Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T15:14:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 _Rafaela_K_BASTOS.pdf: 1560970 bytes, checksum: ffc24518eabfdef76f8aff1be1e053ce (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-05 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The increased interest in biofuels in recent years, coupled with the problem of the need for environmental sanitation in different areas of the economy justify the proposal of this work, which is the reuse of wastewater from swine (SW) in the jatropha crop (Jatropha curcas L.) and its influence on oil acidity - short parameter importance in the production of biodiesel; culture stands out from oilseeds for its oil production capacity and high adaptability in different scenarios. The experiment featured a Jatropha plantation area of 900 m², which were used 216 m² for conducting the experiment, divided into eighteen installments, the research was conducted over three years; each year the plots received six treatments with different proportions of SW with three repetitions each, applications were performed in triplicate with an interval of three months between each application. Seed harvest was done by hand during the entire production plan period from the first application of each year, the oil was extracted with solvent (ethanol), justified because it is cheaper, less toxic and less harmful to the environment, when compared to other organic solvents such as hexane. The acidity was determined by titration process with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at the end of each experimental cycle; further the composition was determined as the percentage of oils of fatty acids (FA) by gas chromatography. The results showed an inversely proportional reduction of acidity amount of SW applied during the three years analyzed; It was also observed a decrease in linolenic acid concentration due to the increase of the applied dose and in all cycles. Knowing FA unsaturated oils leave them more susceptible to oxidation, reduction FA that may be related to decreased acidity / O aumento do interesse por biocombustíveis nos últimos anos, somado à problemática da necessidade do saneamento ambiental em diferentes áreas da economia, justificam a proposta do presente trabalho, que é o reuso da água residuária da suinocultura (ARS) na cultura do pinhão manso (Jatropha curcas L.) e sua influência sobre a acidez do óleo - parâmetro de suma importância na produção de biodiesel; a cultura se destaca dentre as oleaginosas por sua capacidade de produção de óleo e a alta adaptabilidade em diferentes cenários. O experimento contou com uma área de plantio de pinhão manso de 900 m², da qual foram utilizados 216 m² para condução do experimento, divididos em dezoito parcelas, a pesquisa foi conduzida ao longo de três anos; em cada ano as parcelas receberam seis tratamentos com diferentes proporções de ARS com três repetições cada, as aplicações foram realizadas em triplicata com intervalo de três meses entre cada aplicação. A colheita das sementes foi feita manualmente durante todo o período produtivo da planta a partir da primeira aplicação de cada ano, o óleo foi extraído com solvente (etanol), justificado pelo fato de ser mais barato, menos tóxico e menos nocivo ao meio ambiente, quando comparado a outros solventes orgânicos, como o hexano. A acidez foi determinada pelo processo de titulação com hidróxido de sódio (NaOH) ao final de cada ciclo experimental; foi determinada ainda a composição dos óleos quanto a porcentagem de ácidos graxos (AG), por cromatografia gasosa. Os resultados mostraram uma redução da acidez inversamente proporcional a quantidade de ARS aplicada, nos três anos analisados; observou-se ainda um decréscimo na concentração do ácido linolênico em função do aumento das doses aplicadas e em todos os ciclos. Sabendo que AG insaturados deixam os óleos mais susceptíveis à oxidação, a redução desse AG pode estar relacionada à diminuição da acidez

