all the complexes provided the molecular formulae that can best fit each complex. The effect of the solvent molecules on the bonding parameters of the lanthanum complex was investigated. An analysis of the results produced from crystallographic data revealed the presence of intermolecular forces which interacted and stabilised the complex.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
A study of the application of clinoptilolite as an ion exchange agent for selected metals in aqueous solution
- Authors: Dyeshana, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Ion exchange , Clinoptilolite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10419 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013257
- Description: The aim of this study was to establish whether samples of South African-mined clinoptilolite could be used to remove selected metal cations from aqueous solution. The clinoptilolite samples supplied, (by Pratley SA) were in four different particle sizes. Batch study results revealed a decrease in the initial metal concentration in samples that were in contact with clinoptilolite. The finer particle size clinoptilolite had a greater capacity to remove metal cations from aqueous solution. However, ion-exchange results from atomic absorption analysis showed that the larger particle sizes, removed more magnesium ions. Magnesium was the only ion investigated in this study that was present as an exchangeable ion in the Pratley clinoptilolite chemical formula, (MgCaNa2K2)2.5(AlO2)7(SiO2)30.21H2O. Results from the ion-exchange studies showed that the decreasing order of percentage metal removal at pH 3.00 was as follows: Pb > Ni > Cu > Fe > Mg. The mass of metal ions that accumulated on one gram of clinoptilolite as determined from the isotherms was calculated to be 6.16 mg/g for lead and 0.74 mg/g for copper. Data from the lead equilibrium studies were fitted into Langmuir and Freundlich equations and linear regression was used to calculate linearity coefficients for the isotherms. The results showed that the removal of lead ions by clinoptilolite is complex as both monolayer and multilayer adsorption occurs on a heterogeneous surface.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
- Authors: Dyeshana, Vuyokazi
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Ion exchange , Clinoptilolite
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10419 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1013257
- Description: The aim of this study was to establish whether samples of South African-mined clinoptilolite could be used to remove selected metal cations from aqueous solution. The clinoptilolite samples supplied, (by Pratley SA) were in four different particle sizes. Batch study results revealed a decrease in the initial metal concentration in samples that were in contact with clinoptilolite. The finer particle size clinoptilolite had a greater capacity to remove metal cations from aqueous solution. However, ion-exchange results from atomic absorption analysis showed that the larger particle sizes, removed more magnesium ions. Magnesium was the only ion investigated in this study that was present as an exchangeable ion in the Pratley clinoptilolite chemical formula, (MgCaNa2K2)2.5(AlO2)7(SiO2)30.21H2O. Results from the ion-exchange studies showed that the decreasing order of percentage metal removal at pH 3.00 was as follows: Pb > Ni > Cu > Fe > Mg. The mass of metal ions that accumulated on one gram of clinoptilolite as determined from the isotherms was calculated to be 6.16 mg/g for lead and 0.74 mg/g for copper. Data from the lead equilibrium studies were fitted into Langmuir and Freundlich equations and linear regression was used to calculate linearity coefficients for the isotherms. The results showed that the removal of lead ions by clinoptilolite is complex as both monolayer and multilayer adsorption occurs on a heterogeneous surface.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2012
A study on certain factors that may affect the economic viability of backgrounding beef weaner calves on pastures in the Southern Cape area of South Africa
- Authors: Terblanche, Ian
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Calves -- Weaning -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47623 , vital:40259
- Description: The backgrounding of beef weaner calves from pastures has the potential to be developed as an intensive beef enterprise that can increase the income of smaller farms, given that these farms have the ability to produce good quality pastures. This study was conducted to verify the inputs that impact on the viability of pasture backgrounding systems in an attempt to provide beef producers with better information for decision making. The scientific research was conducted with the registered Kromme Rhee Bonsmara herd at the Kromme Rhee research farm of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. The farm is situated at 18º50’E and 33º51’S in the Stellenbosch area and has an altitude of 177 m above sea level. The area is situated in the winter rainfall region of the Western Cape with an annual rainfall of 670 mm. The average summer temperature ranges between 15-35 ºC and winter temperature between 10-17 ºC. The aim of this study was to develop growth curves representing the growth of Bonsmara animals for use by beef producers in predicting future live weight of animals in a pasture backgrounding system. Dry matter (DM) intake was measured at various live weight stages in order to determine whether a prediction model could be established to represent the DM intake of growing Bonsmara cattle on pastures. Results were used as inputs to determine whether backgrounding on pastures was economically viable. Animals were weighed at monthly intervals. Weighings commenced from birth and continued for a period of 797 days, repeated with two production year groups. One group consisted of 18 heifers and 12 bulls that were weighed from birth till an average age of 759 days. The other group consisted of four heifers and seven bulls and was weighed from birth untill an average age of 892 days. Roughage supplementation was done with lucerne hay in periods of pasture shortfalls, while a protein and energy lick were supplied continuously. A feeding trial with 10 weaned heifers and 10 bull calves of the same year group was conducted to determine the average feed intake per individual animal over a thirteen-month period that commenced after weaning. Two groups of five Bonsmara bull calves and two groups of five Bonsmara heifers were grouped according to age and gender. The feed intake of the growing calves was recorded for different live weight categories. The animals received lucerne (Medicago sativa) hay on an ad lib basis, while a concentrate supplement was supplied at 2 kg per animal per day up until live weights of 350 kg for heifers and 380 kg for bulls was achieved. The lucerne based diet was formulated to simulate a diet for growing animals on pasture with additional supplementation. Group feed intake values of the four groups of animals were measured at about 20-day intervals over the trial period of 369 days. The feed waste was dried and weighed back to calculate a waste percentage to be used as a correction factor. The Gompertz growth function was used to develop growth curves for male and female Bonsmara animals. Results indicated a significant difference between the mature weight of males and females (P <0.05). In both year groups the nonlinear Gompertz growth model predicted heavier mature weight for males compared to females. Mature weights of bulls were respectively 44.4% and 68.5% higher than that of heifers over the two year period. Days at maximum growth occurred later for males than for females (P <0.05) and the maturing rate of males and females did not differ significantly. Individual average feed intakes were calculated from the group fed animals over the duration of the rearing period. The data revealed that feed intake for bulls can be predicted by the linear model, DMI= 0.16531 + 0.0235306 x live weight (P ≤0.001; R 2 = 78.25). The feed intake of heifers can be predicted by the linear model, DMI= -1.41991 + 0.0283891 x live weight (P ≤0.001; R 2= 76.25). Analysis of variance detected no difference between the percentage feed intake of heifers (2.46%) and bulls (2.40%), over the experimental period. Prices of different live weight groupings were analysed over seven years to establish whether cyclical price trends can be observed across years and seasonal price trends within years. Within years prices were found to differ between months. For all calf weight groups, the lowest prices occurred in the months of March, April, May, June and July which showed price indices significantly different (P <0.05) from indices of the months of October, November and December when highest prices occurred, confirming seasonality in weaner calf prices. Price indices were developed for use as an input in the economic viability assessment. A brief literature review on the production and quality of four common pastures in the Southern Cape was done to gather information for compiling pasture budgets for use in determining the economic viability of pasture backgrounding. The economic viability of backgrounding on pastures was evaluated on a gross margin level and illustrated for three pasture systems namely irrigated oats as a winter pasture, irrigated lucerne as a spring pasture and dryland P. clandestinum /E. plana /mixed grass also as a low-cost spring pasture. All three pasture systems showed a positive economic viability for the decision parameters used in the illustration. The gross margin of backgrounding on the oats pasture system was more sensitive to a small decrease in the predicted price or the predicted live weight and therefore a riskier option than backgrounding on the other two systems. Outputs from the gross margin analyses were used in partial budgeting to illustrate a robust decision support framework that beef farmers can use for making decisions whether to sell weaners straight after weaning as opposed to selling after a period of backgrounding on pastures. Overall results indicate that backgrounding of calves on pastures has the potential to be a viable beef enterprise on smaller farms in the region. Keywords: beef production; Gompertz growth curves, feed intake; pasture backgrounding; gross margin; partial budgets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Terblanche, Ian
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Calves -- Weaning -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47623 , vital:40259
