Zinc Deficiency And Its Management In The Eastern Cape Soil

ABSTRACT

This seminar looked at zinc deficiency in the Eastern Cape Province where largely rural small holder farmers are unable to keep up with best management practices to restore and maintain soil fertility. This is in contrast to the increasing number of large commercial farms who are able to manage their soil to optimal level of nutrients. Zinc is an important micronutrient needed for plant growth and increased yield; whether in grains or root crops. Deficiency symptoms include chlorosis, reduced fruiting and tuberization. Alkaline soils, higher phosphorus levels, wet and moist farmlands result in reduced zinc soil availability and uptake by plants.


The agrarian reforms of the Provincial government should include extension services to educate local farmers of best soil management practices, bring soil testing within the reach and affordability of rural dwellers, while looking to subsidise inputs so that small holder farmers would be encouraged to take up these soil management practices.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page --- --- --- --- ---

Declaration --- --- --- --- ---

Certification --- --- --- --- ---

Dedication --- --- --- --- ---

Acknowledgement --- --- --- --- ---

Abstract --- --- --- --- ---

Table of contents --- --- --- --- ---

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study --- --- --- --- 1

1.2 Aim and objectives --- --- --- --- 2

1.3 Scope of the Study --- --- --- --- 2

1.4 Significance of the study --- --- --- --- 3

1.5 Methodology --- --- --- --- 3

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Soil nutrient management --- --- --- --- 4

2.2 Zinc as a soil nutrient --- --- --- --- 5

2.3 Zinc deficiency in soil and management --- --- --- 6

CHAPTER THREE: ZINC IN THE EASTERN CAPE SOIL

3.1 The Eastern Cape Province --- --- --- 8

3.2 Fertility of the Eastern Cape soil --- --- --- 9

3.3 Managing zinc deficiency in Eastern Cape soil --- --- 10

CHAPTER FOUR: CONCLUSION

4.1 Summary --- --- --- --- --- 12

4.2 Conclusion --- --- --- --- --- 12

4.3 Recommendations --- --- --- --- --- 12

Reference --- --- --- --- --- 13