Study grants and bursaries

The PRF bursary scheme was approved in 1994 and the first bursary for postgraduate studies was awarded for the 1995 academic year. We are proud to look back on a period of 27 years during which 89 bursaries were awarded to deserving candidates for Masters' and Doctorate studies. The aim of the bursary scheme is to train deserving candidates in the scientific method to allow them to contribute to high quality scientific research after completing their studies. This includes, in particular, research aimed at promoting the production of protein for animal consumption.

Students are also encouraged to publish their research results in scientific journals, popular magazines or both. Management summaries of theses and manuscripts are published on the PRF website and database.

Bursaries for Master's studies are awarded for a period of two years and three years in the case of Doctorate studies. Bursaries awarded for the current year were approved by the Technology Committee and were the following:

1. M.Sc Studies

   1. Ms RL Riet (First application)
      "The effects of canola cultivar, planting density and herbicide use on weed suppression."
   2. Ms MV Mabitsela (First application)
      "Effect of strategic tillage on soil nutrients stratification and productivity of wheat and canola in the Swartland region."
   3. Ms M Deventer (First application)
      "Modelling the effect of environmental conditions and inoculum load on the development of Sclerotinia stem rot of canola in the Western Cape."
   4. Mr L Matthews (Second application)
      "Effects of livestock integration into cropping systems on productivity of canola and the cropping system's global warming potential." – Stellenbosch University
   5. Ms M Du Plessis (Second application)
      "The effect of gypsum from on soil amelioration." – Stellenbosch University
   6. Mr AB Folscher (Second application)
      "Investigating pathways of infection of Leptosphaeria spp. causing blackleg of canola in the Western Cape." – Stellenbosch University

2. PhD Studies

   1. Mr AA Le Roux (First application)
      "The effect of current and future climate on canola production in the Swartland region of South Africa."
   2. Ms HM Screuder (Third application)
      "Characterisation and management of Leptosphaeria spp. causing blackleg of canola in the Western Cape." – Stellenbosch University
   3. Mr LD Du Preez (Second application)
      "The effect of tillage and crop rotation on soil health and plant production in the Western Cape Province, South Africa." – Stellenbosch University

3. Completed theses received

   During the year under review, the following theses were received from bursary recipients who had successfully completed their studies.

   1. Ms L Matthews
      "Effects of livestock integration into cropping systems on productivity of canola and the cropping system's global warming potential."