- Description: The backgrounding of beef weaner calves from pastures has the potential to be developed as an intensive beef enterprise that can increase the income of smaller farms, given that these farms have the ability to produce good quality pastures. This study was conducted to verify the inputs that impact on the viability of pasture backgrounding systems in an attempt to provide beef producers with better information for decision making. The scientific research was conducted with the registered Kromme Rhee Bonsmara herd at the Kromme Rhee research farm of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. The farm is situated at 18º50’E and 33º51’S in the Stellenbosch area and has an altitude of 177 m above sea level. The area is situated in the winter rainfall region of the Western Cape with an annual rainfall of 670 mm. The average summer temperature ranges between 15-35 ºC and winter temperature between 10-17 ºC. The aim of this study was to develop growth curves representing the growth of Bonsmara animals for use by beef producers in predicting future live weight of animals in a pasture backgrounding system. Dry matter (DM) intake was measured at various live weight stages in order to determine whether a prediction model could be established to represent the DM intake of growing Bonsmara cattle on pastures. Results were used as inputs to determine whether backgrounding on pastures was economically viable. Animals were weighed at monthly intervals. Weighings commenced from birth and continued for a period of 797 days, repeated with two production year groups. One group consisted of 18 heifers and 12 bulls that were weighed from birth till an average age of 759 days. The other group consisted of four heifers and seven bulls and was weighed from birth untill an average age of 892 days. Roughage supplementation was done with lucerne hay in periods of pasture shortfalls, while a protein and energy lick were supplied continuously. A feeding trial with 10 weaned heifers and 10 bull calves of the same year group was conducted to determine the average feed intake per individual animal over a thirteen-month period that commenced after weaning. Two groups of five Bonsmara bull calves and two groups of five Bonsmara heifers were grouped according to age and gender. The feed intake of the growing calves was recorded for different live weight categories. The animals received lucerne (Medicago sativa) hay on an ad lib basis, while a concentrate supplement was supplied at 2 kg per animal per day up until live weights of 350 kg for heifers and 380 kg for bulls was achieved. The lucerne based diet was formulated to simulate a diet for growing animals on pasture with additional supplementation. Group feed intake values of the four groups of animals were measured at about 20-day intervals over the trial period of 369 days. The feed waste was dried and weighed back to calculate a waste percentage to be used as a correction factor. The Gompertz growth function was used to develop growth curves for male and female Bonsmara animals. Results indicated a significant difference between the mature weight of males and females (P <0.05). In both year groups the nonlinear Gompertz growth model predicted heavier mature weight for males compared to females. Mature weights of bulls were respectively 44.4% and 68.5% higher than that of heifers over the two year period. Days at maximum growth occurred later for males than for females (P <0.05) and the maturing rate of males and females did not differ significantly. Individual average feed intakes were calculated from the group fed animals over the duration of the rearing period. The data revealed that feed intake for bulls can be predicted by the linear model, DMI= 0.16531 + 0.0235306 x live weight (P ≤0.001; R 2 = 78.25). The feed intake of heifers can be predicted by the linear model, DMI= -1.41991 + 0.0283891 x live weight (P ≤0.001; R 2= 76.25). Analysis of variance detected no difference between the percentage feed intake of heifers (2.46%) and bulls (2.40%), over the experimental period. Prices of different live weight groupings were analysed over seven years to establish whether cyclical price trends can be observed across years and seasonal price trends within years. Within years prices were found to differ between months. For all calf weight groups, the lowest prices occurred in the months of March, April, May, June and July which showed price indices significantly different (P <0.05) from indices of the months of October, November and December when highest prices occurred, confirming seasonality in weaner calf prices. Price indices were developed for use as an input in the economic viability assessment. A brief literature review on the production and quality of four common pastures in the Southern Cape was done to gather information for compiling pasture budgets for use in determining the economic viability of pasture backgrounding. The economic viability of backgrounding on pastures was evaluated on a gross margin level and illustrated for three pasture systems namely irrigated oats as a winter pasture, irrigated lucerne as a spring pasture and dryland P. clandestinum /E. plana /mixed grass also as a low-cost spring pasture. All three pasture systems showed a positive economic viability for the decision parameters used in the illustration. The gross margin of backgrounding on the oats pasture system was more sensitive to a small decrease in the predicted price or the predicted live weight and therefore a riskier option than backgrounding on the other two systems. Outputs from the gross margin analyses were used in partial budgeting to illustrate a robust decision support framework that beef farmers can use for making decisions whether to sell weaners straight after weaning as opposed to selling after a period of backgrounding on pastures. Overall results indicate that backgrounding of calves on pastures has the potential to be a viable beef enterprise on smaller farms in the region. Keywords: beef production; Gompertz growth curves, feed intake; pasture backgrounding; gross margin; partial budgets.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Absorptive capacity for responding to environmental: change an assessment of three public-sector agencies
- Authors: Mc Culloch, Samantha
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Global environmental change Absorptive capacity (Economics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11762 , vital:26966
- Description: In a time of global environmental instability, public-sector organisations that manage and protect natural resources, which are needed for human wellbeing, play an increasingly important role. These organisations frequently have to weigh up the costs and benefits of managing natural resources and their services for the public good. Management of social-ecological systems is commonly characterised by uncertainty, disagreement and trade-offs. In South Africa, these challenges are compounded by the fact that mandated organisations are often inadequately resourced in terms of finances, skilled staff and infrastructure. In order to maintain the resilience and robustness of social-ecological systems, public-sector organisations need to cultivate a set of dynamic capabilities, with strong emphasis on learning from their experiences and adapting their management strategies, to innovate and improve their performances. Absorptive capacity (AC) has been described as the ability of an organisation to recognise the value of new external information, acquire it and assimilate it within the organisation, transforming it by applying it with existing knowledge and exploiting the new knowledge for benefit. Organisations with good AC are able to recognise rapidly changing environments and address them by renewing and building on their levels of skill, knowledge and capability to deal with change. This construct has been extensively researched in industries related to business and technology, where its development has been found to stimulate innovative capabilities. There has, however, been little research into its relevance for public-sector organisations or organisations with environmental mandates. This study used methodological triangulation to assess the perceptions of employees on the current state of AC in three public-sector organisations with environmental mandates. This was done to gain insight into their capacity to absorb information and apply their new knowledge in decision-making, in a manner that navigates through environmental change. The key findings of this research suggest that knowledge transformation and exploitation are enhanced by in-house research capabilities and cross-functional interface between internal departments. These findings also suggest that the acquisition of knowledge is not only determined by the in-house research capacity but also depends on the resources available to these departments in terms of time, finances and skilled staff. There was minimal evidence of knowledge exploitation; however, obstacles that were highlighted as hindering this process included individual responsibility and motivation, as well as general organisation capacities, such as communication hierarchies, funding, time and organisational silos. This research found that the well-studied concept of AC can be used as an institutional mechanism to assess and promote adaptive capacity in public-sector organisations with environmental mandates to navigate and innovate through the Anthropocene.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Mc Culloch, Samantha
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Global environmental change Absorptive capacity (Economics)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11762 , vital:26966
- Description: In a time of global environmental instability, public-sector organisations that manage and protect natural resources, which are needed for human wellbeing, play an increasingly important role. These organisations frequently have to weigh up the costs and benefits of managing natural resources and their services for the public good. Management of social-ecological systems is commonly characterised by uncertainty, disagreement and trade-offs. In South Africa, these challenges are compounded by the fact that mandated organisations are often inadequately resourced in terms of finances, skilled staff and infrastructure. In order to maintain the resilience and robustness of social-ecological systems, public-sector organisations need to cultivate a set of dynamic capabilities, with strong emphasis on learning from their experiences and adapting their management strategies, to innovate and improve their performances. Absorptive capacity (AC) has been described as the ability of an organisation to recognise the value of new external information, acquire it and assimilate it within the organisation, transforming it by applying it with existing knowledge and exploiting the new knowledge for benefit. Organisations with good AC are able to recognise rapidly changing environments and address them by renewing and building on their levels of skill, knowledge and capability to deal with change. This construct has been extensively researched in industries related to business and technology, where its development has been found to stimulate innovative capabilities. There has, however, been little research into its relevance for public-sector organisations or organisations with environmental mandates. This study used methodological triangulation to assess the perceptions of employees on the current state of AC in three public-sector organisations with environmental mandates. This was done to gain insight into their capacity to absorb information and apply their new knowledge in decision-making, in a manner that navigates through environmental change. The key findings of this research suggest that knowledge transformation and exploitation are enhanced by in-house research capabilities and cross-functional interface between internal departments. These findings also suggest that the acquisition of knowledge is not only determined by the in-house research capacity but also depends on the resources available to these departments in terms of time, finances and skilled staff. There was minimal evidence of knowledge exploitation; however, obstacles that were highlighted as hindering this process included individual responsibility and motivation, as well as general organisation capacities, such as communication hierarchies, funding, time and organisational silos. This research found that the well-studied concept of AC can be used as an institutional mechanism to assess and promote adaptive capacity in public-sector organisations with environmental mandates to navigate and innovate through the Anthropocene.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Acacia Mearnsii debarking: comparing different debarking technologies in the KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga forestry regions of South Africa
