The grain and oil seed industry plays a major role in the South African economy; therefore, having access to market information is vital for this market to remain efficient and competitive. A shortage in market information causes many inefficiencies and uncertainties. Having market information allows the playing field to be level for all role players and reduces opportunities for manipulating prices. South Africa, just like most developing countries, needs to strengthen information flows, as well as institutions governing the grain and oil seed industry. In view of the major grain producing countries in the world and the amount of money and effort spent on releasing planting progress reports, the South Africa grain and oilseed sector should to take heed. This paper considers the importance of market information and how the South African grain and oil seed industry can benefit from that, grain planting progress reports are considered to be of importance as they fill a significant gap in the production season. Taking an institutional perspective into the economics of information, the study found that actors having little financial and social resources or political influence faced high costs in accessing information and that this prevents both market development and access to existing ones. The point of discussion is on weak information flows, as well as transaction costs that come with them, and the impact they have on prices and profitability. We therefore use New Institutional Economics to emphasise the importance of information in the market and the impact thereof in the absence of perfect information. The main underlying issue for imperfect information is that the lack of perfect and freely available information leads to risk and uncertainty in transactions. When trying to analyse the importance of information in the grain and oilseed industry, it was established that accuracy, value and market effect of information for public consumption were important. In particular, information communication technology was examined as a means of information dissemination in agriculture, especially in developing countries like South Africa. The study found that the major grain and oilseed producing countries that generate planting progress reports are the USA, Brazil, Argentina and Australia. The study looked at the methods used by these countries to compile such reports. Although they have varying methodologies, the key point is timely and frequent information which is readily available for public consumption. After analysing developments and methodologies globally, the focus shifted to South Africa where current information sources in the South African grain and oilseed industry, and the kind of information provided, were analysed. A pilot study was conducted in the summer grain production area of NWK Ltd to gain some insight and experience. The source of communication comprised mobile phones and farmers were able to respond on their progress, as well as receive feedback using the same communication media. Lastly in order to re-emphasis the benefits of a planting progress report, we review the impact of price volatility and how information in the market can help stabilise it. / Dissertation (MSc (Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / MSc (Agric) / Unrestricted

Maize is the most important cereal crop grown in areas of South Africa by both small-scale and commercial farmers. Maize monocropping without sufficient input and declining soil nitrogen content are some of the factors that limit yield. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of different cowpea cultivars and populations on growth, yield and yield components of succeeding maize. The effects of cropping systems on soil N content were also observed. Field experiments were conducted during the 2005/2006 and 2006/2007 growing seasons at Potchefstroom and Taung in North West province. The trial consisted of four cowpea cultivars: PAN 311 (short duration cowpea cultivar), CH 84, Bechuana white (medium duration cowpea cultivar) and TVU 1124 (long duration cowpea cultivar) and, four planting densities (10 000, 15 000, 20 000 and 40 000 plants ha-1). Maize was used as sequential test crop to determine the residual effect of previous cowpea treatments. Cowpea grain yield increased as planting density increased at both localities. TVU 1124 gave highest grain yield of all cowpea cultivars at both localities. Total dry matter yield also increased with increasing planting density. After cowpea soil NO3- and NH4+ content increased with increasing density. Similarly, soil NO3- content of maize following cowpea showed a considerable improvement, compared to maize monocropping. The highest soil NO3- and NH4+ content was observed when maize followed Bechuana White. Significant differences were also observed in soil microbial activities among the cultivars. Maize grain yields and plant height responded positively to the previous cowpea crop, compared with maize monocropping at both locations, but especially at Taung. Maize stover yield, cob length and KNC significantly responded to maize and cowpea rotation compared to maize monocropping at Taung. These results further confirm the potential of using cowpea to contribute soil N to subsequent maize crops in a rotational system. Copyright / Dissertation (MScAgric)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

Forage sorghum (FS) [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is a warm-season biomass crop with the potential to become a bioenergy feedstock. The objective of this study was to screen potential FS genotypes for increased chilling tolerance and biomass productivity. The experiments were conducted in Fargo and Hickson, ND, in 2017 and 2018. Seventy-two genotypes of FS were tested at 24, 12, and 10℃. The genotypes were ranked from high to low vigor index and 12 genotypes were planted on two seeding dates: early (10 May) and late (27 May). Field emergence index values were greater for the late-seeding compared with the early-seeding date. Stand establishment and seed mortality were affected by the seeding date. Biomass yield correlated with emergence index and normalized vegetative index. Some of the genotypes tested had increased chilling tolerance and biomass yield when seeded earlier than normal, and may be used for breeding chilling tolerance into FS.