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T15:14:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Maycon Daniel Vieira.pdf: 992790 bytes, checksum: a5230812f9a9657de0339f5c1b656b1f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-07-13 / The objective of this study was to verify, with the help of thematic maps obtained by kriging, the existence of correlationship of physical and chemical attributes with the yield of crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst) in clayey Oxisol under no-tillage system. To this end, we conducted research in an experimental area in the city of Cascavel - Paraná - Brazil. The experimental grid was established in an area with dimensions of 100 x 100m, marked every 10m in two directions perpendicular to one another, totaling 100 points, samples were collected for bulk density and soil resistance to penetration depths of 0-0,1, 0,1-0,2 and 0,2-0,3m, partially deformed samples to determine soil pH, MO, P and K as well as samples for determining the yield of the crambe. Statistical analyzes were performed using the software R, and the geostatistical analysis was performed using the package GeoR. In developing the experimental semivariograms were used estimators Matheron and Cressie & Hawkins and adjustments of the theoretical semivariogram methods were used ordinary least squares and weighted least squares. Theoretical models have been adjusted and the spherical exponential, and the choice of the best model has been performed by means of cross-validation. The results showed a weak correlation between the thematic maps of physical and chemical properties of soil with the crop yield of crambe. The maps RSP1 and pH showed the highest correlation with yield. Chemical characteristics showed higher correlation with higher levels of productivity at pH ≥ 5,0, MO ≥ 5,5 m/v (%), P ≥ 15,0 mg dm-3 and K ≥ 0,4 cmolc dm-3. / O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar, com auxílio de mapas temáticos obtidos através da interpolação por krigagem, a existência de correlação de atributos físicos e químicos com a produtividade da cultura do crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst) em Latossolo argiloso sob sistema de plantio direto. Para tanto, conduziu-se a pesquisa em área experimental localizada na cidade de Cascavel Paraná Brasil. O grid experimental foi estabelecido em área com dimensões de 100 x 100m, marcado a cada 10m em duas direções perpendiculares entre si, totalizando 100 pontos, onde foram coletadas amostras de densidade e resistência do solo à penetração nas profundidades de 0-0,1, 0,1-0,2 e 0,2-0,3m, amostras parcialmente deformadas do solo para determinar o pH, MO, P e K, bem como amostras para determinação da produtividade da cultura do crambe. As análises estatísticas foram realizadas com auxílio do software R, sendo que a análise geoestatística foi realizada utilizando o pacote GeoR. Para a elaboração dos semivariogramas experimentais foram utilizados os estimadores de Matheron e Cressie & Hawkins e para ajustes dos semivariogramas teóricos foram utilizados os métodos dos mínimos quadrados ordinários e mínimos quadrados ponderados. Os modelos teóricos ajustados foram o esférico e exponencial, sendo que a escolha do melhor modelo foi realizada por meio da validação cruzada. Os resultados mostraram que houve correlação fraca entre os mapas temáticos de atributos físicos e químicos do solo com o da produtividade da cultura do crambe. Os mapas RSP1 e pH foram os que apresentaram maior correlação com a produtividade. Os atributos químicos apresentaram maior correlação com melhores níveis de produtividade para valores de pH ≥ 5,0, MO ≥ 5,5 m/v (%), P ≥ 15,0 mg dm-3 e K ≥ 0,4 cmolc dm-3.

O tomateiro (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) figura no cenário mundial como a principal hortaliça em volume industrializado e a segunda atividade hortícola, no que se refere à área cultivada e à importância econômica. A cultura do tomate é conhecida como uma atividade agrícola de alto risco, devido aos graves problemas fitossanitários que ocorrem durante todo seu ciclo. Dentre as principais pragas do tomateiro pode ser citado o ácaro Tetranychus evansi Baker e Pritchard. Este ácaro é encontrado nas Américas, África, Europa e, mais recentemente, na Ásia. No continente africano, esta praga ocasiona perdas de até 90% na produção.T. evansi tem se mostrado uma presa desfavorável para a maioria dos predadores estudados até recentemente. Encontra-se em andamento um projeto de controle biológico com intuito de localizar agentes eficientes para o controle de T. evansi, que possam ser introduzidos no continente africano. As buscas estão sendo realizadas em espécies de Solanaceae em regiões do continente sul americano que apresentam condições climáticas semelhantes às encontradas nos países africanos onde esta praga esta ocorrendo. Os ácaros predadores (Phytoseiidae) encontrados em associação com T. evansi naquelas avaliações foram Phytoseiulus longipes Evans, Phytoseiulus fragariae Denmark e Schicha e Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor), coletadas no município de Uruguaiana, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Estudos em laboratório e campo com populações de P. longipes apresentaram resultados bastante promissores no controle de T. evansi Nada se conhece, entretanto em relação ao potencial dos outros dois predadores como agentes de controle daquela praga. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar o potencial dos predadores P. fragariae e N. californicus, no controle biológico de T. evansi e T. urticae em solanáceas. / Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is the most important industrialized vegetable crop in the world, and the second horticultural activity in terms of cultivated area and economic importance. The tomato crop is known as an agricultural activity of high risk, due to phytosanitary problems during the entire cycle. Among the mite pests of tomato, Tetranychus evansi Baker and Pritchard is one of the most important in many countries. This mite has been found in the Americas, Africa, Europe and more recently, in Asia. In Africa, this pest causes losses of up to 90% in the tomato production. T. evansi is an unfavourable prey for the most common predatory mites studied until recently. In order to reduce the losses caused by T. evansi in África, a classical biological control program was initiated with the intention of identifying exotic natural enemies of T. evansi in South America that can be potentially introduced into Africa. The searches are being conducted on Solanaceae plants in areas of South America with similar climatic conditions of those where T. evansi is found in Africa. Three predatory mites (Phytoseiidae) were found associated with T. evansi in Uruguaiana-RS, Phytoseiulus longipes Evans, Phytoseiulus fragariae Denmark and Schicha and Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor). Laboratory and field studies with P. longipes presented promising results and demonstrated that this predator is a potential candidate agent against T. evansi. The potential of the two other predatory species against T. evansi is unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of P. fragariae and N. californicus in the biological control of T. evansi and T. urticae in Solanaceae.

Orientador: Orivaldo Arf / Banca: Ricardo Antonio Ferreira Rodrigues / Banca: Neli Cristina Belmiro dos Santos / Resumo: A expansão do sistema plantio direto pelo país está cada vez mais diversificando as formas como os sistemas de produção são implantados e manejados. Diante deste novo cenário agrícola, o presente trabalho avaliou a influência de culturas antecessoras como milho, Urochloa ruziziensis e o consórcio entre elas na presença e ausência da inoculação de sementes com Azospirillum brasilense e o fornecimento de nitrogênio em cobertura no desenvolvimento, componentes de produção e produtividade de grãos do feijoeiro e do trigo. O trabalho foi desenvolvido no município de Selvíria, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil, na safra 2011/12. O delineamento experimental para o milho e Urochloa foi o de blocos ao acaso com 4 repetições e 8 tipos de combinações assim constituídas: (milho; milho - Azospirillum brasilense; Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Comum; Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Comum - Azospirillum brasilense; milho + U. ruziziensis cv. Comum; milho - A. brasilense + U. ruziziensis cv. Comum; milho + U. ruziziensis cv. Comum - A. brasilense; milho - A. brasilense + U. ruziziensis cv. Comum - A. brasilense ). O delineamento experimental para o feijão e trigo foi o de blocos ao acaso em esquema fatorial 8x4 com os tratamentos constituídos pelas 8 coberturas vegetais e combinação de 4 doses de nitrogênio em cobertura (0, 30, 60 e 90 kg ha- 1 de N), com 4 repetições. Durante a condução do experimento foram realizadas as seguintes avaliações: cobertura vegetal (quantidade) do milho e Urochloa, além de características agronômicas, componentes de produção e produtividade das culturas do feijão e trigo. Pelos resultados obtidos concluiu-se que o feijoeiro e o trigo apresentam boa produtividade quando cultivados em sucessão ao milho consorciado com Urochloa ruziziensis ambos inoculados, considerando a produtividade das culturas... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The expansion of the no-tillage system is increasingly diversified the way the production systems are deployed and managed in Brazil. Given this new agricultural scenario, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of sidedressing nitrogen on bean and wheat grown under no-tillage, in succession to mayze, Urochloa ruziziensis or mayze intercropped with Urochloa ruziziensis, in the presence and absence of inoculation of seeds with Azospirillum brasilense, in the development of production and productivity components of the bean grains and wheat irrigated in no-tillage system. This work was developed in the city of Selvíria, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, in harvest 2011/12. The experiment design for mayze and Urochloa was a randomized block with 4 replications and 8 treatments like this: (mayze; mayze - Azospirillum brasilense; Urochloa ruziziensis cv. Comum; Urochloa ruziziensis - Azospirillum brasilense; mayze + U. ruziziensis; mayze - A. brasilense + U. ruziziensis; mayze + U. ruziziensis- A. brasilense; mayze - A. brasilense + U. ruziziensis - A. brasilense). The experiment design for bean and wheat was a randomized block in a factorial scheme 8x4 with 32 treatments, use of cover crops and 4 levels of nitrogen fertilization at sidedressing (0, 30, 60, 90 kg ha-1) and 4 replications. During the experiment the following evaluations were performed: Vegetation cover (amount) of mayze and Urochloa, and agronomic characteristics, yield components and crop yields of wheat and beans. The grain yield was higher in treatments where, in previous crop, when grown after mayze inoculated + Urochloa ruziziensis inoculated, considering bean and wheat productivity, the ability to produce mayze and at the same time increasing the production of straw benefiting no-tillage system, the application of nitrogen sidedressing did not affect the yield... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Orientador: Salatier Buzetti / Banca: Marco Eustaquio de Sa / Banca: Edson Lazarini / Banca: Helder Barbosa Paulino / Banca: Aguinaldo José Freitas Leal / Resumo: A produtividade média das culturas de milho, feijão e trigo no Brasil é considerada atualmente baixa, uma vez que, utilizando técnicas mais adequadas de cultivo, existe possibilidade, de em curto prazo, aumentar a produtividade dessas culturas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o efeito do consórcio de Brachiaria ruziziensis e Crotalaria spectabilis no desenvolvimento e produtividade do milho cultivado na primeira safra e, restos culturais dessas culturas e doses de nitrogênio no desenvolvimento e produtividade do feijoeiro "de inverno" e trigo em sistema plantio direto. Os experimentos foram conduzidos no município de Selvíria - MS, durante os anos agrícolas 2010/11 e 2011/12 em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico álico típico argiloso (20° 20' S e 51° 24' W, com altitude de 340 m). Foram estabelecidos 40 tratamentos com quatro repetições em blocos casualizados resultantes da combinação entre coberturas vegetais (milho, milho em consórico com Brachiaria ruziziensis, milho em consórcio com Crotalaria spectabilis, Brachiaria ruziziensis e Crotalaria spectabilis) e doses de N (0, 40, 80 e 120 kg ha -1 - fonte Ureia) nas culturas de feijão e trigo de inverno. Os efeitos de cobertura vegetal foram analisados pelo teste de Tukey e de dose pela análise de regressão. Os consórcios não interferiram no desenvolvimento e produtividade da cultura do milho; tanto o feijão quanto o trigo apresentaram resposta linear à adubação nitrogenada em ambos os anos agrícolas; o feijoeiro quando semeado sobre restos culturais de B. ruziziensis e C. spectabilis e o trigo sobre restos culturais de B. ruziziensis e milho, apresentaram maiores produtividades / Abstract: The average productivity of maize, common bean and wheat in Brazil is currently considered low, since using more appropriate cultivation techniques, there is possibility of short-term, increase the productivity of these crops. The aim of this work was to study the effect of the consortium Brachiaria ruziziensis and Crotalaria spectabilis in the development and productivity of maize grown in the first crop and crop residues of these crops and nitrogen levels in the development and productivity of winter common bean and wheat in no tillage. The experiments were conducted in Selvíria - MS, during the years 2010/11 and 2011/12 in an alic typical clayey Oxisol (20 ° 20 'S and 51 ° 24' W, with an altitude of 340 m). We established 40 treatments with four replications in a randomized block design resulting from the combination of cover crops (corn, corn consorptium with Brachiaria ruziziensis, maize intercropped with Crotalaria spectabilis and Crotalaria spectabilis and Brachiaria ruziziensis) and N rates (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1 - source Urea) in crops of winter common bean and wheat. The effects of vegetation were analyzed by Tukey test and N doses by regression analysis. Consortia not interfere with the development and productivity of maize, both the corn and the wheat showed linear response to nitrogen fertilization in both years; the common corn when sown over residue of B. ruziziensis and C. spectabilis and wheat crop over B. ruziziensis and maize, showed greater productivity / Doutor