- Authors: Eggers, John Rolf
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Acacia mearnsii -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Acacia mearnsii -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga , Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10740 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1456 , Acacia mearnsii -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Acacia mearnsii -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga , Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga
- Description: Debarking of Acacia mearnsii in South Africa has been conducted using mainly manual systems. Labour shortages and reliability of these systems has caused interest in alternative systems that might be able to debark A. mearnsii. The aim of the research is to compare three mechanised debarking technologies used to debark A. mearnsii. Research trials were conducted on the Demuth, Hyena and Hypro debarkers that would form part of semi-mechanised harvesting systems. The debarking technologies were analysed and compared in terms of productivity per productive machine hour (PMH), debarking quality, system costs and the quality of the bark that was produced. Furthermore, the effect that tree volume, strippability and form have on each of the debarking technologies was determined. The debarking technologies were affected by each of the factors researched. Decreasing tree form had a negative effect on the productivity of each of the technologies. An increase in strippability class (strengthening wood-bark bond strength) caused a decrease in the productivity of each of the machines. An increasing tree volume had a positive effect on the productivity for the three debarking technologies. After the debarking had taken place, samples of bark were analysed at a laboratory to determine if it was acceptable for the processing facilities. Each of the debarking technologies produced bark of varying dimensions, but they were all found to be acceptable. The system costs of the three debarking technologies were compared to a manual system cost at tree volumes of 0.1m³, 0.15m³ and 0.2m³. The Demuth debarker had the best system cost for a tree size of 0.1m³, while the manual system was best for tree volumes 0.15m³ and 0.2m³. The Demuth, Hyena and manual system costs were very similar for each of the tree volumes, with the Hypro being a little higher.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Eggers, John Rolf
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Acacia mearnsii -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Acacia mearnsii -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga , Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10740 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1456 , Acacia mearnsii -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Acacia mearnsii -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga , Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal , Wattles (Plants) -- South Africa -- Mpumalanga
- Description: Debarking of Acacia mearnsii in South Africa has been conducted using mainly manual systems. Labour shortages and reliability of these systems has caused interest in alternative systems that might be able to debark A. mearnsii. The aim of the research is to compare three mechanised debarking technologies used to debark A. mearnsii. Research trials were conducted on the Demuth, Hyena and Hypro debarkers that would form part of semi-mechanised harvesting systems. The debarking technologies were analysed and compared in terms of productivity per productive machine hour (PMH), debarking quality, system costs and the quality of the bark that was produced. Furthermore, the effect that tree volume, strippability and form have on each of the debarking technologies was determined. The debarking technologies were affected by each of the factors researched. Decreasing tree form had a negative effect on the productivity of each of the technologies. An increase in strippability class (strengthening wood-bark bond strength) caused a decrease in the productivity of each of the machines. An increasing tree volume had a positive effect on the productivity for the three debarking technologies. After the debarking had taken place, samples of bark were analysed at a laboratory to determine if it was acceptable for the processing facilities. Each of the debarking technologies produced bark of varying dimensions, but they were all found to be acceptable. The system costs of the three debarking technologies were compared to a manual system cost at tree volumes of 0.1m³, 0.15m³ and 0.2m³. The Demuth debarker had the best system cost for a tree size of 0.1m³, while the manual system was best for tree volumes 0.15m³ and 0.2m³. The Demuth, Hyena and manual system costs were very similar for each of the tree volumes, with the Hypro being a little higher.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Alternative products in the inhibition of te plant pathogen scleroyinia sclerotiorum on potato production
- Authors: Dhliwayo, Tererayi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Potatoes -- Diseases and pests
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10587 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/941 , Potatoes -- Diseases and pests
- Description: White mold caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum attacks a wide host range of broad-leafed plants which includes potatoes. Current control is limited to the use of chemicals, but biological control has emerged as an eco-friendly alternative. For the study, 19 bacterial strains and 18 fungal strains obtained from soil samples taken from a potato field naturally infested with the pathogen S. sclerotiorum were tested for the effects on S. sclerotiorum mycelium growth and sclerotia viability in vitro. A total of eight bacterial strains and six fungal strains proved to be effective in the inhibition of S. sclerotiorum mycelium growth on PDA plate using a dual culture technique. These antagonistic microbes were six Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilis, Bacillus marisflavi, Fusarium solani, Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium chlamydosporum, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus insuetus and Penicillium citrinum. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the interaction between S. sclerotiorum mycelium growth and the time after inoculation with a S. sclerotiorum mycelium plug for both bacterial and fungal soil isolates. An additional sclerotia viability test was carried out using four of the eight antagonistic bacteria, and six of the antagonistic fungi. The results showed that two Bacillus species, namely B. pumilis and B. marisflavi can effectively reduce sclerotia viability. The other two bacteria (both B. subtilis), recorded low percentage reduction in sclerotia viability. As for the six antagonistic fungi, the viability test proved to be less effective in determining sclerotia viability. However, the result of this study supports the use of bio-control agents, not only because they are environmentally friendly, but because they are also an effective way of controlling the plant pathogen, S. sclerotiorum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Dhliwayo, Tererayi
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Potatoes -- Diseases and pests
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10587 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/941 , Potatoes -- Diseases and pests
- Description: White mold caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum attacks a wide host range of broad-leafed plants which includes potatoes. Current control is limited to the use of chemicals, but biological control has emerged as an eco-friendly alternative. For the study, 19 bacterial strains and 18 fungal strains obtained from soil samples taken from a potato field naturally infested with the pathogen S. sclerotiorum were tested for the effects on S. sclerotiorum mycelium growth and sclerotia viability in vitro. A total of eight bacterial strains and six fungal strains proved to be effective in the inhibition of S. sclerotiorum mycelium growth on PDA plate using a dual culture technique. These antagonistic microbes were six Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilis, Bacillus marisflavi, Fusarium solani, Fusarium equiseti, Fusarium chlamydosporum, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus insuetus and Penicillium citrinum. There was a significant difference (p<0.05) in the interaction between S. sclerotiorum mycelium growth and the time after inoculation with a S. sclerotiorum mycelium plug for both bacterial and fungal soil isolates. An additional sclerotia viability test was carried out using four of the eight antagonistic bacteria, and six of the antagonistic fungi. The results showed that two Bacillus species, namely B. pumilis and B. marisflavi can effectively reduce sclerotia viability. The other two bacteria (both B. subtilis), recorded low percentage reduction in sclerotia viability. As for the six antagonistic fungi, the viability test proved to be less effective in determining sclerotia viability. However, the result of this study supports the use of bio-control agents, not only because they are environmentally friendly, but because they are also an effective way of controlling the plant pathogen, S. sclerotiorum.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
An analysis of the influence of phosphorus poisoning on the exhaust emission after treatement systems of light-duty diesel vehicles
- Authors: Toral del Rio, Maria Isabel
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Diesel motor -- Alternative fuels , Automobiles -- Pollution control devices , Automobiles -- Motors -- Exhaust gas , Motor fuels
