A Holistic Approach To Controlling Nematodes
Farmer's Weekly|March 26, 2021
Roughly a third of the world’s agricultural soils are already degraded, and if more farmers do not urgently adopt more sustainable farming practices, 90% of soils could be degraded by 2050, leading to greater yield losses. a holistic approach to the control of plant-parasitic nematodes provides a good example of the type of production practices that farmers need to adopt to halt further soil degradation. Denene Erasmus reports.
Denene Erasmus
A Holistic Approach To Controlling Nematodes

Most people tend to underestimate the vital role that soil biodiversity plays in the ecosystem services on which all life on Earth depends.

According to the World Wide Fund for Nature’s ‘Living Planet Report 2020’, up to 90% of living organisms in terrestrial ecosystems, including some pollinators, spend part of their life cycle in soil habitats. In addition, the report says, aside from food production, soil biodiversity provides a vast range of ecosystem functions and services, including soil formation, the retention and purification of water, nutrient cycling and the regulation of greenhouse gases, as well as sustaining plant, animal and human health.

“Without soil biodiversity, terrestrial ecosystems may collapse. Recent research shows that loss of soil biodiversity is considered one of the major soil threats in many regions of the world,” the report states. It suggests that future agricultural systems may need to combine traditional practices, nature-based solutions, and novel technologies such as artificial intelligence, DNA sequencing and microbiome-based precision farming in an effort to conserve and restore degraded soils.

ACTION IS NEEDED NOW

These interventions have to be implemented urgently. During the recent One Earth, Soil & Root Health Forum, hosted virtually in March, J. Erik Fyrwald, group CEO of Syngenta, said that one-third of Earth’s soil was degraded, with 90% predicted to be so by 2050.

Prof Richard Sikora, former head of SoilEcosystem Phytopathology at the University of Bonn, Germany, who spoke during the opening session of the forum, said that, worldwide, the soils of 38% of croplands and 21% of grasslands had been degraded.

Denne historien er fra March 26, 2021-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.

Denne historien er fra March 26, 2021-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.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA FARMER'S WEEKLYSe alt
ARC names best dairy producers of the year
Farmer's Weekly

ARC names best dairy producers of the year

The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) recently announced the winners of the 2024 National Master Dairyman Awards at an event hosted by AgriExpo in Stellenbosch, Western Cape.

time-read
1 min  |
December 06, 2024
Lion breeders to give up bone stockpiles?
Farmer's Weekly

Lion breeders to give up bone stockpiles?

The Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment issued an official notice in mid-November in which it called on lion breeders to voluntarily hand over their lion bone stockpiles to the state as soon as possible.

time-read
1 min  |
December 06, 2024
Thousands of British farmers march on parliament against inheritance tax
Farmer's Weekly

Thousands of British farmers march on parliament against inheritance tax

Thousands of UK farmers gathered in London, England, on 19 November to demand the government repeal a proposed inheritance tax on agricultural land, which they argued threatened the future of family-run farms (see page 4), Al Jazeera reported.

time-read
1 min  |
December 06, 2024
Avocado frittata with sundried tomatoes, feta and olives
Farmer's Weekly

Avocado frittata with sundried tomatoes, feta and olives

This wholesome, vibrant frittata is perfect for brunch or a light supper. Recipe and photo: The South African Avocado Growers' Association.

time-read
1 min  |
December 06, 2024
Feed, hay, and other costs are up, so it's time to get creative
Farmer's Weekly

Feed, hay, and other costs are up, so it's time to get creative

Breeders and riding schools need to explore innovative ways to generate income in order to ensure their survival, says Dr Mac.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 06, 2024
How to make polystyrene seedling trays last longer
Farmer's Weekly

How to make polystyrene seedling trays last longer

While thinking about how to prolong the lifespan of polystyrene seedling trays that are exposed to harsh sunlight, Bill Kerr began to wonder if a coat of paint might offer a solution.

time-read
2 mins  |
December 06, 2024
Living the 'culture' in agriculture
Farmer's Weekly

Living the 'culture' in agriculture

Creation Wines has won numerous awards, was ranked fourth in the World’s Best Vineyards in 2023, and more recently won the V d’Or award for the Best Brand Experience. The owners, Carolyn and Jean-Claude Martin, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about how their winery became a top tourism destination.

time-read
10+ mins  |
December 06, 2024
Time to take a deep breath on the slopes of the Magaliesberg
Farmer's Weekly

Time to take a deep breath on the slopes of the Magaliesberg

Around 100km from both Johannesburg and Pretoria in Gauteng and a tad over 40km from Rustenburg in North West, Farmer’s Weekly found a fine retreat on a working farm where couples may kindle their romance.

time-read
5 mins  |
December 06, 2024
African penguins could be extinct by 2035 how to save them
Farmer's Weekly

African penguins could be extinct by 2035 how to save them

Protecting the critically endangered African penguin is good for the environment, other animal species, and the economy, say Lorien Pichegru and Dr Alistair McInnes of Nelson Mandela University, Katrin Ludynia of the University of Cape Town, and Peter Barham of the University of Bristol in the UK.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 06, 2024
An urgent need to confront Nassella in SA
Farmer's Weekly

An urgent need to confront Nassella in SA

South American grass species from the genus Nassella were unwittingly introduced to South Africa over 120 years ago and continue to invade montane veld. As Mike Burgess writes, research-based action is required.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 06, 2024