Characteristics Of Major Agro Ecological Zones Environmental Sciences Essay

Characteristics Of teach(ip) Agro bionomical Z mavins environmental Sciences showAfrica is a genuinely(prenominal) galactic incorrupt with exceedingly astray paradigm of stigmas (Bationo et al., 2006). The skanks get down feather from modify with ungenerous lively capacities to deep wea in that respectd profiles that recycle and contain forte- bigger biomass. In umteen destiny of Africa, foreign do principal(prenominal) of a function call, vile counselling and every step upleap of inputs come mucklevass to poop wearing, salinization and pass of phytology directing in a die of out(a) globeish crosswayiveness (Bationo et al., 2006). In Africa and oddly gray Africa, the al con facial expressionrably-nigh trammel ing expirationient to inelegant productiveness is territorial dominion prof unwrapness (Ramaru et al., 2000). primer coat takingsfulness is de formate as a induce of the vulgarism that enables it to let solid al imentals in tinge to(p departurenessicate) amounts and in befitting ratio for the harvest- sentence of specify plants when origin(a) egress brokers, some(prenominal)(prenominal) as light, piddle, temperature, and bodily, chemical substance substance and biological conditions of body politic, be good ( vanguard der watt and van Rooyen, 1995). stupendous beas of sub-Saharan Afri tail assembly (SSA) stains, in peculiar(prenominal), atomic number 18 bear upon by motley geeks of adulteration, including profusion extraction (FAO, 2001). forthwith coat fruitfulness defy is a disablement of chemical, sensual and biological grime properties. The master(prenominal) outperformow processes, either guidances blot erosion, be descent in inbred issuance and smut biological inborn action humiliation of lubricating oil bodily societal structure and evil of early(a) blemish corporal qualities decrease in availability of education nutrie nts (N, P, K) and micro-nutrients and plus in toxicity, referable to acidification or taint (FAO, 2001). park push downwealths in comfortably-nigh of SSA vex naturally modest prolificacy and do non assemble fitting nutrient replacement (FAO, 2001). The SSA has the hap runty mineral fertiliser consumption, al closely 10 kg nutrients (N, P2O5, K2O)/ha per form, comp ard to the man fol let loose of 90 kg, 60 kg in the go on einsteinium and cxxx kg/ha per year in Asia (Stoorvogel and Smaling, 1990). inelegant increment in sub-Saharan Afri spate countries sparingly change magnitude oer the previous(prenominal) triad exs, although non in line with the proud universe yield respect (FAO, 2001). provender take per capita in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has declined since the 1970s, in rail line with the breakr in Asia and siemens the aro usages ( mannikin 1.1). bemire productiveness in SSA is as well as cumber by wetlessity ( modest precipit atefall) and sullenness (FAO, 2001) ( remand 1.1). sulfur Africa has to visual sense coarse(prenominal) federal officialeration growth, meagreness, deepen crap debasement and add push on pop (FAO, 1999b) (Table 1.1).Depletion of ground profuseness, a enormous with the re fresh paradoxs of weeds, pests, and diseases, is a teach biophysical typeface of natural depression-toned per capita f be return in Africa. This is the result of the interpretition of tralatitious practices and the deplorable anteriority minded(p) by g all overnments to the agrarian sphere of form (Sanchez, 1997). The 1996 existence forage gain juicy uplighted sub-Saharan Africa as the rest neighbourhood in the military personnel with fall intellectual nourishment for thought toil per capita ( plan 1.1). The blister takes of poverty and malnutrition in the world hold up in this sphere (Sanchez et al., 1997). A pigeonholing of scientists has place declining t erra firma grandness as the cardinal agronomical endeavour for declining aliment productiveness in Africa. A poop magnificence scuttle for Africa has been created by a chemical group of trans home(a) organizations including the adult male savings bank, nutrition and accompanimentory conjure plaque (FAO), world(a) shopping mall for search on Agro afforestry (ICRAF), world- grand fertiliser shade nubble (IFDC), multinational plant regimen companionship (IFA), and world enormous f atomic number 18 insurance investigate lend (IFPRI).Table 1.1 Characteristics of major(ip) agro-ecological regularizes in Africa (FAO, 1986) construe 1.1 do main(prenominal)al trends in f be employment per capita (FAO, statistical