MSCAGR (Animal Science) / Department of Animal Science / The objective of the study was to determine the effects of fertilisation with bio-digester slurry and the inclusion of carbohydrate additives at ensiling on the fermentation characteristics, chemical composition, ruminal degradability, and in vitro digestibility of Napier grass silage. Napier grass planted at the School of Agriculture Experimental Farm, University of Venda in 5 m x 4 m plots replicated three times in a completely randomised design and was irrigated with either biodigester slurry or no bio-digester slurry (tap water) for a period of 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, the Napier was freshly cut and ensiled for 90 days in 1 litre glass jars in a 2 (Control - tap water and slurry irrigation) x 4 (No additive, molasses, maize meal and brown sugar) factorial arrangement. Fermentation quality and nutritive composition were determined using standard protocols. The dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) ruminal degradability was determined in sacco by incubating feed samples in nylon bags (external dimension: 6 × 12 cm, pore size of 46 μm) in the rumen in three Bonsmara steers fitted with rumen cannulae for 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 hours (h). Parameters to describe the dynamics of ruminal degradability of DM and CP were obtained by fitting the data on the exponential equation P = a + b (1 - e-ct) using the NEWAY computer program, where “a” is the rapidly degradable fraction, “b” is the slowly degradable fraction and “c” is the outflow rate. The in vitro DM and CP degradability of rumen undegradable residue collected after 12, 24 and 48 h incubation was determined by sequential digestion in pepsin (abomasal) and pancreatin (small intestine) solutions. Fertilisation with bio-digester slurry increased (P <0.05) CP content of fresh cut Napier grass pre-ensilage. Bio-digester slurry fertilisation with molasses inclusion improved (P <0.05) the silage DM content which improved (P >0.05) fermentation characteristics with pH of 4.2 and lowest NH3-N of 13.3 g/kg. Other chemical compositions and fermentation characteristics were not affected (P >0.05) due to fertilisation x additives treatment combinations. No bio-digester slurry fertilisation with maize meal inclusion increased (P <0.01) DM degradability at 0 h incubation. As time progressed to 24 h, no biodigester slurry fertilisation with no additive included reduced (P <0.01) DM degradability with no difference (P >0.05) on other treatments. Potential DM degradability (a + b) of no bio-digester slurry fertilisation with no additive inclusion silage was reduced (P <0.01). The reduction was associated with low levels (P <0.01) of slowly degradable fraction “b”. In vitro DM and CP digestibility were not affected (P >0.05) due to fertilisation x additives treatment combinations. In conclusion, bio-digester slurry application improved the quality of fresh cut Napier grass, with the combination of bio-digester slurry fertilisation and molasses addition yielding the best silage quality.

MSCAGR (Plant Production) / Department of Plant Production / Poor soil fertility caused by inadequate supply of nutrients on soil is one of the major constraints limiting crop production especially in the Vhembe District Municipality, Limpopo, South Africa. Therefore, management practices such as application of organic manure to minimize soil infertility is considered as good practice for smallholder farmers. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of macadamia husk compost on selected soil properties as well as the growth and yield of Chinese cabbage on sandy loam soil. A field experiment was carried out during 2018 and 2019 winter season at the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) research farm in Levubu. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 treatments (control (zero)), inorganic fertilizer (100:60:60 NPK Kg ha-1) and compost at 15t ha-1 & 30t ha-1 replicated 3 times. Soil was analyzed before planting and after harvesting to determine the influence of applied compost on selected physical properties (soil bulk density and water holding capacity) and chemical properties (soil pH, soil organic matter, soil organic C, EC, total N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Al, Zn and Mn). Number of leaves, fresh mass, dry mass and leaf area was collected at three harvests interval (28, 46 and 74 days after transplanting). After each harvest period, leaves were analysed for nutrient content (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu, Mn and B). During the final harvest crops were uprooted and root biomass (fresh mass, dry mass and root length) were recorded. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted on all data using Genstat package 18th addition. Differences between treatment means were separated using the least significant differences (LSD) procedure and correlations analysis was determined using Pearson’s simple correlation coefficient. Macadamia husk compost application had a significant effect on soil bulk density and water holding capacity. Addition of macadamia husk compost significantly increased soil pH, OC, N, C: N K, P, Mg, Ca, Na, Al, Zn, Ca and Mn. In contrast, addition of macadamia husk compost had no effect on soil EC. Yield components (number of leaves, fresh mass, dry mass), root biomass, root length and leaf area increased with application of macadamia husk compost. Yield components, root biomass, root length and leaf area were significantly affected (p<0.01) by harvesting