COLARES, Daniel Santana. Análise técnico-econômica do cultivo do arroz no perímetro irrigado Morada Nova, Ceará. 2004. 58 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em engenharia agrícola)- Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza-CE, 2004. / Submitted by Elineudson Ribeiro (elineudsonr@gmail.com) on 2016-06-17T17:44:13Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2004_dis_dscolares.pdf: 455698 bytes, checksum: cb31059ac73e1be646455f36520e8374 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by José Jairo Viana de Sousa (jairo@ufc.br) on 2016-07-21T20:08:09Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2004_dis_dscolares.pdf: 455698 bytes, checksum: cb31059ac73e1be646455f36520e8374 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-21T20:08:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2004_dis_dscolares.pdf: 455698 bytes, checksum: cb31059ac73e1be646455f36520e8374 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004 / The main objective of this study was to determine the water use efficiency, the economic efficiency and the profit indexes for rice (Oryza sativa, L.) in the Morada Nova Irrigation District, state of Ceará, Brazil, from July to December, 2003. EPAGRI 109 cultivar was cropped in three different soil units: sandyloam, silt and clay loam, the last two called units I and II, respectively. Parshall flumes and siphon tubes were used to measure and apply water to the field basins. The irrigation system used was basin irrigation (inundation). Data used for the economical analysis were obtained from costs and revenues surveyed in each plot evaluated. Irrigation period for planning for the soil and climate conditions of Morada Nova was 120 days. The water use efficiency for sandy soils presented average values of 0.2 kg.m-3; in the case of heavy soils such value was 0.43 kg.m-3. The water application efficiency for clay-loam soils was 66% in average, whereas for sandy-loam was 35%, considering, in both cases, irrigation without deficit. Net profit for a thousand cubic meter, using diverted and applied water methodology, showed superiority for clay-loam soils with values between R$179,00 and R$94,00, while for sandy soils the values were less than R$58,00. Profit analysis for sandy-loam and clay-loam showed feasibility for both soil units, based on conventional criteria of investment analysis, but considering in the simulation a minimum wage of R$240,00/worker, crop plan for the sandy-loam unit was not feasible, according to the obtained results: cost-benefit relation (B/C) equal to 0.98; net present value (VPL) of – 603.9 and “internal rate of return” (TIR) equal to 3.5%. For the case of clay-loam soil the indexes presented feasibility: B/C = 1.145; VPL = R$4.204,10 and TIR = 60.33%. / Estudar a eficiência do uso da água (EUA), a eficiência econômica e os indicadores de rentabilidade na cultura do arroz (Oryza sativa, L.), foram os principais objetivos deste trabalho, realizado no Perímetro Irrigado de Morada Nova, Ceará, no período de julho a dezembro de 2003. Estabeleceu-se a cultura do arroz cultivar EPAGRI 109, em unidades de solo com texturas areia-franca, franca e argilo-siltosa, sendo esta, em duas áreas, as quais denominaram-se I e II. Utilizaram-se calhas Parshall e sifões de plástico como instrumentos para medição e aplicação de água aos tabuleiros. O sistema de irrigação utilizado foi inundação. Os dados utilizados na análise econômica foram de levantamentos de custos e receitas pertinentes à cada uma das unidades avaliadas. O período de irrigação do cultivo de arroz para as condições de solo e clima no Distrito de Irrigação Morada Nova situa-se em torno de 120 dias, período este que deve ser tomado como referência para o planejamento da irrigação. A eficiência de uso da água para os solos de textura leve apresentou valores médios de 0,2 kg.m-3; já para os solos de textura pesada, de 0,43 kg.m-3. A eficiência de aplicação de água na unidade textural argilo-siltosa, solo adequado ao cultivo de arroz apresentou um valor médio de 66%. Na unidade textural areia franca, porém, solo sem aptidão ao cultivo do arroz, a eficiência de aplicação foi apenas de 35%, considerando-se em ambos os casos, somente os eventos de irrigação sem déficit. A rentabilidade líquida de cada mil m3 , utilizando a metodologia de cobrança de água derivada e aplicada, mostrou-se superior nos solos argilo-siltosos com valores entre R$ 179,0 e R$ 94,0, enquanto os solos de textura mais leve esta rentabilidade não ultrapassou os R$ 58,0. A receita líquida obtida em 1,0 ha de arroz na unidade textural areia franca (R$1.900,00), comparativamente ao valor obtido na unidade textural argilo-siltosa (R$2.400,00), incentiva o cultivo de arroz em solos sem aptidão para a cultura, porquanto o sistema de cobrança de água atualmente em vigor, leva em consideração a área irrigada e não o volume de água aplicada. A análise da rentabilidade nas unidades texturais areia franca e argilo-siltosa, demonstrou a viabilidade do cultivo do arroz para ambas as unidades, em base aos critérios convencionais da análise de investimento, porém, simulando-se uma remuneração mensal do produtor no valor de R$ 240,0, o plano de cultivo na unidade textural areia-franca é inviável, conforme os resultados obtidos: relação benefício custo (B/C) 0,98; valor presente líquido (VPL) -603,9 e taxa interna de retorno (TIR) 3,5%. Na unidade textural argilo-siltosa, porém, os indicadores se mostraram viáveis: B/C 1,145, VPL R$ 4.204,1 e TIR 60,33%.

