Journal articles on the topic 'Tree farms South Africa Mpumalanga'
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LOOTS, MAIKE, LIZYBEN CHIDAMBA, and LISE KORSTEN. "Microbial Load and Prevalence of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in Macadamia Nut Production Systems." Journal of Food Protection 84, no. 6 (January 28, 2021): 1088–96. http://dx.doi.org/10.4315/jfp-20-238.
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ABSTRACT This study evaluated the potential impact of environmental factors and harvesting practices on the microbial load of macadamia nuts. Three farms located in primary macadamia nut production regions, the Mbombela (A), Barberton (B) and White River (C) areas in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, were sampled over a 2-year period. A total of 264 irrigation water (54), soil (30), and macadamia nut (180) samples were collected and evaluated for microbial load. All water samples had mean Escherichia coli loads below 1,000 MPN/100 mL, which is the standard regulatory requirement for agricultural water considered fit for irrigation in South Africa. Mean total aerobic plate counts of nut-in-husk on-tree samples (3.91 log CFU/g; n = 60) were higher after harvesting (5.98 log CFU/g; n = 60) but were lower after dehusking (to 4.89 log CFU/g; n = 60) on nut-in-shell samples. Salmonella spp. were only detected in water samples from farm B (67%; n = 18) and farm C (15%; n = 18). Neither Listeria monocytogenes nor Salmonella spp. were detected in the soil samples. E. coli was only detected in 20% (n = 10) of soil samples collected from two farms (farms A and B). None of the E. coli isolated in this study was positive for the eae, stx1, and stx2 enterohemorrhagic E. coli virulence genes. This study provides basic data that can be used in the development of macadamia nut–specific hazard assessment tools within primary production environments. HIGHLIGHTS
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Munzhelele, Priscilla, James Oguttu, Olubunmi G. Fasanmi, and Folorunso O. Fasina. "Production constraints of smallholder pig farms in agro-ecological zones of Mpumalanga, South Africa." Tropical Animal Health and Production 49, no. 1 (September 29, 2016): 63–69. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11250-016-1158-7.
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Mogano, Kgaogelo, Toru Suzuki, Debrah Mohale, Baby Phahladira, Ernest Ngoepe, Yusuke Kamata, George Chirima, Claude Sabeta, and Kohei Makita. "Spatio-temporal epidemiology of animal and human rabies in northern South Africa between 1998 and 2017." PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 16, no. 7 (July 29, 2022): e0010464. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0010464.
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Background Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease that is maintained in domestic dogs and wildlife populations in the Republic of South Africa. A retrospective study was conducted to improve understanding of the dynamics of rabies in humans, domestic dogs, and wildlife species, in relation to the ecology for three northern provinces of South Africa (Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North-West) between 1998 and 2017. Methods A descriptive epidemiology study was conducted for human and animal rabies. Dog rabies cases were analyzed using spatio-temporal scan statistics. The reproductive number (Rt) was estimated for the identified disease clusters. A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the genome sequences of rabies viruses isolated from dogs, jackals, and an African civet, and Bayesian evolutionary analysis using a strict time clock model. Several ecological and socio-economic variables associated with dog rabies were modeled using univariate analyses with zero-inflated negative binomial regression and multivariable spatial analyses using the integrated nested Laplace approximation for two time periods: 1998–2002 and 2008–2012. Results Human rabies cases increased in 2006 following an increase in dog rabies cases; however, the human cases declined in the next year while dog rabies cases fluctuated. Ten disease clusters of dog rabies were identified, and utilizing the phylogenetic tree, the dynamics of animal rabies over 20 years was elucidated. In 2006, a virus strain that re-emerged in eastern Limpopo Province caused the large and persistent dog rabies outbreaks in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces. Several clusters included a rabies virus variant maintained in jackals in Limpopo Province, and the other variant in dogs widely distributed. The widely distributed variant maintained in jackal populations in North-West Province caused an outbreak in dogs in 2014. The Rt was high when the disease clusters were associated with either multiple virus strains or multiple animal species. High-risk areas included Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces characterized by woodlands and high temperatures and precipitation. Conclusion Canine rabies was maintained mainly in dog populations but was also associated with jackal species. Rural communities in Limpopo and Mpumalanga Provinces were at high risk of canine rabies originating from dogs.
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Botha, J., E. T. F. Witkowski, and C. M. Shackleton. "The impact of commercial harvesting on Warburgia salutaris (‘pepper-bark tree’) in Mpumalanga, South Africa." Biodiversity and Conservation 13, no. 9 (August 2004): 1675–98. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/b:bioc.0000029333.72945.b0.
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Sebola, R. J., and K. Balkwill. "Reappraisal and identification of Olinia rochetiana (Oliniaceae) in South Africa." Bothalia 36, no. 1 (August 20, 2006): 91–99. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/abc.v36i1.348.
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A numerical phenetic analysis of data obtained from populations of the Olinia rochetiana A.Juss. complex occurring in South Africa (Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces) revealed the existence of two forms: 1, a shrubby form (up to 2.5 m tall), with thick terminal branches, coriaceous leaves with a tinge of red on margins (towards the apices),short inflorescence axes, peduncles and deeply red pedicels and floral tubes/hypanthia: and 2, a slender tree form, measuring more than 4 m tall with slender terminal branches, glossy and slightly thin, papery leaves, margin colour the same as the entire lamina, and the inflorescence axes, peduncles, pedicels and hypanthia pale green to creamy white. Differences in floral features between the twoforms correlate with differences observed in vegetative features. The two forms occupy distinct ecological niches and show tolerances and preferences for different environmental conditions such as soil type,elevation and humidity. An identificationkey for the two forms is presented.
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Ramabulana, Elelwani, Ednah Kunjeku, Bernard Slippers, and Martin P. A. Coetzee. "Diversity of Endophytes in the Botryosphaeriaceae Differs on Anacardiaceae in Disturbed and Undisturbed Ecosystems in South Africa." Forests 13, no. 2 (February 18, 2022): 341. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/f13020341.
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Botryosphaeriaceae represents a diverse family of fungi with a cosmopolitan distribution and a wide host range. We studied species diversity and overlap of Botryosphaeriaceae on selected tree species of Anacardiaceae in disturbed (farming or forestry) and undisturbed (isolated and/or protected) ecosystems in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, South Africa. The disturbed sites resided at Tshikundamalema and Tshipise in Limpopo and the undisturbed sites at Nwanedi and the Mapungubwe National Park in Limpopo and the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga. Asymptomatic branches were collected from Mangifera indica, Sclerocarya birrea and Lannea schweinfurthii trees in 2017 and 2018. Eleven species were identified using a multi-gene sequencing approach, including Diplodia allocellula, Dothiorella brevicollis, Do. dulcispinae, Do. viticola, Lasiodiplodia crassispora, L. exigua, L. gonubiensis, L. mahajangana, Neofusicoccum parvum, Oblongocollomyces sp. 1 and Oblongocollomyces sp. 2. Ten of the 11 species were identified in undisturbed ecosystems (eight species being unique), while only three species were identified in disturbed ecosystems (one species being unique). Two species were generalists on trees in disturbed and undisturbed ecosystems. Lasiodiplodia mahajangana was the most dominant species as it occurred on the three tree species of Anacardiaceae. Isolates of N. parvum occurred on both S. birrea (a native species) and M. indica (a non-native species) that occurred adjacent to each other in disturbed ecosystems, confirming the ability of this invasive pathogen to cross-infect native and non-native hosts and its abundance in human-disturbed environments. The findings from this study confirm the lack of host specificity for most species of Botryosphaeriaceae. The results also indicate that disturbance through human activity, such as clear-cutting, selective cutting and land-use changes, negatively influences the diversity of the Botryosphaeriaceae.