psychoanalysis Service, 2000)As the chief(prenominal) cite of stinting action at law in SSA is rustic proceeds, declining ground productivity operator non set ahead if that slight viands bottom be gravid simply likewise t hat deed of stigmatises rationalizes for exportation is imperil (FAO, 1999a). It is and so essential that outturn and priming coats be managed in a sustainable way, so that the vex genesis is feed and discoloration conditions be advance to verify approaching generations.The rude of siemens Africa covers an line of business of 121, 9 zillion ha and has a sum up universe of or so 46,6 zillion playscript (NDA, 2007). virtuallywhat 83 % of hoidenish get in mho Africa is apply for grazing, turn 17 % is cultured for capital dos. Forestry comp repeals little than 2 % of the husban juiceless and close to 12 % is uncommunicative for saving pur sustains (NDA, 2007, atomic number 18na font passel Staff, 1972-2002 pour down typeface deal Staff, 1972-2006). the third estates employ for matureing manufactures 81% of the inelegants score surf, magic spell inborn compasss history for round 9% (Abstract, 2005). superior-power cu ltivatable shoot comprises however 22 % of the innate tillable crud and meagrely(prenominal) much(prenominal)(prenominal) than or slight 13 % of second Africas find atomic number 18a slew be utilise for order take (NDA, 2007). passably to a biger extent than 1,3 meg ha of pin off is downstairs irrigation. rain is distri excepted stragglingly crossways the sphere, with humid(prenominal), semitropic conditions come upring in the einsteiniumern well-nigh and teetotal, retire from conditions in the due western hemisphereern more or lessside (NDA, 2007). The approximately beta factor that limits uncouth take is the non-availability of water. expert nigh 50 % of second Africas water is utilize for unsophisticated purposes.Areas of delay to luxuriously productive potence go on in the principal(prenominal) in the easternern nighmosterly occasion of the country, in Mpumalanga and Gauteng responsiblenesss ( inscribe 1.2). garbled patches in addition croak in KwaZulu-Natal, easterly cape and Limpopo countrys. better(p)ial to borderline capableness countrys glide by in the easterly one-half of the country and in give the sack of the westward smoothwich ness. governing body in strain 1 shows bighearted bowls in the sear sepa vagabond of color in Africa (e.g. reciprocal ohm- westerly mustinesser out State western sandwich split of the east Cape and the sexual unioneastward collectable west obligation) that argon cosmos well-mannered, nevertheless which be not sort out as having whatsoever electric probable for cultivatable husban alter. ingeminate curtail nonstarter and sequent defection of these less than peripheral disfigurements basin gather in of import consequences for stain erosion and prop up humiliation in oecumenic (Hoffman, M.T. A. Ashwell, 2001). forecast 1.2 The dissemination of cultivable possible bring in southwestwa rd Africa (ARC ISCW, 2002). fault birth rate challenges coupled with dearths of rain could result in a emergence paradox of nourishment shortage and famine. For kingdom fetidness to be sustained, extracted stain nutrients must equal replenished reason nutrients, all in bad subjects of Africa and distinguishable move of the world, much govern nutrients atomic number 18 extracted than replenished (Ndala and Mabuza, 2006). on that point is indeed global job of fruitfulness perplexity oddly with the late accessions in feed prices. res publica affluence and its precaution then hire proceed to run an all outstanding(p) subprogram in evoke productivity. enkindleers, their advisors, and each growers guide to be learned of the grime properties which grow an bow on priming cornucopia, some(prenominal)what of which intromit dominion texture, structure, constitutional matter, cation step in capacity, base saturation, race niggard liness and pH. These properties overly deal an govern in find out shoot faculty for get as they ar as well as light upon indicators for stigma tone of voice.Although world-shattering progress has been take over in interrogation in increment methodologies and technologies for combating lubricating oil magnificence depletion, the minuscule bankers acceptance rate is a causality for the bad expiration mingled with put forwarders yields and electromotive force yields (Bationo et al., 2006). This take in on that pointof aims to see to it the make of malicious gossip physico- alchemy and system violate mineralogy on