O setor sucroalcooleiro encontra-se em plena expansão no país, incluindo áreas consideradas marginais, principalmente no que diz respeito à disponibilidade hídrica. O estabelecimento da cultura no campo é fundamental para o sucesso da atividade agrícola, uma vez que define parte do potencial de produção, sendo que o déficit hídrico nessa fase pode afetar significativamente o stand de plantas. Dessa forma, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo quantificar os níveis de déficit hídrico que comprometem o desenvolvimento inicial da cana-de-açúcar, para diferentes profundidades de solo (níveis de disponibilidade hídrica). O experimento foi conduzido na área de pesquisa do Departamento de Engenharia de Biossistemas na Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALQ/USP) em ambiente protegido (casa de vegetação). O solo utilizado foi classificado como Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo, textura franco arenosa, denominado Série Sertãozinho. Foram utilizadas caixas de cimento amianto com capacidade de 100 litros, preenchidas com diferentes camadas de pedra brita nº 02, e solo, simulando profundidades de 10, 20, 30 e 40 cm. Os níveis de déficit hídrico foram representados pela evapotranspiração de referência acumulada de 0, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, 240 e 280 mm, desde o plantio até o retorno da irrigação, estando a umidade inicial do solo na capacidade de campo. O sistema de irrigação utilizado foi por gotejamento e o manejo da irrigação com base em tensiometria. O delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso (DBC) no esquema fatorial 4 x 8, totalizou 32 tratamentos, sendo a parcela experimental representada por uma caixa contendo, inicialmente, seis gemas de cana-de-açúcar. Observou-se que a umidade do solo na capacidade de campo na ocasião do plantio é suficiente para promover a brotação e emergência das mudas, independente do nível de déficit hídrico imposto posteriormente. Para profundidades de solo de 10 e 20 cm, nível de déficit hídrico de 160 mm de ET0ac provocou a morte total das plantas, enquanto que para profundidades de 30 e 40 cm, isto ocorreu com nível de 200 mm de ET0ac. Nível de déficit hídrico de 40 mm de ET0ac já é suficiente para reduzir, de forma significativa, o desenvolvimento da planta, independente da profundidade de solo. Entretanto, em condições desfavoráveis de plantio (a 10 e a 20 cm), o efeito negativo do déficit hídrico sobre o desenvolvimento da planta é ainda maior. Além deste efeito, a imposição do déficit hídrico também causou mudança no padrão de crescimento da planta, sendo expresso pela maior relação raiz - parte aérea. A eficiência no uso da água na fase inicial da cultura foi reduzida significativamente com o déficit hídrico e a redução da profundidade do solo explorada pelo sistema radicular, apresentando valores entre 0,16 e 3,21 g L-1. / Sugar and ethanol industry is booming in Brazil, including marginal areas, especially those related to water availability. The establishment of the crop in the field is fundamental to the success of this intensive agriculture, since it defines the baseline of the potential production. Water deficit at this stage can significantly affect plant stand. This study aimed to quantify water deficit levels that undertake the initial development of cane sugar, for different soil depths (levels of water availability). The experiment was conducted in the research area of the Biosystems Engineering Department at the School of Agriculture \"Luiz de Queiroz\" (ESALQ / USP) under greenhouse conditions. The soil was classified as Red-Yellow Latosol, sandy loam, called Sertãozinho Series. It was used cement boxes with a capacity of 100 liters, filled with different layers of nº 02 gravel, and soil, simulating porous media depths of 10, 20, 30 and 40 cm. The levels of water deficit were represented by the reference evapotranspiration accumulated (ET0ac) of 0, 40, 80, 120, 160, 200, 240 and 280 mm from planting until the return of irrigation, with the initial soil moisture at field capacity. Drip irrigation system and tensiometers were used to control soil moisture. The experiment was carried out under randomized block design (RBD) in a factorial scheme of 4 x 8, totalizing 32 treatments, being the experimental unit represented by a box containing six gems of sugar cane initially. Maintaining soil moisture at field capacity at planting time is sufficient to promote sprouting and emergence of seedlings, regardless of water deficit level following. For soil depths of 10 and 20 cm, water deficit level of 160 mm ET0ac caused total death of the plants, while soil depths between 30 and 40 cm, this occurred with a higher level of 200 mm ET0ac . Water deficit level of 40 mm ET0ac is enough to reduce significantly the aerial development of sugar cane plants, regardless of soil depth. However, under unfavorable planting conditions (10 and 20 cm soil preparation), the negative effect of drought on plant development is pronounced. In addition to this effect, the imposition of water deficit also caused changes in the plant growth rate that was expressed by a higher relationship root - aboveground biomass. Water use efficiency in the initial phase of sugar cane crop was significantly reduced with water deficit and the reduction of soil depth explored by the root system, with values ranging from 0,16 to 3,21 g dry mass L-1 of water.

Thesis (PhD (Public Management and Planning))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / Please refer to full text for abstract

With the current implementation of the South African National Water Act (NWA) underway, comprehensive tools to assist in the efficient, fair and sustainable management of water resources are needed. Water footprints (WFs) are increasingly being recognised as a meaningful way to represent human appropriation of water resources and provide a framework for assessing the sustainability of water use. The study calculated blue, green and grey WFs for the lower Sundays River Valley (LSRV) citrus sector across dry, humid and long-term average climates for a number of cultivars. The sustainability of both the LSRV and the production process of citrus were examined through the adoption of a number of environmental, social and economic indicators. The study revealed that there was no water scarcity in the area because of an inter-basin transfer and that water pollution levels attributed to citrus production required a more comprehensive indicator than the grey WF. Results showed that navels, despite being the dominant cultivar, had the highest WF and the lowest water productivity and technical efficiency. It also provided lower benefits of income and employment in terms of water use in comparison to other cultivars. Conversely, cultivars such as lemons, which required a greater amount of water and fertiliser, were the most productive cultivar with the lowest blue, green and grey WF. The study demonstrated the complexity of decisions regarding water management and the need to assess accurately the environmental, social and economic implications of strategies to increase efficiency of water. The importance of incorporating local data and verifying WFs was also illustrated. The analysis highlighted that WF assessments could be useful for the South African government and agricultural sectors to assist in future water management decisions and promote increased collaboration between stakeholders. The study found that the adoption of local benchmarks could be useful in aiding the promotion of more efficient water use and could factor in sensitive economic and social attributes. WFs in conjunction with other economic and social indicators could also be used to evaluate the sustainability of current and future allocations pertaining to the implementation of the NWA. It was however noted that this requires vast amounts of accurate data.

