Featured Research: Plants & Soil

  • Story

    UP-UKZN study investigates likelihood of farmers choosing compost made of human poop

    University of Pretoria (UP) researchers lent their expertise to a recent study led by the University of KwaZulu-Natal and found that rural farmers in KwaZulu-Natal are open to buying and using compost made from human sewage as long as they can be sure that it is safe, affordable and works as well as other products on the market.

  • Story

    RE.SEARCH 6: Open

    This issue features research from all of the University of Pretoria's nine faculties and our business school, the Gordan Institute of Business Science (GIBS) and shows how our research is opening a new world and a better future.

  • Infographic

    What do macadamias, artichokes, proteas and dinosaurs have in common?

    University of Pretoria researchers find that the common ancestor of the approximately 100 species of Protea found in South Africa and Australia’s related macadamia nut trees (such as Macadamia integrifolia) and waratah (Telopea speciosissima) dates back to when dinosaurs went extinct.

  • Story

    UP researchers decode genome of king protea

    University of Pretoria (UP) researchers are at the forefront of a very special first for South African plant sciences. They have unravelled the precise genetic make-up of the country’s national flower, the king protea (Protea cynaroides). It is the first plant that’s unique to South Africa – and the species-rich fynbos biome in particular – to have its entire genome sequenced in-depth.

  • Web Series

    Fairy circles

    In this episode, we learn about a theory from researchers at the University of Pretoria that could explain 'fairy circles' in Namibia. The answer may be in a theory proposed by Prof Don Cowan. He explains more in this episode.

  • Story

    Microorganisms could be the cause of ‘fairy circle’ phenomenon – UP microbiologists

    University of Pretoria (UP) scientists have posited a theory that could explain the tens of thousands of “fairy circles” that can be seen dotted across the arid landscape of Namibia.

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