Give buchu a go!
Farmer's Weekly|May 27 2022
Approximately 80% of buchu essential oils are used in the food and flavour industry to enhance fruit flavours.
Give buchu a go!

A member of the Rutaceae family (citrus), Agathosma betulina is a typical component of Cape fynbos. There are 150 species in the genus, and A. betulina (round-leaf buchu) and A. crenulata (oval-leaf buchu) are the most well-known varieties.

A. betulina is endemic to the mountains of the Western Cape, ranging from Clanwilliam in the north to Tulbach in the south. A. crenulata is found naturally from Gouda in the north to Stanford in the south, and east as far as the Outeniqua mountains.

A. betulina is a small, multistemmed shrub, which grows about 1m high. A. crenulata is a single-stemmed shrub that grows to a height of up to 2,5m.

A. betulina requires a Mediterranean climate with winter rainfall; the winter temperature should be between 6°C and 17°C, and the summer temperature between 15°C and 38°C. The species thrives in virgin soil on mountain slopes in highly leached or sandy, well-drained, gravelly soil with a minimum depth of 600mm. In nature, it prefers the middle slopes, usually south- or east-facing, which are cool and naturally moist.

Planted mostly in the Western Cape, A. betulina requires soils with a low pH, ideally 3,5 to 4,5, but will tolerate a pH of up to 5,5. Soil salinity and phosphate should also be low. Phosphate levels should not exceed 15 parts per million (ppm), but plants will tolerate up to 20 ppm. Soil nitrate levels should also be low. High potash and sulphur counts are found in their natural habitat.

When preparing the land, take soil samples and have them analysed. Prepare the land with tined implements only. If needed, rip the soil to about 900mm to improve drainage and root penetration, and plough to a depth of 20cm to 30cm.

Esta historia es de la edición May 27 2022 de Farmer's Weekly.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición May 27 2022 de Farmer's Weekly.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE FARMER'S WEEKLYVer todo
Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid
Farmer's Weekly

Understanding eye conditions in horses: causes and first aid

A horse can get a swollen eye from bumping it against a tree, shaking its head to keep flies away, or even snake venom

time-read
2 minutos  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
IPM requires a completely different mindset
Farmer's Weekly

IPM requires a completely different mindset

You need to investigate any beneficial insects that may appear on your plants, or you can purchase them

time-read
2 minutos  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Does parrot farming protect wild species?
Farmer's Weekly

Does parrot farming protect wild species?

Those in favour of commercial captive breeding argue that breeding parrots to sell can relieve pressure on wild populations. Researchers Neil D'Cruze and Rowan Martin review the evidence.

time-read
3 minutos  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic
Farmer's Weekly

Bacterial and fungal diseases of garlic

Garlic can be prone to bacterial and fungal diseases, and it's important that farmers are proactive in preventing infection and practise appropriate management. Magda du Toit reports.

time-read
6 minutos  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming
Farmer's Weekly

Responsible wastewater management: a crucial part of farming

The inadequate management of waste water is a challenge that the agriculture sector needs to deal with. Magda du Toit spoke to experts in waste and water management about a cost-effective treatment system.

time-read
5 minutos  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Technology that can help protect South Africa's farms
Farmer's Weekly

Technology that can help protect South Africa's farms

Farm attacks, murders, livestock and crop theft, and other rural crimes are a growing concern in South Africa. As a result, more and more farmers are turning to advanced security technology to protect their lives, properties, and livelihoods. Sinenhlanhla Mncwango spoke to experts about the security strategies that producers can adopt to combat these threats.

time-read
6 minutos  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
The impact of theft on farms in South Africa
Farmer's Weekly

The impact of theft on farms in South Africa

A high number of livestock are being stolen every year in South Africa. Insurance is expensive and farmers are battling to find solutions to the problem, says Dr Lindie von Maltitz, agricultural economics lecturer in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at the University of the Free State.

time-read
5 minutos  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Staying afloat amid the cost-price squeeze
Farmer's Weekly

Staying afloat amid the cost-price squeeze

John Hudson, head of agriculture at Nedbank Commercial Banking, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the importance of environmental and social sustainability for a prosperous agriculture sector.

time-read
8 minutos  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
Free State has no reason to mark Transport Month
Farmer's Weekly

Free State has no reason to mark Transport Month

Free State Agriculture (FSA) is very concerned about the extremely poor state of rural paved and gravel roads in the province and has very little, if anything, to celebrate during Transport Month, which takes place every October.

time-read
1 min  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024
SA's food system ‘vulnerable to climate change'
Farmer's Weekly

SA's food system ‘vulnerable to climate change'

The Just Transition Agenda for Food System Policymaking in SA webinar, hosted by the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) in October, highlighted the role that South Africa’s food system plays in contributing to climate change and how vulnerable it is to the impact thereof.

time-read
2 minutos  |
Farmer's Weekly 8 November 2024