Knowledge grows in South Africa
A good spray programs is not rocket science, and it shouldn’t be. There are millions of successful farmers around the world that get it right without having an agricultural degree. Pest management or pest control is about logic and simple easy to follow principles. It also requires you reading the instructions, not only of the…
Basil is native of tropical Asia, where for centuries, especially in India, it has been highly esteemed as a condiment. The early Greek and Roman writers were well-acquainted basil. England used basil as early as 1538 and by 1586 it was a well-known herb. The Americans started using it about 100 years ago. It is…
We cannot control and know all the factors that influence plant growth. We know that by addressing the most limiting factor to plant growth, plants grow better and produce higher yields. If you suspect that your yields are lower or that you have less marketable yields the than your neighbour, you should have a look…
The sweet potato is an underrated popular vegetable in South Africa. Since it is a tropical crop, it cannot be grown everywhere. Interestingly, it is also popular in India, China and Japan. In southern America, its popularity supersedes that of the potato. There they refer to the sweet potato as the “potato” and the potato…
Sweet potato fertilizer requirements can be calculated if you know your soil type and have a good idea of the yield potential of your land and climate. These are basic norms and your specific microclimate and variety can have an influence on the total amount applied. These norms do not take top dressings into account,…
Soil magnesium is by no means unimportant. Nitrogen, potassium and phosphate research dominates that of soil magnesium. Calcium is hardly ever a problem in soil. It is part of the lime fertilizer calcium phosphate (Ca3(PO4)2H2O). Adding lime to the soil includes enough calcium for plant growth. One can call it a lopsided fertilizer application, which…
Manure is the waste from animals. Farmer’s source manure either from natural deposits or livestock farmers. The content of manure is highly variable, and each batch must be analyzed when used for nutrient analysis for crop growth. We recommend reading Natural fertilizers for vegetables with this article. Manure is different from compost. It cures and…
Natural fertilizers for vegetables usually refer to manure, compost and industrial waste products from animals. It consists of biodegradable material which is normally eco friendly. The process through which it is made is not necessarily eco friendly or sustainable. Each product has its advantages and disadvantages. The grower must evaluate and understand which natural fertilizer…
Soil sulfur is not a very well known element, but it is part of the macronutrients. Sulfur or S, is absorbed in the same amounts as phosphorus. Uptake of S by grasses is about 10 kg/ha, leguminous crops 25-30 kg/ha and cabbage about 40-45 kg/ha. The table below compares sulfur and phosphorus in the %…
Soil calcium can be a mystery as most growers focus on nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. If you scan literature, scientists get very involved in detail and confusing for the average non post graduate farmer. This is a simple yet quick cheat sheet on soil calcium that will quickly give you an overview of the important…