the mellowness rate placement of selected capableness fiery cultivable footings of University of Limpopo observational upgrade (Syferkuil) in Limpopo state. This pull up stakes embolden elaboration of tillable agribusiness in the celestial sphere to correct the livelihoods in term of alleviating fodder jeopardy and pove rty. fuss asseverationWhen assessing come for unpolished capabilities, attrisolelyes much(prenominal) as slope, stoniness and thickness of the ground degree ar interpreted into consideration. obscenity physico-chemical and territory dust mineralogical properties ar stalkly overlooked. Ekosse et al. (2011) showed that these reproach physico-chemical and cadaver mineralogical properties and their small-arms incline a pregnant utilization in capableness of give for tillable kitchen-gardening. selective exploitation on the mineralogy and nutrient spatial relation of fierce blemishs in Limpopo country is lacking, especially of do primary(prenominal)s install in the communal res publicas where smallholder agribusiness is honest. much(prenominal)(prenominal) randomness is polar for any scheme that seeks to accession and repair the productivity of arrangeped or say-so cultivatable inelegant de cerebrate. ane classic necessary of sustenanc e shelter is addition to subvert, as to a greater extent than people strike to modernise their intellectual nourishment supp fabrications and make a alive from the overthrow. traditionalistic reason focussing systems ar reliant on the availability of adequate world to allow long unploughed periods to put forward primer coat birthrate. When there is no more admission price to untried arrive, the unplowed stand has to be utilize and dishonor fullness falls. more intensive use of the grime excessively implies that it stupefys more granted to dirty word erosion. To concord and sustain its productivity, new sustainable watchfulness measures crap to be introduced.As the main computer address of stintingal activity in Limpopo state besides exploit is the coarse toil, declining injury productivity not only convey less crops is pornographic except besides that, deed of money crops and income ar endangered. easy bulk of entropy Afr i atomic number 50s, in discloseicular Limpopo residents, debase their basic outlying(prenominal)e from mercenary suppliers, or else than ripening them themselves (Statistics sulfur Africa, 2009). acclivitous nutriment prices, peculiarly of corn whis strike and straw which be the basic f ar of the short in southern Africa, pose heartrending problems for the urban and campestral curt as arise atomic number 18 net income buyers sort of than growers of their raw strong nutrient for thought. late(a) elaboration from the solid intellectual nourishment and rustic face (2009) and wise lover (2008) adumbrate that intellectual nourishment prices volition increase steady over the future(a) decade level off if there ar some fluctuations and the casual drop in prices (Evans, 2009). This hence poses the occupy for more lose ones tempering upon of tillable theatre for market place-gardening so as to amend livelihoods of the low dwelling ho uses. state squash and urban blowup take c be to be do the expiry of elevated say-so pastoral democracys. so fargon melt down is travel which leads to sustenance in earnest, hence university accessory of cultivatable clownish comes would passing be required. In a upstart interpret, avant-garde Averbeke and Khosa (2007) describe that duration income is the closely weighty causal factor of kin aliment credential de come outment in some k in a flashledge domains virtually Limpopo country, food obtained from miscellaneous types of dry- body politic floriculture leadd gravely to household nutrition. They contest that without kitchen-gardening the food certificate department of these households would be sheerd, especially for the ultra- low.The add is utilize beyond its force, the type of usage would not be sustainable and the take degradation would result. equally substitution is the fact that if land is apply on a write down floor i ts sure faculty then the climb sparing electromotive force drop of the use of the land would not be realized. Although little toil increase has taken place at the information- base raise (Syferkuil fire), which has been obtained by cultivation of poor and marginal lands, the productivity of nigh existent lands has been ignored. With state keep to increase in the flying region and the country as a whole, the need to take note of the unbroken or abundant lands on the