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10405 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/697 , Diesel motor -- Alternative fuels , Automobiles -- Pollution control devices , Automobiles -- Motors -- Exhaust gas , Motor fuels
- Description: Climate change has become a discussion topic of exponentially increasing urgency and importance amoung world leaders of all disciplines. These changes are brought about by the emission of so-called Greenhouse gases from various human activities. The primary cause of CO2 emissions is the burning of the Earth’s supply of nonrenewable natural fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. The world first agreed on the prevention of “dangerous” climatic changes at the Earth Summit in 1992. The Kyoto Protocol of 1997 was the first step toward protection of the atmosphere and prescribes restrictions on emission pollutants. Since then the vehicle gas emissions are being controlled by means of different gas emissions norms, like the European Union Norm in Europe. The automotive manufacturers and suppliers are collectively working on reducing overall vehicle emissions. They are focusing on several different emission limiting possibilities, for example improved engine design, special fuel development and exhaust gas treatment systems. The exhaust gas treatment process requires continuous controlling and management of the exhaust gas emissions while driving a vehicle. Certain factors such as high emission temperatures have a negative influence on the life span of these systems. Their functionality and durability is also known to be reduced by the presence of chemical poisoning species like sulphur, phosphorus, zinc and calcium. The chemical poisoning species are produced during combustion of fuel and engine oil. They are therefore contained in the exhaust emissions and can poison the catalyst when passing over it. Phosphorous poisoning is particularly problematic and should be reduced considerably. This study involves the investigation of the phosphorous poisoning process and aims to provide clarity regarding the influences of different fuel and oil compositions on the severity of the process. Engine oil and biodiesel are two major sources of phosphorous poisoning. The phosphorus contained in biodiesel fuel is a natural component and can be minimized during the refining procedure. In contrast to others studies, the biodiesel fuel used during this project was SME (Soya Methyl Ester) with a 20% biodiesel content. This choice of fuel was made because of the increasingly important role that this type of biodiesel is playing in the European market and the future tendency to increase the percentage of biodiesel in the mixture with standard diesel fuel. The phosphorus contained in engine oil is a necessary additive to retain the antioxidant and anti-wear properties of the oil. This study examined the poisoning influences from the most commonly used phosphorus containing oil additive, Zinc Dithiophosphates (ZDDP), as well as a Zn-free, phosphorus containing anti-wear oil additive. This formulation provides information about the phosphorus poisoning process as caused by the engine oil in the absence of Zn in the oil additives. The results show how the phosphorus content in biodiesel fuel affects the functionality of the exhaust gas treatment systems and the importance of reducing the permitted content of phosphorus contained in the fuel. Reducing the phosphorus content in the fuel will conserve the functionality of the exhaust gas treatment systems during their operational life and thereby protect the environmental from emission pollutants. It also provides insight into the differences in the poisoning processes when the phosphorus deposited on the catalyst comes from biodiesel fuel and when it comes from the engine oil. Finally the results also illustrate the influence of different phosphorous forms contained in engine oil additives on the catalyst poisoning process. This information could be used for the development of new oil additive formulations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Toral del Rio, Maria Isabel
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Diesel motor -- Alternative fuels , Automobiles -- Pollution control devices , Automobiles -- Motors -- Exhaust gas , Motor fuels
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10405 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/697 , Diesel motor -- Alternative fuels , Automobiles -- Pollution control devices , Automobiles -- Motors -- Exhaust gas , Motor fuels
- Description: Climate change has become a discussion topic of exponentially increasing urgency and importance amoung world leaders of all disciplines. These changes are brought about by the emission of so-called Greenhouse gases from various human activities. The primary cause of CO2 emissions is the burning of the Earth’s supply of nonrenewable natural fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas. The world first agreed on the prevention of “dangerous” climatic changes at the Earth Summit in 1992. The Kyoto Protocol of 1997 was the first step toward protection of the atmosphere and prescribes restrictions on emission pollutants. Since then the vehicle gas emissions are being controlled by means of different gas emissions norms, like the European Union Norm in Europe. The automotive manufacturers and suppliers are collectively working on reducing overall vehicle emissions. They are focusing on several different emission limiting possibilities, for example improved engine design, special fuel development and exhaust gas treatment systems. The exhaust gas treatment process requires continuous controlling and management of the exhaust gas emissions while driving a vehicle. Certain factors such as high emission temperatures have a negative influence on the life span of these systems. Their functionality and durability is also known to be reduced by the presence of chemical poisoning species like sulphur, phosphorus, zinc and calcium. The chemical poisoning species are produced during combustion of fuel and engine oil. They are therefore contained in the exhaust emissions and can poison the catalyst when passing over it. Phosphorous poisoning is particularly problematic and should be reduced considerably. This study involves the investigation of the phosphorous poisoning process and aims to provide clarity regarding the influences of different fuel and oil compositions on the severity of the process. Engine oil and biodiesel are two major sources of phosphorous poisoning. The phosphorus contained in biodiesel fuel is a natural component and can be minimized during the refining procedure. In contrast to others studies, the biodiesel fuel used during this project was SME (Soya Methyl Ester) with a 20% biodiesel content. This choice of fuel was made because of the increasingly important role that this type of biodiesel is playing in the European market and the future tendency to increase the percentage of biodiesel in the mixture with standard diesel fuel. The phosphorus contained in engine oil is a necessary additive to retain the antioxidant and anti-wear properties of the oil. This study examined the poisoning influences from the most commonly used phosphorus containing oil additive, Zinc Dithiophosphates (ZDDP), as well as a Zn-free, phosphorus containing anti-wear oil additive. This formulation provides information about the phosphorus poisoning process as caused by the engine oil in the absence of Zn in the oil additives. The results show how the phosphorus content in biodiesel fuel affects the functionality of the exhaust gas treatment systems and the importance of reducing the permitted content of phosphorus contained in the fuel. Reducing the phosphorus content in the fuel will conserve the functionality of the exhaust gas treatment systems during their operational life and thereby protect the environmental from emission pollutants. It also provides insight into the differences in the poisoning processes when the phosphorus deposited on the catalyst comes from biodiesel fuel and when it comes from the engine oil. Finally the results also illustrate the influence of different phosphorous forms contained in engine oil additives on the catalyst poisoning process. This information could be used for the development of new oil additive formulations.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An economic analysis of an intensive sheep production system on cultivated pastures in South Africa, incorporating creep feeding- and accelerated breeding practices
- Authors: Terblanche, Stefan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Pastures -- Irrigation -- South Africa , Sheep -- Productivity -- South Africa , Sheep -- Feeding and feeds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10737 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020939
- Description: The South African sheep industry has experienced an increase in the price of meat and wool over the past several years. This has led to an interest in intensification of sheep production off planted pastures. Due to this phenomenon an economic viability study was done on the intensification of sheep production on cultivated pastures under irrigation. When intensifying sheep production, certain management practices need to be incorporated in order to enhance the output obtained per hectare and to overcome the higher input cost of production. Management practices that could be included are creep feeding, accelerated breeding and feedlotting of lambs after weaning. In order to determine the economic viability of such a system, certain production parameters need to be obtained for producing sheep intensively from cultivated pastures. Three studies were conducted to obtain the required production parameters; these were then followed by an economic evaluation incorporating the parameters obtained from the studies. All the studies were conducted at Kromme Rhee and Langgewens, two research farms of the Department of Agriculture in the Western Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Terblanche, Stefan
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Pastures -- Irrigation -- South Africa , Sheep -- Productivity -- South Africa , Sheep -- Feeding and feeds
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10737 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020939
- Description: The South African sheep industry has experienced an increase in the price of meat and wool over the past several years. This has led to an interest in intensification of sheep production off planted pastures. Due to this phenomenon an economic viability study was done on the intensification of sheep production on cultivated pastures under irrigation. When intensifying sheep production, certain management practices need to be incorporated in order to enhance the output obtained per hectare and to overcome the higher input cost of production. Management practices that could be included are creep feeding, accelerated breeding and feedlotting of lambs after weaning. In order to determine the economic viability of such a system, certain production parameters need to be obtained for producing sheep intensively from cultivated pastures. Three studies were conducted to obtain the required production parameters; these were then followed by an economic evaluation incorporating the parameters obtained from the studies. All the studies were conducted at Kromme Rhee and Langgewens, two research farms of the Department of Agriculture in the Western Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An evaluation of UPLC technology for the simultaneous analysis of actives in a multi-active drug
