This book reports on long-term comparative organic farming systems' research trials carried out over the last 5 years in the Southern Cape of South Africa, as well as research into the successes and failures of the organic sector and the technical tools required for sustainable development in South ...

Brassica spp. are cultivated all over the world; commercial species include cabbage, broccoli, kale, kohlrabi and turnip. In this study the focus was on production of broccoli, Brassica oleracea, in the Western Cape province of South Africa and its economically important pests and diseases,...

Integrated pest management (IPM) strategies are currently implemented against several insect pests in South Africa, of which noteworthy targets include: the false codling moth, Thaumatotibia leucotreta, on citrus; potato leaf miner, Liriomyza huidobrensis, in potato; grapevine mealybug, Planococcus ...

This chapter describes the history and current status of conservation agriculture (CA) in East and South Africa. It examines research results from East and South Africa in an effort to develop a clearer picture of the future of CA systems in the region. The yield and economic benefits, as well as...

The soft rot Enterobacteriaceae (SRE) and root knot nematodes (RKN) are major pathogens of potatoes and other crops globally; one of the most threatening emerging species of SRE is the newly identified Dickeya solani biovar 3. Using advanced molecular-based technologies for identification and...

The evolution of resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize by the African stem borer, Busseola fusca, in South Africa highlighted the importance of the development of appropriate integrated resistance management (IRM) strategies for stem borers in Africa. Landscape heterogeneity is...

Crops genetically modified to produce crystal (Cry) toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) for insect control can reduce reliance on conventional insecticides. Evolution of resistance to Bt toxins by insect populations is the primary threat to the continued success of this approach. Resistance of...

This study was undertaken to describe the adoption and impact of the Russian wheat aphid (RWA) integrated control programme in the Central and Eastern Free State of South Africa. Rapid adoption of RWA-resistant cultivars has been demonstrated since their release in 1993. The area sown to the...

This chapter covers agricultural policy and legislation, integrated pest management (IPM) research and practice, successful IPM implementation (citrus, deciduous fruit orchards, cereal stem borers, sugarcane, cotton, potato, wheat and forestry), and constraints in IPM implementation in South Africa.