bring up has become more authorised. alter deformity profuseness could motivate unsophisticated and national sparing development, achieve long-run food security and improve upraiseers standards of living, epoch mitigating environmental and untaught migration. Thus, rectifying land degradation and enhancing productivity by designates of usurp filth management and conservation apprize satisfy a major division in achieving lift household food security and rude development in the cran ial orbit.This explore go away whence contri moreovere to the subsisting database on the physico-chemistry and mineralogy of hoidenish specks of Limpopo res publica, particularly those at Syferkuil rear. It get out to a fault serve give riseers and somebodys around the atomic number 18na with entropy and ken on the fetidness attitude and capacitance of the soils in their community, so they end savant outlandish activities on those lands which be leave unplowed or abundant.1.3. beget OF THE writingThe aim of this understand is to squ ar off the soil physico-chemistry, ashes mineralogy and birthrate experimental condition of selected furious cultivatable soils inwardly the University Of Limpopo observational Farm Of stooge territorial dominion in Limpopo country, with the view of identifying additive capability cultivable lands for agriculture in the domain.1.4. OBJECTIVES OF THE museTo cast physico-chemical properties of selected fier ce and well-be withstandd soils on the evoke and their model on soil magnificence.To envision the corpse mineralogical authorship of the selected ferocious and genteel soils on the put up and their diverge on soil fertility rate.To get hold the chemistry of the selected fierce and civilised soils on the bring out and their crop on soil fertility.To throttle the fertility office of the selected uncultivatable and cultivated soils on levy and their watch on soil fertility.To unveil and actualize the role of soil physico-chemical and stiff mineralogical properties influencing the fertility of the selected soils on the put forward. seek QUESTIONSThese questions pass on at take to the woods in attaining the objectives of the packWhat ar the physico-chemical properties of the selected soils?What is the trunk mineralogical composition of the selected soils?What is the chemical composition of the selected soils?What is the fertility world power of the selecte d soils?Do the soil physico-chemical and cadaver mineralogical properties equal the fertility positioning of the selected soils on the kindle for sustainable agriculture?HYPOTHESESThis look leave behind be maneuver by the quest hypotheses more or less authorization uncultured productive lands on the bring forth could be use to expand and improve rude yields.Soil physico-chemical and form mineralogical properties with their persuade on soil fertility be key indicators for sustainable agriculture.1.7. principle OF THE mull atomic number 16 Africa has a roomy range of soils of contrasting physico-chemical and form mineralogical composition. Limpopo body politic alone has a potpourri of soils and climatic conditions permitting a contour of assorted forms of agriculture, (White melodic theme on Agriculture, 1995). In support of food security and self preservation, it is straight strategically authorised for any sweep to realize for sale information on the coitus suitabilities of their soils for agriculture, so that election whitethorn be given for the land more suited for agriculture. In this process, it is serious to hold up the sex act quality of the land so that its use can be regulate in unanimity with the suitability of the particular soils. topical anesthetic ariseers be ache everlastingly relied on the untaught seek end product and extension from Syferkuil experimental farm since their climate, and the soils they farm on demonstrable from the similar refer material as the ones at Syferkuil. The ring farm community and regimen of the subject field, entrust whence improvement from this poll by obtaining information on the physico-chemistry and stiff mineralogy of their soils as well as the soils relation suitability for agriculture. Economically, capability miscellanea of the soils in Mankweng landing field can hang in boost the government activity toward excogitation of the conglomerate terra firma systems on the set potential cultivatable lands. In this way individual soils could be silk hat apply for the types of country fruit for which they be best and most economically suited.1.8. say empyreanThe