- Authors: Bawjee, Janita
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: High performance liquid chromatography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10384 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008407 , High performance liquid chromatography
- Description: The evaluation of the potential to use Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) for the simultaneous quantification of all the actives in a multi-active tablet is described in this work. Part of the evaluation was to ensure that the necessary regulatory requirements were adhered to by ascertaining that an analytical method is suitable for a specific purpose through analytical method validation for the specific multi-active tablet. The UPLC method was also tested for the analysis of similar products, namely tablet formulations that contain similar active ingredients in the same proportions but with an additional active ingredient. A method for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol, caffeine and codeine phosphate was developed using UPLC technology. The UPLC developed method was more efficient than the existing in-house HPLC method. The UPLC method was then validated in accordance to ICH and USP guidelines. The application of this UPLC method for the analysis of similar products containing paracetamol, caffeine, codeine phosphate and one extra active ingredient was very challenging. The low concentration of the additional component, differences in sample matrix and differences in formulations added to the challenges. The direct application for the analysis of products Y and Z was not successful; however the method could be used as a platform for further research. A cost comparison between the UPLC and HPLC methods showed the UPLC method to be more cost effective. Thus, while maintenance costs are higher for the UPLC instrument, column costs are comparable to HPLC columns, but solvent and waste disposal charges decrease considerably due to lower solvent use. The reduction in instrument time dramatically improves the cost effectiveness of UPLC over HPLC due to a concurrent reduction in analyst time requirement. The results of this study show that the analytical costs associated with the analysis of multi-active drugs using HPLC procedures can be reduced substantially by the CONFIDENTIAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF ASPEN PHARMACARE implementation of UPLC technology. The hypothesis that the enhanced chromatographic power of UPLC can be leveraged to provide faster analysis times hence increased product throughput rates, and lower operating costs for the analysis of multi-active drugs was accepted. These advantages were achieved whilst meeting all regulatory requirements for analytical methods as required by regulatory bodies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
- Authors: Bawjee, Janita
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: High performance liquid chromatography
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10384 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008407 , High performance liquid chromatography
- Description: The evaluation of the potential to use Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC) for the simultaneous quantification of all the actives in a multi-active tablet is described in this work. Part of the evaluation was to ensure that the necessary regulatory requirements were adhered to by ascertaining that an analytical method is suitable for a specific purpose through analytical method validation for the specific multi-active tablet. The UPLC method was also tested for the analysis of similar products, namely tablet formulations that contain similar active ingredients in the same proportions but with an additional active ingredient. A method for the simultaneous determination of paracetamol, caffeine and codeine phosphate was developed using UPLC technology. The UPLC developed method was more efficient than the existing in-house HPLC method. The UPLC method was then validated in accordance to ICH and USP guidelines. The application of this UPLC method for the analysis of similar products containing paracetamol, caffeine, codeine phosphate and one extra active ingredient was very challenging. The low concentration of the additional component, differences in sample matrix and differences in formulations added to the challenges. The direct application for the analysis of products Y and Z was not successful; however the method could be used as a platform for further research. A cost comparison between the UPLC and HPLC methods showed the UPLC method to be more cost effective. Thus, while maintenance costs are higher for the UPLC instrument, column costs are comparable to HPLC columns, but solvent and waste disposal charges decrease considerably due to lower solvent use. The reduction in instrument time dramatically improves the cost effectiveness of UPLC over HPLC due to a concurrent reduction in analyst time requirement. The results of this study show that the analytical costs associated with the analysis of multi-active drugs using HPLC procedures can be reduced substantially by the CONFIDENTIAL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF ASPEN PHARMACARE implementation of UPLC technology. The hypothesis that the enhanced chromatographic power of UPLC can be leveraged to provide faster analysis times hence increased product throughput rates, and lower operating costs for the analysis of multi-active drugs was accepted. These advantages were achieved whilst meeting all regulatory requirements for analytical methods as required by regulatory bodies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2011
An investigation into the parameters affecting the stability of Dithane
- Authors: Williams, Nadia
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Fungicides , Dithane
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10407 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/645 , Fungicides , Dithane
- Description: Plant diseases caused by fungi are the number one cause of crop loss worldwide. The application of a fungicide which is a toxic substance applied either to prevent the growth of, or to kill fungi is one of the methods by which plant diseases are controlled. Ethylenebisdithiocarbamate fungicides are a group of surface acting fungicides which control a broad spectrum of fungi and their associated plant diseases. Mancozeb, also commonly known as Dithane, falls under the polymeric Dithiocarbamate fungicides which have several sites of toxicity to the fungal cell. The use of Mancozeb as a fungicide is increasing worldwide due to the advantages of low acute toxicity, low production and short environmental persistence. However, it has one major disadvantage, namely its lack of oxidative stability under ambient conditions. One of the objectives of this study was to characterize the Dithane samples supplied by Dow AgroSciences in terms of their active ingredient, metal and stabilizer content, and to study the thermal decomposition behaviour of Dithane. An attempt was made to correlate the active ingredient analyses with the TGA and DSC results to establish whether the thermal stability and active ingredient content of Dithane could be simultaneously determined by thermal analysis. This approach offered the attractive advantage of shorter analysis times thus allowing the elimination of the more tedious analytical methods employed by Dow AgroSciences. Furthermore, Fourier Transform infra-red characterization of Dithane samples and metal complexes containing HMT, Mn and/or Zn was carried out in order to identify the presence of functional groups and to gain some insight into the nature of the bonding of HMT, sulfate and water. A study of the nature of the bands in the FTIR spectra of these complexes was able to highlight the nature of the bonding but could not give confirmation of the structures of these complexes. In addition to this, the amount of HMT present in the said complexes was determined by the FTIR using the standard addition method. A final objective of the study was to investigate the reconstitution of Dithane by investigating the influence of the addition order of the various constituents on the stability of the final product. The addition order was found to have a definite influence on the thermal stability of the final product as well as on the percentage of fixed HMT in the product, and the kinetics of the Mn/Zn exchange.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
- Authors: Williams, Nadia
- Date: 2007
- Subjects: Fungicides , Dithane
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10407 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/645 , Fungicides , Dithane
- Description: Plant diseases caused by fungi are the number one cause of crop loss worldwide. The application of a fungicide which is a toxic substance applied either to prevent the growth of, or to kill fungi is one of the methods by which plant diseases are controlled. Ethylenebisdithiocarbamate fungicides are a group of surface acting fungicides which control a broad spectrum of fungi and their associated plant diseases. Mancozeb, also commonly known as Dithane, falls under the polymeric Dithiocarbamate fungicides which have several sites of toxicity to the fungal cell. The use of Mancozeb as a fungicide is increasing worldwide due to the advantages of low acute toxicity, low production and short environmental persistence. However, it has one major disadvantage, namely its lack of oxidative stability under ambient conditions. One of the objectives of this study was to characterize the Dithane samples supplied by Dow AgroSciences in terms of their active ingredient, metal and stabilizer content, and to study the thermal decomposition behaviour of Dithane. An attempt was made to correlate the active ingredient analyses with the TGA and DSC results to establish whether the thermal stability and active ingredient content of Dithane could be simultaneously determined by thermal analysis. This approach offered the attractive advantage of shorter analysis times thus allowing the elimination of the more tedious analytical methods employed by Dow AgroSciences. Furthermore, Fourier Transform infra-red characterization of Dithane samples and metal complexes containing HMT, Mn and/or Zn was carried out in order to identify the presence of functional groups and to gain some insight into the nature of the bonding of HMT, sulfate and water. A study of the nature of the bands in the FTIR spectra of these complexes was able to highlight the nature of the bonding but could not give confirmation of the structures of these complexes. In addition to this, the amount of HMT present in the said complexes was determined by the FTIR using the standard addition method. A final objective of the study was to investigate the reconstitution of Dithane by investigating the influence of the addition order of the various constituents on the stability of the final product. The addition order was found to have a definite influence on the thermal stability of the final product as well as on the percentage of fixed HMT in the product, and the kinetics of the Mn/Zn exchange.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2007
