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The effect of compost and biofertilisers on vegetable yield and development
Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2025.
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613945342197760 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Du Toit, Jan Stephanus |
| author2 | Kempen, Estelle |
| author_browse | Du Toit, Jan Stephanus Kempen, Estelle |
| author_facet | Kempen, Estelle Du Toit, Jan Stephanus |
| author_sort | Du Toit, Jan Stephanus |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132189 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:44:12.049Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/132189 The effect of compost and biofertilisers on vegetable yield and development Du Toit, Jan Stephanus Kempen, Estelle Swanepoel, Pieter Andreas Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Agronomy. Biofertilizers Growth (Plants) Compost Vegetables -- Productivity Crop yields -- Quality -- Agriculture Soil amendments Soils -- Health UCTD Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2025. du Toit, J. S. 2025. The Effect of Compost and Biofertilisers on Vegetable Yield and Development. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/86271769-2877-4e4f-9c24-7ff2ea0bd807 ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The current rate at which we consume mineral resources is not sustainable. We must investigate methods to increase the number of organic inputs we use during food production. This will reduce the demand for chemical fertilisers, which have secondary benefits. For example, reduced transportation of fertilisers will reduce congestion on roads and lower fuel prices. Other benefits include reducing waste and improving environmental health. One alternative to chemical fertilisation is the use of biofertilisers. These products are made from organic matter and contain microbes that improve plant growth in some way. These can include microbes that have been selected for their ability to form symbiotic relationships with plants—other biofertilisers out-compete pests for binding sites of plants or antagonising pathogens. Compost is another alternative to chemical fertilisation and can significantly reduce waste production. The composting process renders compost pathogen-free and should prevent the spread of weeds in the production system. However, this is only possible if it is done correctly. Yield was not significantly affected by any of the treatments. Treatment three received half the fertiliser that the other treatments received. This indicates that compost may reduce the need for fertiliser. Leaf calcium (Ca²⁺) and potassium (K+) ion levels were also highest in treatment three on average. These results indicate that compost has the potential to reduce the fertiliser input of vegetable production while not influencing yield. Future studies should investigate the optimum fertiliser-to-compost ratio to produce vegetables in the most efficient way possible. Compost was also shown to increase the carbon content of the soil. This can improve the soil’s water-holding capacity as well as the soil’s chemical and biological properties. Despite the positive results regarding compost's suitability in soil-based vegetable production, the production of compost and biofertilisers needs to be regulated. They can contain undesirable chemicals, such as salts, which can accumulate with repeated applications. However, if regulations are established and protocols are adhered to compost and biofertilisers have the potential to sustain or improve vegetable production efficiency while reducing environmental impacts. AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar. Masters 2025-05-29T08:35:02Z 2025-05-29T08:35:02Z 2025-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132189 Stellenbosch University xiii, 70 pages : illustrations application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Biofertilizers Growth (Plants) Compost Vegetables -- Productivity Crop yields -- Quality -- Agriculture Soil amendments Soils -- Health UCTD Du Toit, Jan Stephanus The effect of compost and biofertilisers on vegetable yield and development |
| title | The effect of compost and biofertilisers on vegetable yield and development |
| title_full | The effect of compost and biofertilisers on vegetable yield and development |
| title_fullStr | The effect of compost and biofertilisers on vegetable yield and development |
| title_full_unstemmed | The effect of compost and biofertilisers on vegetable yield and development |
| title_short | The effect of compost and biofertilisers on vegetable yield and development |
| title_sort | effect of compost and biofertilisers on vegetable yield and development |
| topic | Biofertilizers Growth (Plants) Compost Vegetables -- Productivity Crop yields -- Quality -- Agriculture Soil amendments Soils -- Health UCTD |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/132189 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT dutoitjanstephanus theeffectofcompostandbiofertilisersonvegetableyieldanddevelopment AT dutoitjanstephanus effectofcompostandbiofertilisersonvegetableyieldanddevelopment |