Hard red winter wheat (winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L.) production has been historically low in ND due to cold winter temperatures resulting in winter injury and stand loss. The objective of this research was to determine if management practices could improve winter survival and yield of winter wheat. Field experiments were conducted at five locations. Due to high winter snowfall, there was little difference in snow depth and winter survival between previous crop residues. Planting at the recommended date always resulted in the highest winter survival compared to planting late. At Hettinger, soil temperatures reached nearly -15°C, and as a result, the less-hardy cultivar Hawken had only 50% winter survival. Differences in fertility treatment were not consistent across location during this study. ND soils are inherently high in P and K, so it is likely the high soil nutrient levels masked any potential benefit to seed-applied P and K.

PhD (Plant Production) / Department of Plant Production / Planting chickpea genotypes at different dates within the same season may expose the crop to different environmental factors (temperature and moisture) during their vegetative and reproduction stages. Thus, knowledge of optimum planting date that minimises extreme temperature and water stress conditions during crital stages of chickpea plant development may increase biomass and grain yield. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of planting date and genotype on aboveground biomass and grain yield of chickpea under climate change scenario in North Eastern Region of South Africa. The hypothesis tested was that planting date and genotype have an effect on biomass and grain yield of chickpea under climate change scenario. Thus, a study design incorporating a combination of field and modelling experiments was set to run in 2014 and 2015 winter planting seasons at the University of Venda, South Africa. Field experiments determined the effect of planting date and genotype on chickpea flower retention and pod abortion, aboveground biomass and grain yield, water use and radiation use efficiency, whilst modelling experiments calibrated and validated the FAO AquaCrop model to simulate chickpea aboveground biomass and grain yield using climate datasets (1950 - 2100), simulated from 15 global circulation models (GCMs) under the representative carbon dioxide concentration pathways (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5. Field experiments results showed significant effect of planting date and genotype on biomass and grain yield of chickpea. Planting early, particularly under well-watered conditions appeared to be the most suitable sowing period for chickpea in this region. In contrast, late planting had lowest biomass and grain yield. The high grain yield in early planting (1.99 t ha-1) was supported by greater yield components (seed weight (13.8 gm-2) and pod weight 23 gm-2), number of pods per plant (75 pods plant-1) and harvest index (43 %)). Moreover, plant phenological factors such as plant height (46 cm) and number of branches per plant (16 branches) were also greater in early planting, with late planting recording lowest values in all the measured parameters. In addition, the greater biomass and grain yield in early planting compared with the normal and late sowings was caused by greater intercepted radiation (91%), improved flower retention (45.2%) and minimised water use (174 mm) and pod abortion (13.6%). Late maturing genotypes (Range 4 & 5) showed greater water use efficiency of grain yield (7.3 & 7.1 kg ha-1 mm-1) and had the highest radiation use efficiency of grain yield, which was on average 7.2% (0.07 g MJ-1) greater than ICCV9901, and 15.6% (0.13 g MJ-1) greater than Range 1 & 3, but this depended on soil moisture availability. vi The simulation results, indicated a significant increase in temperature (by 4.2 to 5.5 oC) over a period from 1950 to 2100. This increase lead to a concomitant increase in chickpea evapotranspiration and accumulated growing degree days. Moreover, optimal planting date for chickpea shifted from mid-month of April during 1950 to end of May in 2100 and reduced growing season length from 140 days in 1950 to 85 days in 2100. Aboveground biomass increased from 2.0 & 2.05 t ha-1 in 1950 to 4.3 & 4.57 t ha-1 in 2100, respectively in RCP 4.5 and 8.5, whilst grain yield increased from 1.07 & 1.08 t ha-1 in 1950 to 1.68 & 2.21 t ha-1 in 2100, respectively under RCP 4.5 and 8.5. Planting dates that were recommended by AquaCrop model recorded the highest increase in aboveground biomass and grain yield compared with early, normal and late planting dates. Late maturing genotypes (Range 4 & 5) showed greater grain yield and biomass, whilst early and medium maturing genotypes had low biomass and grain yield. The study recommend early planting date together with late maturing chickpea genotypes (Range 4 and 5) in the region so as to improve water use efficiency, radiation use efficiency, heat use efficiency and aboveground biomass and grain yield of the crop under the present time and under climate change scenario. The early maturing genotype (Range 1) and medium maturing genotypes (Range 3 and ICCV9901) may only be recommended under normal planting date, although there will not be any significant yield advantages compared with late maturing genotypes. The study also recommend the use of planting dates generated by AquaCrop model so as to improve biomass and grain yield when chickpea is sown under climate change scenario in Southern Africa. The yield improvement using AquaCrop recommended planting dates was partly caused by greater water use efficiency, heat use efficiency and corbon dioxide productivity. Given the potential importance of planting dates in improving current and future productivity of chickpea shown in the study, there is need to work on development of a sowing (planting date) criteria for chickpea in the / NRF

