Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / Full text to be digitised and attached to bibliographic record. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The losses incurred to by the South African hardwood industry because of damage caused by the larvae of the Australian eucalyptus borers Phoracantha semipunctata (Fabricius) and P. recurva Newman (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) were countered by the introduction of various biological control agents. Megalyra fasciipennis Westwood (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), restricted to the southwestern Cape for nearly 91 years after its probable establishment in 1910, is a specialist pupal parasitoid achieving a parasitism level of up to 52.5 %. It has an activity peak in early spring, which coincides with the pupation of a large percentage of its hosts that had overwintered as larvae. The average length of the ovipositor of M. fasciipennis (42.71 ± 5.33 mm S.D.) was longer than the average tunnel length (31.34 ± 11.85 mm S.D.) to the pupal chamber of Phoracantha spp, within the log despite variations in the thicknesses of the eucalypt stems. Stem thickness therefore did not adversely affect the level of parasitism. Megalyra fasciipennis adults are diurnal, with activity largely determined by temperature. Over 70 % were active between 25°C and 34 °C, the minimum threshold for activity being 16°C. Optimum temperature for oviposition was 30 °C. Males became active before the females and maximum oviposition occurred between 10hOOand 15hOO. In 1993, a host specific egg parasitoid, Avetianella longoi Siscaro (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), was introduced for the control of Phoracantha spp. A total of 7791 A. longoi adults and 80 parasitised eggs were released around Cape Town between 1993 and 1995 before establishment was confirmed. Dispersal was monitored annually and was determined to occur at a rate of 50 km/year. By 1998 A. longoi had dispersed 300 km north of Cape Town to Lutzville and 270 km east to Riversdal. Subsequent to a satellite release in Knysna during 1994, it has been established 40 km from this release site, at Plettenberg Bay. The parasitoid has also bridged a LO km expanse of ocean to establish on Robben Island, immediately off the west coast of Cape Town. Avetianella longoi has a preference for the eggs of P. semipunctata, which is the most likely cause for the decline in the population of P. semipunctata. However, P. recurva remains relatively unaffected. Average parasitism of Phoracantha spp. eggs by A. longoi was 59.4 %. An undescribed Cleonymus sp. (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) of unknown origin (the genus being widely distributed on several continents), was discovered in the Cape Peninsula parasitising late instar larvae of P. semipunctata and P. recurva. This ectoparasitoid lays its eggs (mean number per larva = 20.3 ± 15.2 S.D.) through the bark into the host chamber after the host has been paralysed. The host is entirely consumed and pupation takes place in the chamber with wasps emerging in the ratio of 1 male: 3 females. Although uncommon in the field, mass rearing of these wasps in culture was easily accomplished and a consignment was released in the Tzaneen district in 1993, where it was confirmed to have become established in 1996. Bark thickness constraints on the effectiveness of this parasitoid as a biological control agent because it's short ovipositor restricts the wasp to certain eucalypt species or trees with thin bark. The introduction into South Africa in 1995 and attempted establishment of the larval parasitoids, Syngaster lepidus Brullé (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Jarra phoracantha Marsh & Austin (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and J maculipennis Marsh & Austin proved unsuccessful in the Western Cape. However, the former two species were established in the Tzaneen district and their recruitment for release in the Western Cape should be considered. The present guild of biological control agents has been insufficient to give the required control. In the absence of biological control agents, intraspecific competition amongst host larvae is the major mortality factor. Although high levels of mortality are achieved as a result of parasitism despite the biological constraints of the parasitoids (e.g. the narrow activity peak of A. longoi and the restriction of Cleonymus sp. to thin barked eucalypts), their combined parasitism has succeeded in reducing the competition between host larvae, resulting in fewer yet larger host beetles emerging. The introduction of additional viable agents to assist in the biocontrol of Phoracantha spp. is required. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die verliese wat die Suid-Afrikaanse hardehoutbedryf ly as gevolg van skade veroorsaak deur die bloekomboorders Phoracantha semipunctata en P. recurva (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), is bekamp deur die invoer van verskeie biologiese beheeragente. Megalyra fasciipennis Westwood (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), beperk tot die Suidwes-Kaap vir byna 91 jaar nadat dit waarskynlik in 1910 daar gevestig is, is In spesialis papieparasitoïd wat In parasitismevlak van tot 52.5% bereik. Dit het In aktiwiteitspiek in die vroeë lente wat saamval met die papievorming van baie gasheerlarwes wat oorwinter het. Die gemiddelde lengte van die eierboor van M. fasciipennis (42.71 ± 5.33 mm S.A.) was langer as die gemiddelde tonnellengte (31.34 ± 11.85 mm S.A.) na die papieholte van die gasheer binne in die hout, ten spyte van die variasie in die dikte van die bloekomstamme. Stamdikte het dus nie In nadelige uitwerking op die vlak van parasitisme nie. Volwassenes van M.fasciipennis is bedags aktief en aktiwiteit word hoofsaaklik deur temperatuur bepaal. Meer as 70% was tussen 25°C en 34 °C aktief, met 16°C as die minimum drumpel vir aktiwiteit. Mannetjies het voor die wyfies aktief geword en maksimum eierlegging het tussen 10hOOen 15hOO plaasgevind. In 1993 is die gasheerspesifieke eierparasitoïd Avetianella longoi Siscaro (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) vir die beheer van Phoracantha spp. ingevoer. Van 1993 tot 1995 is 7791 volwassenes van A. longoi en 80 geparasiteerde eiers rondom Kaapstad vrygelaat en dis vasgestel dat die spesies gevestig het. Die verspreiding daarvan is jaarliks gemonitor en dis vasgestel dat dit teen 50 km per jaar plaasvind. Teen 1998 het dit versprei tot 300km noord van Kaapstad na Lutzville en 270 km oos na Riversdal. Na 'n satelliet-loslating by Knysna in 1994 het dit 40 km verder by Plettenbergbaai gevestig. Die parasitoïd het ook 10 km van die oseaan oorgesteek om op Robbeneiland, wes van Kaapstad te vestig. Avetianella longoi gee voorkeur aan die eiers van P. semipunctata en dis waarskynlik die rede vir die afname in die getalle van hierdie spesies, maar P.recurva word relatief min beïnvloed. Die gemiddelde graad van parasitisme van Phoracantha spp. was 59.4%. Dit is gevind dat 'n onbeskryfde Cleonymus sp. (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) van onbekende oorsprong (die genus kom wyd verspreid in verskeie vastelande voor) die laat instar larwes van P. semipunctata en P. recurva parasiteer. Hierdie ektoparasitoïd lê sy eiers (gemiddeld 20.3 ± 15.2 S.A.) in die gasheerholte nadat die gasheer eers verlam is. Die gasheer word heeltemalopgevreet en pupering vind plaas in die holte plaas. Volwassenes kom uit in verhoudingvan drie mannetjies tot een wyfie. Alhoewel skaars in die natuur, kan hierdie wesp maklik in massa geteel word. 'n Besending is in die Tzaneen distrik vrygestel en in 1996 is vasgestel dat hulle gevestig het. Basdikte is 'n beperkende faktor in die gebruik van hierdie parasitoïd as effektiewe beheeragent vir biologiese beheer omdat die kort lengte van die eierboor die wesp sal beperk tot bloekomsoorte met dun bas. Die invoer na Suid-Afrika in 1995 en vestiging van die larwale parasitoïde Syngaster lepidus Brullé (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), J. phoracantha Marsh & Austin (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) en J. maculipennis Marsh & Austin was onsuksesvol in dieWes-Kaap. Die twee spesies is egter in die distrik Tzaneen gevestig en versameling met die oog op loslating in die Wes-Kaap behoort oorweeg te word. Die huidige gilde van biologiese beheer-agente is onvoldoende om die vereiste graad van beheer te verskaf. In die afwesigheid van biologiese beheer-agente is intraspesifieke kompetisie tussen gasheerlarwes die belangrikste mortaliteitfaktor. Alhoewel hoë vlakke van mortaliteit as gevolg van parasitisme bereik word, ten spyte van die biologiese beperkings van die parasitoïde (bv. die kort aktiwiteitspiek van A. longoi en die beperking van Cleonymus tot bloekoms met dun bas), het die gekombineerde parasitisme daarin geslaag om die kompetisie tussen gasheerlarwes te verlaag, met die gevolg dat minder maar groter gasheerkewers verskyn het. Dit is dus nodig dat addisionele organismes gevestig word om by te dra tot die biologiese beheer van Phoracantha spp.