In South Africa, precipitation is extremely variable and water is scarce. South Africa is also a country with great welfare needs. Challenging economic development targets and plans therefore need to be implemented successfully within the constraints of limited water supply and unreliable water availability. These economic development plans are underpinned by the development and growth of economic activities such as agriculture, mining, energy production and many types of small, medium and micro enterprises, which are some of the largest water using sectors in the economy. Within these activities, increased competition places pressure on water users to keep supplying their markets with competitively priced goods, while rising costs of new water supplies puts pressure on water users to allocate sufficient water to their production processes. These market forces and the relative scarcity of water as an economic production factor, impact on financial viability and imply that the economic efficiency of water use becomes increasingly important. The National Water Act of 1998 (NWA) is a legislative response to this situation, and promotes a radical shift towards efficiency and equity goals in water allocation. Water users who require water as an input to economic activities are consequently seriously revising their water use patterns in response to one of the major implications of the NWA and its related principal strategy: water demand management. Water demand management strives to adhere to the principles of equity, social justice, economic efficiency and environmental sustainability, which are central to the NWA. This study evaluates the costs and benefits of water use in order to simulate the effects of water demand management activities on a catchment economy. The results of a number of studies were combined to generate an economy-wide model: a Social Accounting Matrix (SAM), for the case study area and to simulate the direct and indirect effects of water demand management on the people, the economy and the natural environment in the area. Water demand management (WDM) is defined as consisting of two phases. In the first phase, goals of full cost recovery, improving water use efficiency and allocating water optimally are targeted. The second phase of WDM arrives when a situation of absolute water scarcity is reached within a catchment. In this phase water demand outweighs water supply and water has to be allocated according to its scarcity value. Water markets play a large role here. The SAM was used to simulate the direct and indirect impacts on the economy and the environment of a number of WDM related scenarios. Water e-allocation decisions and the effects of various WDM policy instruments, such as reduction of water use subsidies and increases in water tariffs were simulated. Unintended consequences of other environmental policies on water use, in this case, carbon tax, were explored. Water scarcity predictions were done, and some of the transaction costs involved in water trading was quantified. The study concludes with a discussion on the indirect effects on the economy, the environment and people of changes affecting the agricultural (including forestry) activities. The direct and indirect impacts of WDM policies on the economy and the environment, and the importance of environmental-economic models in water cost benefit modeling are also discussed. Implications for policy and management are highlighted. This study shows specifically how, through modelling various scenarios, policy decisions aimed at managing specific variables (e.g. water use, carbon emissions) have an economic and environmental impact much wider than the sector in which the policy was targeted for. Each scenario shows how a water transaction, or a change in subsidy in the agricultural (including forestry) sector, could impact on the output of other economic sectors, and therefore the economy as a whole. It is therefore evident that policy decisions, which are implemented at a macro level, and could have a major direct impact on a wider range of economic sectors, should be carefully considered as they could have large, undesirable, unintended consequences. / Dissertation (MSc (Agricultural Economics))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / MSc (Agric) / unrestricted

Thesis (MTech (Tourism and Hospitality Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009 / The City of Cape Town implemented water restrictions from November 2004 and all residents in Cape Town had to rethink their water management practices. In the context of global environmental initiatives, this was a positive move as South Africans need to change the way water is used in line with global environmental practices. The increasing emphasis for the hospitality industry to “green the business” and implement environmental management practices forms the basis of this research project. The study focused on what water management practices are currently being utilised in selected Cape Town hotels. Initiatives available to assist the hospitality industry in South Africa were also researched to determine what assistance there is for local hoteliers who are implementing water management practices. An objective of the study was the inclusion of recommendations that hoteliers can use as a starting point when implementing water management practices. The study focused on a study amongst selected three, four and five star graded hotels in the central business district of Cape Town and Waterfront. Quantitative methods were used to generate data relating to the research objectives. A questionnaire was administered to representatives of the sampled 44 hotels to determine current water management practices. Guests within the sample group received a separate questionnaire to determine their perceptions with regard to water management practices in South African hotels. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS). The findings of the study showed that South African hoteliers are starting to “green the business” and guests to South Africa do view environmental issues as a factor when choosing accommodation.