time. Yield components in the second cropping season was greater than yield components in the first season. Macadamia husk compost application showed no significant effect on leaf nutrient content of Chinese cabbage. However, leaf nutrient content was affected by harvesting time. It is evident from the results of this study that macadamia husk compost affects soil fertility and plant production. The results suggest that macadamia husk compost has a potential to be used as a reliable fertilizer by famers especially smallholder farmers who struggle to buy inorganic fertilizer because they are expensive. Since this study was conducted over two seasons and compost effect tend to be long term, further research is needed on application of macadamia husk compost on soil properties and yield of other crops over wide range of soils. / NRF

Diese Arbeit ist ein Beitrag zur Entwicklung einer Strategie für die eine CO2 sparende zu- künftige Landwirtschaft, in der nur geringe Emissionen von Treibhausgasen entstehen, die Stromerzeugung vor Ort aus natürlichen Ressourcen erfolgt, eine maximale Ausnutzung der Sonnenenergie genutzt wird, und der Konflikt zwischen der Nutzung der verfügbaren Ressourcen für Nahrungsmittel und Treibstoff Produktion vermieden wird. Alle Versuche in der Arbeit wurden in den Jahren 2005 -2009 auf der Öko-Farm (TOSOLY) der UTA (Fundación para la Producción Agropecuaria Tropical Sostenible Capitulo Kolumbien - UTA) unter der Leitung von Dr. TR Preston (Präsident ) und MSc Lylian Rodríguez (Director) durchgeführt. / This thesis is a contribution to the strategy that should underpin all future farming systems: namely the need to “de-carbonize” the system, by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases, generating electricity locally from natural resources, making maximum use of solar energy and ensuring there is no conflict between use of available resources for both food and fuel production. All the experiments described in the thesis were carried out in the period 2005 -2009 at the ecological farm (TOSOLY) of the UTA Foundation (Fundación para la Producción Agropecuaria Tropical Sostenible Capitulo Colombia – UTA) of which the principals are Dr T R Preston (President) and MSc Lylian Rodríguez (Director).

This thesis studies the role accounting plays in the monitoring and reporting of soil quality in one sector of the agricultural industry, broadacre farming. A survey was conducted with broadacre farmers in the Loddon Catchment, Victoria, Australia. The primary aim was to determine the effectiveness accounting plays in providing information to decision makers relative to the productive capacity in soil quality and not just on profits. The capital asset in this study was defined as soil quality. Soils and soil quality in particular, are major elements in determining land value. The concern is decisions are being made by potential buyers and other decision makers, particularly policy makers, with regards to soil quality on the basis of incomplete and often misleading information. It is proposed that a major reason is due to the fact that different participants in the agricultural and accounting industries require and use different information. The accounting systems used by farmers are those that have been developed for the manufacturing sector which may not be appropriate for managing long-term, complex resources such as soil. The farmers themselves did not find formal accounting reports useful for decision making because these reports are based on uniform standards and market prices. The topic of soil quality and land degradation is viewed from two perspectives. In one perspective, the proprietary view; the accounting emphasis is on the ownership of assets and the change, both in income and capital, in these assets over time. In this case the accounting equation is seen as assets - liabilities = equities. The proprietor takes all the risk. A more recent perspective in accounting, the entity view, emphasises the assets whether financed from equity or debt and where the accounting equation is seen as assets = equities. The emphasis changes to the income flow from these assets and more interest is shown in current market prices as a reflection of the future value of these assets Profit is not necessarily a good indicator of what farmers are doing for their capital asset. There needs to be greater emphasis on costs undertaken for the conservation of soil. Those costs should be considered an investment and put into the balance sheet and not the profit and loss statement. The major finding of study demonstrates that decision making groups have different

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Bush encroachment in savannas leads to reduced diversity, productivity and profitability of rangelands. This holds important implications for the livestock and eco-tourism industries, as well as for subsistence ranchers in the South African semi-arid savannas, who depend on this vegetation type for economic and livelihood purposes. Soil moisture, nutrients, rue and herbivory are generally regarded as the principal factors determining vegetation structure and function within savannas. The factors and processes involved in the determination of the tree:grass ratio within savannas are, however, not clearly understood. We investigated the role of soil type and management strategy (cattle, game and communal grazing) in the determination of the presence and distribution of plant species in general, and on the presence and distribution of the encroaching tree species, Acacia mellifera, specifically. Both