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Determining the impact of variable rate application of seed and fertiliser on biomass and yield of canola and wheat in the Swartland region of South Africa
Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2026.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613858723528704 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Van Santen, Pieter Johannes |
| author2 | Swanepoel, P. A. |
| author_browse | Swanepoel, P. A. Van Santen, Pieter Johannes |
| author_facet | Swanepoel, P. A. Van Santen, Pieter Johannes |
| author_sort | Van Santen, Pieter Johannes |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135654 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:42:49.487Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135654 Determining the impact of variable rate application of seed and fertiliser on biomass and yield of canola and wheat in the Swartland region of South Africa Van Santen, Pieter Johannes Swanepoel, P. A. Delport, M. Stellenbosch University. Faculty of AgriSciences. Dept. of Agronomy. Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. Van Santen, P. J. 2026. Determining the impact of variable rate application of seed and fertiliser on biomass and yield of canola and wheat in the Swartland region of South Africa. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/47bb83e9-7ba6-4168-816e-38c3a014c9ad Precision agriculture has emerged as a crucial methodology in commercial crop production, facilitating producers in managing intra-field variability and enhancing input utilisation efficiency. Variable rate technology facilitates the geographical modulation of seeding and fertiliser applications based on soil and crop conditions, potentially enhancing profitability while minimising unnecessary input costs. This study examines the impact of varying seeding rates and nitrogen fertilisation on the performance of wheat and canola in the Swartland region of the Western Cape by evaluating biomass production, yield, and vegetation indices. The study addresses the need for site-specific management in an environment characterised by highly variable precipitation patterns, shallow soils, and significant yield disparities over short distances. Extensive field trials were conducted utilising equipment capable of collecting real-time application data, augmented by NDVI images and in-situ biomass sampling. Wheat was subjected to various planting rates and nitrogen treatments administered during distinct topdressing sessions. Canola trials adhered to analogous spatial management ideas. Statistical analyses included repeated measurements techniques and one-way analysis of variance to assess treatment effects on biomass, yield, and NDVI patterns. The seeding rate in wheat did not significantly affect yield, higher plant densities resulted in slightly elevated NDVI values during the early and mid-season stages. Nitrogen fertilisation assumed a more significant function. The second topdressing increased yield by more than 13% relative to the control, while total nitrogen applied throughout the season increased production by as much as 26% in the highest treatment. NDVI exhibited anticipated physiological trends, demonstrating a significant increase from germination to peak biomass development, followed by a subsequent fall as the crop neared maturity. Biomass samples indicated large increases throughout growth phases, although they did not exhibit significant variation among treatments. Canola responded favourably to site-specific management; however, the association between biomass and NDVI was affected by reduced NDVI accuracy during flowering, attributable to spectral interference from yellow petals. The global literature supports the effectiveness of variable-rate seeding and fertilisation in canola; however, information from South Africa is limited. The findings indicate that variable rate nitrogen management yields the most significant advantages for wheat and serves as a promising strategy for both crops in the Swartland. The study underscores the necessity of additional localised research to enhance precision management solutions for these production systems. Masters 2026-04-07T08:54:34Z 2026-04-07T08:54:34Z 2026-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135654 en Stellenbosch University 67 pages application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Van Santen, Pieter Johannes Determining the impact of variable rate application of seed and fertiliser on biomass and yield of canola and wheat in the Swartland region of South Africa |
| title | Determining the impact of variable rate application of seed and fertiliser on biomass and yield of canola and wheat in the Swartland region of South Africa |
| title_full | Determining the impact of variable rate application of seed and fertiliser on biomass and yield of canola and wheat in the Swartland region of South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Determining the impact of variable rate application of seed and fertiliser on biomass and yield of canola and wheat in the Swartland region of South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Determining the impact of variable rate application of seed and fertiliser on biomass and yield of canola and wheat in the Swartland region of South Africa |
| title_short | Determining the impact of variable rate application of seed and fertiliser on biomass and yield of canola and wheat in the Swartland region of South Africa |
| title_sort | determining the impact of variable rate application of seed and fertiliser on biomass and yield of canola and wheat in the swartland region of south africa |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135654 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT vansantenpieterjohannes determiningtheimpactofvariablerateapplicationofseedandfertiliseronbiomassandyieldofcanolaandwheatintheswartlandregionofsouthafrica |