Science and technology can help feed the ever-growing human population. Green Revolution, still under critique, helped to certain extent, to reduce poverty in Asia. Biotechnology is not a solution to all problems but could be used in conjunction with other new technologies, to feed Africa. The adoption of biotechnology by farmers throughout the world, and by African farmers in particular, could help Africans to farm successfully without asking for food aid from other continents. The study analysed the adoption of maize biotechnology by developing maize farmers of Gauteng Province, South Africa. Primary data was collected through a survey (using a structured questionnaire) from 121 maize farmers from 2011 to 2014 maize production seasons. Data was analysed using SPSS computer software for descriptive statistics, rate of adoption and logit function to determine factors influencing adoption of Bt maize by farmers. The results of the descriptive analysis showed that 54% of the farmers adopted Bt maize during the 2011 to 2014 maize production seasons in the Gauteng Province. Results of the Logit model analysis indicated that farm size, gender, age, education level, off-farm employment, extension visits and farm neighbour had positive significant impact on the adoption of Bt maize by farmers. Visits by sales representatives of companies selling maize seeds, affiliation to farmer organisations and farmers speaking about Bt maize during meetings had negative significant impact on adoption of Bt maize by farmers. Developing farmers need regular visits of extension officers and their knowledge in order to achieve a high rate of Bt maize adoption. Well planted demonstration plots should be encouraged for farmers to adopt Bt maize as farmers believe in seeing to copy. Representatives from seed suppliers need to improve their sales approach in order to encourage adoption of Bt maize. Female developing farmers should be encouraged to get involved in maize farming by example making exclusive financing model for women farmers. Government can create legislations to commit financial institutions to provide women farmers with low interests or zero interest on farm loans to women farmers. Rigorous training should be encouraged so that farmers could successfully adopt Bt maize / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M. Sc. (Agriculture and Animal Health)

MSCAGR (Plant Production) / Department of Plant Production / See the attached abstract below

Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are small (<3mm) blood feeding flies. These flies are biological vectors of viruses, protozoa and filarial nematodes affecting birds, humans, and other animals. Among the viruses transmitted those causing bluetongue (BT), African horse sickness (AHS) and epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD) are of major veterinary significance. Culicoides (Avaritia) imicola Kieffer, a proven vector of both AHS and BT viruses, is the most abundant and wide spread livestock-associated Culicoides species in South Africa. Field isolations of virus and oral susceptibility studies, however, indicated that a second Avaritia species, C. bolitinos Meiswinkel may be a potential vector of both BT virus (BTV) and AHS virus (AHSV). Differences in oral susceptibility, which are under genetic control, of populations from different geographical areas to viruses may be an indication of genetic differences between these populations, which may be the result of limited contact between these populations. A good knowledge of the distribution, spread and genetic structure of the insect vector is essential in understanding AHS or BT disease epidemiology. In the present study, an effort was made to gather field specimens of both C. imicola and C. bolitinos from different areas within their natural distribution in South Africa. The aim was to partially sequence two mitochondrial genes from these specimens and to analyse the sequence data making use of phylogenetic trees to clarify the genetic relationships between individuals or groups collected from geographically distinct sites. The two species were collected from four geographically separated areas in South Africa viz. Gauteng Province, Eastern Cape Province, Western Cape Province as well as the Free State Province. DNA was extracted from a total of 120 individual midges of the two Culicoides species using DNA extraction kits. Extracted DNA was analysed using PCR, sequencing as well as phylogenetic methods. A total of 117 mitochondrial DNA COI and 104 mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA Culidoides</i. sequences were analysed. DNA sequence polymorphism and phylogenetic relationships of various groups of C. imicola and C. bolitinos midges were determined. The results of the phylogenetic analysis of Culicoides populations using mitochondrial COI gene fragment showed that, at least one subpopulation of C. imicola and two distinct genotypes of C. bolitinos species do exist in South Africa, and further analysis is necessary. This study showed that COI has the potential to separate Culicoides midges based on their geography / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / unrestricted