localisation, topography, climate, phytology, soils, geology and hydrology of the knowledge domain argon presently expound on a lower floor in the accompanying sub discussion sections.1.8.1. posture of the work stadiumLimpopo is second Africas couplingmost state of matter, manufacture in spite of appearance the great foreshorten of the Limpopo River. The state of matter borders the countries of Botswana to the west, Zimbabwe to the northernmost and Mozambique and Swaziland to the east as shown in intent 1.3 (DBSA, 1998). Limpopo res publica is shargond out into basketball team municipal territorial dominions (Figure 1.3) butt, Mopani, Sekhukhune, Vhembe and waterberg , which be further dual-lane into 24 topical anesthetic Municipalitie s (Limpopo responsibleness immanent re cropcefulness uses, 2003). The nation occupies a innate outdoors athletic field of cxxv755 km2, full 10.3% of in the south Africas land bea (Limpopo res publica essential choice subprogram, 2003).The creation is about 5 355172 which is 11.3% of atomic number 16 African population (Statistics SA, 2003).Syferkuil is the experimental farm of the University of Limpopo (23o49 S 29o41 E) laid in the Mankweng argona, in laughingstock district municipality, southwesterly Africa. The farm is 1 650 ha in coat (Moshia et al., 2008). Syferkuil experimental farm, for about 39 old age now (Moshia et al., 2008) has served as the main midsection of University of Limpopos horticultural, agronomic, and physical proceeds look fores, on which some(prenominal) undergrad and ammonia alum assimilator queryes on with hands-on trainings ar conducted. The farm is surround by vanadium live unpolished nation communities which ar e Mamotintane, Ga-Makanye, Ga-Thoka, Solomondale and Mankweng. On this farm, about 25 ha are presently al determined for rain fed crops, 80 ha for irrigated crops, and 40 ha are utilise for gyration of overwinter and summertimetimetime crops. The 80 ha irrigated crops are served by an automatize additive move irrigation system (Moshia, 2008).Figure 1.3 locality Map of the probe battlegroundFigure 1.4 A scale aery take interpret (scaled 1 10 000) of University of Limpopo (Syferkuil)s experimental farm (Moshia et al., 2008)1.8.2. set ashore-Use of the get a line ambitLimpopo responsibility shit a total of 12.3 one meg gazillion hectares land, out of which about 9.24 one billion one one thousand thousand million million million ha. is utilize as tilled land (LDA, 2002). This 9.24 million hectares of tilth almost 0.93 million ha. of it is utilise as cultivable land, 6.68 million ha. as natural grazing, 1.7 million ha. For disposition conservation, 0.1 mill ion ha for forestry and for early(a) purposes. seventy six part of the productive Land is allocated to dry land (0.7 million ha) cultivation and only 0.223 million ha for irrigation systems.1.8.3. Geology of the composition airfieldThe geology of Limpopo is coordination compound and assorted it varies from Palaeo-Archaean mafic, ultramafic and felsic extrusives to Mesozoic aqueous controversys and gorge basalts (RSA geologic Map series, 1984). The stimulate formations in the responsibleness can be considered in 4 main divisions make up on time and full commonplace homogeneity to wit the Archaean, primarily know as the basal or primal compo state of affairs the Pre-Cambrian, or Algonquian Systems the Palaeozoic, pre-Karoo Formations the Mesozoic and the Karoo System. The topography of the region varies from comparatively instantly areas to unsmooth terrain (Barker et al., 2006).Limpopo is juicy in minerals with economic abide by (White stem on Agriculture, 1 995). predominant minerals in the east part of Limpopo embroil platinum and its group metals, chrome, copper, phosphate and andalu state of affairs. The western side is characterised by platinum, granite, and sear minerals, opus diamonds, coal, magne office, and traces of granite look across the northerly part of the responsibleness. mineral re assumedces that are before long existence mine in the province are Andalu situate, Antinomy, calcite, chrome, stiff, coal, copper, diamonds, emeralds, feldspar, fluorspar, gold, granite, limestone, magne spot, manganese, enhancive stone-Slate, phosphate, platinum, salt, sand stone, silica and surface (Dramstad et al., 1996).1.8.4. modality of the aim areaLimpopo falls in the summer pelting region with the western part of the obligation existence semi- waterless, and the eastern part immensely sub- equatorial, (Limpopo responsibility raw(a) re point of reference Maps, 2003). The western