About Antonius

I studied agriculture at the University of Stellenbosch in South Africa in 1984 and completing my M.Sc Agric. in 1998. . My love for "Controlled Environmental Agriculture" (CEA), started in my third year when I was exposed to the Welgevallen Research Station. There Prof. P.C.Maree showed us what hydroponics and vegetable farming consisted of. It was awesome. There were no large tractors involved, no dusty fields, no uncontrollable storms to destroy your crop (well that is what I thought). Since then I put hydroponics and other aspects of horticulture to much better use, not just farming. We solved pollution problems by cleaning mines effluent with hydroponics and permaculture. They were used to remove toxic metals to produce clean water (which we sold and make more money of than the produce). What I learned from 1987 I tried to compile in this website and I hope it is from some value to the serious commercial farmer that wants to take the journey into Commercial Farming.

How to control weeds in green beans

By |2024-12-18T13:22:31+00:00February 8, 2017|Green beans|

There are 20 herbicides registered for controlling weeds in Phaseolus vulgaris. These are registered for Dry Beans, however, they should be applicable to green beans as well.  These herbicides differ with regard to stage and method of application and the spectrum of weeds they control.  These herbicides in combination with each [...]

Fall armyworm – big threat to South African farmers

By |2017-02-12T15:16:43+00:00February 7, 2017|Insects|

The Fall Armyworm is native to the US and northern parts of South America (Argentina).  I think that everyone is quite surprised to find it in central Africa and especially South Africa.  The spread of Fall Armyworm in to South Africa can be attributed to globalization and we will have to [...]

Effect of salt stress on bush beans

By |2024-12-18T13:25:56+00:00February 5, 2017|Green beans|

We know that the quality of irrigation water is slowly deteriorating in South Africa. The salt content of water is ever increasing due to uncontrolled mining activities, heavy industrial effluent being dumped into rivers and intensive agricultural practices.  At the end, the grower is becomes limited in what can commercially be grown [...]

Bacterial diseases of green beans

By |2024-12-18T13:29:25+00:00January 24, 2017|Green beans|

Important green bean bacterial diseases and their control Here is a warning to all prospective growers; green beans are quite susceptible to diseases. Just like other fast growing soft leaf vegetables, you have to be on your toes and look at warning signs. Although preventative sprays is the easiest way [...]

Virus diseases of green beans

By |2017-05-18T13:49:47+00:00January 23, 2017|Green beans|

Virus diseases of green beans Virus diseases of green beans is a problem in the open field. As viruses cannot move by themselves, they need a host or vector to hitch a ride. Two main methods of transportation or distribution are insects and humans.  Insects are the most difficult to [...]

Fungal diseases of green beans

By |2017-02-11T15:50:05+00:00January 23, 2017|Green beans|

Fungal diseases of green beans Damping off Damping off is caused by various fungi. The most common fungi that show symptoms of damping off are Rhizoctonia root rot (Rhizoctonia solani), Pythium Root Rot (Pythium spp.), Phytophthora root rot (Phytophthora spp.) and Black root rot (Thielaviopsis basicola).  The first symptoms are a weak stand. It [...]

Basic horticulture of growing green beans

By |2017-09-15T13:41:53+00:00August 28, 2016|Green beans|

Green beans, or scientifically known as Phaseolus vulgaris L. is part of the family known as Fabaceae (Leguminosae) or legumes. Green beans can be grouped with potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage and onions in terms of their importance in human nutrition. It is not a niche crop such as cherry tomatoes so it [...]

Weed Management and control

By |2017-02-09T06:36:14+00:00May 9, 2016|Weeds|

Successful open field crop production depends on good weed management practices.  Controlling weeds forms part of the total crop management program which includes other activities such as pest and disease management and general hygiene.  The planning of a weed management control program is much easier than planning pest and disease management [...]

Soil-herbicide interactions

By |2017-02-10T12:10:13+00:00May 9, 2016|Herbicides|

Soil-herbicide chemical degradation The soil-herbicde chemical decomposition are those processes that are not influenced by microbes.  Chemical breakdown processes are Oxidation Reduction Hydrolysis Herbicides that are applied in wet soils with low oxygen will not be degraded through oxidation since those soils have low oxygen levels. Physical processes of herbicide degradation [...]

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