Genetically modified (GM) white and yellow maize, Zea mays, has been commercially released and cultivated in South Africa since 1997/1998. The traits expressed are insect resistance and herbicide tolerance conferred by the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry genes and Agrobacterium 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase gene, respectively. The Cry genes have been used widely to control lepidopteran insect pests but insect resistance to GM Bt crops has been a concern since the introduction of this technology. A management strategy includes refugia planting of 5% non-Bt plants, with no insecticide application, and 20%, where insecticide application is allowed. These refugia are designed to allow the survival of insect pests within restricted planted zones. However, in South Africa there are reports of Bt-resistant stem borer (Busseola fusca) (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and non-compliance with refuge planting. The aims of this study were two-fold: 1. To conduct a survey among KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) GM maize growers to ascertain information such as level of compliance with refuge planting and to determine which refugia were predominantly planted and reasons thereof; 2. To conduct a replicated field trial to determine yield, insect borer damage and economic benefit of the 5% unsprayed and 20% sprayed refuge options (including three configurations namely strip, perimeter and block and a 5 and 20% ‘refuge-in-a-bag’ option). The survey indicated that 28 out of 29 (96.6%) KZN Bt maize growers plant the 5% non-sprayed refuge with 27 (96.4%) of those respondents planting the strip configuration for the purpose of insect management (75%) and ease of planting (32.2%). The survey also showed that 7 (seven) i.e. 21.9% of KZN Bt maize growers observed borer damage and although growers are now fully compliant with refugia planting requirements, initially 7 respondents (24.1%) did not comply with or plant refugia correctly. Furthermore, 7 respondents reported insect borer damage in their maize with 4 of the 7 instances (57.1%) likely stemming from incorrectly planted refugia. vii No significant differences in yield or insect damage were observed between the 5 and 20% refugia for any of the planting configurations in the field trial. However due to costs involved with insecticide application and labour required for the operation in the 20% option, these treatments were less economically advantageous than the non-Bt control. The 20% block and strip configurations had a cost benefit ratio of ZAR 7.21 and ZAR 6.67 respectively, earned per R1 spent by the grower compared with ZAR 7.76 in the sprayed control. The cost-benefit comparison for the 5% block and strip configurations was ZAR 8.48 and ZAR 7.71, respectively compared with ZAR 9.44 in the unsprayed control. In addition, the 20% seed mixture limited borer damage to 4.95% when compared with 15.77% damage in the sprayed control (ANOVA, F pr = 0.124). The seed mixtures are not available commercially and the results from the survey indicated that some education and marketing by the seed companies would be advisable prior to their release to the farming community. In order to determine which of the refuge options between 5 and 20% would be more advantageous for growers overall, regardless of the planting configuration; data were grouped and analysed. There were no significant differences in either the yield or insect damage for the 5 and 20% refugia, but the cost-benefit calculations indicated that the 5% option was more cost effective – for the 5 and 20% refugia, ZAR 7.97 and ZAR 7.15 respectively, earned per ZAR 1 spent by the grower (ANOVA, F pr. = 0.03). This is because no insecticide was used in the 5% treatments. Mean ear damage comparisons between the 5 and 20% refugia showed that the 20% refuge in the perimeter configuration incurred the least damage (2.65% ear damage) compared with 5% perimeter (10.86% ear damage), although the reasons for this are not clear. While the results of the field trials showed no significant differences in insect damage and yield with regard to choice of refuge configuration, monitoring insect resistance management remains an integral part of Bt maize crops in South Africa, in order to delay further resistance development and to prolong the viability of Bt technology. / Agriculture and  Animal Health / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

This dissertation investigates the advantages of procuring capital-intensive infrastructure services via Public-Private Partnerships (P3s or PPPs) – cost and time savings and; innovation and high levels of efficiency – accounting for these advantages by reference to the underlying legal provisions and principles that facilitate them; and in this process highlights two significant directions in which Canadian P3 law, policy and practice has evolved – the enactment of P3 legislation and/or the formulation of non-statutory P3-related policy; as well as the establishment of legal institutions that promote and/or facilitate P3 procurements. The dissertation also addresses key arguments raised against P3s, by reference to aspects of Canadian law, policy and P3 practice. The research methodology comprises a detailed review of legal and non-legal sources. The implication of the research findings is that, given the foregoing developments in Canadian P3 law, policy and practice, the key arguments canvassed against P3s are overstated and lacking in merit.

