Although South Africa experienced good rainfall in many areas over the past couple of months, with an average rainfall of about 40% less than the annual world average, it is classified as a water scarce country and ranks as one of the 30 driest countries in the world.

South Africa has an average annual rainfall of less than 500 mm. Many farmers rely on rain and groundwater sources to maintain their crops or herds. Farmers that are sustainably inclined are looking into various methods for using water more effectively and wisely. Some of the methods farmers are adopting are:

  • Capturing and storing water by building reservoirs and dams.
  • Using drip irrigation systems to deliver water directly to a plant’s roots to reduce evaporation. Properly installed drip irrigation systems can save up to 80% of water compared to conventional irrigation systems and can even contribute to increased crop yields.
  • Improving irrigation scheduling to optimise timing, volume and frequency of water applications through their systems. Smart water management measures avoid under- or overwatering and farmers need to adapt irrigation schedules to current conditions. Careful monitoring of weather forecasts, soil and plant moisture, as well as evaporation is crucial.
  • Planting drought-tolerant crops that are appropriate to the region’s climate. Plants that are native to arid regions or varieties that have been selected over time for their low water requirements need less water.
  • Dryland farming – many farmers do not irrigate at all but are dependent on rainfall to grow crops. Nonetheless, these farmers also need to look at their production systems and tilling practices to conserve moisture. Conservation agriculture and minimum tillage use specialised implements that partially till the soil but still leave a great deal of crop residue on the surface. The use of cover crops helps to increase water absorption and reduce evaporation, erosion, and soil compaction. Cover crops planted will protect the soil that would otherwise go bare, reduce weed growth and prevent erosion and soil compaction. This allows water to penetrate the soil and improve its water-holding capacity.
  • Rotational grazing can increase the veld’s water absorption capacity and decrease water runoff and erosion.
  • Compost and mulch or decomposed organic matter can act as natural fertilizers. These can improve soil structure and increase the soil’s water-holding capacity.

Using Afrikelp™ LG-1 on crops will enhance root development, plant growth, and increase nutrient and water use efficiency, thus aiding to mitigate a wide range of abiotic stress factors.

 

Afrikelp™ LG-1, is a unique liquid concentrate biostimulant extracted from the freshly harvested South African brown kelp Ecklonia maxima. Afrikelp™ LG-1 improves the dynamic biochemical processes in the plant for optimal plant cell development and can be applied directly to plant leaves through a foliar spray or used to drench the root area of the plant. It can be applied through various stages of plant growth and is also compatible with a wide range of other agricultural products.

The versatility of Afrikelp™ LG-1 makes it suitable for application on a variety of crops. Trials show that the roots on crops treated with Afrikelp™ LG-1 are more numerous and of a better structure than those in untreated controls. With a more established root system, crops can absorb more water and nutrients and are therefore more resilient against disease and harsh environmental conditions. This means that the use of our product can mitigate stress in plants caused by drought, disease or other environmental factors.

“As we commemorate National Water Week which leads to World Water Day on 22 March, Afrikelp ™ would like to reiterate our commitment and passion towards sustainable agriculture and food production. Although product quality is a top priority at Afrikelp, contributing towards sustainable agriculture becomes more important every day. Farmers across the globe are looking for ways to grow more with less, and they are looking at us for sustainable alternatives to meet the demand for food supplies,” says Nicole Hart, Managing Director Afrikelp.