Fungal diseases represent a persistent threat to crops, causing significant economic losses and impacting food security. They occur when fungal spores germinate and penetrate a plant. The fungus grows in, on and through the plant and can reproduce by releasing spores that can lead to secondary infections.
Leonard Oberholzer, corn go-to-market lead for Africa at Bayer Crop Science, told Farmer's Weekly that for fungi to infect the crop, the fungi (pathogen), crop (host) and a favourable environment must be present at the same time. This phenomenon is known as the disease triangle.
To reduce the probability of fungal infections, integrated pest management (IPM) is handy to eliminate the host, manipulate the environment or reduce pathogens to help prevent their future spread. An example is alternating between crops (crop rotation), planting resistant cultivars, and managing the amount of crop residue left on the soil before planting a new crop.
CONTACT VS SYSTEMIC
Fungicides are broadly categorised based on their mode of action (MOA), encompassing two main types: contact and systemic. Contact fungicides primarily act on the surface of plant tissues, forming a protective barrier that inhibits fungal spore germination and growth. They do not penetrate plant tissues and instead provide localised protection, making them effective against foliar diseases and superficial infections. They offer immediate yet temporary protection as they can be washed away by rainfall or degraded by sunlight.
Denne historien er fra July 26, 2024-utgaven av Farmer's Weekly.
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Denne historien er fra July 26, 2024-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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Uncertainty over Trump's stance on AGOA
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Plum pollen study reveals varietal differences in pollination effectiveness
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Study: small cuts to beef production could eliminate years of emissions
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Harnessing wind for cleaner energy
At the Windaba Conference and Exhibition, held in October in Cape Town, Western Cape, Niveshen Govender, CEO of the South African Wind Energy Association, spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the state of wind energy in the country and the opportunities that farmers can exploit.
The Cape Grace: a Cape Town icon is reborn, and her new custodians shine
Brian Berkman has had the exceedingly good fortune of spending many nights at the Cape Grace Hotel over the years. He revisits it to find it as impressive as ever.
Cutting-edge tech aiding the agri sector
Toyota Material Handling's innovations conserve resources and reduce the environmental footprint of farming operations.
Use the correct growing medium for safe seedling production
Instead of buying expensive growing mediums for seedlings, farmers can make their own mixtures from local resources, such as manure, which are economical and produce excellent results
Optimising cherry production and quality
Growing cherries in a suboptimal climate requires manipulating trees and temperatures. But with a considerable market advantage, it is worth the effort. Lindi Botha visited ZZ2's Toscana farm, which for four weeks of the year takes prime position in the cherry market.
Biosecurity & nutrition: the foundation of pig farming success
JD Mostert, a consulting swine nutritionist at CS Vet, and Dr Stefan Steyn, a veterinarian at Afrivet, shared their expertise with Sinenhlanhla Mncwango, delving into why biosecurity and nutrition are critical pillars in establishing and maintaining a productive pig farm geared for long-term success.
The business of pig farming: practical steps for success
Running a pork farm requires knowledge and expertise. Mosele Lepheane, director of a small piggery in the Free State, spoke to Sinenhlanhla Mncwango about the structured approach needed to succeed, from drafting a business plan and managing cash flow to sourcing equipment and expanding market access.
