NEWS
cereal crop and such a crop may not be
sold in market.
Invasive weed species
From time to time, agriculture is faced
with an invasive weed species like the
Amaranthus palmeri or Palmer amaranth
that entered South Africa probably
in 2016. It is frightening species
because of its resistance to glyphosate
and a lot of other herbicide active ingredients.
Imagine if this weed invades the
GM maize areas of South Africa: it may
bring maize production to a total standstill
due the impossible task of controlling
it and that will be devastating to the
nation’s food security.
General resistance against herbicides
Some weed species in South Africa
have developed resistance against
some herbicides and cause headaches
for farmers that grow cereal crops. Rye
grass, wandering Jew and fleabane species
are some of our current challenges.
It may not seem a real threat to food
security but if left uncontrolled these
species may eventually take over large
tracks of arable land and impact on productivity
and profitability that leads to
lower yields.
Every little drop in the bucket adds
to the concern for food security and
not just the large-scale challenges like
Palmer amaranth.
Global production losses due to weeds
It is estimated that weeds account for
as much as 40% of global crop losses.
It is alarming that such a large impact
is looming if weed control is left in the
background. Weeds often harbour the
insect pests that da
some areas the weed
that harvesting the c
ly impossible.
Vertebrate pests
Rodents are the ma
that impacts on fo
some bird species
sporadically have d
on grains such as w
millet. A three and
flock of red-billed
short work of a 40
and leave nothing t
mice are pests of sto
it has been mooted
as much as 20 millio
grains in Africa alon
suming grain that is
livestock and poultry
are also vectors for d
like Salmonella and
may cause life-threa
human beings.
Plant diseases
During the plant’s g
prone to fungal, ba
fections. Some viral
banana bunchy top
dangerous and can
of bananas. Fungal
controlled but it nee
scouting programm
an eye on the weat
ium, to mention bu
a dreaded plant dis
crop in no time at al
It is omnipresent lik
lies waiting for the c
climatic conditions t
a crop. The list of fu
fully long but fortuna
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