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Increasing food production without expanding agricultural lands is on the top of the agenda of all the countries and related International Organizations. This means high yielding crops with resistance to plant diseases and many countries have adapted Genetically Modified Crops (GM or GMO Crops).This paper critically looks at the impact of the expansion of GMO croplands on the native species and the ecosystem , the attendant multidisciplinary challenges and risks and explores the possibility of using remote sensing data captures to deduce that the native species, natural as well as cultivated, are being replaced because of large scale cultivation of GMO crops, giving rise to loss of biodiversity.

Increasing food production without expanding agricultural lands is on the top of the agenda of all the countries and related International Organizations. This means high yielding crops with resistance to plant diseases and many countries have adapted Genetically Modified Crops (GM or GMO Crops).This paper critically looks at the impact of the expansion of GMO croplands on the native species and the ecosystem , the attendant multidisciplinary challenges and risks and explores the possibility of using remote sensing data captures to deduce that the native species, natural as well as cultivated, are being replaced because of large scale cultivation of GMO crops, giving rise to loss of biodiversity.

Increasing food production without expanding agricultural lands is on the top of the agenda of all the countries and related International Organizations. This means high yielding crops with resistance to plant diseases and many countries have adapted Genetically Modified Crops (GM or GMO Crops).This paper critically looks at the impact of the expansion of GMO croplands on the native species and the ecosystem , the attendant multidisciplinary challenges and risks and explores the possibility of using remote sensing data captures to deduce that the native species, natural as well as cultivated, are being replaced because of large scale cultivation of GMO crops, giving rise to loss of biodiversity.

Increasing food production without expanding agricultural lands is on the top of the agenda of all the countries and related International Organizations. This means high yielding crops with resistance to plant diseases and many countries have adapted Genetically Modified Crops (GM or GMO Crops).This paper critically looks at the impact of the expansion of GMO croplands on the native species and the ecosystem , the attendant multidisciplinary challenges and risks and explores the possibility of using remote sensing data captures to deduce that the native species, natural as well as cultivated, are being replaced because of large scale cultivation of GMO crops, giving rise to loss of biodiversity.

Increasing food production without expanding agricultural lands is on the top of the agenda of all the countries and related International Organizations. This means high yielding crops with resistance to plant diseases and many countries have adapted Genetically Modified Crops (GM or GMO Crops).This paper critically looks at the impact of the expansion of GMO croplands on the native species and the ecosystem , the attendant multidisciplinary challenges and risks and explores the possibility of using remote sensing data captures to deduce that the native species, natural as well as cultivated, are being replaced because of large scale cultivation of GMO crops, giving rise to loss of biodiversity.

Over the past years there have been concerns over the increasing number of food insecure households resulting from the socio-economic imbalances that exist in society. Literature informs us that it is mostly the small-scale farming communities in rural counties that often face the burden of deprivation – with hunger being the primary challenge. This is not only unique to South Africa but is also observed in other parts of the developing world. The current projections on the world population which are estimated to grow by over 2 billion people by 2050, indicate that the bulk of this growth will take place in Africa (1.9 billion people). These predictions highlight the already existing threat to food security which may not be easy for the developing world to overcome if immediate action is not taken. Thus, the study is underpinned on two theories, the Malthusian and Boserup’s theories of population growth. Both theorists held their views on the impact of uncontrolled populations on food security. Sir Thomas Robert Malthus believed that food production cannot keep up with the growth of the human population and would ultimately result in famine and calamity. This means that since the human population grows at a faster rate than the means of subsistence, and as the growth of agricultural products remains low, it is surpassed by the rising population; thereby creating poverty. Contrastingly, Ester Boserup argued that population growth is a cause for change in agriculture and reference is made to new innovations that would help increase food supply, such as modern technologies. The researcher makes an attempt to show the coexistence of both the Malthusian and Boserup theories. The underpinning of these two theories in the study played a critical role as food insecurity formed part of the problem statement. In the researcher’s view, such research is critical in a country like South Africa that has battled household food insecurity for decades. The second aspect of the probl, University of the Free State Research fund