This professional project estimates the upfront costs and utility savings expected from greening an approximately 1,100 square foot home built in the 1950s in the San Francisco Bay Area. Two sets of upgrades (alternative and original) were compared for costs and benefits. The alternative set (which included ceiling insulation and omitted upgrading to dual-pane windows) clearly out performed the original set. The alternative set would be expected to reduce resident utility bills by 28% annually, and to prevent approximately 2,700 lbs of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The water efficiency upgrades were the best performing group of upgrades, as they had the lowest upfront cost and shortest payback period. (These water efficiency upgrades consisted of modifying toilets, faucets, and showerhead, as well as upgrading the dishwasher and clothes washer to efficient models.) Future very low-budget greening programs, in nearly all cases, should include a full-set of water fixture modifications, weatherstripping, and clotheslines. As budgets allow, other upgrades from alternative upgrades list are recommended, such as ceiling fans, programmable thermostats, and ceiling insulation. Whenever possible, workforce development labor should be used to simultaneously reduce labor costs and multiply the social benefit of each project dollar by providing entry-level green collar jobs.

Text in English with abstracts in English, Tsonga and Sepedi and keywords in English / This study was carried out to investigate the performance and quality of Cucumis metuliferus E. Mey. Ex Naudin (African horned cucumber) under protected and open environment with the aim of comparing yield and quality for the purpose of commercialisation of the crop. Therefore, the overall objective was to determine a suitable growing environment for C. metuliferus between greenhouse, shade net and open field, so that a comparative yield and quality analysis could be done for the purpose of commercialisation of the crop. Cucumis metuliferus seeds are difficult to germinate under the normal suitable environmental conditions in which most farmers operate. Germination was evaluated with respect to growth medium, scarification and seed certification. These factors ultimately control yield and fruit quality. The main aim of the study was to investigate the effect or impact of seed certification, growth medium (sand and vermiculite, peat TS1 and seedling mix) and scarification on germination success of C. metuliferus seeds. The seeds were classified under four different categories viz. treated certified, non-treated certified, treated uncertified, and non-treated uncertified. Of the 540 certified and uncertified seeds sown in the three-growth media, 80% germinated, significantly more that those that failed. The treatment combination of treated certified seeds (TC) and peat demonstrated high germination success rate of 93.6%, followed by the treatment combination of treated certified seeds (TC) and sand+ vermiculite with germination success rate of 91.3%. The treatment combination of uncertified untreated (UTU) seeds and potting mix illustrated low germination success rate at 37.2%. In general, the study results revealed that certified seeds scarified with warm water combined had a higher germination rate that unscarified seeds, irrespective of the growth media. Since the seedling root-ball integrity is essential for transplant survival, this study suggests peat and certified seeds as the best combination for propagation and good quality plants. Water scarcity, population growth and climate change are the major factors affecting agricultural productivity in the 20th century. Cucumis metuliferus grows naturally in the wild; however, its yield response to water stress, different cultivation environment and soil types, has not been assessed. A study was carried out to determine water use efficiency of the C. metuliferus grown the greenhouse, shade net and open field under varying soil types and irrigation water levels, so that a comparative analysis could be done on productivity levels. The research was conducted at the University of South Africa (Unisa) Science Campus, in Florida, Gauteng (-26.157831 S, 27.903364 E) during the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 growing seasons. A factorial experiment with two factors – soil (loamy soil and sandy loam soil) and water stress levels (no water stress, moderate water stress and severe water stress). The pot experiments were a completely randomised design with nine (9) replicates per treatment. Data collected included total biomass, aboveground biomass, harvest index and water use efficiency. Results illustrated that treatment of moderate water stress combined with loamy soil and shade net decreased WUE from 6.2 to 1.4 kg m-3, whereas treatment combination of no water stress combined with sandy loam and open field environment demonstrated increase in WUE from 1.4 to 6.2 kg m-3. Nutritional concentration of most crops depends on factors such as amount of water, growing environment, light intensity and soil types. However, factors influencing nutritional concentration of C. metuliferus fruits is not yet known. Another objective of the study was to determine the effect of different water stress levels, soil types and growing environment (greenhouse, shade net and open field) on the concentration of nutrients in C. metuliferus fruit. Freeze-dried fruit samples were used in the quantification of ꞵ-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, total soluble sugars, crude proteins, total flavonoids, total phenols, macro-nutrients (Ca, Mg, P, K, Na and S), and micro-nutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn). Results demonstrated that plants grown under shade net, combined with severe water stress level and loamy soil, had increased total soluble sugars (15.8 ˚Brix) compared to other treatments. Plants under shade net environment, combined with moderate water level and loamy soil, resulted in increased crude protein content (6.31 ˚Brix). The severe water stress treatment combined with loamy soil under greenhouse conditions resulted in increased ꞵ-carotene content (1.65 mg 100 g-1 DW) when compared to other