Including more than three crops in a cash crop system may not only help increase yield, but significantly enhance the long-term sustainability of a farm. Dr Johann Strauss of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the benefits of crop diversity.
Around the world, a growing number of farmers are switching to crop rotation due to its capacity to improve farm earnings through higher yield and reduced fertiliser, pesticide and herbicide usage, while boosting sustainability.
Long-term rotation trials by the Western Cape Department of Agriculture at the Langgewens Research Farm in the Swartland and Tygerhoek in the Southern Cape confirm this.
In crop rotation evaluations that started at Langgewens in 1996, wheat monoculture has always been the poorest performer of all the combinations under trial. But in rotations that included at least one type of legume, such as lupines or medics, the average wheat yield was 30% higher than when wheat was produced in a monoculture. The yields of rotations containing no legumes were on average 12% higher.
BEST ROTATION
A medic-canola-medic- wheat rotation consistently performed the best, producing an average yield 37% better than a system where wheat was produced on its own (see table).
Water- and nitrogen-use efficiency also improved. Wateruse efficiency of rotations that included canola was 11% higher, and rotations that included one or more years of legume crops or pastures were between 26% and 31,6% higher than when wheat was planted on its own.
Nitrogen-use efficiency was on average 89% better in rotations that included legumes than when wheat was produced alone, and 35% better when the rotation included only one year of legumes. The use of canola in the rotation, without any legumes, increased nitrogen-use efficiency by 9%.
During the past two seasons, of which 2017 was dry and 2018 had below-average rainfall, the researchers set out to establish how low the nitrogen level could be reduced in a medic and wheat rotation.
Denne historien er fra August 9, 2019-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra August 9, 2019-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
