Thesis (MSc. (Agriculture)) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / Maize is the most important cereal crop grown in South Africa. This crop is produced throughout the country under diverse environments. The study only focuses on the technical efficiency because it is an important subject in developing agriculture where resources are limited, but high population growth is very common. Technical efficiency is the ability of a farmer to obtain output from a given set of physical inputs. Farmers have a tendency of under and/or overutilising the factors of production. The main aim of this study was to analyse the technical efficiency of small-scale maize producers in Ga-Mothiba rural community of Limpopo Province. The objective of the study was to determine the level of technical efficiency of smallscale maize producers and to identify the socio-economic characteristics that influence technical efficiency of small-scale maize producers in Ga-Mothiba. Purposive and Snowball sampling techniques were used to collect primary data from 120 small-scale farmers. Cobb-Douglas production function was used to determine the level of technical efficiency and Logistic regression model was used to analyse the variables that have influence the technical efficiency of maize production. Cobb-Douglas results reveal that small-scale farmers in Ga-Mothiba are experiencing technical inefficiency in maize production due to the decreasing return to scale, which means they are over-utilising factors of production. Logistic regression results indicate that out of 13 variables included in the analysis as socio-economic factors, 10 of them (level of education, income of the household on monthly basis, farmer`s farming experience, farm size, cost of tractor hours, fertiliser application, purchased hybrid maize seeds, membership to farmers` organisation, is maize profitable) were found to be significant and 3 (gender, age and hired labour) are non-significant. However, farm size was found to be the vi most significant variable at 99% level, showing a positive relationship to smallscale maize producer`s technical efficiency. Therefore, it is recommended that government should do the on-farm training since farmers mainly depend on trial and error and farmers` should have access to enough arable land and tractor services. However, farmers need to be trained on matters relating to fertiliser application, on the amount of seeds a farmer should apply per ha, and the importance of using hybrid seed.

Thesis (Msc. (Agriculture)) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / The impact of agricultural chemicals on the environment has come under close scrutiny in the country of South Africa, for that reason, we are investigating alternative and appropriate methods for nutrients management. The objective of the study was to assess infield spatial variability of soil nutrients in a uniformly managed corn field, and (ii) to recommend method that can potentially help corn (Zea mays L.) producers in Limpopo Province to enhance grain yield with optimal utilization of resources. The study was conducted at Syferkuil agricultural experimental farm (23o50’ S; 29 o40’ E) of the University of Limpopo, in the northern semi-arid region of South Africa. Prior to planting of corn on this uniformly managed 7 ha portion of a 1 705 ha farm, the field was mapped with Ag132 Trimble differentially corrected global positioning system (DGPS) equipped with Field Rover II® GIS mapping software. Land suitability assessment for corn was conducted before planting and the field was classified for suitability as S1 based on FAO guidelines for irrigated agriculture and South African Binomial System of Soil classification. Soils and corn leaf sample parameters, including N were collected and measured from geo-referenced locations on a 40 x 40 m grid. Nutrient distribution spatial maps were produced with Surfer software 8.0. There was a significant variability (P≤0.05) of soil nutrients and pH across the corn field. Corn grain yield ranged from 2.7 to 6.3 Mg ha-1. For a land suitability class of S1 under linear irrigation in a semi-arid environment, these grain yields were considered lower. This lower grain yields can be linked to variability of soil nutrients, and pH because the field was classified suitable according to FAO guidelines. This field, with its significant variability of nutrients and pH that resulted in lower grain yields, is potentially a good field for precision agriculture IX methods of nutrient management such site-specific management zones for environmental quality and economic efficiency. Keywords: Maize, Small-scale farming, Soil nutrient management, and Spatial variability