Orientador: Carlos Eduardo Angeli Furlani / Banca: Rouverson Pereira da Silva / Banca: Danilo César Checchio Grotta / Banca: Rafael Scabello Bertonha / Banca: Adilson José Rocha Melo / Resumo: Espécies forrageiras para o Sistema Plantio Direto são de grande interesse técnico e econômico, pois se apresentam como opções para a formação de pastagens e adubação verde conjuntamente com a rotação de culturas em uma mesma área e mesma estação. O objetivo do experimento foi obter informações quanto às melhores alternativas para o Sistema Plantio Direto em Jaboticabal/SP, região de clima subtropical úmido com estiagem no inverno. O experimento foi desenvolvido em Latossolo Vermelho Eutroférrico, no período de 2011 a 2014. Avaliou-se as culturas do milho e soja em Sistema Plantio Direto, em diferentes manejos de culturas de cobertura do solo, bem como a rotação de culturas. As culturas de cobertura utilizadas foram: milheto e braquiária (1° ano) antecedendo o milho; o milheto (2° ano) antecedendo a soja; e três espécies de braquiárias (3° ano) antecedendo o milho. Analisaram-se parâmetros relacionados ao solo, como teor de água, densidade e resistência à penetração; nas plantas, emergência, estandes e produtividade e na operação de semeadura, distribuição longitudinal de plântulas e demanda energética. No primeiro ano houve maior consumo horário para o manejo com rolo-facas, e o consumo operacional para a cobertura com a cultura da braquiária; a semeadura de milho com espaçamento entrelinhas de 0,90 m demandou menor força, potência e consumo, aliado à mesma produtividade do espaçamento de 0,45 m. O segundo ano do experimento foi caracterizado pela produção de matéria seca ab... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Forage species for no-tillage system represents great technical and economic interests, as they are presented as options for cattle pasture and green fertilizer along with crop rotation in the same area and weather station. The general object of the experiment was to obtain information on the best alternatives for the no-tillage system in Jaboticabal / SP, of humid subtropical climate region with drought in the winter. The experiment was conducted over Oxisoil, during the period 2011 to 2014. The objective was to evaluate corn and soybean crops under no-tillage technique with different managements and rotation of cover crops. Cover crops were: millet and brachiaria (1st year) preceding corn; millet (2nd year) preceding soybean ; and three species of Brachiaria (3rd year) preceding corn. It was analyzed parameters related to soil, like water content, density and mechanical resistance to penetration; for plants, emergency, stands and productivity; and for sowing operation, longitudinal distribution of seedlings and energy demand. In the first year there was a higher consumption for handling cover crops with roll-choper, and also for parameter operating consumption over the culture of brachiaria; corn planting with row spacing of 0.90 m demanded lower traction force, power and consumption, but combined with the same productivity of the reduced spacing (0.45 m). The second year of the experiment was characterized by dry matter production below average; the different managements o... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Orientador: Edson Lazarini / Coorientador: Aguinaldo José Freitas Leal / Banca: João Antonio da Costa Andrade / Banca: Cassiano Garcia Roque / Banca: Rita de Cassia Felix Alvarez / Banca: Marcelo Valentini Arf / Resumo: A aplicação de práticas conservacionistas visa não só a manutenção e/ou melhoria da qualidade do solo, mas também minimizar significativos impactos ocasionados ao ambiente. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a influência da decomposição de plantas de cobertura no desenvolvimento e produtividade da cultura da soja e milho em sucessão, na região do Cerrado. O experimento foi conduzido nos anos agrícolas de 2010/11 e 2011/12, nas áreas de pesquisa da Fundação Chapadão em Chapadão do Sul -MS, 18° 41' S e 52° 40' W, sendo implantadas com um delineamento em blocos ao acaso, com oito tratamentos e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram assim constituídos: 1- milho (Zea mays); 2- milho (Zea mays) + Urochloa ruziziensis; 3 - sorgo (Sorghum bicolor); 4 - Crotalaria spectabilis; 5 - Urochloa bryzantha; 6 - nabo forrageiro (Raphanus sativus) L.; 7 - milheto (Pennisetum americanum) e 8 - pousio. O milho em cultivo solteiro ou em consórcio com U. ruziziensis propiciam satisfatória cobertura, pela manutenção de palhada sobre a superfície do solo; os restos culturais de Raphanus sativus e U. bryzantha proporcionaram maior incremento de produtividade na cultura do milho cultivado na primeira safra na região do Cerrado; os restos culturais de milho, C. spectabilis e Sorghum bicolor proporcionaram maior incremento de produtividade na cultura da soja de verão / Abstract: The application of conservation practices aims not only the maintenance and / or improvement of soil quality, as well as the organization and the occupation of the productive areas of the landscape in order to ensure the establishment of the main ecological and hydrological processes and minimize significant impacts caused to the environment . The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of cover crops grown in the off season and in the development of cultivated maize grain yield in the first crop and soybean tillage system in the Cerrado region. The experiment was carried out in 2010/11 and 2011/12 crop years the Foundation of the experimental area for the Support of Agricultural Research of Plain, located in the municipality of South Chapadão, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, with an altitude of 810 m. The experimental design was a randomized block design with four replications and seven treatments constituted as follows: 1- Zea mays; 2- Zea mays + Urochloa ruziziensis; 3 - Sorghum bicolor; 4 - Crotalaria spectabilis; 5 - U. bryzantha; 6 - Raphanus sativus L., 7 - Pennisetum americanum and 8 - fallow. Corn in single or in consortium with Urochloa ruziziensis cultivation becomes spoiled by cover crops for Direct Planting System, due to its good maintenance of straw on the soil surface; cultural remains of forage turnip and Urochloa bryzantha provided productivity increase in the cultivated maize in the first season in the Cerrado region; the Corn debris, Crotalaria spectabilis and sorghum provided productivity increase in soybean of summer / Doutor

Thesis (M.Sc. (Agriculture)) --University of Limpopo, 2018 / Dry bean is one of the most important cash crops and source of protein for small holder farmers. Low yields of dry bean are often reported to be associated with lack of inoculation (Arbuscular mycorrihizal fungi) of seeds prior to planting. Soil phosphorus (P) unavailability is one of the major factors limiting yield of dry bean. Field and Greenhouse experiments were conducted to investigate the response of dry bean cultivars to inoculation and phosphorus application under dry land farming conditions at the Syferkuil experimental farm of University of Limpopo. Both greenhouse and field experiments were carried out as a split-split plot arrangement in randomised complete block design with four replications. Main plot treatment comprised of two dry bean cultivars VIZ, red speckled bean and small white haricot. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculation levels (inoculated and uninoculated) were assigned in the sub-plot whilst the sub-sub plot was applied with five phosphorus rates at 0, 20; 40; 60 and 80 kg/ ha using single superphosphate (10.5 % P). The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance using statistical software (ANOVA) STATISTIX 10.0.Dry bean cultivars (red speckled bean and small white haricot bean) were evaluated in a field experiment for their growth, nodulation and yield responses to AM fungi inoculation and different rates of P fertiliser. The results revealed that the red speckled bean had higher number of nodules (45 %), stem diameter 26.96 cm and higher leaf area of 21.05 cm2 as compared to small white haricot bean. The application of P at the rate of 40 kg/ha produced higher grain yield of 743.47 kg/ha as compared to small white haricot bean with 572 kg/ha. The growth parameters such as yield, soil chemical and biological properties did not significantly respond to inoculation (P≤0.05). Red speckled bean and small white haricot bean were evaluated in greenhouse experiment for their growth and nodulation on inoculation and phosphorus fertilizer treatment In the greenhouse experiment phosphorus fertilizer rate showed significant effect on chlorophyll content, leaf fresh and dry weight. The dry bean cultivars were found to be significant to number of nodules, plant vigour and root dry weight. The red speckled bean showed higher growth parameters as compared to small white haricot bean. The application of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM fungi) at varying rates did not have any significant influence on all parameters measured in the experiment on both trials. The study needs to be repeated after 4 to 5 years. The findings of this study concluded that P should be applied at the rate of 40 kg P/ha in order to improve the production of dry bean. / NRF (National Research Foundation)