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2007 / The dissertation focuses on sharing experiences related to the shortcomings in the discipline of inventory management and control. The research was limited to inventory management and control practices in select manufacturing and production sites in Saldanha Bay on the Cape west coast. The shortcomings identified may be seen as holistic in inventory management and control and are thus not restricted to the Saldanha Bay area only. The results of the research provide comprehensive insight into the elementary aspects of managing inventories in fast- paced, industrial manufacturing environment. The dissertation touches on the problems that arise when inventory managers do not understand the concept of inventory management. The researcher witnessed the shortage of schooled and skilled inventory managers in both the public and privates sectors in South Africa. It is hoped that after reading the content of this research, the reader concerned with inventory management and control will be better equipped to address these issues.

Dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Magister Technologiae: Quality in the Faculty of Engineering at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology / The Quality Control laboratory in the South African Breweries (SAB) measures the quality of raw materials to final product to enable the plant to make process changes if required. The brewing laboratory also co-ordinates taste sessions, and maintains and calibrates equipment for the plant. They also have internal verification (Reference control) systems and validation (standards) systems in place to ensure accuracy of measurements. The Service Level Agreement (SLA) scores according to the researcher are low owing to staff cuts and ineffective time management.The aim of this research is to improve SLA scores and to investigate if using SLA scores is the best way to measure service quality in the Quality Control department of SAB. The researcher aims to use SERVQUAL as a measuring tool to measure service quality in conjunction with SLA‟s. Because the laboratory is a service department, it is expected by brewing internal customers that the laboratory provides the plant with quality data and equipment support in the virtual laboratories in the plant. Furthermore it is expected that the service provided will always be of a high standard, and that SLA scores will be of a high standard as well.The major issue with service quality in the SAB laboratory is the low level of SLA scores. The focus areas of SLA‟s currently are:  Quality Assurance (QA)/ Technical/ Production interaction.  Reference control.  Equipment support.  Routine analysis and ad hoc requests.  Trial support.  In process taste requirements.  Package product taste requirements (Routine, profile, trials and flavour stability). The low score of SLA‟S are mainly due to equipment support and reference control. The other factors also contribute to the low score; however the above mentioned two consistently return low scores. The results of service quality are not significantly improved through the use of SLA‟s calling for the requirement to improve service quality using the SERVQUAL instrument.

Hakea sericea Schrader was introduced to South Africa from Australia and has become a major problem in nearly all the coastal mountain ranges of the Cape Province. The hakea seed-moth, Carposina autologa Meyrick was released in South Africa for the biological control of H. sericea. The impact of the moth on the canopy-stored seeds of H. sericea was evaluated at two study sites in the south-western Cape over three years. The moth has reduced the accumulated seeds at the two study sites by 59.4% and 42.6%, respectively. The moth has shown a surprising ability to disperse and establish new colonies at low population levels. Factors contributing to the slow colonization of C. autologa in South Africa was investigated. The moths appear to be unable to distinguish between healthy and previously attacked fruits; 42.5% of the eggs were laid on attacked fruits. Only 13.1% of the healthy fruits with eggs yielded mature larvae. The high pre-penetration mortality found in the present study is similar to that found in Australia. The effect of the indigenous fungus, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) Sacc., on both H. sericea and C. autologa was investigated. H. sericea trees and branches that die as a result of fungus cause the accumulated fruits on the affected trees or branches to dehisce. This seed loss occurs at a crucial stage during C. autologa larval development. Only 42.1% and 33.0% of the trees were found to be healthy at the two study sites, respectively. One seed crop will always be available for regeneration, since recruitment is linked to fires, and wild-fires occur at a stage when the latest seed crop has escaped attack by c. autologa. C. autologa was released at six sites in the south-western Cape by attaching egg-bearing follicles to healthy fruits in the field. Three release sites were evaluated the year following release to determine whether the moth established or not. The role of C. autologa in the H. sericea biological control programme is discussed. Although seed destruction by C. autologa is not severe, it is expected to contribute to the control of H. sericea.