Thesis (M.Sc. (Agriculture)) --University of Limpopo, 2008 / Maize is a dominant crop in smallholder farming systems in the Limpopo province of South Africa, generally cultivated as intercrop with grain legumes. The major constraint in this cropping system is inadequate soil moisture during the growing season, which also limits nutrient availability to the component crops. The minimum tillage system has been reported to improve soil moisture availability on farmers’ fields but this has not yet been verified in an intercropping system in the province. The objective of this study was to quantify grain yield and chlorophyll production of intercropped maize, and to assess seasonal moisture availability under minimum tillage (MT) and conventional tillage (CT) systems. Dryland field experiments were conducted at two locations in the province namely, farmer’s field at Dalmada in 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 growing seasons and at the University of Limpopo Experimental farm at Syferkuil during the 2003/2004. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in split plot arrangement at all locations and seasons. Tillage systems consisting of conventional tillage and minimum tillage were the main plot treatments, whereas five different cropping systems namely, sole maize, and maize intercrop with cowpea (variety, Bechuana White), cowpea (variety, Agripers), Lablab bean (variety, Rongai) and Velvet bean were assigned as sub-plot treatments. Maize grain yield in 2002/2003 at Dalmada was significantly lower (357 kg/ha) under CT relative to 755kg/ha under MT. In 2003/2004 at Dalmada, grain yields under the two systems were similar, where as at Syferkuil, 15% higher grain yield results was obtained under MT. Minimum tillage systems resulted in higher number of maize cobs per plant at Dalmada in both growing seasons and weight per cob was higher under MT at both locations and seasons. At Dalmada, significantly higher soil moisture was recorded under the MT relative to the CT depending on depth and sampling dates. Chlorophyll content of the youngest fully expanded leaves of maize was generally higher under MT than CT, but this was observed only at the later stages of plant growth. The results also showed that the rate of senescence (reduced chlorophyll content in older leaves) was higher in maize plants grown under CT relative to those under MT. The minimum tillage system has shown the potential of being a superior system for dryland maize production, but further research involving additional locations is required to ascertain this fact.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Soil Science)) --University of Limpopo, 2013 / Large amount of pre-plant nitrogen (N) fertilizer results in low nutrient-use-efficiency due to poor synchrony between soil N supply and maize demand, especially during N sensitive growth stages. Optimum maize production is dependent on adequate N availability to the crop during the critical vegetative and reproductive growth stages. High N fertilizer prices and maize yield decline are the main challenges faced by the Limpopo Province farmers. The objectives of this study were to compare growth and yield of maize under conventional and site-specific N management in a dryland farming system. The study was conducted in Leeukraal, Towoomba, Ga-Marishane and Radium in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. Experimental plots were laid out in a randomized complete block design, with four replications. Phosphorus was applied through band placement using a planter in all plots at a rate of 42 kg P/ha. Hybrid maize SNK 2147 was planted on a 20 by 20 m plot with Inter-row and Intra-row spacing of 0.9 and 0.35 m respectively. Treatments consisted of 3 N management strategies as follows, (i) No N application (N0), (ii) Site-specific N at a rate ranging between 18 and 33 kg N/ha (N1) and (iii) Conventional N application at 58 kg N/ha (N2). Treatment N2 was applied at a uniform rate during maize planting. Sufficiency index as an indication for N deficiency was determined using CCM-200 for treatment N1. The sufficiency index was determined during leaf stage V6, V10 and V14, and thereafter N was applied only when needed. Data were subjected to analysis of variance through Statistical Analysis System package. Mean separation tests were computed using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. Maize grain yield at Leeukraal of 5.2 t/ha for N1 was higher than 3.2 and 4.0 t/ha of N0 and N2, respectively. There was no difference amongst the three N management approaches on the grain yield at Towoomba. The grain yield at Ga-Marishane for N1 of 2.2 t/ha was significantly higher than 1.7 t/ha of the N0. Conventional management approach, which is a traditional approach used by farmers in the Limpopo Province, had 2.6 t/ha grain yield that was significantly higher than the N0 and N1. The maize growth and yield under N2 and N1 was compared, N1 required between 43 and 69% lesser N fertilizer as compared to N2. Therefore site-specific nutrient management approach sustains and improves growth and yield of maize using minimal inputs of N compared to conventional approach. This therefore saves input costs and avoids unnecessary environmental consequences. Key words: maize yield, nitrogen management, site-specific approach / Vlaamse Interuniveritatire Raad and Limpopo Department of Agriculture

Thesis (M.Agric. (Agricultural Economics)) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / Maize is the most important cereal crop grown in South Africa. This crop is produced throughout the country under diverse environments. The study only focuses on the technical efficiency because it is an important subject in developing agriculture where resources are limited, but high population growth is very common. Technical efficiency is the ability of a farmer to obtain output from a given set of physical inputs. Farmers have a tendency of under and/or over- utilising the factors of production. The main aim of this study was to analyse the technical efficiency of small-scale maize producers in Ga-Mothiba rural community of Limpopo Province. The objective of the study was to determine the level of technical efficiency of small- scale maize producers and to identify the socio-economic characteristics that influence technical efficiency of small-scale maize producers in Ga-Mothiba. Purposive and Snowball sampling techniques were used to collect primary data from 120 small-scale farmers. Cobb-Douglas production function was used to determine the level of technical efficiency and Logistic regression model was used to analyse the variables that have influence the technical efficiency of maize production. Cobb-Douglas results reveal that small-scale farmers in Ga-Mothiba are experiencing technical inefficiency in maize production due to the decreasing return to scale, which means they are over-utilising factors of production. Logistic regression results indicate that out of 13 variables included in the analysis as socio-economic factors, 10 of them (level of education, income of the household on monthly basis, farmer`s farming experience, farm size, cost of tractor hours, fertiliser application, purchased hybrid maize seeds, membership to farmers` organisation, is maize profitable) were found to be significant and 3 (gender, age and hired labour) are non-significant. However, farm size was found to be the most significant variable at 99% level, showing a positive relationship to small- scale maize producer`s technical efficiency.Therefore, it is recommended that government should do the on-farm training since farmers mainly depend on trial and error and farmers` should have access to enough arable land and tractor services. However, farmers need to be trained on matters relating to fertiliser application, on the amount of seeds a farmer should apply per ha, and the importance of using hybrid seed.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Agronomy))--University of Limpopo, 2010 / Refer to document.