An investigation of the effect of time of pruning on the growth and fruiting of lemons [Citrus limon(L.) Burmann f.] cv. Eureka
- Authors: Pittaway, Timothy Michael
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Lemon , Pruning , Fruit-culture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10974 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/106 , Lemon , Pruning , Fruit-culture
- Description: Pruning has been used to reduce tree size, allow light penetration into trees, improve yield, improve fruit size and fruit quality, overcome alternate bearing, assist fruit harvest, and assist pest and disease control. The use of pruning has increased due to improving agricultural management techniques such as high planting densities, use of mechanical machinery in orchards and the need for effective pesticide and pathological chemical spray applications. The main objective of this study was to obtain a practical means of manipulating lemon trees at the right time. Pruning at the correct time to cultivate productive trees that produce quality fruit would have financial benefits. Lemon fruit quality is dependent on market demand and involves a number of features such as fruit shelf life, rind thickness, fruit size, rind colour, and juice content. The study was conducted on ’Eureka’ lemon trees budded on C. volkameriana rootstock, bearing the fifth and sixth commercial crops in 1999 and 2000 respectively. Twelve monthly pruning treatments per year were conducted on one row of trees starting in December 1997 (site 1) and repeated in the second year on the adjacent row of the same orchard starting in December 1998 (site 2). Selective pruning heading cuts were applied below the intercalation on the intercalary units. Potential branch bearing units were tagged and assessed during the harvest and flowering periods. Summer pruning between 16 to 19 months before the subsequent April/May harvest, resulted in the longest and most complex (intercalation sprouted per axil) vegetative response. The estimated crop value indicated that summer pruning treatments produced the highest income. This was ascribed not to differences in fruit size or quality, but to an increase in yield. The industry’s trend is to prune citrus from post-harvest to the pre-bloom stage. Results from this study have provided a beneficial cultural practice to prune during the summer months and provides a practice to optimise farm production and profit margins.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
- Authors: Pittaway, Timothy Michael
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Lemon , Pruning , Fruit-culture
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10974 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/106 , Lemon , Pruning , Fruit-culture
- Description: Pruning has been used to reduce tree size, allow light penetration into trees, improve yield, improve fruit size and fruit quality, overcome alternate bearing, assist fruit harvest, and assist pest and disease control. The use of pruning has increased due to improving agricultural management techniques such as high planting densities, use of mechanical machinery in orchards and the need for effective pesticide and pathological chemical spray applications. The main objective of this study was to obtain a practical means of manipulating lemon trees at the right time. Pruning at the correct time to cultivate productive trees that produce quality fruit would have financial benefits. Lemon fruit quality is dependent on market demand and involves a number of features such as fruit shelf life, rind thickness, fruit size, rind colour, and juice content. The study was conducted on ’Eureka’ lemon trees budded on C. volkameriana rootstock, bearing the fifth and sixth commercial crops in 1999 and 2000 respectively. Twelve monthly pruning treatments per year were conducted on one row of trees starting in December 1997 (site 1) and repeated in the second year on the adjacent row of the same orchard starting in December 1998 (site 2). Selective pruning heading cuts were applied below the intercalation on the intercalary units. Potential branch bearing units were tagged and assessed during the harvest and flowering periods. Summer pruning between 16 to 19 months before the subsequent April/May harvest, resulted in the longest and most complex (intercalation sprouted per axil) vegetative response. The estimated crop value indicated that summer pruning treatments produced the highest income. This was ascribed not to differences in fruit size or quality, but to an increase in yield. The industry’s trend is to prune citrus from post-harvest to the pre-bloom stage. Results from this study have provided a beneficial cultural practice to prune during the summer months and provides a practice to optimise farm production and profit margins.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2002
An overview of the management practices for wool production amongst the communal farmers of the Hewu district in the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Makapela, Mbulelo Joseph
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Sheep industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wool industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Reproduction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10734 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1009 , Sheep industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wool industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Reproduction
- Description: The research was conducted in the Hewu area situated between Queenstown (20 km) and Whittlesea (15km) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. In this area communal farming is practiced. Livestock and livestock products (wool) are the main sources of income. The farmers are mainly farming with Merino and Döhne Merino sheep. The lack of management systems (production, reproduction and management) for communal farmers resulted into ineffective communal farming defining the research problem. The research objectives set were: • To establish production norms for wool sheep. • To establish reproduction norms for wool sheep. • To establish effective management practices for wool sheep farmers. • To examine key constraints of wool sheep farmers. The farmers shear their sheep every 12 months usually in October of every year. The average wool production per sheep is 2.17kg. The clip averages a fineness of 19.1-20 micron. That is far below the wool production of the commercial farmers of the Eastern Cape who are producing between 4kg to 5kg per sheep at an average growing period of 12 months. The lack of proper fencing and camps causes major reproduction problems. The lambing percentage of the ewes is 94.85 percent. The weaning percentage referring to the reproductive efficiency of the mated ewes is only 17.24 percent. The survival rate of the lambs born alive is only 18.18 percent. Reproduction is the biggest problem of communal farms. Effective livestock- and grazing management systems for communal areas are essential for the successful development of farmers on communal grazing areas. Unfortunately the Hewu farmers still have many problems effecting their wool production and the production of lambs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
- Authors: Makapela, Mbulelo Joseph
- Date: 2008
- Subjects: Sheep industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wool industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Reproduction
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10734 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1009 , Sheep industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Wool industry -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Sheep -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Reproduction
- Description: The research was conducted in the Hewu area situated between Queenstown (20 km) and Whittlesea (15km) in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. In this area communal farming is practiced. Livestock and livestock products (wool) are the main sources of income. The farmers are mainly farming with Merino and Döhne Merino sheep. The lack of management systems (production, reproduction and management) for communal farmers resulted into ineffective communal farming defining the research problem. The research objectives set were: • To establish production norms for wool sheep. • To establish reproduction norms for wool sheep. • To establish effective management practices for wool sheep farmers. • To examine key constraints of wool sheep farmers. The farmers shear their sheep every 12 months usually in October of every year. The average wool production per sheep is 2.17kg. The clip averages a fineness of 19.1-20 micron. That is far below the wool production of the commercial farmers of the Eastern Cape who are producing between 4kg to 5kg per sheep at an average growing period of 12 months. The lack of proper fencing and camps causes major reproduction problems. The lambing percentage of the ewes is 94.85 percent. The weaning percentage referring to the reproductive efficiency of the mated ewes is only 17.24 percent. The survival rate of the lambs born alive is only 18.18 percent. Reproduction is the biggest problem of communal farms. Effective livestock- and grazing management systems for communal areas are essential for the successful development of farmers on communal grazing areas. Unfortunately the Hewu farmers still have many problems effecting their wool production and the production of lambs.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2008
Attitudes towards hunting amongst the economically active public in Port Elizabeth
- Coetzer, Wentzel Christoffel
- Authors: Coetzer, Wentzel Christoffel
