Featured Research: Economy & Business

Photo

Satellite images classifying the different plant growth patterns and varieties

This classification map shows the different types of plants in a crop field in various areas in Gauteng. The legend shows red for weeds, green for maize and yellow for mixed growth areas.

Infographic

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.

Story

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.

Story

RE.SEARCH 9: What if? 

RE.SEARCH 9 is our most novel edition yet. In it, we have featured research that encourages us to think afresh, and is doing so, we’ve highlighted new ways of looking at research. You can expect to read about research that has potential and promise for the future but which is still nascent or represents an educated guess. This edition also features a range of multimedia that you can immerse...

Story

UP scientist issues urgent call for clean-up of toxic Krugersdorp mine dumps

Young children in Krugersdorp are breathing in uranium, arsenic and mercury fumes wafting over from abandoned legacy mines, while pollutants are seeping into the groundwater and nearby dams and lakes, cautions Dr Alseno Kagiso Mosai, a water remediation expert at the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Department of Chemistry.

Gallery

The legacy of acid mine dumps

The mining companies responsible for the pollution are often nowhere to be seen, but many Acid Mine Drainage clean-up technologies do exist. Clean-ups should take place in order to protect the right of citizens to a healthy environment and clean water.