shortand long-term trends were investigated. The study area, the Kimberley Triangle, (Northern Cape Province, South Africa), was ideal for this kind of study because it has different management strategies practised on several soil types, and bush encroachment is a widespread phenomenon. Contrary to the belief that heavy livestock grazing is the main cause of increases in the tree:grass ratio, we found that soil type, through its effects on plant growth and on the presence and availability of soil moisture and nutrients, is more important in determining vegetation composition than management strategy. It was found that the various types of grazing management mainly influenced vegetation structure and function by affecting the competitive interactions between Ns-fixing woody species and non-Ns-fixing grasses. Of the soil factors affecting vegetation composition, soil texture was a good indicator of the physical conditions for plant growth in an area, and also of the presence and availability of soil moisture and nutrients. We found that sand and clay soils are relatively resistant to bush encroachment as compared to loamy-sand and -clay mixes. This is because woody growth is impaired in the first-mentioned habitats by soil texture, soil moisture regimes and heavy utilisation. In soils with combinations of loam, sand and clay, soil texture and moisture are not limiting to woody growth and if the repressive competitive effect of grasses on woody vegetation is removed, opportunities are created for recruitment of woody species and encroachment. Additionally, rockiness increases soil moisture infiltration. In the study area, woody species, and specifically A. mellifera, are associated with these areas. We suggest that in the study area, rocky areas are naturally encroached. This is in agreement with the patchdynamic approach to savanna vegetation dynamics. Because soil moisture is such an important factor in the determination of the tree:grass ratio in the study area, we further suggest that in above-average rainfall years, when soil moisture conditions are optimal for woody seed germination, establishment and growth, heavy grazing should be avoided, as it would provide the opportunity for encroachment. Keywords: Bush encroachment; N2-fixing species; game, cattle, communal grazing; soil texture; soil moisture; soil nutrients; Acacia mellifera; tree-grass competition. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Bosindringing in savanna gebiede het verlaagde diversiteit, produktiwiteit en winsgewendheid van natuurlike weivelde tot gevolg. Behalwe dat dit die Suid-Afrikaanse vee- en ekotoerisme bedrywe raak, is verskeie bestaansboerderye afhanklik van die plantegroei-tipe vir oorlewing. Grondvog, grondvoedingstowwe, vuur en beweiding word algemeen aanvaar as die belangrikste faktore wat die struktuur en funksie van savannas bepaal. Daar is egter nog nie duidelikheid oor die prosesse wat betrokke is in die bepaling van die boom-gras verhouding in savannas nie. In dié studie het ons ondersoek ingestel na die invloed van grond tipe en beweidingstrategieë (beweiding deur beeste, wild, of kommunale beweiding) op die algemene verspreiding van verskillende plant spesies, en ook op die van die indringer spesie, Acacia mellifera. Beide kort- en lang-termyn patrone is ondersoek. Die studiegebied, die Kimberley Driehoek in die Noord-Kaap, Suid-Afrika, was ideaal vir so 'n ondersoek omdat verskillende beweiding strategieë op verskeie grond-tipes beoefen word maar bosindringing steeds 'n algemene verskynsel in die gebied is. Ons bevinding was dat, ten spyte van die feit dat daar oor die algemeen geglo word dat swaar beweiding die hoof oorsaak van bosindringing is, grond-tipe belangriker is in die bepaling van die spesie-samestelling van 'n gebied. Dit is as gevolg van die feit dat grond-tipe die groei van plante beïnvloed deur die teenwoordigheid en beskikbaarheid van grondvog en -nutriënte te bepaal. Die verskillende beweidingstrategieë beïnvloed meerendeels die kompetatiewe interaksies tussen N2-bindende hout-agtige spesies teenoor nie-Nj-bindende gras-agtige spesies. Grond-tekstuur was 'n goeie aanduiding van die algemene toestande vir plantegroei en ook van die teenwoordigheid en beskikbaarheid van grondvog en -nutriënte. Ons het bevind dat sand en klei grond, relatief tot leem, sand en klei kombinasies, weerstandbiedend is teen bosindringing as gevolg van die tekstuur, water-regimes en swaar beweidings vlakke wat op die grond-tipes voorkom. Omdat grond-tekstuur en grondvog nie beperkend is op die leem-, sand- en klei-grond kombinasies nie, kan bosindringing maklik hier voorkom as die onderdrukkende effek wat grasse op houtagtige plantegroei het, deur swaar beweiding verwyder word. A. mellifera is ook oor die algemeen met klipperige gebiede geassosieer omdat klipperigheid lei tot verhoogde infiltrasie van grondvog. In die studie-gebied is klipperige areas dan ook van nature ingedring deur A. mellifera. Dit stem ooreen met die siening dat savannas bestaan uit "laslappe" van verskillende plantegroei (patch-dynamic approach). Dit was duidelik dat grondvog 'n belangrike bepalende faktor is in die bepaling van die boom-gras verhouding in die studiegebied. Ons stel dus voor dat in bo-gemiddelde reënval jare, swaar beweiding vermy moet word, omdat houtagtige saailinge gedurende die tydperke maklik kan ontkiem en vestig juis omdat grondvog dan nie beperkend is nie. Sleutelwoorde: Bosindringing; N2-bindende spesies; bees, wild, kommunale beweiding; grond tekstuur; grond-vog; grond-nutriënte; Acacia mellifera; boom-gras kompetisie.