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Hunting -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Wildlife management -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10746 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1507 , Hunting -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Wildlife management -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Wildlife ranching is recognized as one of the important agricultural industries in South Africa, with hunting being the primary segment of the game industry. Hunting is an essential part of wildlife management and it contributes significantly to the conservation of biodiversity and to the economy. Despite this, the social acceptability of hunting is often questioned and negative attitudes towards hunting within the larger society may become a potential threat to the hunting industry. This may jeopardize the effective management of game and have a negative impact on conservation and the economy. This study is an empirical investigation of the attitudes of the economically active public in Port Elizabeth towards hunting. The objectives of this study are to investigate the nature and extent of the public's attitudes towards hunting, as well as to identify factors influencing the public's attitudes towards hunting. The study commenced with the establishment of a theoretical framework, based on a literature study on the psychology of human perceptions and attitudes towards hunting. The theoretical framework was then used to develop the empirical component of the study. A survey was conducted amongst a statistically representative sample of the economically active public in Port Elizabeth during 2009. The data was collected by means of personal interviews and self-administered questionnaires were used as the survey instrument. The study found that the economically active public in Port Elizabeth generally holds favourable attitudes towards hunting, with only a small proportion of the population wanting to ban hunting. The belief that hunting endangers wildlife was the most prominent reason for opposing hunting. Negative attitudes towards hunting were largely based on incorrect beliefs regarding hunting. The extent of a person's knowledge of hunting and exposure to hunting, as well as a person's social ties had a significant influence on their attitudes towards hunting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Coetzer, Wentzel Christoffel
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Hunting -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Wildlife management -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10746 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1507 , Hunting -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth , Wildlife management -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Description: Wildlife ranching is recognized as one of the important agricultural industries in South Africa, with hunting being the primary segment of the game industry. Hunting is an essential part of wildlife management and it contributes significantly to the conservation of biodiversity and to the economy. Despite this, the social acceptability of hunting is often questioned and negative attitudes towards hunting within the larger society may become a potential threat to the hunting industry. This may jeopardize the effective management of game and have a negative impact on conservation and the economy. This study is an empirical investigation of the attitudes of the economically active public in Port Elizabeth towards hunting. The objectives of this study are to investigate the nature and extent of the public's attitudes towards hunting, as well as to identify factors influencing the public's attitudes towards hunting. The study commenced with the establishment of a theoretical framework, based on a literature study on the psychology of human perceptions and attitudes towards hunting. The theoretical framework was then used to develop the empirical component of the study. A survey was conducted amongst a statistically representative sample of the economically active public in Port Elizabeth during 2009. The data was collected by means of personal interviews and self-administered questionnaires were used as the survey instrument. The study found that the economically active public in Port Elizabeth generally holds favourable attitudes towards hunting, with only a small proportion of the population wanting to ban hunting. The belief that hunting endangers wildlife was the most prominent reason for opposing hunting. Negative attitudes towards hunting were largely based on incorrect beliefs regarding hunting. The extent of a person's knowledge of hunting and exposure to hunting, as well as a person's social ties had a significant influence on their attitudes towards hunting.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
Biomass potential and nutrient export of mature pinus radiata in the southern Cape region of South Africa
- Authors: Van Zyl, Salmon Johannes
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Pinus radiata -- South Africa , Forest biomass -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4321 , vital:20584
- Description: South Africa lags behind the rest of the world with regard to the availability of allometric biomass information. There is a complete lack of site specific allometric data for Pinus radiata in the southern Cape region, impeding investment in the renewable energy sector. This shortcoming was addressed by developing up-scalable, single tree biomass models. These models quantify the aboveground biomass of rotation age P. radiata grown in the southern Cape across a range of site conditions. The models use diameter at breast height (DBH) to predict the aboveground component biomass. A nutrient loss risk potential was assigned to each biomass component. Nineteen trees were destructively harvested using a full fresh weight sampling approach. Basic density was determined using a water displacement method, while Newton’s volume equation was used for stemwood volume determination. Log linear models were simultaneously regressed through seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) using the “Systemfit” R statistical package to force component additivity. A categorical variable was applied to the models, grouping the data into two Site Index (SI) based categories, namely “Low” SI and “Medium to High” SI, to account for inter-site variability. The corrected Akaike Information Criteria (AICc) and coefficient of determination (R2) was used to determine the goodness of fit of the models. The McElroy R2 for the SUR system was 0.95. Biomass models were developed that are able to predict various tree component masses at high levels of certainty within site and stand attribute ranges similar to this study. The importance of accurate, site specific wood basic density was demonstrated by its substantial weighting on stem and hence total biomass. Results showed that the stemwood mean basic density range was between 503 kg m-3 and 517 kg m-3 for the “Low” SI sites and 458 kg m-3 for the “Medium to High” SI sites. Site quality can have a major impact on the models, particularly on poorer sites where stemwood production is proportionally less than other tree components. Total aboveground biomass was estimated to range between 58.61 odt ha-1 and 70.85 odt ha-1 for “Low” SI sites, and 185.31 odt ha-1 to 266.58 odt ha-1 for “Medium to High” SI sites. Stemwood biomass accounted for 65% of the total aboveground biomass for “Low” SI sites and 70% for “Medium to High” SI sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Van Zyl, Salmon Johannes
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Pinus radiata -- South Africa , Forest biomass -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/4321 , vital:20584
- Description: South Africa lags behind the rest of the world with regard to the availability of allometric biomass information. There is a complete lack of site specific allometric data for Pinus radiata in the southern Cape region, impeding investment in the renewable energy sector. This shortcoming was addressed by developing up-scalable, single tree biomass models. These models quantify the aboveground biomass of rotation age P. radiata grown in the southern Cape across a range of site conditions. The models use diameter at breast height (DBH) to predict the aboveground component biomass. A nutrient loss risk potential was assigned to each biomass component. Nineteen trees were destructively harvested using a full fresh weight sampling approach. Basic density was determined using a water displacement method, while Newton’s volume equation was used for stemwood volume determination. Log linear models were simultaneously regressed through seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) using the “Systemfit” R statistical package to force component additivity. A categorical variable was applied to the models, grouping the data into two Site Index (SI) based categories, namely “Low” SI and “Medium to High” SI, to account for inter-site variability. The corrected Akaike Information Criteria (AICc) and coefficient of determination (R2) was used to determine the goodness of fit of the models. The McElroy R2 for the SUR system was 0.95. Biomass models were developed that are able to predict various tree component masses at high levels of certainty within site and stand attribute ranges similar to this study. The importance of accurate, site specific wood basic density was demonstrated by its substantial weighting on stem and hence total biomass. Results showed that the stemwood mean basic density range was between 503 kg m-3 and 517 kg m-3 for the “Low” SI sites and 458 kg m-3 for the “Medium to High” SI sites. Site quality can have a major impact on the models, particularly on poorer sites where stemwood production is proportionally less than other tree components. Total aboveground biomass was estimated to range between 58.61 odt ha-1 and 70.85 odt ha-1 for “Low” SI sites, and 185.31 odt ha-1 to 266.58 odt ha-1 for “Medium to High” SI sites. Stemwood biomass accounted for 65% of the total aboveground biomass for “Low” SI sites and 70% for “Medium to High” SI sites.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) habitat use and diet in the Bontebok National Park, South Africa
- Authors: Strauss, Taniia
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Habitat conservation -- South Africa -- Western Cape Zebras -- Habitat -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11374 , vital:26917
