In order to maintain profitable production of useful industrial
crops, the Crop Science research focus area is equipped to study the importance
of soil and crop cultivation practices in different environments on the growth,
yield and quality of our mandated crops.
Fully equipped soil, water and plant analytical laboratories
support researchers and farmers with data useful on fertilizer recommendations
to optimise efficient use of expensive fertilisers.
Both commercial and small-scale producers are provided with
optimum cultivation packages for cultivars in South Africa. Continuous testing
programmes are conducted on newly bred or imported cultivars at different
planting dates, plant populations and fertility levels to support the
information data banks. Sensitivity of newly released cultivars to herbicides
and the effectiveness of weed control programmes are continuously tested.
