Featured Research: Sustainability

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UP researcher discovers two new dung beetle species which don't roll balls or use dung

Over the past two decades, field trips in search of dung beetles have taken University of Pretoria (UP) doctoral student Christian Deschodt across Southern Africa. But it was a well-trodden walk to fetch his kids from school, a mere 1,5km from his home near Hartbeespoort, that saw him stumble upon an entirely new species.

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Meet Hathoronthophagus spinosa and Onthophagus pragtig

In another paper, Deschodt described yet another new species. Onthophagus pragtig most likely only feeds on the innards of dead millipedes. It is one of 20 species that is part of a small group of dung beetles in the genus Onthophagus. All other species in this group are known to prefer feeding on the soft internal organs (or viscera) of dead millipedes.

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Why do dung beetles rock when they don't roll?

Dung beetles likely date back to Africa some 40 million years ago. They then spread across the world, except to Antarctica. Most dung beetles feed on dung. They lay their eggs in dung balls that are buried underground so that their developing larvae have enough food and easy access to it. Their digging helps to nourish and loosen the soil, and improves its water-holding capacity.

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UP and CSIR pioneer maps for maize farmers to enable precision weeding

In a first for precision agriculture, University of Pretoria (UP) researchers, in association with collaborators from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), have produced maps of smallholder farms in Gauteng that highlight maize plants in green and weeds in red. The maps were shared with farmers to enable them to pinpoint and eradicate weeds with more precision.

Lecture

Harnessing molecular techniques to advance horse health

Molecular techniques have revolutionised horse management and health and have provided practical solutions to complex problems in the various horse disciplines internationally. Molecular-based parentage verification systems were standardised internationally in the 1990s and are now widely applied in most horse breeds. These systems now include tests for genetic diseases and performance traits....

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Satellites can create simple maps that distinguish between weeds and maize

Farmers not only save time and money by cutting down the cost and effort required to manage weeds, but also limit the environmental impact of using harmful weed-killing chemicals by using satellite data and imagery.