treatments. Regarding vitamin C, the treatment of no water stress combined with loamy soil under shade net environment showed higher content of (33.1 mg 100 g-1 DW). The severe water stress treatment combined with sandy loam soil under greenhouse environment, increased vitamin E content (35.1 mg 100 g-1 DW) when compared to other treatments. The treatment of open field under severe water stress level and loamy soil increased total flavonoids content (0.85 mg CE/g-1 DW) in the fruit when compared to other treatments. The results thus imply that this plant bears better-quality fruit in terms of concentration of nutrients and biochemical constituents when grown under no to moderate water stress treatment on the loamy or sandy loam substrate in the shade net and open field environment. Primary metabolites are biological compounds that are essential to the growth and development of a plant during its life cycle. They have a direct impact on the yield and biochemical constituents in plants. Quantities of the primary metabolites were determined using the LC-MS-8040 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (Shimadzu) from fruits harvested from treatments mentioned above. The results showed that the no water stress treatment combined with sandy loam under shade net environment significantly (P≤0.05) increased asparagine content from 10×106 to 80x106 peak intensity when compared to other treatments. The severe water stress treatment combined with sandy loam soil under open field environment during the 2017/2018 season, significantly increased dopa content from 12,030 to 324,240 peak intensity, while during the 2018/2019 season, 4-hydroxyproline from 10×106 to 90x106 peak intensity the was significantly increased. The study suggests that the treatment combination of water stress levels (no water stress and severe water stress) and soil substrates (loamy soil and sandy loam) under greenhouse and shade net significantly affected the shift of primary metabolites profile of C. metuliferus fruit as opposed to individual factors, respectively. There is therefore great potential to commercialise this crop; however, there is still a great deal that is not well understood of its growth habits and biological/biochemical constituents as a future alternative crop. / Ndzavisiso lowu wu endliwe ku lavisisa hi matirhelo na khwaliti ya Cucumis metuliferus E. Mey. Ex Naudin (African horned cucumber) eka mimbangu na mavala lama sirheleriweke na hi xikongomelo xa ku kotlanisa ntshovelo na vuxopaxopi bya khwaliti hi xikongomelo xa ku endla minxaviso ya ximila. Xikongomelonkulu xa ku vona ku faneleka ku kula ka C. metuliferus exikarhi ka ti-greenhouse, nete ya ndzhuti na mimbangu ya le rivaleni ku endlela ku pfuneta nxopaxopo. Timbewu ta C. metuliferus ta nonon'hwa ku tihlukisa ehansi ka swiyimo swa mbangu leswi faneleke laha varimi va tirhaku eka tona. Ku hlukisa swi kamberiwe hi ku langutana na midiyamu ya ku kula, skarifikhexini na switifiketi swa timbewu. Swilo leswi swi lawula ntshovelo na khwaliti ya muhandzu. Xikongomelonkulu xa ndzavisiso lowu a ku ri ku lavisa hi vuyelo bya ku nyikiwa ka switifiketi, midiyamu ya ku kula (sand + vermiculite, peat TS1 and seedling mix) na skarifikhexini eka ku humelela ku hlukisa timbewu ta C. metuliferus E. Mey. ex naudin. Timbewu ti klasifayiwile ehansi ka tikhathegori ta mune to hambana, ku nga, treated certified, non-treated certified, treated uncertified, na non-treated uncertified.Hi vunharhu ka timediya leti ti ve na nhlukiso wa xiyenge hi 80%. Vuyelo byi kombise leswo treated certified na non-treated certified ti ve na ku humelela ka le henhla ka nhlukiso hi 93.6% na 91.3% hi ku landzelelana. Vuhumeleri bya nhlukiso wa le hansi ku ve timbewu ta treated uncertified hi vuyelo bya 37%. Vulehi bya 12 cm byi voniwe eka certified seedlings tanihi bya le henhla swinene. Swimilani swa unscarified na swa uncertified swi ve na timbewu ta le hansi, ta vulehi bya 3.44 cm eka vhiki ra vumune. Hikokwalaho, seed certification swi ve na vuyelo ngopfu ku tlula scarification hi majini ya le henhla swinene. Ku khomaniseka ka ximila eka bolo ya misava i swa nkoka eka ku pona no ya emahlweni ka ximila loko xi transplantiwa, kasi ndzavisiso lowu wu tlakusa leswo ku va na peat na timbewu leti nga na switifiketi tanihi ndlela yo antswa swinene ya ku kurisa swimila na ku va na swimila swa khwaliti. Ku pfumaleka ka mati, nkulo wa swilo hinkwaswo na ku cinca ka tlayimete i swa nkoka leswi khumbaka ku tirheka ka vurimi eka malembexidzana ya 20. Cucumis metuliferus yi kula hi ntumbuluko enhoveni; kambe ntshovelo wa yona wu angula eka ku kala ka mati, tindhawu to hambana ta ku rimiwa na mixaka ya misava, a swi si kamberiwa. Ku endliwe ndzavisiso ku vona ku faneleka ka mafambiselo ya ku kurisa ximila eka greenhouse, nete ya ndzhuti eka swiyimo swa mavala lama pfulekeke, leswo nxopaxopo wu ta kotlanisiwa eka tilevhele ta vuyelo bya ntshovelo loku nga endliwaka. Ndzavisiso wu endliwe eka greenhouse, nete ya ndzhuti na swiyimo swa mavala lama pfulekeke eKhempasi ya Sayense eUniversity of South Africa (Unisa) eFlorida, eGauteng (26.157831 S, 27.903364 E) hi nkarhi wa 2017/2018 na 2018/2019 hi tisizini ta ku byala. Ekspirimente leyi nga na swilo swimbirhi – ku nga misava ya loamy na misava ya misava ya sava ya loam) na levhele ya ncheleto wa mati (laha ku nga ri ku na mati kahle, laha ku nga na matinyana na laha ku kalaka mati). Xipirimente xa le mapotweni xi endliwe hi ndlela yo ka yi nga kunguhatiwangi hi ku tirhisa ku phindaphinda ka nkaye (9), na dizayini ya kona leyi nga kombisiwa laha henhla. Tipharamita ta ku pimiwa ti katsa chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance na xiyenge xa ntshovelo, xo fana na ku tirhisa mati, vuheleri bya biomass, biomass ehenhla ka bayomasi ya misava, indeksi ya ntshovelo, vulehi bya muhandzu, nhlayo ya mihandzu, na ku tirhisiwa ka mati hi ndlela yo hlayisa. Vuyelo byi kombise leswo tirhelo ra mavala lama pfulekeke swi pfanganisiwa na ndhawu yo kala mati na misava ya sava ya loam, swi ngetela nhlayo ya mihandzu. Ku tirhiwa ka swiyimo swa mavala lama nga pfuleka, swi hlanganisiwa na ndhawu yo kalanyana mati na misava ya sava ya loam, swi kombise ku tirhisiwa kahle ka mati ka le henhla hi (6. 