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Grové, T., K. Hannweg, K. de Jager, and M. Hofmeyr. "Fruit flies associated with the pepper-bark tree (Warburgia salutaris (G.Bertol.) Chiov.) in Mpumalanga province, South Africa." Fruits 75, no. 6 (November 19, 2020): 267–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.17660/th2020/75.6.3.
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Makhubele, Lucky, Paxie W. Chirwa, Jonathan P. Sheppard, Ratsodo P. Tshidzumba, Mulugheta G. Araia, and Hans-Peter Kahle. "Conservation of Tree Species Richness in a Traditional Agroforestry Landscape in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa." Forests 13, no. 11 (October 27, 2022): 1766. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/f13111766.
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Tree species richness is a critical element concerning trees on farms, on communal land and in protected areas to support biodiversity and socio-economic livelihoods in traditional agroforestry landscapes. Tree species richness is directly linked to the use of provisioning ecosystem services and to management practices in traditional agroforestry landscapes. The study aimed to investigate the link between socio-ecological and conservation strategies regarding tree species richness in traditional agroforestry landscapes. The study was conducted in the Damani, Thenzheni, Tshiombo and Tshipako villages located in Thulamela Municipality of the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa. The data were collected using a mixed method approach combining forestry inventory and focus group discussion. The study recorded a total number of 126 tree species: 83 communal-land-hosted species, 68 species of trees on farms and 81 species in the protected areas. The indigenous species Englerophytum magalismontanum (Sond.) T.D.Penn. was the most cited (62%) by interviewees, with a primary use for wild fruits, followed by Pteleopsis myrtifolia (M.A. Lawson) Engl. & Diels. (57%) for fuelwood, Combretum molle R.Br. ex G.Don (36%) for traditional medicine and Albizia adianthifolia (Schumach.) W.F.Wight (12%) for fodder. Species richness was found to be commonly driven by provisioning ecosystem services with trees on farms and on communal land. Distance was found to be major driving factor of species richness in protected areas. This study found that the local people have no conservation strategy and practices targeting the enhancement of tree species richness in the traditional agroforestry landscape. This study advocates for the establishment of a conservation strategic framework for restoring tree species richness by targeting traditional agroforestry landscapes.
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Jordaan, Marie, and Abraham E. Van Wyk. "Gymnosporia swazica (Celastraceae), a new species from southern Africa." Phytotaxa 192, no. 4 (January 15, 2015): 296. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.192.4.7.
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Gymnosporia swazica, a new restricted-range southern African species, is described and illustrated here. Known from only a few localities in Swaziland and bordering parts of South Africa (Mpumalanga and northeastern KwaZulu-Natal), G. swazica grows as an understorey shrub or small tree in forest, often among granite boulders. Diagnostic characters for G. swazica include chartaceous leaves, usually shorter than 25 mm, 3-valved capsules usually 6–7 mm long, which are smooth, green turning yellow, and a white aril partially covering the brownish seed. Its closest relative appears to be G. buxifolia (capsules rugose, mottled white-and-brown), one of the most widespread members of the genus in southern Africa, but it can also be confused with G. maranguensis (capsules red, 2-valved) and G. harveyana (capsules pink to red, 3-valved; aril orange, completely covering the seed).
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Roux, J., and M. P. A. Coetzee. "First Report of Pink Disease on Native Trees in South Africa and Phylogenetic Placement of Erythricium salmonicolor in the Homobasidiomycetes." Plant Disease 89, no. 11 (November 2005): 1158–63. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/pd-89-1158.
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Erythricium salmonicolor causes a canker and die-back disease, commonly known as pink disease, on many tree species. During an investigation of diseases of Podocarpus henkellii and P. latifolius in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa, typical symptoms of pink disease were observed on the branches of these trees. Stem and branch cankers covered with cracked bark and abundant pink mycelial growth were common on the affected trees. In subsequent surveys, the disease was also found on native Dais cotonifolia in the same area, as well as on native Ekebergia capensis and Maesa lanceolata in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Phylogenetic analyses of ribosomal large subunit DNA sequence data were used to confirm the identity of the pathogen and obtain an indication of its phylogenetic placement within the Homobasidiomycetes. Isolates from all the native hosts recorded in this study, as well as from exotic Eucalyptus sp. and Acacia mearnsii, formed a strongly supported clade together with isolates from other parts of the world. Results confirmed that the pathogen in South Africa is Erythricium salmonicolor. Isolates from South Africa and Ethiopia grouped closely together, slightly different from E. salmonicolor isolates from the rest of the world. Our data also suggest that the genus name for E. salmonicolor possibly should be reconsidered because it groups separately from E. laetum or Corticium roseum. Phylogenetic analyses further indicated that the genus Erythricium is most closely related to Marchandiomyces aurantiacus, M. lignicola, C. roseum, E. laetum, Dendrothele maculata, D. roseacarneum, Vuilleminia comedens, V. macrospora, Punctularia strigoso-zonata and Galzinia incrustans. These genera form a separate subclade, the corticioid clade, within the Homobasidiomycetes. Pink disease is potentially important in South Africa because it affects a wide range of native and exotic tree species, and this study provides a foundation for further research.
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JORDAAN, MARIE, RICHARD G. C. BOON, and ABRAHAM E. VAN WYK. "Putterlickia neglecta (Celastraceae), a new species from southern Africa." Phytotaxa 208, no. 3 (May 21, 2015): 217. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.208.3.4.
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Putterlickia neglecta, a new species here described and illustrated, is known from South Africa (Mpumalanga and north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal), Swaziland and southern Mozambique. It is considered a near-endemic to the Maputaland Centre of Endemism. Plants grow as a shrub or small tree in savanna and thicket, or in the understory of inland, coastal and dune forests. Vegetatively it superficially resembles P. verrucosa, the species with which it has hitherto most often been confused. Both species have stems with prominently raised lenticels, but P. neglecta differs from P. verrucosa in having sessile to subsessile leaves with mostly entire, revolute leaf margins, flowers borne on pedicels 8–15 mm long, with petals up to 6 mm long and spreading or slightly recurved. Putterlickia verrucosa has leaves with distinct petioles, spinulose-denticulate margins, much smaller flowers borne on pedicels up to 4 mm long, with petals up to 2 mm long and erect or slightly spreading. The relatively large flowers of P. neglecta resemble those of P. pyracantha, but the latter differs in having stems with obscure or sunken lenticels, leaf margins entire or spinulose-denticulate and inflorescence axes as well as pedicels usually reddish. A comparative table to distinguish among the five currently recognized species of Putterlickia is provided.
