PHC Content

Why it matters (80-100 words) Palmer amaranth is one of the world’s most aggressive and herbicide-resistant weeds and it has arrived in South Africa. First identified in the Northern Cape in 2018, this weed has since spread to Limpopo and North West, with signs of resistance to widely used herbicides like glyphosate. If left unchecked,

Why it matters Herbicide-resistant weeds are becoming a major challenge in the Western Cape, especially for farmers practising conservation agriculture. Overreliance on herbicides is no longer sustainable, and alternative weed control methods are urgently needed. One such approach, Harvest Weed Seed Control (HWSC), targets weeds at harvest before their seeds return to the soil. HWSC

Why It Matters The National Grain Research Platform (NGRP) is a strategic initiative designed to unify South Africa’s grain research efforts across government, academia, and industry. Established in 2021, the NGRP fosters collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in grain production. It addresses critical challenges such as climate change, biosecurity, and digitisation, while promoting human capital development

Why it matters Timely identification of pests and diseases is critical to protecting crop yields and producer livelihoods. This project, based at the Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), provides expert pest and disease diagnostic services to all grain and oilseed producers in South Africa. By offering free pest and disease diagnostic services, building a

Why it matters Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) is a major biosecurity threat to maize production in South Africa. With no natural containment and limited local data on its seasonal patterns, this pest has rapidly spread across key maize-producing regions, causing significant yield losses. This project focuses on understanding when and where fall armyworm populations peak,