Thesis (M.Sc. Agric.) --University of Limpopo, 2011 / Maize is the most important cereal crop grown in South Africa. This crop is produced throughout the country under diverse environments. The study only focuses on the technical efficiency because it is an important subject in developing agriculture where resources are limited, but high population growth is very common. Technical efficiency is the ability of a farmer to obtain output from a given set of physical inputs. Farmers have a tendency of under and/or over- utilising the factors of production. The main aim of this study was to analyse the technical efficiency of small-scale maize producers in Ga-Mothiba rural community of Limpopo Province. The objective of the study was to determine the level of technical efficiency of small- scale maize producers and to identify the socio-economic characteristics that influence technical efficiency of small-scale maize producers in Ga-Mothiba. Purposive and Snowball sampling techniques were used to collect primary data from 120 small-scale farmers. Cobb-Douglas production function was used to determine the level of technical efficiency and Logistic regression model was used to analyse the variables that have influence the technical efficiency of maize production. Cobb-Douglas results reveal that small-scale farmers in Ga-Mothiba are experiencing technical inefficiency in maize production due to the decreasing return to scale, which means they are over-utilising factors of production. Logistic regression results indicate that out of 13 variables included in the analysis as socio-economic factors, 10 of them (level of education, income of the household on monthly basis, farmer`s farming experience, farm size, cost of tractor hours, fertiliser application, purchased hybrid maize seeds, membership to farmers` organisation, is maize profitable) were found to be significant and 3 (gender, age and hired labour) are non-significant. However, farm size was found to be the most significant variable at 99% level, showing a positive relationship to small- scale maize producer`s technical efficiency. Therefore, it is recommended that government should do the on-farm training since farmers mainly depend on trial and error and farmers` should have access to enough arable land and tractor services. However, farmers need to be trained on matters relating to fertiliser application, on the amount of seeds a farmer should apply per ha, and the importance of using hybrid seed.

Thesis (MSc. Agriculture (Agronomy)) -- University of Limpopo, 2013 / Maize (Zea mays L.) is the third most important cereal crop after wheat and rice in the world. Maize/legume intercropping system has become one of the solutions for food security among small scale maize producers due to unaffordability of chemical nitrogenous fertilizers and limited access to arable land. A study was conducted to determine the effect of maize/dry bean and maize/lablab intercropping on maize grain yield and soil fertility status. A field experiment was conducted during 2010/2011 and 2011/2012 growing seasons at the University of Limpopo experimental farm. Treatments included sole maize (ZM 521, an improved open pollinated variety, ex- CIMMYT), sole lablab (Rongai, indeterminate cultivar), sole dry bean (DBS 360, indeterminate Type II cultivar), maize/dry bean and maize/lablab intercrops arranged in randomized complete block design with five replications. Phosphorus (P) was applied on sole and intercropped maize at the rate of 30 kg P/ha in the form of superphosphate (10.5%P) at planting and 40 kg N/ha of nitrogen (N) was applied in the form of Limestone Ammonium Nitrate (LAN) (28%N) on both sole and intercropped maize four weeks after plant emergence. For maize and dry bean, grain yield, yield components and biomass were determined. Only biomass yield was measured for lablab. Soil samples were collected for soil analysis at the beginning and the end of the experiment The results showed that maize/lablab intercropping yielded significantly (P<0.05) lowered maize grain (1259.3 kg/ha) than sole maize and maize/dry bean intercropping which yielded maize grain of 2093.7 kg/ha and 2156.3 kg/ha, respectively. Sole dry bean yielded significantly (P <0.05) higher dry bean grain (1778.5 kg/ha) than intercropped dry bean (691.8 kg/ha). Rongai was only flowering by the time maize and dry bean matured hence only maize yield is reported for the Maize/lablab intercrop. Maize/dry bean intercropping was advantageous to sole cropping with a Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) of 1.42. The partial Land Equivalent Ratio (PLER) for maize in maize/lablab intercropping was 0.60. Dry bean was outcompeted by maize as calculated aggressivity value was positive at +0.64.The highest monetary value was achieved in sole dry bean and the lowest monetary value was found in intercrop dry bean. Soil TN, P, K, Ca, Mg and Na were reduced by both sole cropping and intercropping systems. Intercropping with lablab is likely to significantly lower maize yield under dryland conditions. Key words: dry bean, grain yield, Intercropping, lablab, maize, smallholder, soil fertility.