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Muller, Mischa F., Irene Barnes, Ncobile T. Kunene, Bridget G. Crampton, Burton H. Bluhm, Sonia M. Phillips, Nicholas A. Olivier, and Dave K. Berger. "Cercospora zeina from Maize in South Africa Exhibits High Genetic Diversity and Lack of Regional Population Differentiation." Phytopathology® 106, no. 10 (October 2016): 1194–205. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/phyto-02-16-0084-fi.
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South Africa is one of the leading maize-producing countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Since the 1980s, Cercospora zeina, a causal agent of gray leaf spot of maize, has become endemic in South Africa, and is responsible for substantial yield reductions. To assess genetic diversity and population structure of C. zeina in South Africa, 369 isolates were collected from commercial maize farms in three provinces (KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and North West). These isolates were evaluated with 14 microsatellite markers and species-specific mating type markers that were designed from draft genome sequences of C. zeina isolates from Africa (CMW 25467) and the United States (USPA-4). Sixty alleles were identified across 14 loci, and gene diversity values within each province ranged from 0.18 to 0.35. High levels of gene flow were observed (Nm = 5.51), and in a few cases, identical multilocus haplotypes were found in different provinces. Overall, 242 unique multilocus haplotypes were identified with a low clonal fraction of 34%. No distinct population clusters were identified using STRUCTURE, principal coordinate analysis, or Weir’s theta θ statistic. The lack of population differentiation was supported by analysis of molecular variance tests, which indicated that only 2% of the variation was attributed to variability between populations from each province. Mating type ratios of MAT1-1 and MAT1-2 idiomorphs from 335 isolates were not significantly different from a 1:1 ratio in all provinces, which provided evidence for sexual reproduction. The draft genome of C. zeina CMW 25467 exhibited a complete genomic copy of the MAT1-1 idiomorph as well as exonic fragments of MAT genes from both idiomorphs. The high level of gene diversity, shared haplotypes at different geographical locations within South Africa, and presence of both MAT idiomorphs at all sites indicates widespread dispersal of C. zeina between maize fields in the country as well as evidence for sexual recombination. The outcomes of this genome-enabled study are important for disease management since the high diversity has implications for dispersal of fungicide resistance should it emerge and the need for diversified resistance breeding.
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Manqele, Ayanda, Nomakorinte Gcebe, Rian Ewald Pierneef, Rebone Moerane, and Abiodun Adewale Adesiyun. "Identification of Listeria species and Multilocus Variable-Number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA) Typing of Listeria innocua and Listeria monocytogenes Isolates from Cattle Farms and Beef and Beef-Based Products from Retail Outlets in Mpumalanga and North West Provinces, South Africa." Pathogens 12, no. 1 (January 15, 2023): 147. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12010147.
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In this study, Listeria isolates (214) were characterized as follows: L. innocua (77.10%), L. monocytogenes (11.21%), L. welshimeri (5.61%), L. grayi (1.40%), L. seeligeri (0.93%), and L. species (3.73%) that were not identified at the species level, from beef and beef based products from retail and farms in Mpumalanga and North West provinces of South Africa. MLVA was further used to type Listeria innocua isolates (165) and Listeria monocytogenes isolates (24). The L. monocytogenes isolates were also serogrouped using PCR. The MLVA protocol for L. monocytogenes typing included six tandem repeat primer sets, and the MLVA protocol for L. innocua included the use of three tandem repeats primer sets. The L. monocytogenes serogroups were determined as follows: 4b-4d-4e (IVb) (37.50%), 1/2a-3a (IIa) (29.16%), 1/2b-3b (IIb) (12.50%), 1/2c-3c (IIc) (8.33%), and IVb-1 (4.16%). MLVA could cluster isolates belonging to each specie, L. monocytogenes, and L. innocua isolates, into MLVA-related strains. There were 34 and 10 MLVA types obtained from the MLVA typing of L. innocua and L. monocytogenes, respectively. MLVA clustered the L. monocytogenes isolates irrespective of sample category, serogroups, and geographical origin. Similarly, the L. innocua isolates clustered irrespective of meat category and geographical origin. MLVA was able to cluster isolates based on MLVA relatedness. The clustering of isolates from farms and retailers indicates transmission of Listeria spp. MLVA is an affordable, simple, and discriminatory method that can be used routinely to type L. monocytogenes and L. innocua isolates.
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Coetzee, J. C., and E. J. van der Linde. "Shot-Hole Reaction of Trichilia emetica in Response to Infection by Cocconia concentrica in South Africa." Plant Disease 96, no. 6 (June 2012): 916. http://dx.doi.org/10.1094/pdis-10-11-0876-pdn.
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Natal mahogany (Trichilia emetica Vahl) is native to South, Central, and East Africa. In South Africa, it is widely planted as an ornamental and street tree; its wood is used for furniture and the seeds used for medicinal oil. In June 2010, during the Southern Hemisphere winter, severe leaf damage resembling insect herbivory was observed on the leaves of a T. emetica specimen in a subtropical garden in White River, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa (25°19′37.98″S, 33°00′19.47″E, elevation 959 m). However, closer inspection revealed that the damage was not insect related but the result of a pronounced shot-hole reaction of the leaves in response to a fungal infection. Concentric patterns on infected leaves facilitated easy macroscopic identification of the pathogen as Cocconia concentrica (Syd.) Syd. Microscopic characteristics of the fungus associated with these patterns also corresponded to descriptions of C. concentrica by Inácio and Minter (1) and Theissen and Sydow (3): asci were cylindrical-clavate, mostly eight spored, and 62 to 65 × 12 to 15 μm; ascospores were light brown, elliptic to oblong, mostly one-septate, usually wider at one end, somewhat constricted at septum, and 16 to 18.5 × 6 to 7.5 μm; paraphyses were longer than asci, septate, 2.5 μm in diameter, and hyaline but brownish at the rounded, often swollen tips. The occurrence of C. concentrica on Trichilia spp. and other hosts has been well documented, but only as a leaf-spot parasite without any reference to the prominent shot-hole reaction, which to our knowledge, is reported here for the first time. After infection, which is presumably by airborne ascospores (1), scattered or coalescing, relatively round black spots, up to 7.5 mm in diameter, developed on the adaxial leaf surface. Each spot is composed of many circular to elliptical, black, coalescing stromatic ascomata conspicuously arranged in centrifugally expanding concentric rings, later appearing to be covered by an ascoma-bearing crust. Eventually, the formation of an abscission layer, generally along the outer edge of the outer ring or some distance away, may be triggered in the leaf tissue along the periphery of each spot, separating and isolating the infected leaf area from the rest of the lamina. Infected areas eventually slough off from the rest of the leaf (but may remain attached more intimately and longer along veins) and fall out, leaving gaping circular to irregular shot-holes edged by a prominent corky rim. A similar phenomenon has been reported and illustrated for T. connaroides infected by Phloeospora trichiliae in India (2) and T. tuberculata infected by an unidentified ascomycete in Panama ( http://researchwatch.net/nsf_grants/9902346 ). Shot-hole formation as a self-defense mechanism against fungal infection thus appears to be a widely occurring generic character in Trichilia, and it is remarkable that this symptom, subsequently witnessed elsewhere in Mpumalanga, has apparently gone unnoticed in Africa until now and that it has received no mention in the abundant literature on the trees of the region. Voucher material (PREM 60718) has been deposited at the National Collection of Fungi, Pretoria, South Africa. References: (1) C. A. Inácio and D. W. Minter. IMI Descriptions of Fungi and Bacteria. 145 (1445), 2002. (2) M. D. Mehrotra and R. K. Verma. Mycol. Res. 98:1192, 1994. (3) F. Theissen and H. Sydow. Ann. Mycol. 13:149, 1915.