This study of family planning is based on a sample survey of 900 married white women under 50 years of age resident at the time of the survey (June 20th - August 31st, 1964) in the municipalities of Port Elizabeth and Walmer. The present chapter outlines briefly the setting, aims and scope of the study. In South Africa very little has been attempted in the line of the study of human reproductive behaviour, fertility control and the associated norms and values. Indeed, in South Africa there are serious gaps in our demographic knowledge and until fairly recently (1960) even the official census left much to be desired. It is hoped that the data gathered in this study will fill some of the gaps in our demographic knowledge about one particular urban area of South Africa as far as its white population is concerned. The present study is the first of its kind to be conducted in Port Elizabeth although a somewhat similar study was conducted in Johannesburg during 1957-58. As far as Port Elizabeth is concerned, this study breaks new ground, demographically speaking. Chapter 1, p. 1.

To stay competitive and to be able to sell high-class products in the modern automobile production it is absolutely necessary to check the quality standard of a manufactured vehicle. The normal measurement strategy to check the quality standard of a completely assembled car is through a complex measurement strategy whilst the vehicle is in the actual series production. This is an immensely time and money consuming process. Furthermore, measurement systems are fixed within a certain position and the flexible measurement of a produced vehicle is very difficult to realize. This project presents a measurement system compliant to all quality guidelines, with which it is possible to measure any mounted component from a completely assembled vehicle wherever and whenever required. For the first time it is possible to measure the vehicle quality and dimensional standard from the first body in white prototype assembled in production up to the completely assembled vehicle delivered to the customer. The result of this project is a measurement system that consists of a hardware tool and a specially programmed software add-on. The complete system could easily be carried to the vehicle that must be analysed. This gives a lot of advantages. Furthermore it is possible to use this developed technology for the whole Volkswagen Company including the other brands like Audi, Skoda and Seat.

M. Tech. Business Information Systems / Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are playing a pivotal role in shaping an international economic landscape through job creation and acting as a catalyst in encouraging indigenous-traditional business activities, particularly in rural areas. However, SMEs operate their business with a variety of challenges. For example, the inventory control system is operated manually which results in intensive human errors. The argument driving the study was that a wireless web-based inventory control system could lead to sustenance and competitiveness of rural SMEs. The objective of this study was to; analyse how rural SMEs conduct business and to analyse how manual inventory control system are used, explore issues and challenges experienced which may be affecting the process of conducting business, and lastly to determine how wireless inventory control system could be used appropriately to improve rural SMEs.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The high cost of herbicides for weed control in crop fields in the Western Cape is a major cause of reducing farmers' net income. As chemical weed control became more difficult and expensive, it became necessary to focus on the technique of reducing weed impact, which does not only involve herbicide usage. Aspects such as tillage method, sowing date of crops, crop rotation, weed ecology and germination requirements, amongst other, may play a role in reducing weed impact. The first experiment was done to determine whether temperature and light had an effect on the germination of six selected weed species, namely Arctotheca calendula, Avena fatua, Bromus diandrus, Emex australis, Lolium temulentum and Raphanus raphanistrum. Seeds of the aforementioned weeds were collected from Langgewens during 2000 and stored at room temperature before being used in this study. The seeds were germinated in a germination cabinet at three temperature regimes namely 5 "C /15 "C, 10°C / 15°C and 10°C / 20°C. Most seeds showed a