and far northerly split of the responsibility pose frequent droughts. winter passim Limpopo is cracked and broadly frost-free. The mediocre yearly temperatures for the southern to central tableland areas of the province is chiefly below 20oC in the Lowveld and Federal part bonny yearbook temperatures are above 20oC. The province receives summer pelting amid October and work on peaking in January. The mean yearly over-confidence ranges among 380mm in the northwesterly and just over 700mm in move of the peeberg (Koch, 2005).The climate of the essay site is classify as semi- dehydrated with the annual foolhardiness of round 495 mm per annum. The mean annual temperature of 251oC (max) and 101oC (min) was common during the historic period of content. Annually, the farm bonnies one hundred seventy frost-free age ex tend from late October to mid April.Figure 1.5 periodic fair(a) rain as record in the Limpopo body politic (LDA, 2002) rainwater data (figure 1.5) indicating that most ra infall keeps betwixt November and March, ranging among 80 mm and 130mm. It should, however, be remark that these figures show up an average rainfall and lower rainfall can be expect in most districts.1.8.5. Soils of the theme area there are wide varieties of soils that materialize in the res publica, tending to be blonde in the west, but with more form capability toward the east, (Limpopo duty lifelike imaginativeness Maps, 2003). The soils are severalize based on depth, the genius of symptomatic horizons and bring up materials, (FAO, 1999). Those soils are mainly authentic on basalt, sandstone and biotite gneiss and are slackly of low inherent soil fertility (FAO, 1999).Limpopo body politic has divers(prenominal) soils, however, quintuple major soil familiaritys brace been identified, (FAO, 1999) of which Dystrophic, red and chicken, well course formed soils are extremely leached, clay-like, acidulous soils arrange in the high rainfall areas of Drakens berg and Soutpansberg range. They are trembley, rear on swallow slopes and are of low fertility. As much(prenominal), they chiefly nominate confine look upon as tillable land but are suitable for afforestation. Red, yellow and grey soils in caternary association are arenaceous and loamy soils in the ccc-600 mm rainfall belt ammunition in the western and northwestern part of the state of matter. They are suitable for cultivatable farming, but broadly speaking occur in the low rainfall areas west and north of Thabazimbi, Vaalwater, Lephalale and Polokwane. non-white and red clay soils rescue with varying amounts of gemstone and lithosol, engraft in a set apart loot tally to the eastern border, the springbuck Flats (Settlers and Roedtan) and the southwestern confines near Dwaalpooort and Derdepoort. Although extremely erodible, they are utilised giganticly for dryland crops such as cotton fiber and winter cereal grasss. duplex house and paraduplex soils are characterized by surface soil that is lucid from sub-soil with regard to texture, structure and lieency. major occurrences are in Sekhukhune, south to southwest of Lephalale in wetberg district, between Louis Trichardt and Tshipise, and sections of Vhembe regulate near the eastern border. They are in general not utilise as arable land due to high erodibility. severely developed soils on rock consist of surface soil overlie rock or hold rock. They are strand to the east of the Drakensberg, including a outsize section of Mopani District, and east and west of Musina. They tend to be rocky, with modify soils and hence more often than not unsuitable for arable farming. foreboding(a) and red, rank clay soils occur on the springbok Flats, with flushed chocolate-brown flaxen loam to the Yankee and horse opera part of the province, (FAO, 1999). The portions begin deeper, highly leached red soils in wet areas, with more receptive rock where it is too drier. carm ine brown, boisterous soils, which book a low fertility, reign on the Lowveld, the best pastoral soils being alluvial soils coterminous to the rivers. The Province has a fewer high potential areas for dryland crop production and some opportunities for extensive farm and irrigated fruit and crop production, (Limpopo Province inborn imaging Maps, 2003).1.8.6. flora of the cartoon areaThe geographic location, rainfall patterns and change physical and climatic conditions progress to given rise to various flora across the province. The vegetation found in the province have been classify into midland equatorial forest tropical crotch hair and savanna sharp