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van Niekerk, Johann H. "Roosting requirements of Helmeted Guineafowl Numida meleagris on Highveld grain and livestock farms with alien tree groves, Gauteng province, South Africa." Ostrich 90, no. 1 (November 23, 2018): 37–40. http://dx.doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2018.1537316.
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Chauhan, Ravendra P., James E. San, and Michelle L. Gordon. "Metagenomic Analysis of RNA Fraction Reveals the Diversity of Swine Oral Virome on South African Backyard Swine Farms in the uMgungundlovu District of KwaZulu-Natal Province." Pathogens 11, no. 8 (August 17, 2022): 927. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/pathogens11080927.
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Numerous RNA viruses have been reported in backyard swine populations in various countries. In the absence of active disease surveillance, a persistent knowledge gap exists on the diversity of RNA viruses in South African backyard swine populations. This is the first study investigating the diversity of oral RNA virome of the backyard swine in South Africa. We used three samples of backyard swine oral secretion (saliva) collected from three distantly located backyard swine farms (BSFs) in the uMgungundlovu District, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Total viral RNA was extracted and used for the library preparation for deep sequencing using the Illumina HiSeq X instrument. The FASTQ files containing paired-end reads were analyzed using Genome Detective v 1.135. The assembled nucleotide sequences were analyzed using the PhyML phylogenetic tree. The genome sequence analysis identified a high diversity of swine enteric viruses in the saliva samples obtained from BSF2 and BSF3, while only a few viruses were identified in the saliva obtained from BSF1. The swine enteric viruses belonged to various animal virus families; however, two fungal viruses, four plant viruses, and five unclassified RNA viruses were also identified. Specifically, viruses of the family Astroviridae, according to the number of reads, were the most prevalent. Of note, the genome sequences of Rotavirus A (RVA) and Rotavirus C (RVC) at BSF2 and RVC and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) at BSF3 were also obtained. The occurrence of various swine enteric viruses in swine saliva suggests a high risk of diarrhoeic diseases in the backyard swine. Of note, zoonotic viruses in swine saliva, such as RVA, RVC, and HEV, indicate a risk of zoonotic spillover to the exposed human populations. We recommend the implementation of biosecurity to ensure sustainable backyard swine farming while safeguarding public health.
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Afonso, Beatriz C., Lourens H. Swanepoel, Beatriz P. Rosa, Tiago A. Marques, Luís M. Rosalino, Margarida Santos-Reis, and Gonçalo Curveira-Santos. "Patterns and Drivers of Rodent Abundance across a South African Multi-Use Landscape." Animals 11, no. 9 (September 7, 2021): 2618. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ani11092618.
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South Africa’s decentralized approach to conservation entails that wildlife outside formally protected areas inhabit complex multi-use landscapes, where private wildlife business (ecotourism and/or hunting) co-exist in a human-dominated landscape matrix. Under decentralized conservation, wildlife is perceived to benefit from increased amount of available habitat, however it is crucial to understand how distinct management priorities and associated landscape modifications impact noncharismatic taxa, such as small mammals. We conducted extensive ink-tracking-tunnel surveys to estimate heterogeneity in rodent distribution and investigate the effect of different environmental factors on abundance patterns of two size-based rodent groups (small- and medium-sized species), across three adjacent management contexts in NE KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a private ecotourism game reserve, mixed farms and traditional communal areas (consisting of small clusters of houses interspersed with grazing areas and seminatural vegetation). Our hypotheses were formulated regarding the (1) area typology, (2) vegetation structure, (3) ungulate pressure and (4) human disturbance. Using a boosted-regression-tree approach, we found considerable differences between rodent groups’ abundance and distribution, and the underlying environmental factors. The mean relative abundance of medium-sized species did not differ across the three management contexts, but small species mean relative abundance was higher in the game reserves, confirming an influence of the area typology on their abundance. Variation in rodent relative abundance was negatively correlated with human disturbance and ungulate presence. Rodent abundance seems to be influenced by environmental gradients that are directly linked to varying management priorities across land uses, meaning that these communities might not benefit uniformly by the increased amount of habitat promoted by the commercial wildlife industry.
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Ntalo, Malizo, Khuliso Emmanuel Ravhuhali, Bethwell Moyo, Ntuwiseni Emile Mmbi, and Kwena Hilda Mokoboki. "Physical and chemical properties of the soils in selected communal properties associations of South Africa." PeerJ 10 (October 19, 2022): e13960. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13960.
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Communal Property Associations (CPAs) rangeland users need more knowledge on the state of their respective grazing lands and also the interaction of soil properties with grazing management implemented. This study aimed to investigate the effect grazing has on the physical and chemical properties of four different soil types found in selected CPAs of the Bela-Bela municipality, they are as follows: Mawela (Hutton-clay loam: HCL), Bela-Bela (Hutton-clay: HC), Moretele (Hutton-loamy sand: HLS) and Ramorula (Ecca sand-clay loam: ESCL).The macro and micro minerals, pH, nitrate-nitrogen, ammonium-nitrogen, organic carbon, soil particle size distribution, acidity and resistance were all measured. All data were subjected to two-way factorial analysis of variance (SAS, 2010). The topsoil was sampled at a depth of 300 mm at an interval of 100 m (100 and 200 m) from the same transect used for woody species data collection resulting in a total of 18 samples per CPA. In each CPA, three camps were selected. In each camp, three transects 200 m apart at the length of 200 m were set. In each transect, soils were drawn at 0, 100 and 200 m making a total of nine soil samples per each camp. The highest (P < 0.05) pH (7.14) recorded on the sub-soil was in HLS. Nitrate nitrogen (2.4 mg/kg) concentration on the topsoil was high (P < 0.05) in HC soil type. Soil organic carbon for both topsoil (0.66%) and subsoil (0.41%) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in HLS soil type and ESCL soil type respectively. Phosphorus concentration was significantly high (P < 0.05) in ESCL soil type for both topsoil (12.86 mg/kg) and sub-soil (1.59 mg/kg). Iron concentration was high in both topsoil (11.8 mg/kg) and sub-soil (7.3 mg/kg) in ESCL soil type. Sub-soil manganese concentration was found to be higher (P < 0.05) in ESCL soil type (7.58 mg/kg). Soil resistance (2880 Ω ) measured in topsoil was high (P < 0.05) in HCL soil type compared to other soil types. Moreover, for the sub-soil the highest (P < 0.05) resistance (least salts) (3640 Ω) was recorded in ESCL soil type. For most of the soil types, the mineral concentration was higher in topsoil than in sub-soil, this trend explains that the uptake of these minerals by plants took place due to the inconsistencies of grazing management employed in these selected CPA farms. It is of colossal significance to properly manage rangelands, to allow a fair-to-good herbaceous layer in the presence of minerals in the soils and farmer should prioritize having enclosures and keeping N-fixing tree species in the rangelands to achieve the above mentioned conditions.
