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Articles published from 1984-2014.

Description

Publishes original articles and commentaries on research in the fields of fundamental and applied soil and plant science. Original research papers, short communications including germplasm registrations, relevant book reviews, commentaries on papers recently published and, exceptionally, review articles will be considered for publication in the Journal. Manuscripts considered will address aspects of: Agronomical and Horticultural research including breeding and genetics, cultivar evaluation, management, nutrition, physiology, production, and quality; Soil Science research including biology, chemistry, classification, fertility, mineralogy, pedology and hydropedology, physics, and soil and land evaluation of agricultural and urban ecosystems; Weed Science research including biological control agents, biology, ecology, genetics, herbicide resistance and herbicide-resistant crops, and physiology and molecular action of herbicides and plant growth regulators; Agro-climatology; Agro-ecology; Forage, Pasture and Turfgrass science including production and utilisation; Plant and Soil Systems Modelling; Plant–Microbe Interactions; Plant–Pest Interactions; and Plant–Soil Relationships.

latest article added on October 2013

ArticleFirst AuthorPublished
Oviposition site preferences by Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): effect of season and density on distribution of eggs on plantsZitsanza, E. S.2006

Oviposition site preferences by Helicoverpa armigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): effect of season and density on distribution of eggs on plants

Keywords

African bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, oviposition sites, tomato

Abstract

In an attempt to improve field sampling of the African bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), oviposition behaviour of the pest on tomato plants was investigated. From limited studies conducted in the past, variation in oviposition sites preferences by H. armigera is thought to be seasonally related. This phenomenon has been hypothesized as being associated with seasonal variation in leaf nutritional composition. To further our understanding of the oviposition behaviour of the pest, field studies were conducted to determine oviposition site preferences, the effects of season and infestation density on the distribution of eggs on tomato plant parts. Experimental tomato crops were grown on replicated plots in spring (August to November) and in summer (February to April). Oviposition behaviour was determined by weekly sampling for eggs on tomato crops grown during the above seasons. The second and third compound leaves from the terminal bud and flower clusters at the third inter-node were the most preferred egg laying sites. Chi-square tests indicated that significantly higher percentages of eggs (P < 0.01) were laid on flower clusters in summer compared to spring. As infestation densities increased from low to high, significantly higher proportions of eggs (P < 0.01) were deposited on flower clusters but this relationship was only observed during the first year.

Authors

Zitsanza, E. S., Giga, D. P. and Knight, J. D.

Year Published

2006

Publication

South African Journal of Plant and Soil

Locations
DOI

10.1080/02571862.2006.10634744

This article contributed by:

Original

A family of stochastic models for droughtsZucchini, W.1991

A family of stochastic models for droughts

Keywords

Drought, rainfall, simulation, stochastic model

Abstract

There is no single quantitative definition of a drought; what constitutes a drought depends both on water needs and on storage capabilities. In this paper a family of models is proposed which is sufficiently flexible to cover a range of different situations; the user may select some of the parameters to suit his particular application. The input to the model is a sequence of rainfall values which in turn may be generated by a stochastic model, thus enabling the simulation of a long sequence of rainfall data which allow the user to study the distribution of droughts of any given duration or severity. Several of illustrative examples are given.

Authors

Zucchini, W., Adamson, P. T. and McNeill, L.

Year Published

1991

Publication

South African Journal of Plant and Soil

Locations
    DOI

    10.1080/02571862.1991.10634835

    This article contributed by:

    Original

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