Oral Presentation

Research Highlight: Human-Derived Compost for Sustainable Agriculture

Master’s student Ms Sinikiwe Khumalo’s research will be presented and highlights the potential of using human-derived compost to enhance soil fertility and promote sustainable agriculture. She evaluated the effects of mixing dewatered sewage sludge with organic green waste at different ratios and turning frequencies on compost quality and plant growth. The experiment using cucumber (Cucumis sativus) as the test crop demonstrated improved seedling growth with compost treatments compared to commercial soil mixes. Additionally, a survey of UKZN students revealed that over 60% were willing to purchase food fertilised with co-compost, reflecting the growing acceptance of human excreta-derived compost. This research shows promise in producing high-quality compost and fostering consumer awareness of its benefits in agriculture.

Flash Presentation

Innovative Technology for Agriculture: UAVs in Maize Moisture Monitoring

PhD candidate Ms Snethemba Ndlovu will present her research that explores the potential of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology to develop early warning systems for maize moisture stress, offering improved resilience and climate adaptation for smallholder farmers in water-scarce regions. Funded by the Water Research Commission, Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems Southern Africa project, and the National Research Foundation, she analysed maize leaf water content using equivalent water thickness and fuel moisture content. She successfully detected moisture variations throughout the maize growth cycle. UAV-based data, particularly from near-infrared and red-edge wavelengths, accurately quantified maize water content, with the highest sensitivity during early reproductive stages. This approach provides a valuable tool for monitoring crop health and supporting agricultural decision-making in smallholder maize farming systems.

Some other highlights from PRIS 2024 include the keynote address by Dr. Mteto Nyati, chairman of Eskom and former Group Chief Executive of Altron, as well as Chief Executive Officer of MTN South Africa. He currently serves as the executive chairman of BSG, a consulting and technology company specializing in strategy execution.

For more information, visit our website: pris.ukzn.ac.za

Words: Christine Cuenod