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De Kock, Kenné, and Corrie Wolmarans. "Distribution and habitats of Pisidium viridarium Kuiper, 1956 (Bivalvia: Sphaeriidae) as reflected by the records of the National Freshwater Snail Collection of South Africa." Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Natuurwetenskap en Tegnologie 27, no. 3 (September 16, 2008): 183–95. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/satnt.v27i3.90.
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The genus Pisidium includes some of the smallest bivalves in the family Sphaeriidae. The distribution of this group is cosmopolitan and they can utilize virtually any freshwater habitat,including peat bogs. Without doubt their centre of evolution lies in the Holarctic Region and theorigin of Pisidium is considered to be Mesozoic. This article focuses on the geographical distribution and habitats of P. viridarium, the most well represented species of this genus in the database of the National Freshwater Snail Collection (NFSC) of South Africa. Details pertaining to the habitats of the 639 samples of P. viridarium as recorded at the time of collection were extracted from the database of the NFSC. The number of loci (1/16 th square degrees) in which the 639 collection sites were located, was distributed in pre-selected intervalsof mean annual air temperature and rainfall, as well as intervals of mean altitude, to illustratethe frequency of occurrence within specific intervals. A temperature index was calculated for allmollusc species in the database from their frequencies of occurrence within the selected intervals and the results used to rank them in order of their association with low to high climatic temperatures. To evaluate the significance of the difference between frequencies of occurrence in, on, or at the various options for each parameter investigated, chi-square values were calculated. Furthermore, an effect size value was calculated to determine the contribution of each parameter towards establishing the geographical distribution of this species as reflected by the data in the database. Additionally, a multivariate analysis in the form of a decision tree was constructed from the data which enabled the selection and ranking of those variables that maximally discriminated between the frequency of occurrence of P. viridarium in, on, or at the various options for each parameter as compared to all other mollusc species in the database. The 132 different loci from which the samples were collected, display a relatively continuous distribution in the south-eastern part of the North West Province, the northern part of Gauteng, the central part of Mpumalanga and Lesotho. P. viridarium is sporadically distributed in the Eastern Cape and Free State, poorly represented in the Northern and Western Cape and completely absent from Limpopo. Its absence in certain areas of South Africa should be attributed to unfavourable environmental conditions rather than to a lack of opportunities to disperse: there are many agents and frequent opportunities for passive dispersal reported in literature for Sphaeriidae and the presence of P. viridarium in this country had already been recorded in 1950.This species was reported from 13 of the 14 habitat types represented in the database. However, the majority of samples were collected in marshes and in habitats of which the water conditions were described as clear, fresh and standing. The decision tree analysis indicated that temperature, altitude, type of water-body and substratum were the most important factors, of those investigated, that influenced the geographical distribution of this species in South Africa. It is known from reports in literature that bivalves can accumulate heavy metals from superficial sediments and the fact that P. viridarium is a filter feeder, a bottom dweller and can utilize a relatively large variety of habitats under a wide range of climatic conditions, could make it a useful candidate for monitoring heavy metal levels in freshwater habitats. It is recommended that the feasibility of such a possibility be investigated. In view of the reports from elsewhere in the world that Pisidium species can serve as intermediate hosts for helminth parasites that can affect the well-being of humans and animals, it is suggested that the potential of P. viridarium toact as intermediate host for harmful helminth parasites be evaluated. Efforts should also be made to update the geographical distribution of molluscs especially those that could play an important role in the life cycle of economically important helminth parasites.
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Blanckenberg, Anelle, Olaniyi Amos Fawole, and Umezuruike Linus Opara. "Postharvest Losses in Quantity and Quality of Pear (cv. Packham’s Triumph) along the Supply Chain and Associated Economic, Environmental and Resource Impacts." Sustainability 14, no. 2 (January 6, 2022): 603. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/su14020603.
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Approximately one third of the food produced globally is lost or wasted along the supply chain. Reducing this would be an important measure to increase the global food supply as the world continues the struggle to feed its people sustainably. Not merely a waste of food, these losses also represent a waste of human effort and agricultural inputs from expensive fertilizers to natural resources as well as contributing to global greenhouse gas emissions. Measuring the extent of, and understanding the reasons for, these losses can assist in developing appropriate measures required to prevent or reduce such losses. Therefore, the objective of this research was to quantify postharvest losses in quantity and quality of ‘Packham’s Triumph’ pears at farm and simulated retail levels. Pears were sampled from two farms in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, the largest deciduous fruit production and export region in Southern Africa. The greatest losses measured along the supply chain were on-farm immediately after harvest, with 18% recorded. The main reasons for on-farm losses were small size (65%), deformity (26%), and chafed peel (9%). After 14 days in cold storage (−0.3 ± 0.7 °C, 81.3 ± 4.1% RH), mean pear losses were 0.86% which increased to 1.49% after 28 days. After 10 days of further storage under simulated market conditions (5.4 ± 0.6 °C, 83.7 ± 2.9% RH), fruit losses were 1.52% during retail marketing and 2.09% during export. Storing pears under ambient conditions (25.1 ± 1.3 °C and 46.6 ± 6.0% RH) resulted in a higher incidence of losses, increasing from 0.90 to 1.55 and 2.25% after 3, 7, and 10 days, respectively. The socio-economic impacts of these postharvest losses amounted to financial losses of between ZAR 492 million (USD 34.1 million according to the conversion rate of 14 April 2021) to over ZAR 831 million annually, and this was associated with the loss of 301 million MJ of fossil energy, 69 million m3 of fresh water and contributed to the emission of approximately 19,690 tons of CO2 equivalent. The fresh water lost could sustain 3.7 million individuals daily for a whole year at a daily minimum usage rate of 0.05 m3 per day while it will require planting 0.5 million trees to sink the 19,690 tons GHG emissions of the pear losses (0.039 metric ton per urban tree planted). Decreasing postharvest losses will conserve resources as well as improve food security and nutrition, objectives of the post-2015 sustainable development agenda led by the United Nations.
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Makhado, Rudzani A., and Amani T. Saidi. "Disaster risk assessment at Roburnia Plantation, Mpumalanga, South Africa." Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies 5, no. 1 (March 12, 2013). http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v5i1.64.
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This study reports about disaster risk assessment undertaken at Roburnia Plantation, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were followed to collect data. A total of eight experienced foresters and fire fighters were purposively sampled for interview at Roburnia Plantation. A questionnaire survey was also used to collect the data. Risk levels were quantified using the risks equations of Wisner et al. (2004) and the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR 2002). Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Analysis of variance (ANOVA, single factor) was also applied. This study found that Roburnia Plantation is highly exposed to fire risks. The mean (± s.d.) output from the Wisner risk equation shows that fire is the highest risk at 7.7 ± 0.3, followed by harsh weather conditions at 5.6 ± 0.4 and least by tree diseases, pests and pathogens at 2.3 ± 0.2. Similarly, the mean (± s.d.) output from the UNISDR risk equation also shows that fire is the highest risk at 2.9 ± 0.2, followed by harsh weather conditions at 2.2 ± 0.3 and least by tree diseases, pests and pathogens at 1.3 ± 0.2. There was no significant deference in the risk analysis outputs (p = 0.13). This study also found that the number of fire incidents were low during summer, but increased during winter and spring. This variation is mainly due to a converse relationship with rainfall, because the availability of rain moistens the area as well as the fuel. When the area and fuel is moist, fire incidents are reduced, but they increase with a decrease in fuel moisture.