Thesis(MBA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2018 / Nwanedi Irrigation Scheme (NIS) is situated at the far north of Limpopo. It is comprised of both livestock and crop farmers. Currently, the total number of farmers in the scheme is 160. Noteworthy is that the majority of farmers grow and harvest crops. The dominant crop produced in the area is jam tomato with a few of people who cultivate table tomato and other vegetables such as cabbage and eggplant (Mashala, 2013). The irrigation scheme covered an area of about 2000 hectares land, which belongs to the state and part of it belongs to the Communal Property Association (CPA). Moreover, agriculture is considered as one of the most sensitive to weather and climate variables, which include temperature, precipitation, light and weather extremes such as droughts, floods and severe storms. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact brought about by climate change on farming business. Moreover, to evaluate the problems that were associated with climate change that affected farming, crop production and eventually the profit generation at NIS. Considering greenhouse gas emissions, it is believed that they are one of the causes of the change in global climate. Again, most food production means rely on inputs to some or all tillage, seeds, fertilisers, irrigation, feed for animals, pest and disease control. Henceforth, the study has collected primary data. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative paradigms. The 160 crop farmers, as a sample size of 32 (20% of the population) respondents, were randomly selected and interviewed. The study found out that drought was real and had been experienced in NIS. Meanwhile, in crop farming, water is more important just as a growth media such as fertilised soil. Without water, no farming activity could take place. The drought experienced had led farmers not to plant anything on their farms, which meant that no income was generated in the entire drought period. Furthermore, most of the farmers in the area had no alternative means of acquiring water to irrigate their crops. Few farmers who managed to plant had used a very small scale than usual because there was not enough water. Drought affected job loss in the farming business where many employees had to be ceased from coming to work. The study also found that NIS had experienced high temperature, which were never experienced before. Musina is best known for its excessive heat, but the recent heat wave that has been experienced in the area of the study was extreme to a point that crop farming was very difficult because the little moisture in the soil had quickly depleted. Crops could no longer absorb it as it dried up rapidly. Usually, when it is extremely hot, the condition favours pests and diseases. Later, it was found that a new pest referred to as Eelworm (Tuta Tundra), which was not found in the area before had been discovered. Consequently, the introduction of the new pests in the area was a challenge because farmers did not know which insecticides to apply in order to control the manifestation and prevent the damage it caused on the crops, tomato in particular. Eelworm has affected the tomato crop as it damaged the leaves of their plants. That had negatively affected the fruit production. Most farmers who have experienced Eelworm in their tomato fields, had their fruits severely attacked to be unusable.

The effectiveness of two chelated zinc compounds in correcting zinc deficiencies was studied. Soil and foliar treatments were made to study possible residual zinc carry-over from one season to the next. Foliar treatments at various rates were applied to raise plant tissue zinc levels above deficiency levels. It was found that none of the treatments studied resulted in any substantial carry-over of zinc to the following year. All of the foliar zinc treatments resulted in an increase in leaf zinc content in all of the varieties of fruit studied. The level of zinc in the treated trees increased in proportion to the amount of actual zinc applied. All zinc treated trees remained above critical zinc deficiency levels during the season treated as opposed to the untreated trees.