This dissertation investigates the advantages of procuring capital-intensive infrastructure services via Public-Private Partnerships (P3s or PPPs) – cost and time savings and; innovation and high levels of efficiency – accounting for these advantages by reference to the underlying legal provisions and principles that facilitate them; and in this process highlights two significant directions in which Canadian P3 law, policy and practice has evolved – the enactment of P3 legislation and/or the formulation of non-statutory P3-related policy; as well as the establishment of legal institutions that promote and/or facilitate P3 procurements. The dissertation also addresses key arguments raised against P3s, by reference to aspects of Canadian law, policy and P3 practice. The research methodology comprises a detailed review of legal and non-legal sources. The implication of the research findings is that, given the foregoing developments in Canadian P3 law, policy and practice, the key arguments canvassed against P3s are overstated and lacking in merit.

Le déploiement d'une infrastructure de supervision permet une gestion plus intelligente des réseaux de distribution d'électricité comparé à un renforcement traditionnel pour répondre aux nouveaux enjeux de la maitrise de l'énergie (Consommations, EnR, VE, ...). Pour acheminer les données, les Courants Porteurs en Ligne (CPL) possèdent un atout majeur. En effet, cette technologie permet de superposer un signal de plus haute fréquence au signal électrique 50/60 Hz. Toutefois, le support de transmission est difficile et non maîtrisable. Ces travaux de recherche ont pour objectif d'apporter une contribution à cette problématique par l'élaboration d'une plateforme de simulation des réseaux pour des fréquences allant jusqu'à 1 MHz dans un but de transmission de données. Des éléments clés des réseaux sont traités de façon séparés puis assemblés pour estimer les performances des CPL « Outdoor » actuels. La variation du comportement des réseaux en fonction du temps et de la fréquence, en particulier des perturbations en tête d'installation clients sur 24h est étudiée. Les transformateurs entre les réseaux HTA et BT sont modélisés sous la forme d'un « modèle à constantes localisées » et d'un « modèle boite noire ». Les deux modèles sont appliqués sur un transformateur H61 100 kVA. Par la suite, une modélisation des câbles de distribution est proposée sous forme d'un « modèle cascadé ». Celle-ci est appliquée sur un câble souterrain BT. Chaque modèle est obtenu à l'aide de mesures d'impédances, et validé par des mesures de transmissions. Pour compléter, une étude préliminaire sur les communications radio mobile est réalisée pour la supervision des réseaux de distribution. / Establishing a supervisory infrastructure allows a better smart management than an expensive strengthening of distribution network to respond to new constraints at the energies control (Consumption, REN, EV ...). To transmit data, Power Line Communication (PLC) technologies present an advantage in this context. In fact, it enables a superposition of High Frequency (HF) signals on electrical signal 50/60 Hz. However, electric networks have not been developed to this application because of difficult propagation conditions. This research work makes a contribution to develop a simulation platform in objective to transmit data to 1 MHz. In first time, each network element is studied singly and in second time, together, to estimate "Outdoor PLC" transmission performance. The first element studied is the networks variation in function of frequency and time. Several 24h disturbance measurements on LV customers are presented. The second element is the transformers which established connection between Medium Voltage (MV) and Low Voltage (LV). The proposed modeling method is based on a "lumped model" and a "black box model". These models are applied to a 100 kVA H61 transformer most commonly used by French distribution system operator in rural and suburban networks. The third element is the power line used in MV and LV networks. The proposed modeling method is based on a "cascaded model" from the theory of transmission line. This model is applied to one power line used in LV underground network. Each model is obtained from various impedance measurements. To complete, an introductory study on mobile radio communication is performed to remote network distribution.