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Nengovhela, Nkhanedzeni Baldwin, Thinawanga Joseph Mugwabana, Khathutshelo Agree Nephawe, and Tshimangadzo Lucky Nedambale. "Accessibility to Reproductive Technologies by Low-Income Beef Farmers in South Africa." Frontiers in Veterinary Science 8 (July 23, 2021). http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.611182.
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This study address historical legacy of South Africa that has dual economies resembling low and high income beef sectors. Low-income herds are farmed mainly under communal village or land reform farms. The study focused on providing assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) to the low-income sector including finding challenges to its implementation and adoption. The study was conducted in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces using mixed methods that looked at cows and sectors stakeholders. Data collected and evaluated on cows included breed type, frame size, body condition, age parity, and lactation status. Cows were exposed to ART through synchronisation, oestrus detection, fixed time artificial insemination and pregnancy diagnosis. Qualitative data was collected to study perception of key stakeholders on ART implementation and adoption. Chi-Square Test was computed to determine the association among cow factors. Qualitative data was collected, coded and managed into themes using Nvivo Version 11. Themes that emerged were interpreted using critical social and systems thinking. Conception rate was not independent of provinces (P < 0.05), cow body condition score (BCS) and body frame size. KwaZulu-Natal cows had the highest conception rate at 66% (P < 0.05) than Limpopo (44%) and Mpumalanga (60%) provinces. Cows with a BCS higher than 3.5 had higher conception rate (P < 0.05) than those with BCS of <2.5 and 3. Interestingly, large framed cow size had higher conception rate than medium and small framed (P < 0.05) cows. The study achieved a 100% calf survival rate. Calving rate was influenced by body BCS, province and district (P < 0.05). Calving rate of 58% in Mpumalanga and 54% in KwaZulu-Natal was higher than that recorded in Limpopo at 36% (P < 0.05). Interestingly, cows with BCS of <2.5 had a higher calving rate than those with a higher body condition score of 3 (P < 0.05). Perception study results revealed many factors that could affect the adoption and implementation of ART in the study areas. The high success rate and above average reproductive performance led to North West and KwaZulu-Natal provinces adopting ART as part of their low-income beef sector support.
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Manenzhe, T. D., E. M. Zwane, and J. Van Niekerk. "Performance and sustainability of commercial cooperatives and sole proprietorships citrus farms in Mpumalanga province, South Africa." South African Journal of Agricultural Extension (SAJAE) 48, no. 1 (2020). http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2413-3221/2020/v48n1a527.
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Rey, Chrissie. "The hunt for plant viruses in South Africa: The early days." South African Journal of Science 116, no. 11/12 (November 26, 2020). http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2020/7916.
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Plant viruses cause widespread disease in agriculturally important crops, resulting in a reduction in both quality and quantity of produce. The introduction of intensive crop monoculture has resulted in an exponential increase in viral diseases which can cross over from wild indigenous plants. Viral pathogens also can occur in mixed infections, and rapid, sensitive and reliable diagnostic methods are required to identify and characterise the viruses responsible for the field diseases. In comparison to bacterial and fungal diseases, viral diseases are more difficult to diagnose. This review covers a period (1985–2011) in the history of virus discovery in South Africa during which several plant viruses from commercial and smallscale farms were identified and characterised. Interestingly, novel viruses were discovered in three crops, namely guar and cassava grown by small-scale farmers in Mpumalanga, and in commercial tobacco. The implication of these plant diseases is potential yield loss to farmers which can affect their livelihoods, and result in severe economic loss for the food and agriculture industries. Accurate identification of the causal viral agents of these viral diseases is a prerequisite for development of effective management strategies.
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Merwe, Jaco-Pierre van der, Ilaria Germishuizen, Charlie Clarke, and Shawn D. Mansfield. "The impact of soil, altitude, and climate on tree form and wood properties of plantation grown Pinus patula in Mpumalanga, South Africa." Holzforschung, December 8, 2022. http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/hf-2022-0126.
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Abstract Plantation forests were originally established in South Africa to meet an increasing demand for solid wood products as there was a limited supply from native forests. The majority of the commercial softwood plantations were established with Mexican Pinus patula. Since growing conditions are known to impact tree growth, tree form, and wood quality of P. patula, sample plots were established over a cross-section of plantations in the Lowveld Escarpment and Highveld forestry regions of South Africa that covered an array of geologies and altitudes. Each sample plot was classified according to soil properties, rainfall, and temperature, and trees within the plots were measured for growth, form, and wood properties. Soil, growing days, and temperature were found to have little impact on tree form and wood properties. However, rainfall and specifically, spring rainfall, was found to have a highly significant impact on late wood formation, proportion of juvenile core, and wood density. In addition, tree height was found to be strongly correlated with maximum annual temperature.
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Katumanyane, Agil, Aquillah M. Kanzi, and Antoinette P. Malan. "Sciarid pests (Diptera: Sciaridae) from undercover crop production in South Africa." South African Journal of Science 116, no. 3/4 (March 26, 2020). http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/sajs.2020/6822.
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Fungus gnats (sciarids) are among the most important pests in undercover crop production. They cause direct physical damage to plant roots, transfer fungal pathogens and create entry points for soil-borne plant pathogens. In 2007, Bradysia impatiens, an important fungus gnat pest was found in association with major tree nursery beds in the Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal Provinces of South Africa and was considered invasive. In this study, eight greenhouses were surveyed in the Western Cape Province and B. impatiens was found to be present in all the greenhouses. Similar to the results of the previous studies, a high haplotype diversity was identified for B. impatiens, which may indicate multiple strain introductions into South Africa. Two other fungus gnat species, Lycoriella sativae and Lycoriella ingenua – globally important sciarid pests of mushroom cultures – were identified as new from South Africa. Through a laboratory culture, the life cycle of B. impatiens was observed to be approximately 21 days at 25 °C. Females laid between 100 and 250 eggs. Possible introduction sources include contaminated vegetative material and growth media, thus there maybe need to revise the importation restrictions on these commodities. The identification of two novel species of sciarid pests that have only previously been identified in the Holarctic region could further emphasise this need. However, the recent discovery of such high sciarid diversity could also be due to only a few studies having been previously done on sciarid pests in South Africa.
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Davis, Anthony J., and Jan G. Myburgh. "Investigation of stillbirths, perinatal mortality and weakness in beef calves with low-selenium whole blood concentrations." Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 87, no. 1 (February 26, 2016). http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/jsava.v87i1.1336.