positive germination response at the 10°C / 15°C treatment, except for Emex australis and Lolium temulentum, which was believed to germinate throughout the year under favourable conditions. Among the germinated weed species, Avena fatua germinated best with a cumulative value of 90% as compared to Raphanus raphanistrum, which germinated least with a cumulative value of 12%. The second experiment was done to evaluate the effect of three growth regulators, namely gibberellic acid, hydroxylamine (auxin), and kinetin (cytokinin) to break dormancy and enable simultaneous germination of the six weed species mentioned above. Weed seeds were germinated in a germination cabinet at 20 °C using the test solutions of the aforementioned growth regulators. The germination was assessed after 3, 7, 10 and 14 days of incubation and the tetrazolium test for the viability of seeds was done for ungerminated seeds. The result obtained showed that no chemical/concentration proved to be successful in stimulating the germination of all species tested. As for example a high concentration of hydroxylamine increased germination of Emex australis to nearly 100% and inhibited germination of Raphanus raphanistrum to less than 12.5% at all hydroxylamine concentrations. The third experiment was conducted with the aim of determining the competitiveness of the six weed species mentioned above when grown together with wheat in order to decide when weed control will be cost-effective. An additive series experiment was conducted in a glasshouse. The influence of weed species on wheat plant height, tiller number at different growth stages, vegetative dry mass and gram mass was determined by using different varying weed densities. Weed densities, through reduction in number of tillers, reduced wheat grain yield. By increasing the density of wheat this competitive effect could be reduced. Different weed densities caused a significant difference in wheat plant height, tiller number, dry mass and grain mass. The results showed that species had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on wheat plant height during tillering, stem elongation and heading growth stages. Total wheat plant above-ground dry mass was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by an increase in weed density. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hoë koste van onkruiddoders vir onkruidbeheer in graangebiede van die Wes- Kaap is een van die hooffaktore wat graanprodusente se netto inkomste verlaag. Weens moeiliker en duurder chemiese onkruidbeheer en om die impak van onkruide te verlaag, het dit noodsaaklik geword om op die tegnieke te fokus wat nie die gebruik van chemikalieë insluit nie. Faktore wat in rol kan speel sluit bewerkingspraktyke, saaidatum van gewasse, wisselbou, ekologie en ontkiemingsvereistes van onkruide in. Die eerste eksperiment is gedoen om te bepaal of temperatuur en lig 'n effek het op die ontkieming van ses gekose onkruide, naamlik Arctotheca calendula, Avenajatua, Bromus diandrus, Emex australis, Lo/ium temulentum en Raphanus raphanistrum. Sade van die voorgenoemde onkruide is in 2000 op Langgewens versamel en by kamertemperatuur geberg voordat dit in hierdie studie gebruik is. Die sade is in 'n ontkiemingskabinet geïnkubeer by drie temperatuurreekse naamlik 5 oe / 15 oe, 10 oe / 15 oe en 10 oe / 20 oe. Die meeste sade het 'n positiwe ontkiemingsreaksie getoon na die 10 oe / 15 oe behandeling, met die uitsondering van Emex australis en Lolium temulentum, wat oënskynlik heeljaar salontkiem onder gunstige omstandighede. Avena fatua het die hoogste ontkiemingspersentasie oor alle spesies getoon met 'n kumulatiewe waarde van 90% en Raphanus raphanistrum die minste met 'n kumulatiewe waarde van 12%. Die tweede eksperiment is gedoen om die invloed van drie groeireguleerders, naamlik gibberelliensuur, hidroksielamien (ouksien) en kinetin (sitokinien), op die opheffmg van saadrus te ondersoek en om ook die gelyktydige ontkieming van bogenoemde ses onkruidspesies moontlik te maak. Onkruidsade is in 'n ontkiemingskabinet by 20 oe ontkiem deur gebruik te maak van toetsoplossings van bogenoemde groei-reguleerders. Die ontkieming van die sade is na inkubasie periodes van 3, 7, 10 en 14 dae geëvalueer en die tetrazoliumtoets VIr saadkiemkragtigheid is toegepas vir onontkiemde sade. Die verkreë resultate het getoon dat geen chemiekalie / konsentrasie die ontkieming van alle spesies suksesvol kon stimuleer nie. Hoë konsentrasies hidroksielamien het die ontkieming van Emex australis tot byna 100% verhoog en het die ontkieming van Raphanus raphanistrum geïnhibeer tot minder as 12.5% by alle hidroksielamien konsentrasies. Die derde eksperiment is uitgevoer met die doelom die kompetisievermoë van dieselfde ses onkruidspesies te bepaal as dit saam met koring groei en om te besluit wanneer onkruidbeheer koste effektief sal wees. 