Planting date (PD), seeding rate (SR), genotype, and row spacing (RS) influence hard red spring wheat (HRSW, Triticum aestivum L. emend. Thell.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield. Evaluating HRSW economic optimum seeding rates (EOSR) is needed as modern hybrids may improve performance and have different SR requirements than cultivars. Two cultivars and five hybrids were evaluated in five North Dakota environments at two PDs and five SRs ranging from 2.22-5.19 million live seeds ha-1 in 2019-2020. Planting date, SR, and genotypes have unique yield responses across environments. Hybrid yield was the most associated with kernels spike-1 (r=0.17 to 0.43). The best hybrid yielded greater than cultivars in three environments. The EOSR ranged from 4.08-4.15 and 3.67-3.85 million seeds ha-1 for cultivars and hybrids, respectively. Hybrids are economical if seed prices are within $0.18 kg-1 of cultivars. In soybean, individual and synergistic effects of PD, SR, genotype relative maturity (RM), and RS on seed yield and agronomic characteristics, and how well canopy measurements can predict seed yield in North Dakota were investigated. Early and late PD, early and late RM, and two SRs (457 000 and 408 000 seed ha-1) were evaluated in 14 environments and two RS (30.5 and 61 cm) were included in four environments in 2019-2020. Individual factors resulted in 245 and 189 kg ha-1 more yield for early PD and late RM, respectively. The improved treatment of early PD, late RM, and high SR factors had 16% yield and $140 ha-1 more partial profit greater than the control. When including RS, 30.5 cm RS had 7% more yield than 61 cm RS. Adding 30.5 cm RS to the improved treatment in four environments resulted in 26% yield and $291 ha-1 more partial net profit compared to the control. A normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI) at R5 was the single best yield predictor, and stepwise regression using canopy measurements explained 69% of yield variation. North Dakota farmers are recommended to combine early PDs, late RM cultivars, 457 000 seed ha-1 SR, and 30.5 cm RS to improve soybean yield and profit compared to current management trends.

Research was conducted in 2013 and 2014 to evaluate the postemergence control of Palmer amaranth [Amaranthus palmeri (S.) Wats.] with mesotrione alone and in mixtures with fomesafen and/or glyphosate and to evaluate the impact of lactofen and planting date on growth, development, and yield of indeterminate soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. Studies included a greenhouse evaluation of different rates of mesotrione on the control of 5- and 10-cm Palmer amaranth and field studies evaluating the control of 5- to 10-cm Palmer amaranth with three rates of mesotrione applied alone and in mixtures with fomesafen and/or glyphosate. Lactofen studies include a planting date study evaluating one rate of lactofen applied at V2 soybean stage with planting dates of April 15, May 1, May 15, and June 1 and a lactofen timing study where one rate of lactofen was applied at soybean growth stages ranging from V1 to R5.

Producers choosing to implement an early corn planting management strategy often experience several yield limiting biotic and abiotic factors. Field variability, flooding, sub-optimal soil temperatures which leads to poor nutrient uptake, delayed emergence and reduced root growth can limit grain production. Three separate experiments were conducted to address some of the negative effects associated with early corn planting. Experiment 1 evaluated flooding effects on several morpho-physiological traits including root system architecture during early crop development. Hybrids (DKC 6208, Pioneer 1197) were flooded at planting (V0) and growth stages V1, V2, V3 for 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96 hours. Plants flooded at V0 11% suffered the steepest decline in collar height. Plants flooded at V2 10% were more susceptible than plants flooded V1 4%. Overall, there was a linear decline in nutrient concentration if flooding occurred at planting. Tissue Na levels were the most affected by flood duration and K was the least affected. Experiment 2 evaluated biologic compounds developed to increase immobile nutrients P and K to improve fertilizer use efficiency and provide slow developing roots essential nutrients. The effectiveness of microbial products (B-300, QR, Mammoth, EM-1) with/without starter fertilizer influenced yield, emergence, plant growth, and nutrient uptake. Biologic seed treatments compared to the control, resulted in a positive yield advantage for all treatments. Yields ranged from 37 to 48% higher if biologic compounds were applied. On average, yields increased from 26 to 38% after starter fertilizer was added to the biologic compounds. Phosphorus levels at VT were significantly higher for QR and K content was higher for B300, SF-B300, QR, Mamm, and SF-Mamm compared to the control. Experiment 3 addressed soil physical/chemical properties affecting plant development and there yield plant density relationship. On average, yields significantly increased 40% as plant population increased from 49,400 to 103,740 plants ha−1. Based on the quadratic model agronomically yields would be highest at 61,360 plants ha−1. Correlation analysis among yield and soil physical and chemical properties revealed positive correlations for grain yield, sand% (r2 = 0.42), soil K (r2 = 0.17) soil Na (r2 = 0.46), and soil P (r2 = 0.49).

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