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In this on-farm investigation, we report on stillbirths, weakness and perinatal mortality seen in calves on a commercial beef farm in the Roossenekal area, Mpumalanga province, South Africa. Post-mortem examination of these calves and histopathological examination of organ and tissue samples did not indicate an infectious aetiology. Affected calves had marginal to deficient whole blood selenium concentrations. Whole blood samples collected from adult cattle on this farm and five neighbouring farms were deficient in selenium. The potential contributions of other minerals to the symptoms seen are a subject of ongoing investigation, but selenium deficiency was marked in this herd and required urgent correction. Methods to correct the deficiency included the use of injectable products, and an oral selenium supplement chelated to methionine. Selenium availability to plants is primarily determined by the selenium content of the parent bedrock, the presence of other minerals and the pH of the soil. The apparent sudden onset of this problem implicates a soil factor as being responsible for reducing selenium’s bioavailability in this area. Selenium deficiency can have a significant impact on human health. HIV and/or AIDS, various forms of cancer and several specific clinical syndromes are associated with selenium deficiency in humans, and the impact on human health in this area also requires further investigation.Keywords: vitamin E; selenium deficiency; cattle; one-health; Mpumalanga Province; soil pH; acid rain; stillbirths; white muscle disease; HIV
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Chauke, Patience B., Adornis D. Nciizah, Isaiah I. C. Wakindiki, Fhatuwani N. Mudau, Seneo Madikiza, Matiga Motsepe, and Ikalafeng Kgakatsi. "No-till improves selected soil properties, phosphorous availability and utilization efficiency, and soybean yield on some smallholder farms in South Africa." Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 6 (October 18, 2022). http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2022.1009202.
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Some of the limiting factors for smallholder farmer soybean production in South Africa are low native soil phosphorus (P) availability and poor utilization efficiency of added P. Phosphorus fertilization, use of improved or high yield potential cultivars and appropriate cropping systems could increase soybean yields. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of tillage, cultivar and P fertilization levels on P uptake and P use efficiency, as well as plant growth, yield, grain protein and oil content, in a soybean based cropping system. The study was conducted under dryland conditions at Sheepmoor, Mpumalanga. A field experiment was established in a randomized complete block design. Treatments were arranged in a 2 × 3 × 3 strip-split-plot structure. There were two tillage systems [no-till (NT) and conventional tillage (CT)], three cultivars (PAN 1614R, PAN 1521R, and PAN 1532R), and three phosphorus rates (0, 30, and 60 kg/ha). All treatment combinations were replicated three times. P uptake improved with P application, although there were no differences between 30 and 60 kg/ha whilst PFP was significantly higher at 30 kg/ha P. Yield was significantly higher at 30 kg/ha P application under NT and varied with cultivars. P application at 30 and 60 kg/ha significantly reduced oil content by 11.3 and 7.16%, respectively, but had inverse effects on protein content. The activities of acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) also increased with P application. Improvement of soybean yield and its attributes, grain quality, P uptake, PFP, soil physicochemical and microbial properties emphasize the importance of fertilizer application, sustainable cropping systems coupled with careful cultivar selection. Therefore, in order to improve soil fertility and soybean yield under small farm conditions, the application of no-till and optimum application of fertilizers should be prioritized.
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De Kock, K. N., C. T. Wolmarans, and M. Bornman. "Distribution and habitats of the snail Lymnaea truncatula, intermediate host of the liver fluke Fasciola hepatica, in South Africa." Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 74, no. 4 (July 2, 2003). http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/jsava.v74i4.523.
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This paper focuses on the geographical distribution and habitats of Lymnaea truncatula, the intermediate, snail host of the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, as reflected by the 723 samples in the database of the National Freshwater Snail Collection, Potchefstroom, South Africa. The 221 different loci (1/16-degree squares) on record reflect an extensive but discontinuous distribution, except in Lesotho and in parts of the Mpumalanga, Gauteng and North West provinces of South Africa. Although recorded from 12 different types of waterbody, it was mostly (42.0 %) recovered from swamps. Most samples (45.8 %) were collected in habitats with slow-flowing water. A muddy substratum was recorded for 62.5 % of the samples. Most samples (86.3 %) were collected in habitats with a mean annual air temperature of 10-20 o C, and more than 69 % came from localities with a mean annual rainfall of 600-900mm. An integrated decision tree constructed from the data indicated that temperature and types of waterbody play a decisive role in determining the presence of L. truncatula in a given area. A temperature index calculated for all mollusc species ranked L. truncatula second in a total of 53 species according to its association with low temperatures. It remains to be established whether its distribution is indeed discontinuous, and whether its preference for a particular habitat, amphibious habits and ability to aestivate could have resulted in some populations having been overlooked during surveys.
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Botha, J., E. T. F. Witkowski, and C. M. Shackleton. "A comparison of anthropogenic and elephant disturbance on Acacia xanthophloea (fever tree) populations in the Lowveld, South Africa." Koedoe 45, no. 1 (December 14, 2002). http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v45i1.10.
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Acacia xanthophloea (the ‘fever tree’) is a popular medicinal species that is traded widely in South Africa. Although it occurs throughout southern Africa, there is increasing pressure on its riverine and marshy habitats. This study compares the impact of harvesting on an A. xanthophloea population located on private land near Komatipoort, Mpumalanga, with two protected populations situated within the Kruger National Park. The densities of the harvested and protected populations were similar (84±8 trees/ha and 85±20 trees/ha, respectively). There were fluctuations in the quotients between frequencies of trees in successive diameter classes, which is common in savanna where high levels of fire, mega-herbivore and anthropogenic disturbance are experienced. The extent of stem damage (stripping of bark and breakage) by elephants in the protected area was significantly higher than the extent of harvesting on private land, although the degree of damage was relatively low, with only 7 % of the populations having been damaged at rates >26 %. The degree of harvesting on private land was relatively low, with the majority of trees having been harvested at rates of less than 10 % of the stem below 2 m. Despite this, ringbarking had occurred (4 %). The basal diameters and heights were significantly lower in the protected population than in the harvested one, suggesting that over time elephant impact was the more severe disturbance. Acacia xanthophloea exhibited high resilience to disturbance, with all the elephant damaged trees and harvested individuals surviving. However, the mean bark thickness measured in local markets (6.3±1.4 mm) was significantly lower than that measured in either the harvested (12.4±1.0 mm) or the KNP (10.3±0.8 mm) populations. As harvesters tend to select the largest individuals in a population to maximise their financial returns, this could mean that smaller individuals are being harvested, and/or bark is not being given sufficient time to grow back after harvesting. Acacia xanthophloea outside protected areas thus need to be monitored and the management improved, preferably in conjunction with the resource users. In addition, traditional healers, those selling medicinal plants and other members of the community need to continue to be encouraged to cultivate this fast growing species.
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Gordon, Claire N., Liesl Eichenberger, Paul Vorster, Alison J. Leslie, and Shayne M. Jacobs. "Diet and seasonal dispersal of extralimital giraffe at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Little Karoo, South Africa." Koedoe 58, no. 1 (March 31, 2016). http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v58i1.1346.
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South African giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis giraffa) have been introduced as an extralimital species to private farms in the Little Karoo on the basis of economic sustainability, and the need to create a competitive tourism product. However, little is known about the medium- to long-term impacts and ecological sustainability of such introductions. The diet of a population of giraffe on Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, near the town of Ladismith, was assessed via direct observations between January and October 2014, in order to determine their potential impact on the world’s most species-rich semi-desert, the Succulent Karoo. Unlike giraffe in their native range, the Sanbona population showed seasonal preference for browse species. Acacia karroo (sweet thorn) appears to be the preferred browse species during autumn and spring, with Schotia afra being the preferred species in winter, and no significant preference being shown in summer. Giraffe also appeared to seasonally move between catchments where tree species other than A. karroo occurs, especially during winter and spring when the tributaries of the Brak River, containing mixed Acacia with S. afra (karoo boer-bean) and Euclea undulata (small-leaved guarri), were visited with increasing frequency. These results largely confirm the importance of A. karroo as the main browse species in this environment but also suggest that other species may be important components of the diet of extralimital giraffe in the Little Karoo. On farms where A. karroo is dominant, supplementary feed may be needed when A. karroo browse is unavailable due to leaf drop.Conservation implications: Acacia karroo was the main browse species of extralimital G. c. giraffa at Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, but it switched to S. afra during winter. This suggests that an assessment of alternative food species forms part of suitability assessments for the introduction of extralimital G. c. giraffa for areas similar to Sanbona.