'n Additiewe reeks eksperiment wat uit vier herhalings bestaan het, is in plastiekpotte in 'n glashuis uitgevoer. Die invloed van die onkruidspesies op koring planthoogte, halmgetal by verskillende groeistadiums, droë massa en graanmassa is bepaal deur onkruiddigthede te gebruik. Onkruide het koring opbrengs verlaag deur die vermindering van halmgetal en hierdie kompeterende effek kon verminder word deur 'n toename in die plantestand van koring. Verskillende onkruiddigthede het 'n betekenisvolle invloed op koring planthoogte, halmgetal, droë massa en graanmassa gehad. Die resultate het getoon dat spesies 'n betekenisvolle effek (p< 0.05) op koring planthoogte, stem verlenging en aarverskyning gehad het. Die totale bogrondse droë massa van koring is betekenisvol (p< 0.05) verminder deur 'n verhoging in onkruiddigtheid.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Agriculture.)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2011. / Using the Participatory Extension Approach adopted by the Limpopo Department of Agriculture, this study documented the development, implementation and impact of a community-based rodent control strategy at Regae in Limpopo Province. The results of a homestead survey and the trapping of rodents in dwellings, home gardens and fields confirmed the severity of the rodent problem in the village, which was caused by Rattus rattus, Mus musculus, Mus minutoides, Mastomys coucha and Rhabdomys pumilio.

False codling moth (FCM), Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is considered the most important indigenous pest of citrus in southern Africa. Major concerns such as progressive insecticidal resistance, the negative impact of insecticides on the environment, as well as the influence of consumers opposed to chemical residues on fruit, created opportunities for biological control methods such as Sterile Insect Technology (SIT). This technology is now established in the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa as an effective, sustainable alternative to conventional FCM control methods. Due to the prevalence of the pest in all citrus producing areas of South Africa, potential for SIT to expand is enormous. Success of an SIT programme is highly dependent on efficient application of the technology to achieve its objectives in a timeous manner. The aim of this study was to advance the application of SIT for control of FCM on citrus in South Africa, by investigating the effect of certain critical stages in the process. The effect of long-distance transportation on fitness of irradiated FCM was determined, showing reduced performance with cold-immobilized transport. A significant decrease in flight ability and longevity of irradiated FCM was found, although critically, realized fecundity was not affected. The effect of two different insecticides in the pyrethroid and organophosphate chemical groups were investigated for their residual effect on mortality of released irradiated FCM, to determine if these pest control programmes could be integrated. Both chlorpyrifos and tau-fluvalinate were effective in killing irradiated FCM for a number of days after application, after which degradation of the active ingredient rendered it harmless. This effect was found to be similar for irradiated and non-irradiated males, consequently ratios of sterile : wild male FCM should be retained regardless of whether sprays are applied or not. The modes for release of sterile FCM in an SIT programme were investigated. Efficacy of ground and aerial release platforms were tested by evaluating the recovery of released irradiated male FCM in these orchards. More irradiated FCM were recovered in orchards released from the ground compared to air. However, an economic analysis of both methods shows application of irradiated insects over a large geographical area is more cost-effective by air. Depending on the terrain and size of the target area, a combination of both methods is ideal for application of SIT for control of FCM in citrus. Development of application technology for advance of the programme is discussed and recommendations for future research and development are offered.