Thesis (M.Sc (Plant Production)) --University of Limpopo, 2015 / Information on the performance of the maize and pigeonpea intercropping system under dryland conditions of South Africa is scanty. The aim of this study was to determine the optimum P level and productivity of pigeonpea and maize under the dryland intercropping system. Five P rates (0, 15, 30, 45, and 60 kg P ha-1) were applied to both sole and pigeonpea intercropped with maize in a randomized complete block design with 4 replicates. Growth parameters and yield and yield attributes of pigeonpea and maize were measured to determine performance of both crops. There were significant differences in grain yield of pigeonpea as influenced by P rates in both seasons. Highest grain yields of 781 kg ha-1 during 2009/10 and 894 kg ha-1 during 2010/11 were obtained at P rate of 45 kg ha-1. Cropping system significantly influenced grain yield of pigeonpea in 2010/11 season with 37.1% higher pigeonpea grain yield from intercropped plots than in sole pigeonpea plots. There was 21.8% increase in grain yield of pigeonpea across two seasons as influenced by P rate. Maize grain yield showed little response to P rate only during the first season. However, highest maize grain yield of 1699 kg ha-1 was obtained at 60 kg P ha-1 during the 2009/10 season. Maize grain yield was only significantly influenced by cropping system during the 2010/11 season where sole plots achieved higher grain yield of 4148 kg ha-1 compared to 3297 kg ha-1 from intercrop plots. The results revealed that P application increased grain yield of pigeonpea significantly, especially in intercropped plots. The calculated total land equivalent ratio (LER) for the two crops gave positive and higher than one values, which suggests a favourable grain yield advantage for maize/pigeon pea intercrop.

Thesis (M.Sc.(Agronomy)) --University of Limpopo, 2015 / The changes in climate, especially poor rainfall patterns and distributions are key issues posing major agricultural challenges for food security and threaten the rural livelihoods of many communities in the Limpopo Province. Rainfall (P) is low and limited. These limited P is mostly lost through runoff and evaporation, which result in low soil moisture availability and possible crop failure. Therefore, techniques that reduce these water losses are important for improving dryland crop production and rainwater productivity (RWP). The objectives of this study were to determine the potential and effectiveness of rainwater harvesting and conservation techniques (RWH&CT’s) to conserve and improve plant available water (PAW) for dryland maize production and also determine the efficiency of the RWH&CT’s to improve dryland maize yield and RWP compared to conventional tillage (CON). The study was conducted over a period of two growing seasons (2008/09; 2009/10) using maize as indicator crop at the Towoomba Research Station of the Limpopo Department of Agriculture in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, on an Arcadia ecotope. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design, with four replications and five treatments. The five treatments used in the study were; conventional tillage (CON), No-till (NT), In-field rainwater harvesting (IRWH), Mechanized basins (MB) and Daling plough (DAL). The IRWH and DL were classified as rainwater harvesting techniques (RWHT’s), whilst MB and NT were classified as water conservation techniques. Two access tubes were installed at each treatment to measure the soil water content (SWC) at four different soil depths of 150, 450, 750 and 1050 mm using the neutron water meter. The data collected included climatic data, soil and plant parameters. The data were subjected to analysis of variance through NCSS 2000 Statistical System for Windows and GENSTAT 14th edition. Mean separation tests were computed using Fisher's protected least significant difference test. The SWC of IRWH, DAL and MB were about 510 and 490 mm higher compared to CON and NT treatment during the 2008/09 and 2009/10 seasons, respectively. The PAWT of the IRWH, MB and DAL was significantly different from the CON treatment during the 2008/09 season. For both seasons the biomass yield of the IRWH treatment was significantly different from the NT treatment, producing 23 and 50% more biomass in the 2008/09 and 2009/10 growing seasons, respectively. The grain yield under IRWH was significantly different from the NT treatment during both 2008/09 and 2009/10 seasons. The highest maize grain yield of IRWH was achieved during the 2009/10 season with 56% higher grain yield than the NT treatment. RWP from various RWHT’s were significantly different from the NT treatment. These results indicate that IRWH and DAL were 12 and 2% more effective in converting rainwater into harvestable grain yield than the CON treatment. R2 values of 68.6 and 78.4% for SWC and transpiration (Ev) were obtained when correlated with maize grain yield respectively. This indicates the importance of moisture conservation for improved dryland maize production under low P areas. Therefore, the use of appropriate RWHT’s by smallscale farmers maybe crucial to improve dryland maize production. IRWH outperformed all other treatments in terms of the soil parameters and plant parameter measured during the period of this study. Therefore, these results suggest IRWH has potential of sustaining maize yields under low rainfall conditions. Key words: Rainwater harvesting, conservation techniques, ecotope, rainwater productivity, maize yield, precipitation use efficiency.