- Description: Cape mountain zebra habitat utilization and diet in the dystrophic fynbos habitat of the Bontebok National Park was found to be highly selective. Mountain zebra concentrated in specific sectors and habitat types in the park on a seasonal basis, preferring recently burnt habitat with a veld age younger than one year in all seasons, except during the warm, dry summer. Proteoid Fynbos with a veld age between one and five years was preferred in the cool winter, while Drainage Lines and the fringes of Inland Pans were preferred during summer. Asteraceous Fynbos was avoided, irrespective of veld age, as well as all other habitats with a veld age greater than five years. Within habitat types with a veld age greater than one year, specific sites were selected and avoided on a seasonal basis, which were found to differ in terms of habitat suitability, based on the availability of dietary plant species. The annual diet consisted of 72.6% grass, 11.8% restio, 5.9% sedge, 8.8% geophyte and less than 1% forb and shrub species. Three grass species formed the bulk of the annual diet, Themeda triandra, Cymbopogon marginatus and Eragrostis curvula, for which leaf use was greater than stem use. Themeda trianda was preferred throughout the year, but contributed to the diet in greatest proportion in the warm, dry summer, when it was available at greatest leaf height and diameter. Cymbopogon marginatus was preferred during the cool winter, when diet composition and greenness was also greater than in other seasons. Preference of Cymbopogon marginatus decreased as leaf height and diameter increased. Eragrostis curvula was preferred in the warm autumn, when it composed the largest proportion of the diet, and selection of this species at feeding sites was based on both greenness and volume. In summer mountain zebra also preferred grass stems and inflorescences of Aristida diffusa, Stipagrostis zeyheri and Briza maxima. During the cool spring the diet included stems and inflorescences of sedges and restios, primarily Ischyrolepis capensis, and in autumn, dry bulbs of the geophyte Moraea collina were utilized. Habitat utilization, as well as grass height and greenness surveys in the Recently Burnt Area, and the nutritional status of mountain zebra was found to be in line with the Summer Nutritional Stress Hypothesis. The hypothesis proposes that the harsh climatic conditions of the area during summer are linked to the low availability of C4 grass, on which grazers would depend in summer. This is supported by the avoidance of the Recently Burnt Area in summer, and the preference of species like Themeda triandra during summer despite low greenness levels. Faecal nitrogen and phosphorus for mountain zebra in Bontebok National Park and De Hoop Nature Reserve were at minimum levels during the warm seasons. Faecal nitrogen was below the threshold for dietary deficiency in all seasons except spring, and faecal phosphorus was above the threshold for deficiency during two seasons only. The findings of this study are in line with other recent work on mountain zebra in the Baviaanskloof suggesting that, due to a high required rate of forage intake, mountain zebra are limited by both poor resource quantity and quality in dystrophic fynbos ecosystems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
- Authors: Strauss, Taniia
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Habitat conservation -- South Africa -- Western Cape Zebras -- Habitat -- Conservation -- South Africa -- Western Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/11374 , vital:26917
- Description: Cape mountain zebra habitat utilization and diet in the dystrophic fynbos habitat of the Bontebok National Park was found to be highly selective. Mountain zebra concentrated in specific sectors and habitat types in the park on a seasonal basis, preferring recently burnt habitat with a veld age younger than one year in all seasons, except during the warm, dry summer. Proteoid Fynbos with a veld age between one and five years was preferred in the cool winter, while Drainage Lines and the fringes of Inland Pans were preferred during summer. Asteraceous Fynbos was avoided, irrespective of veld age, as well as all other habitats with a veld age greater than five years. Within habitat types with a veld age greater than one year, specific sites were selected and avoided on a seasonal basis, which were found to differ in terms of habitat suitability, based on the availability of dietary plant species. The annual diet consisted of 72.6% grass, 11.8% restio, 5.9% sedge, 8.8% geophyte and less than 1% forb and shrub species. Three grass species formed the bulk of the annual diet, Themeda triandra, Cymbopogon marginatus and Eragrostis curvula, for which leaf use was greater than stem use. Themeda trianda was preferred throughout the year, but contributed to the diet in greatest proportion in the warm, dry summer, when it was available at greatest leaf height and diameter. Cymbopogon marginatus was preferred during the cool winter, when diet composition and greenness was also greater than in other seasons. Preference of Cymbopogon marginatus decreased as leaf height and diameter increased. Eragrostis curvula was preferred in the warm autumn, when it composed the largest proportion of the diet, and selection of this species at feeding sites was based on both greenness and volume. In summer mountain zebra also preferred grass stems and inflorescences of Aristida diffusa, Stipagrostis zeyheri and Briza maxima. During the cool spring the diet included stems and inflorescences of sedges and restios, primarily Ischyrolepis capensis, and in autumn, dry bulbs of the geophyte Moraea collina were utilized. Habitat utilization, as well as grass height and greenness surveys in the Recently Burnt Area, and the nutritional status of mountain zebra was found to be in line with the Summer Nutritional Stress Hypothesis. The hypothesis proposes that the harsh climatic conditions of the area during summer are linked to the low availability of C4 grass, on which grazers would depend in summer. This is supported by the avoidance of the Recently Burnt Area in summer, and the preference of species like Themeda triandra during summer despite low greenness levels. Faecal nitrogen and phosphorus for mountain zebra in Bontebok National Park and De Hoop Nature Reserve were at minimum levels during the warm seasons. Faecal nitrogen was below the threshold for dietary deficiency in all seasons except spring, and faecal phosphorus was above the threshold for deficiency during two seasons only. The findings of this study are in line with other recent work on mountain zebra in the Baviaanskloof suggesting that, due to a high required rate of forage intake, mountain zebra are limited by both poor resource quantity and quality in dystrophic fynbos ecosystems.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2015
Commercialisation of emerging famers in the Eastern Cape province: identification of limiting factors that inhibit the progression from subsistence to commercial farming
- Authors: Khapayi, Musa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10593 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020067
- Description: The broad objective of the study was to investigate the limiting factors that prevent a breakthrough of emerging farmers to commercial agricultural farming industry. The research objectives were to describe the demographic characteristics such as age, education, farming skills and experience; determine the required support services needed; and inform the limiting factors that prevent breakthrough of emerging farmers to enter commercial agricultural industry. The study was conducted in King William’s Town area through structured questionnaires administered by the researcher. A sample of 50 emerging farmers was drawn in the area. The majority of households in the area depend on subsistence farming for household survival. Results indicated that emerging farmers are faced with poor physical infrastructure such as implements to better their production as well as low education levels which results as an inability to interpret market information to be used in production planning. It is also clear that the farmers face a lack of market infrastructure, poor roads, lack of market information, lack of transportation to markets and high transportation costs. The majority of the farmers were old and the youth was not engaged in agriculture. The findings showed that there is an insufficient role from government with regards to emerging farmer support and providing the required infrastructure to access markets or improving rural infrastructure. As a result the majority of the farmers are trapped in a cycle of poverty. The following policy recommendations are suggested: Financial services such as credit must be made available to emerging farmers at reasonable interest rates such as low interest rate subsidies to emerging farmers up until commercialisation. The requirements for emerging farmers to access loans, funding or credit should be restructured or adjusted to the ability of the farmer to repay the credit rather than the availability of title deeds or assets as collateral. Extension officers should regularly visit the localities were emerging farmers are farming have a better understanding of their farming areas, farming methods and improve their communication with the farmers. Lastly the land reform initiatives should be re-organised or developed if necessary to ensure efficient re-allocation of land. The policies should be developed to focus on both the individual farm plots and the collective rights.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Khapayi, Musa
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10593 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020067
- Description: The broad objective of the study was to investigate the limiting factors that prevent a breakthrough of emerging farmers to commercial agricultural farming industry. The research objectives were to describe the demographic characteristics such as age, education, farming skills and experience; determine the required support services needed; and inform the limiting factors that prevent breakthrough of emerging farmers to enter commercial agricultural industry. The study was conducted in King William’s Town area through structured questionnaires administered by the researcher. A sample of 50 emerging farmers was drawn in the area. The majority of households in the area depend on subsistence farming for household survival. Results indicated that emerging farmers are faced with poor physical infrastructure such as implements to better their production as well as low education levels which results as an inability to interpret market information to be used in production planning. It is also clear that the farmers face a lack of market infrastructure, poor roads, lack of market information, lack of transportation to markets and high transportation costs. The majority of the farmers were old and the youth was not engaged in agriculture. The findings showed that there is an insufficient role from government with regards to emerging farmer support and providing the required infrastructure to access markets or improving rural infrastructure. As a result the majority of the farmers are trapped in a cycle of poverty. The following policy recommendations are suggested: Financial services such as credit must be made available to emerging farmers at reasonable interest rates such as low interest rate subsidies to emerging farmers up until commercialisation. The requirements for emerging farmers to access loans, funding or credit should be restructured or adjusted to the ability of the farmer to repay the credit rather than the availability of title deeds or assets as collateral. Extension officers should regularly visit the localities were emerging farmers are farming have a better understanding of their farming areas, farming methods and improve their communication with the farmers. Lastly the land reform initiatives should be re-organised or developed if necessary to ensure efficient re-allocation of land. The policies should be developed to focus on both the individual farm plots and the collective rights.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013