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Botha, J., E. T. F. Witkowski, and C. M. Shackleton. "Harvesting impacts on commonly used medicinal tree species (Catha edulis and Rapanea melanophloeos) under different land management regimes in the Mpumalanga Lowveld, South Africa." Koedoe 47, no. 2 (December 19, 2004). http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v47i2.77.
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Harvesting of products from plants in the wild is widespread throughout southern Africa. Particularly important products are plant parts used in traditional medicine. However, the impacts of harvesting practices are rarely quantified, with as yet insufficient generic rules across species and life forms. This limits the predictive ability to monitor and manage the affected populations. This paper examines the harvesting impact on two popular woody medicinal species used throughout sub-Saharan Africa, namely Catha edulis (Vahl) Forssk. ex Endl. (bushman’s tea) and Rapanea melanophloeos (L.) Mez. (Cape beech). In both species, basal diameters, heights, and the number of size classes in the harvested populations were lower than in unharvested. Densities of harvested populations were higher in both species, including densities of young plants, but the frequency of individuals in larger size classes was lower. The populations of both species being harvested for medicinal products appeared to be withstanding the current levels of harvesting, but the population structure of C. edulis populations being harvested for poles on the roadside and near human settlements had been substantially altered. Despite the resilience of the two species to harvesting for medicinal products, loss of habitat or changes in land use pose a threat to a number of the assessed populations.
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Moreno Chan, Julian, and Fikret Isik. "Genetic Variation in Frost Tolerance, Uromycladium acaciae Rust Resistance, and Growth in an Acacia mearnsii Population." Forest Science, September 6, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/forsci/fxab032.
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Abstract Genetic variation in frost tolerance, resistance to the rust fungus Uromycladium acaciae, growth, stem form, and gummosis were evaluated in 110 open-pollinated families of black wattle (Acacia mearnsii De Wild). Families were tested at six frost-prone sites in northern KwaZulu-Natal and southeastern Mpumalanga, South Africa. Frost-hardy provenances were susceptible to rust disease and had poor growth. Locally grown F1 seed sources that originated from cold-hardy Australian seed sources had better growth and were tolerant to rust, but at a cost of lower frost tolerance. Considerable genetic variation was observed between families within seed sources for frost damage (hfm2 = 0.77), rust incidence (hfm2 = 0.89), and height (hfm2 = 0.80). The corresponding narrow-sense heritabilities (hi2) were 0.30, 0.80, and 0.32. Genotype-by-environment interaction levels were low for most traits. Except for a strong genetic correlation between tree height and diameter (0.90), all the pairs of traits had weak to moderate genetic correlations. Recurrent selection will be successful in improving frost tolerance and rust incidence. However, the current population comprises limited germplasm that is both tolerant to frost and resistant to rust. Thus, we recommend infusing germplasm from known cold-hardy Australian provenances into the current population to increase genetic variation for frost tolerance, rust, and growth. Study Implications Black wattle (Acacia mearnsii De Wild) is widely planted in South Africa for bark extract and woodchip exports. The species is prone to frost damage and susceptible to rust fungus Uromycladium acaciae, two major limitations to its cultivation. In this study, 110 open-pollinated families of black wattle originated from its native range in Australia and local South African seed sources were studied for frost and disease tolerance. The results from this study suggest that there is considerable variation within species for frost tolerance and fungal disease. We suggest a tandem selection strategy for black wattle farming in South Africa to increase resistance to frost damage and fungal diseases.
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Mukandiwa, Lillian, Jacobus N. Eloff, Donald R. Sibanda, and Vinny Naidoo. "An acetone extract of Clausena anisata may be a potential control agent for flies encountered in cutaneous myiasis." Onderstepoort J Vet Res 83, no. 1 (March 9, 2016). http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/ojvr.v83i1.1045.
Full textAbstract:
Clausena anisata is a medicinal plant used traditionally to treat myiasis and as an insect repellent by various communities. We have previously demonstrated the effects of C. anisata extracts on blowfly feeding and development in our laboratory. The impact of C. anisata leaf extracts on populations of different fly species on farms in Mpumalanga, South Africa was investigated in this study under field conditions. Flies were exposed to liver baits treated with acetone leaf extracts of C. anisata (150 mg/mL). Fly numbers and composition on two farms, with and without C. anisata treated liver, were compared during a period of 12 weeks when fly populations were expected to be high. Observations were made on fly behaviour and development, adult sizes and numbers. The flies exposed to liver treated with the leaf extract of C. anisata had a decreased rate of development, prolonged larval period, smaller body sizes and more sluggish behaviour compared to those subjected to the control treatment. No significant differences were, however, found between the numbers and sizes of flies on the treated and on the control farm, which was most likely due to the limited nature of the baiting programme we followed. The effects of C. anisata extracts on blowfly behaviour and development observed in previous laboratory studies were confirmed in this field evaluation. Although the extracts did not have a significant effect on the overall population size in this experiment, we believe that the C. anisata leaf extract could be useful in integrated pest management based on its effect on larval development. In addition, species such as Lucilia cuprina and Chrysomya marginalis seemed to have been repelled by the C. anisata treated liver; as a result, further work should explore this aspect and how it can be used for the protection of animals.
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Brown, L. R., and H. Bezuidenhout. "The vegetation of the farms Ingleside and Welgedacht of the Mountain Zebra National Park, Eastern Cape." Koedoe 48, no. 2 (December 19, 2005). http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/koedoe.v48i2.92.
Full textAbstract:
South Africa is well known for its semi-arid lowland areas that have a distinct flora and species composition. Because ecosystems react differently to different management practices, it is important that a description and classification of the vegetation of an area be done. As part of a vegetation survey programme for the newly acquired farms incorporated into the Mountain Zebra National Park, the vegetation of the Ingleside and Welgedacht sections were surveyed following the Braun-Blanquet approach. From a TWINSPAN classification, refined by Braun-Blanquet procedures, 10 shrub and grassland plant communities, which can be grouped into seven major groups, were identified. A classification and description of these communities, as well as a vegetation map are presented. The diagnostic species as well as the prominent and less conspicuous species of the tree, shrub, herb and grass strata are outlined. The area generally comprises lowland communities and higher-lying communities. The lower-lying communities consist mainly of two communities and comprise the largest proportion of the area in hectares. In contrast, the higher-lying communities are more diverse with specific habitats. Using the Ecological Index Method the veld condition and grazing capacity were calculated for each community and the total study area. Large sections of the lowland areas are overgrazed due to previous farming grazing practices while the higher-lying areas that were less accessible to the animals are in a slightly better condition. Overall this has resulted in the area generally being degraded within a high grazing capacity of 30.1 ha/LSU.