Here’s your guide to the most important pests that attack plants in hydroponic systems. Growing conditions in a hydroponic system differ from those in open fields, but most pests attack plants in both systems with equal vigour because the plants’ chemical make-up stays the same, irrespective of the growing conditions.…
We look at the bacterial pathogens that can cause disease in potato plants and tubers. Yield losses and reduced cosmetic value are 2 of the detrimental effects bacterial diseases can have in the potato industry. Of these, Ralstonia solanacearum (bacterial wilt), Pectobacterium spp, Dickeya spp (previously known as Erwinia spp)…
Learning how to identify insect potato pests helps us to decide on a course of treatment. Taking a close look at the most important of the more than 60 insect pests that attack potatoes will help potato farmers to protect their crops and income. POTATO TUBER MOTH The moths are…
Certain diseases can wreak havoc in hydroponic systems – guard against them by following this advice. Plants grown in hydroponic systems are susceptible to many of the diseases affecting field-grown vegetable crops. But because hydroponic systems are grown under shelter (plastic tunnels/shade net), fungal and bacterial diseases of the above-ground parts…
Packaging is expensive, but it’s important if you are to achieve top prices for your fresh produce. The cost of packaging can be frightening, so some farmers turn to cheaper alternatives, such as second-hand containers. Like the Eastern Cape farmer who does the rounds of all the fruit and veg…
If planned badly, transport for fresh produce is expensive, but used properly it can become cost-effective. There are 3 factors a producer needs to adhere to when planning transport for fresh produce. Get them right and you’ll find transport isn’t the monster some people make it out to be. SELLING…
Tossie Ferreira, a highly skilled craftsman from Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape, shared the secrets of making a 6-strand whip with us. Place a tanned kudu hide on your workbench, and remove all the weak sections, such as the thigh and leg. Carefully cut the strands, one by one,…
Here are some production tips for grain sorghum. Grain sorghum must be planted shallow, especially on heavy soils. Place the seed in moist soil, otherwise germination could be retarded. The planting depth varies between 3 cm and 5 cm. After planting, the soil crust must be broken up to enable…
Wheat undergoes various stages before it reaches maturity. Farmers need to know what these stages are if production is to be optimal, says Dr. Eric Morojele. Knowing at which stage of development wheat is most vulnerable to certain pests, diseases or weed increase can significantly help to reduce production losses.…
Question: I want to feed my pigs well so they can grow and be healthy, but commercial rations are very expensive, and I can’t always afford them. Are there any alternatives? Pigs grow best on commercial rations which have been designed to supply the balanced diet they need. But if…
Wheat can be produced under varied climatic and soil conditions. The reason is the diverse genetic material available in the form of different cultivars. Production regions (in South Africa) can be divided into 3 broad areas: • the southern, winter rainfall; dryland area; • the northern, summer rainfall; dryland area; and…
Effective branding can make or break your products. Here’s how to ensure that people come back for more. HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO FRESH PRODUCE? I’ll start with the bad news: Effective branding costs a lot of money. The good news is that you can do something about it. If…
Question: Why are we advised to cull our ewes and does? Surely it’s better to keep all the females for breeding? Keeping all breeding animals can result in less breeding. The aims of farming are to produce food for the farmer’s family and also extra lambs or kids to sell…
Using intensive pasture can threaten production by leading to metabolic imbalances and disease in pastoral animals. Most crops that are grazed or used to make hay or silage – such as maize, oats, wheat, ryegrass, lucerne, soybeans, sorghum and Japanese radish – have the potential to build up toxic nitrate…
Potatoes are the fourth most important food crop in the world, after wheat, maize and rice. They are also the second highest vegetable producer of protein (second only to soya beans) and have a more balanced content of minerals and vitamins than any other major carbohydrate food crop. Potatoes are…
Until recently, only a few livestock farmers have used pods from the carob tree to feed their stock, but agricultural researchers are now encouraging commercial plantings because of their feeding potential. Pods from the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua) – commonly known as St John’s bread – can be used directly…
If you’re a farmer – new or already established – producing crops, you need to know how to handle and store pesticides and chemicals safely and how to protect your workers, and yourself, while doing so. It is the duty of the employer, in this case the farmer, to provide…