Diffuse Phosphor (P)-Austräge aus der Landwirtschaft tragen zur Gewässereutrophierung bei. Der Phosphorsättigungsgrad (DPS) ist ein etablierter Parameter, um das P-Austragsrisiko aus Böden zu erfassen. Ein bodentypunabhängiger Ansatz, der die Abschätzung des DPS durch eine einfache Standardmethode wasserlöslichen P (WSP) ermöglicht (WSP-DPS-Ansatz), wurde an europäischen Böden entwickelt. In der Dissertation wurde dieser Ansatz erstmalig: i) an tropischen Böden getestet und ii) dazu verwendet P-Austragsrisiken von Boden-P-Monitoringdaten und von landwirtschaftlichen Institutionen empfohlenen P-Gehalten abzuleiten. Neben dem DPS wurde der Einfluss der in Brasilien gängigen anorganischen Oberflächendüngung auf das Austragsrisiko mittels Laboranalysen und Feldstudien erfasst. Die Bodentypunabhängigkeit des WSP-DPS-Ansatzes wurde für Böden Brasiliens bestätigt. Infrarotspektroskopische Analysen lieferten eine Erklärung für relativ niedrige gelöste P-Konzentrationen im Oberflächenabfluss von Oxisols. Pedotransferfunktionen zwischen WSP und Methoden, die in Brasilien und Deutschland zur Abschätzung pflanzenverfügbaren P verwendet werden, ermöglichten die Berechnung von DPS-Werten aus Monitoringdaten. Erste DPS-Karten zeigten relative geringe Austragsrisiken für das Untersuchungsgebiet in Brasilien und hohe Risiken für Deutschland, die teilweise durch unterschiedliche empfohlene Boden-P-Gehalte erklärbar waren. Um mit einer einfachen und kosteneffizienten Methode sowohl die landwirtschaftliche Produktion als auch den Gewässerschutz zu berücksichtigen, wurden die Wasser- und CaCl2-Methode zur Abschätzung von pflanzenverfügbarem P mit dem WSP-DPS-Ansatz kombiniert. Dieser Ansatz könnte helfen die Herausforderungen zu lösen mit denen die Menschheit in den nächsten Jahrzehnten bezüglich P in der Landwirtschaft konfrontiert sein wird: Einer effizienten Nutzung der limitierten Ressource P und dem Schutz der Gewässer vor diffusen P-Einträgen. / Diffuse phosphorus (P) losses from agriculture contribute to the eutrophication of surface waters. The degree of P saturation (DPS) is an established parameter for assessing the risk of P loss from agricultural soils. A soil type-independent approach for estimating the DPS by a simple standard method of water-soluble phosphorus (WSP; the WSP-DPS approach) was developed on European soils. In the thesis, the WSP-DPS approach was for the first time: i) tested on tropical soils and ii) used to derive P loss risks from soil P monitoring data and from recommended soil P levels by agricultural institutions. In addition to DPS, laboratory analyses and field studies were combined to assess the risk of P loss associated with the superficial application of inorganic fertilizer, which is commonly used in Brazil. The soil type-independency of the WSP-DPS approach was confirmed for soils of Brazil. Infrared spectroscopic analyses provided an explanation for the relatively low dissolved P concentrations in the surface runoff of Oxisols. Pedotransfer functions were determined between WSP and methods used to estimate plant-available P in Brazil and Germany and allowed for the transformation of soil P monitoring data into DPS values. The first DPS maps revealed relatively low P loss risks for the investigation area in Brazil and high risks for Germany. This difference was partly explainable by the recommended soil P levels in the two countries. To consider both agricultural production and the protection of surface waters in soil P management with a simple and cost-effective method, the soil test methods of using water and CaCl2 to estimate plant-available P and the WSP-DPS approach were combined. This approach could help to solve the challenges humanity faces regarding P in agriculture in the coming decades: An efficient use of the limited resource P and the protection of surface waters from diffuse P losses.

No description available.