2 kg m-3) loko swi kotlanisiwa na ku tirhiwa ku n'wana. I swa nkoka ku lemuka leswaku a ku va ngi na ku hambana ku kulu exikarhi ka misava ya sava ya loam na misava ya loam eka ntirhiso wa mati lowu ku nga water use efficiency (WUE). Kambe, misava ya sava ya loam yi kombise xiyenge xa le henhla xa WUE loko swi kotlangisiwa na misava ya loam. Hikokwalaho ku nga fikeleriwa eka mhaka ya leswo ku pfanganisa ku tirhana na mavala yo pfuleka, tilevhele ta ncheleto wa mati (kahle na le xikarhi) na misava ya sava ya loam swa bumabumeriwa eka varimi leswo ku ta fikelekeleriwa xiyenge xa le henhla xa WUE na ku humelela ka ntshovelo wa C. metuliferus. Ku hlengeletana ka tinutriyente eka ndhawu yin'we (nutritional concentration) ka swimila swi titshege hi swilo swo fana na leswi kumekaka eka mati, mbangu wa ku kula, masana ya dyambu na mixaka ya misava. Kambe, swilo swo fana na ku hlengeletana ka tinutriyente ta mihandu ya C. metuliferus a swi si tiveka. Xikongomelo xa ndzhavisiso a ku ri ku vona vuyelo bya tilevhele to hambana ta ku kala ka mati (ku pfumaleka ka mati, ku pfumalekanyana, na ku pfumaleka swinene ka mati), mixaka ya misava (misava ya loam na misava ya sava) mbangu wa ku kula (greenhouse, nete ya ndzhuti na mavala yo pfuleka) hi ku pfangana na tinutriyente eka mihandzu ya C. metuliferus E. Mey. ex naudin. Tisampuli ta mihandzu leyi nga omisiwa yi friziwa ti tirhisiwe eka ku endla vunyingi bya ꞵ-carotene, Vhitamini C, Vhitamini E, na total soluble sugars, ti-crude protein na ti-total flavonoids, total phenols, na micro-nutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn na Zn). Vuyelo bya ndzavisiso byi kombise leswo swimila leswi nga kurisiwa eka nete ya ndzhuti, swi pfanganisiwa na levhele ya nkalo wa mati swinene na misava ya loam, swi ngetele ti-soluble sugars hi (15.8 ˚Brix) loko ku kotlanisiwa na ku tirhiwa kun'wana. Swimila leswi nga hansi ka mbangu wa nete ya ndzhuti, swi pfanganisiwa na nkayivelonyana wa mati hi vuxikarhi na misava ya loam, swi ve na vuyelo bya ku ngetela crude protein content hi (6.31˚Brix). Ku tirhiwa ka nkayivelo wa mati swinene swi pfanganisiwa na misava ya loam ehansi ka swiyimo swa greenhouse swi ngetelele ꞵ-carotene content (1.65 mg/100 g-1 DW) loko swi kotlanisiwa na ku tirhiwa kun'wana. Ku tirhiwa ka ku kayivela ka mati swi pfanganisiwa na misava ya loam ehansi ka mbangu wa nete ya ndzhuti swi kombise ku ngeteleleka ka vhitamini C hi (33.1 mg 100 g-1 DW). Ku tirhiwa ka nkayivelo wa mati swinene swi pfanganisiwa na misava ya loam ehansi ka swiyimo swa mbangu wa greenhouse swi ngetelele vhitamin E hi (35.1 mg 100 g-1 DW) loko swi kotlanisiwa na ku tirhiwa kun'wana. Ku tirhiwa ka mavala lama nga rivaleni eha CE g-1 DW) loko swi kotlanisiwa na ku tirhiwa kun'wana. Ku tirhana na nkayivela mati ka levhela ya le xikarhi na misava ya sava ya loam ehansi ka mbangu wa nete ya ndzhuti swi kombise ku ngeteleleka ka Zn content (12.7 μg g-1 DW) loko swi kotlanisiwa na ku tirhiwa kun'wana. Vuyelo byi kombisa leswaku ximila lexi xi na mihandzu ya khwaliti yo antswa hi ku landza ku hlengeletana ka tinutriyeente na tikhonstituwenti ta bayokhemikali, loko xi kurisiwa ehansi na ku ka ku nga ri na nkayivela mati kumbe ku kayivelanyana ka mati, hi ku tirhisa misava ya loam kumbe misava ya sava eka nete ya ndzhuti na le ka mavala ya le rivaleni.Ti-primary betabolites ti tlhela titiviwa tanihi biological compounds leti ti faneleke eka ku kula na ku hluvuka ka ximila hi nkarhi wa vutomi bya xona. Ti na vuyelo byo kongoma eka ntshovelo na tikhonsticuwenti ta bayokhemikala eka swimila. Vunyingi bya primary metabolites swi vekiwe hi ku tirhisa LC-MS-8040 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (Shimadzu) eka mihandzu leyi nga ntshovelo wa ku tirhiwa kun'wana loku ku nga vuriwa laha henhla. Vuyelo byi kombe leswo ku tirhana na nkala nkayivelo wa mati, swi pfanganisiwa na misava ya loam ehansi ka mbangu wa nete ya ndzhuti, swi ngetelele swinene asparagine content from 10×106 to 80x106 nsi ka nkayivelo swinene wa mati na misava ya loam, swi ngetelele ti-total mz loko swi kotlangisiwa na ku tirhiwa kun'wana. Ku tirhana na nkayivelo wa mati swinene, swi pfanganisiwa na misava ya sava ya loam ehansi ka mbangu wa mavala lama pfulekeke hi nkarhi wa sizini ya 2017/2018, swi ngetelele swinene dopa content ku suka eka 12,030 to 324,240 peak intensity, kasi hi nkarhi wa sizini ya 2018/2019 season, 4-hydroxyproline ku 10×106 to 90x106 peak intensity swi ngeteleleke swinene. Ku tirhana ko fanana ehansi ka mbangu wa greenhouse, swi ngetelele swinene acetylcarnitine content ku suka eka 3,761 to 82,841 area under the curve hi nkarhi wa sizini ya 2018/2019. Ku tirhiwa ka ku nga ri na ku kayivela ka mati ka le xikarhi swi pfanganisiwa na misava ya loam ehansi ka mbangu wa mavala lama nga rivaleni swi ngetelele swinene norepinephrine content from 71,577 to 256,1045 peak intensity. Ndzavisiso wu pimanyete leswo mpfanganyiso wa ku tirhana na tilevhele ta ncheleteo wa mati (laha ku nga ri ku na ku kayivela ka mati na le ku nga na nkayivelo wa mati) na misava ya loam na misava ya sava ya loam) ehansi ka greenhouse na nete ya ndzhuti swi khumbe swinene ku xifta ka mihandzu ya primary metabolites profile of C. metuliferus E. Mey. ex naudin loko ku langutaniwa na tifekthara ha yin'we yin'we hi ku landzelelana.flavonoids content (0.85 mg CE g-1 DW) loko swi kotlanisiwa na ku tirhiwa kun'wana. Ku tirhana na nkayivela mati ka levhela ya le xikarhi na misava ya sava ya loam ehansi ka mbangu wa nete ya ndzhuti swi kombise ku ngeteleleka ka Zn content (12.7 μg g-1 DW) loko swi kotlanisiwa na ku tirhiwa kun'wana. Vuyelo byi kombisa leswaku ximila lexi xi na mihandzu ya khwaliti yo antswa hi ku landza ku hlengeletana ka tinutriyeente na tikhonstituwenti ta bayokhemikali, loko xi kurisiwa ehansi na ku ka ku nga ri na nkayivela mati kumbe ku kayivelanyana ka mati, hi ku tirhisa misava ya loam kumbe misava ya sava eka nete ya ndzhuti na le ka mavala ya le rivaleni.Ti-primary betabolites ti tlhela titiviwa tanihi biological compounds leti ti faneleke eka ku kula na ku hluvuka ka ximila hi nkarhi wa vutomi bya xona. Ti na vuyelo byo kongoma eka ntshovelo na tikhonsticuwenti