A survey study identified indigenous leafy vegetables (ILVs) utilized by rural communities in Limpopo Province in the three districts of Capricorn, Sekhukhune and Vhembe focusing on their availability, agronomic practices, marketing, medicinal and cultural roles, as well as their nutritional value. An ILV that was highly preferred and with good marketing potential was identified for further studies on its response to planting density and nitrogen fertilizer rate. A questionnaire survey was used to gather information about types of ILVs utilised, their production practices, marketing of ILVs and their importance in medicinal and cultural roles. Data collected were subjected to analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) using descriptive statistics. Results showed that there were 45 different types of ILVs identified from the three districts in Limpopo Province. Farmers indicated that cultivation of these vegetables was mostly done from October to January in Sekhukhune and Capricorn district while in Vhembe it was practiced all year round. Most of farmers in Vhembe district used inorganic fertilizer during planting while farmers in Sekhukhune and Capricorn districts used organic fertilizers such as cattle manure. Irrigation was commonly used in Vhembe district through furrow irrigation system whereas in Capricorn and Sekhukhune districts most farmers relied on rainfall. Farmers indicated that harvesting was done at an early growing stage of the crop. Indigenous leafy vegetables were mostly marketed in local communities. Several ILVs were identified as preferred and regularly consumed as vegetables. Spider plant (Cleome gynandra) and nightshade (Solanum retroflexum) were identified as the most consumed ILVs in the three districts. Comparing the market potential of the two vegetables, S. retroflexum was chosen for further studies on its response to plant density and nitrogen fertilizer rate. The first study investigated the effect of varying plant

The mineral nutrition of indigenous crop species is not well documented like other known crop species, thus making it difficult for one to know how to plant and maintain the crops. Mmupudu (Mimusops zeyheri), which, happens to be a wild crop, is one of the indigenous trees of interest to the Discipline of Plant Production, University of Limpopo. The current study gives baseline information that will be important in various environmental physiology studies of this plant. Physiological studies will be necessary to assess the importance of “limiting” mineral nutrients in the accumulation of certain mineral nutrients in Mmupudu in relation to its productivity. The experiment was arranged as a 2 x 3 factorial in RCBD, with the first and second factors being time of sampling and location, respectively. The three locations where data were collected were Chuenespoort, Bochum and Sekgosese. In each location, the experiment was replicated 10 times. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and means were separated using the least significant difference test. The two-factor interaction was nonsignificant (P ≥ 0.10) for both pH and electrical conductivity. Soil pH was not affected by time in all three locations suggesting that abscised flowers and fruitlets have no effect on pH. Leaf K experienced an increase of 65% at Chuenespoort and a decrease of soil K after fruiting by 44%. Leaf and soil P decreased after fruiting in all locations as was the case with Cu. Chuenespoort and Sekgosese experienced a decrease in leaf Mn after fruiting while soil Mn decreased in all locations after fruiting. Sekgosese experienced an increase of 25% soil Mg after fruiting, whereas leaf Mg decreased in all locations., National Research Foundation and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry

This thesis aIms to produce a distinctive model for the sustainable horticultural development of Maori resources, primarily land. It is inclusive of tikanga Maori and indigenous production systems based on the unique body of knowledge aligned to Maori. The integration of this knowledge with western science is both argued and applied through the model itself. The hypothesis applied was that matauranga Maori relevant to horticulture and pedology can inform and add value to the future development of Maori land resources. The thesis is bui lt on a unique set of contributing knowledge bases aligned to soils and horticultural management supported by three case studies, identified through their common association i.e. whakapapa links. The format of the thesis intentionally follows science principles in structure and presentation and some assumptions are made regarding base knowledge surrounding Maori cultural factors and the science disciplines relative to soils and horticul ture. The indigenous element, including Maori knowledge, is incorporated into the model using a triadic kosmos/corpus/praxis approach. Where kosmos is applied as Te A o Miiori, corpus as miitauranga Miiori and praxis as tikanga Miiori, the relationship between each element is clear and the interpretation of the associated knowledge becomes more apparent and can be applied to cultural assessments of resources, i ncluding land. The crux of the cultural assessment model is the quality of information used to assess Maori resources, especially from the cultural perspective. The Maori cultural paradigm, traditional horticulture and pedology, and various decision systems are purposefully accessed to act as contributors to the assessment model and to highlight the diversity and quality of information land managers have at their disposal. The ability to apply a cultural layer drawn from a body of knowledge not previously included in decision models relative to land utility in New Zealand is the key point. of di

This study contains documentation and naming of indigenous plant species of the GaMamabolo area. Knowledge about their classification and their local natural resources has been acknowledged through this study. It is not only naming and classification but extending information about interaction of useful indigenous plants with human society. This is followed by a survey of 85 plant species found in the Mamabolo area. The immense cultural significance of the traditional knowledge system is portrayed in this study. ii