Genetically modified (GM) white and yellow maize, Zea mays, has been commercially released and cultivated in South Africa since 1997/1998. The traits expressed are insect resistance and herbicide tolerance conferred by the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) Cry genes and Agrobacterium 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate (EPSP) synthase gene, respectively. The Cry genes have been used widely to control lepidopteran insect pests but insect resistance to GM Bt crops has been a concern since the introduction of this technology. A management strategy includes refugia planting of 5% non-Bt plants, with no insecticide application, and 20%, where insecticide application is allowed. These refugia are designed to allow the survival of insect pests within restricted planted zones. However, in South Africa there are reports of Bt-resistant stem borer (Busseola fusca) (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and non-compliance with refuge planting. The aims of this study were two-fold: 1. To conduct a survey among KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) GM maize growers to ascertain information such as level of compliance with refuge planting and to determine which refugia were predominantly planted and reasons thereof; 2. To conduct a replicated field trial to determine yield, insect borer damage and economic benefit of the 5% unsprayed and 20% sprayed refuge options (including three configurations namely strip, perimeter and block and a 5 and 20% ‘refuge-in-a-bag’ option). The survey indicated that 28 out of 29 (96.6%) KZN Bt maize growers plant the 5% non-sprayed refuge with 27 (96.4%) of those respondents planting the strip configuration for the purpose of insect management (75%) and ease of planting (32.2%). The survey also showed that 7 (seven) i.e. 21.9% of KZN Bt maize growers observed borer damage and although growers are now fully compliant with refugia planting requirements, initially 7 respondents (24.1%) did not comply with or plant refugia correctly. Furthermore, 7 respondents reported insect borer damage in their maize with 4 of the 7 instances (57.1%) likely stemming from incorrectly planted refugia. vii No significant differences in yield or insect damage were observed between the 5 and 20% refugia for any of the planting configurations in the field trial. However due to costs involved with insecticide application and labour required for the operation in the 20% option, these treatments were less economically advantageous than the non-Bt control. The 20% block and strip configurations had a cost benefit ratio of ZAR 7.21 and ZAR 6.67 respectively, earned per R1 spent by the grower compared with ZAR 7.76 in the sprayed control. The cost-benefit comparison for the 5% block and strip configurations was ZAR 8.48 and ZAR 7.71, respectively compared with ZAR 9.44 in the unsprayed control. In addition, the 20% seed mixture limited borer damage to 4.95% when compared with 15.77% damage in the sprayed control (ANOVA, F pr = 0.124). The seed mixtures are not available commercially and the results from the survey indicated that some education and marketing by the seed companies would be advisable prior to their release to the farming community. In order to determine which of the refuge options between 5 and 20% would be more advantageous for growers overall, regardless of the planting configuration; data were grouped and analysed. There were no significant differences in either the yield or insect damage for the 5 and 20% refugia, but the cost-benefit calculations indicated that the 5% option was more cost effective – for the 5 and 20% refugia, ZAR 7.97 and ZAR 7.15 respectively, earned per ZAR 1 spent by the grower (ANOVA, F pr. = 0.03). This is because no insecticide was used in the 5% treatments. Mean ear damage comparisons between the 5 and 20% refugia showed that the 20% refuge in the perimeter configuration incurred the least damage (2.65% ear damage) compared with 5% perimeter (10.86% ear damage), although the reasons for this are not clear. While the results of the field trials showed no significant differences in insect damage and yield with regard to choice of refuge configuration, monitoring insect resistance management remains an integral part of Bt maize crops in South Africa, in order to delay further resistance development and to prolong the viability of Bt technology. / Agriculture and  Animal Health / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

No description available.