ta bayokhemikala eka swimila. Vunyingi bya primary metabolites swi vekiwe hi ku tirhisa LC-MS-8040 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (Shimadzu) eka mihandzu leyi nga ntshovelo wa ku tirhiwa kun'wana loku ku nga vuriwa laha henhla. Vuyelo byi kombe leswo ku tirhana na nkala nkayivelo wa mati, swi pfanganisiwa na misava ya loam ehansi ka mbangu wa nete ya ndzhuti, swi ngetelele swinene asparagine content from 10×106 to 80x106 mz loko swi kotlangisiwa na ku tirhiwa kun'wana. Ku tirhana na nkayivelo wa mati swinene, swi pfanganisiwa na misava ya sava ya loam ehansi ka mbangu wa mavala lama pfulekeke hi nkarhi wa sizini ya 2017/2018, swi ngetelele swinene dopa content ku suka eka 12,030 to 324,240 peak intensity, kasi hi nkarhi wa sizini ya 2018/2019 season, 4-hydroxyproline ku 10×106 to 90x106 peak intensity swi ngeteleleke swinene. Ku tirhana ko fanana ehansi ka mbangu wa greenhouse, swi ngetelele swinene acetylcarnitine content ku suka eka 3,761 to 82,841 area under the curve hi nkarhi wa sizini ya 2018/2019. Ku tirhiwa ka ku nga ri na ku kayivela ka mati ka le xikarhi swi pfanganisiwa na misava ya loam ehansi ka mbangu wa mavala lama nga rivaleni swi ngetelele swinene norepinephrine content from 71,577 to 256,1045 peak intensity. Ndzavisiso wu pimanyete leswo mpfanganyiso wa ku tirhana na tilevhele ta ncheleteo wa mati (laha ku nga ri ku na ku kayivela ka mati na le ku nga na nkayivelo wa mati) na misava ya loam na misava ya sava ya loam) ehansi ka greenhouse na nete ya ndzhuti swi khumbe swinene ku xifta ka mihandzu ya primary metabolites profile of C. metuliferus E. Mey. ex naudin loko ku langutaniwa na tifekthara ha yin'we yin'we hi ku landzelelana. / Thuto ye e dirilwe ka maikemišetšo a go nyakišiša tiragatšo le boleng bja Cucumis metuliferus E. Mey. Ex Naudin (phara ya seAfrika) mo tikologong yeo e šireleditšwego le ya mo lebaleng e le nepo ya go bapetša tshekatsheko ya kotollu le boleng go hola thekišo ya mabele. Maikemišetšo kakaretšo e le go humana tsela ya maleba ya go mediša C. Metuliferus dipakeng tša mokhukhutšhireletšo, nnete ya moriti le mo ditikologong tša mabala ao a bulegilego gore go nolofatšwe tshekatsheko. Go boima go mediša dipeu tša C. Metuliferus ka tlase ga maemo a tikologo ya maleba ya go tlwaelega yeo e šomišwago ke bontši bja balemi. Medišo ya dipeu e lekanyeditšwe go ya le ka sedirišwa sa go mediša dimela, go fala dipeu le go hlahlobo ya boleng bja dipeu. Dikokwana tše ke tšona di laolago kotollu le boleng bja dienywa. Nepokgolo ya thuto ye e be e le go nyakišiša khuetšo ya tlhahlobo ya polokego ya dipeu tše, sedirišwa sa go mediša dimela (mohlaba+vermiculite, peat TS1 le motswako wa dipeu) le phalo ya dipeu go kgonthišiša katlego ya go mela ga dipeu tša C. Metuliferus. Dipeu di ile tša arolwa go ya le ka magoro a mane, bjalo ka peu ya go okobatšwa ka dikhemikhale yeo e hlahlobilwego, peu yeo e sa okobatšwago gomme e hlahlobilwe, peu ya go okobatšwa e sa hlahlobjwago le peu yeo e sa okobatšwago gomme e se ya hlahlobjwa. Boraro bja didirišwa tše di laeditše katlego ya go mediša yeo e ka balelwago go 80%. Dipoelo di šupa gore dipeu tšeo di okobaditšwego di se a hlahlobjwa le tšeo di sa okobatšwago di hlahlobilwe di bile le katlego ya tlhogo yeo e ka balelwago go 93.6% le 91.3%. Tlhogo ya fase e bile go dipeu tšeo di okobaditšwego di sa hlahlobjwago ka poelo ya 37%. Dipeu tše di hlahlobilwego di laeditše botelele bja 12cm gomme e le bjona bja go di feta ka moka. Dipeu tšeo di sa falwago le go hlahlobjwa di bile le botelele bja fase bja go balelwa go 3.44 cm ka dibeke tše nne. Bjalo, tlhahlobo ya dipeu e tlišitše katlego go fetiša phalo. Ka ge mudu wa dipeu o le bohlokwa go tšhutišetšo ya maphelo a dimela, thuto ye e thekga mmutedi le tlhahlobo ya dipeu bjalo ka tlhakanyo ya go mediša dimela tša boleng bja maleba. Tlhokego ya meetse, go oketšega ga baagi, le diphetogo tša klaemete ke tšona dikokwana tše di amago tšwelelo go tša temo nakong ya bjale. C. Metuliferus E. Mey. ex naudin e mela ka lešokeng tlhagong ya yona; efela, kotullo ya yona go tlhokego ya meetse, go mehuta ya mašemo le mehuta ya mabu ga se e ahlaahlwe. Thuto e ile ya dirwa go humana mokgwa wa go bjala/mediša dimela dipakeng tša mokhukhutšhireletšo, nnete ya moriti le boemo bja lebala le le bulegilego, gore go tle go tšweletšwe tshekatsheko yeo e laetšago diphapano tša mabato a puno. Nyakišišo ye e diritšwe ka fase ga maemo a mokhukhutšhireletšo, nnete ya moriti le lebaleng le le bulegilego Yunibesithing ya Afrika Borwa (UNISA) Khamphasing ya tša Saense, go la Florida, Gauteng (-26.157831 S, 27.903364 E) ka nako ya sehla sa 2017/2018 le 2018/2019 ka dinako tša go mela. Teko ye e ithekgile godimo ga dikokwana tše pedi – mabu (monola le mohlaba) le mabato a taolo ya go nošetša (tlhokego ya meetse ya lebato la fase, tlhokego ya meetse ye e lekanetšego le tlhokego ya meetse ya lebato la godimo). Diteko di be di beilwe ka mokgwa wo o sa rulaganywago gomme teko ye nngwe le ye nngwe e boeleditšwe ga senyane (9) bjalo ka ge e laeditšwe godimo. Dipharametha tšeo di lekantšwego di akaretša dikagare tša chlorophyll, stomatal conductance le bjalo ka tšhomišo ya meetse, palomoka ya dimela, dimela tše di bonagalago ka godimo, lenaneo la puno, botelele bja enywa, palo ya enywa le tšhomišo ya meetse ke dimela. Dipoelo di tšweletša gore teko ya mo lebaleng le le bulegilego le meetse a a lekanetšego gammogo le monola di oketša palo ya dienywa. Teko ya mo lebaleng le le bulegilego go kopantšhwa le meetse ao a lekanetšego le monola, di laeditše tšhomišo ya meetse yeo e balelwago go (6.2 kg m-3) ge go bapetšwa le diteko tše di ngwe. Go bohlokwa go lemoga gore ga ga go na diphapano magareng ga mohlaba le monola tšhomišong ya meetse (WUE). Efela, mohlaba o laeditše (WUE) ya godimo ge go bapetšwa le monola. Se se bolela gore, go ka tšewa sephetho sa gore teko ya dipeu lebaleng le le bulegilego, taolo ya go nošetša dimela (ye gabotse le ye e lekanetšego) le mohlaba ke didirišwa tšeo go eletšwago balemi gore ba di šomiše go humana (WUE) ya godimo le tšweletšo ye e atlegilego ya C. metuliferus. Bontši bja phepo mo mabeleng bo hlohleletšwa ke dikokwana tša go swana le meetse, tikologo ya mo a melago gona, dihlase tša