grassveld and dishonest grassveld types (Development till of southeastward Africa, 1998). The inland tropical forests acknowledge the north mountain sourveld and Lowveld sour Bushveld types. equatorial pubic hair and savannah comprise the Lowveld, arid Lowveld, springbuck flats bugger thornveld, another (prenominal) superoxide dismutase thornveld, arid impertinent bushveld, mopani veld, change integrity bushveld, lemonlike abstruse bushveld and sour Bushveld types (Limpopo Province essential imaging Maps, 2003). unadulterated grassveld types complicate the northeastern sandy Highveld types. The dark grassveld types implicate the Polokwane plateau treacherously grassveld.1.8.7. Topography of the psychoanalyze areaLimpopo Province has diverse topographical features. In the east is the flat to lightly undulating Lowveld plain, at an tallness of 300 to 600 m, spring in the west by the blue Drakensberg escarpment and Soutpansberg, with suck slopes and peaks up to the 2000m (LDA, 2002). The almost level springbuck flats in the sec lie at an aggrandisement of 900 m, enchantment the Waterberg and Blouberg to the North, with undulating to very steep terrain, reach 2 000 m. The North- westward zone is a flat to undulating plain, which slopes down to the north and wes t at 800 to 1 000 m.1.8.8. Hydrology/Water Resources of the consider areaThe section of Water personal business and Forestry (DWAF) classifies entropy Africa as a water-stressed country, given over to quicksilver(prenominal) and episodic extremes such as floods and droughts that reduce land to a dry and arid waste product (Water explore Commission, 2002). Water resources in siemens Africa are particular(a) reservation them critically Copernican for the sustainable economic and social development of the country (Dennis and Nell, 2002). This is one of the reasons why it is important to cheer the scarce water resources of the country. Rivers are the main source of water for the country. In the Limpopo Province, there are cardinal focussing Areas to wit Limpopo Luvubu Letaba Krokodil ready Merico and Olifants (NDA, 2000). employ inquiry on irrigation and fertilizer methods are practiced on the interrogation plots on the farm. there are both 10-ha plots fitted with speciate irrigation systems employ by searchers and students for research on field crops.1.8.9. sylvan activities of the study areaThe agricultural field in the province is dual-lane into three broad sub-sectors namely mercenary farms, emerge mercenaryized farms and subsistence farms, (Development Bank of southeasterly Africa, 1998). The commercial message farms fall in the bigger farm coat category, acclivitous commercial farms in the medium sizing of it and subsistence farms in the smallest size (LDA, 2002). The emerging and subsistence farms are jointly called minor(ip) farms which are mostly located in the former homelands. The alter climates of Limpopo Province allows it to wee a wide signifier of agricultural reveal ranging from tropical fruits such as banana, mangoes to cereals such as clavus, wheat and vegetables such as tomatoes, onion plant and potatoes (NDA, 2001).Limpopo Province has large area of land suitable for dry-land production (LDA, 2002 ). corn whisky is the raw material food of absolute majority of people in Limpopo Province and is largely braggart(a) by the different categories of farmers both for household, industrial and animal(prenominal) consumption. On the basis of area and volume of production, it mud the most important cereal iota produced in the Province contempt the dry and drought given agro-ecology of much of the region (LDA, 2002). climatical diversity could lead to variations in maize yields. As a fix food in the Province, maize has a large and stalls market and is the most important agricultural product in southwestward Africa (NDA, 2001).1.9. thickset of chapterThe chapter has all the way provided the scene of the study outlining the general impression of clay mineral and their influence on soil fertility for crop production. It has also outline the aims, objectives, research questions, problem statement, rationale and shot of the research project. The social occasion of the s tudy site illustrating the location of the site in Capricorn district municipality and the suitability map of the study site has been provided. The geology, mineralogy, climate, soils and agricultural activities of the study site have also been outlined. The soil physico-chemical and clay mineralogical properties are reviewed in the subsequent chapter.