letšatši le mehuta ya mabu. Efela, dikokwana tše di huetšago bontši bja diphepo go dienywa tša C. metuliferus ga dišo di tsebjwa. Nepo ya thuto ye e be e le go nyakolla khuetšo yeo dikokwana tše di latelago; di nago le yona go bontši bja diphepo go enywa ya C. Metuliferus: mabato a meetse (tlhokego ya meetse ya lebato la fase, tlhokego ya meetse ye e lekanetšego le tlhokego ya godimo ya meetse), mehuta ya mabu (monola le mohlaba) le tikologo ya go mediša (mokhukhutšhireletšo, nnete ya moriti le lebala le le bulegilego). Diteko tša enywa yeo e omišitšwego ka setšidifatšing e ile ya šomišwa go tšweletša boleng bja ꞵ-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, total soluble sugars, crude proteins, total flavonoids, total phenols, le micro-nutrients (Cu, Fe, Mn le Zn). Dipoelo di šupa gore dimela tše di godišitšwego ka fase ga nnete ya moriti, go akaretša le tlhokego ya meetse ya godimo le monola di nyološitše diswikiri tše di humanegago mo dimeleng (15.8 ˚Brix) ge go bapetšwa le diteko tše dingwe. Dimela tikologong ya nnete ya moriti go akaretša le tlhokego ya meetse ye e lekanetšego le monola di ile tša nyološa phroteine (6.31 ˚Brix). Teko go tlhokego ya meetse ya godimo go akaretša le monola ka tlase ga boemo bja mokhukhutšhireletšo go nyološitše diteng tša ꞵ-carotene (1.65 mg 100 g-1 DW) ge e bapetšwa le diteko tše dingwe. Teko go tlhokego ya meetse go akaretša monola ka fase ga nnete ya moriti go nyološitše Vitamin C (33.1 mg100 g-1 DW). Teko go hlokego ya meetse ya godimo go akaretša mohlaba tikologong ya mokhukhutšhireletši go nyološitše diteng tša vitamin E (35.1 mg/100 g-1 DW) ge e bapetšwa le diteko tše dingwe. Teko ya go se hlokege ga meetse, go akaretša le monola tikologong ya lebala le le bulegilego e nyološitše palomoka ya diteng tša phenolic (6.4 mg GAE/g-1 DW) ge e bapetšwa le diteko tše dingwe. Teko lebala le le bulegilego ka fase ga hlokego ya meetse ye godimo go akaretša monola go okeditše diteng tša flavonoids (0.85 mg CE g-1 DW) mo dienyweng tša gona ge e bapetšwa le diteko tše dingwe. Teko go hlokego ya meetse ye e lekanetšego le mohlaba ka fase ga nnete ya moriti di laeditše go oketšega ga diteng tša Zn (12.7 μg g-1 DW) ge e bapetšwa le diteko tše dingwe. Dipoelo di laetša gore semela se se thunya boleng bjo bo kgodišago bja dienywa ge go lebeletšwe bontši bja diphepo le dikokwana tša dikhemikhale ge di medišwa mo go sa hlokegago meetse go yela go mo go hlokegago meetse ka go lekanela, go šomišitšwe monola goba mohlaba mo nneteng ya moriti le mo lebaleng le le bulegilego. Dimetabolite tša motheo di tsebjwa bjalo ka motswako wa tlhago wo o lego bohlokwa go kgolo le tlhabollo ya dimela maphelong a tšona. Di na le khuetšothwii go dikokwana tša puno le khemikhale ya hlago ya dimela. Bontši bja dimetabolites tša motheo di humanwe ka go šomiša LC-MS-8040 triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (Shimadzu) ya go tšwa dienyweng tšeo di bunnwego ditekong tše di šetšego di boletšwe. Dipoelo di laeditše gore teko ya hlokego ya meetse ya lebato la fase go akaretša le mohlaba tikologong ya nnete ya moriti; e nyološitše asparagine content go tloga go 10×106 go ya go 80x106 peak intensity ge e bapetšwa le diteko tše dingwe. Tlhokego ya meetse ya lebato la fase e akaretša le monola tikologong ya lebala le le bulegilego ka nako ya sehla sa 2017/2018, 4-hydroxyproline go tšwa go 10×106 go ya go 90x106 area under curve e ile ya nyušwa. Teko ya go swana le ye tikologong ya mokhukhutšhireletšo e ile ya oketša dikagare tša acetylcarnitine go tšwa go 3,761 go ya go 82, 841 peak intensity ka nako ya sehla sa 2018/2019. Teko go tlhokego ya meetse ye e lekanetšego go akaretšwa le monola tikologong ya lebala le le bulegilego e nyološitše dikagare tša norepinephrine go tloga go 71,577 go ya go 256,1045 peak intensity. Diteko di šupa gore ge go kopantšwe taolo ya mabato a go nušetša (tlhokego ya meetse ya lebato la fase le tlhokego ya meetse ya lebato la godimo) le (monola le mohlaba) ka fase ga boemo bja mokhukhutšhireletšo le nnete ya moriti go ile gwa ama katološo ya dimetabolites tša motheo tša enywa ya C. metuliferus ge di bapetšwa le kokwana ye nngwe le nngwe. / College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences / Ph. D. (Agriculture)

Southern Africa generally has an arid climate and many hydrologists are predicting an increase in water scarcity over time. This research seeks to understand the implications of this in socio-political terms. The study is cross-disciplinary, examining how policy interventions can be used to solve the problem caused by the interaction between hydrology and demography. The conclusion is that water scarcity is not the actual problem, but is perceived as the problem by policy-makers. Instead, water scarcity is the manifestation of the problem, with root causes being a combination of climate change, population growth and misallocation of water within the economy due to a desire for national self-sufficiency in agriculture. The solution lies in the trade of products with a high water content, also known as 'virtual water'. Research on this specific issue is called for by the White Paper on Water Policy for South Africa. / Political Sciences / M.A. (International Politics)

Southern Africa generally has an arid climate and many hydrologists are predicting an increase in water scarcity over time. This research seeks to understand the implications of this in socio-political terms. The study is cross-disciplinary, examining how policy interventions can be used to solve the problem caused by the interaction between hydrology and demography. The conclusion is that water scarcity is not the actual problem, but is perceived as the problem by policy-makers. Instead, water scarcity is the manifestation of the problem, with root causes being a combination of climate change, population growth and misallocation of water within the economy due to a desire for national self-sufficiency in agriculture. The solution lies in the trade of products with a high water content, also known as 'virtual water'. Research on this specific issue is called for by the White Paper on Water Policy for South Africa. / Political Sciences / M.A. (International Politics)