Food systems research

relating to environmental sustainability

Research pertaining to food systems and food production plays a key role in addressing sustainability concerns. At Rhodes University, projects in this field may be considered under a number of categories.

Agriculture and soil fertility

The Microbiology division of the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology is active in a range of research projects into the development of high quality arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inocula to replace the use of chemical fertilisers in the agricultural, horticultural and environmental rehabilitation industries, and into more fundamental aspects of soil ecology.

In the Department of Zoology and Entomology, research conducted on agricultural entomology attempts to find sustainable solutions to pest control in the agricultural sector.

Explore research opportunities: Biochem Micro Biotech and Zoology & Entomology

Apiculture

Collaborative interdepartmental research on the honeybee investigated a small hive beetle which exists in symbiotic relationship within honeybee colonies.

Explore research opportunities: Makana Meadery and Statistics

Aquaculture and sustainable resource utilisation

The Departments of Statistics and of Zoology and Entomology provide another example of multidisciplinary research. For example, they conducted a project on the sustainable utilisation of living resources in marine ecosystems. Ichthyology and Fisheries Science (DIFS) research on the effects of feeds and fertilizers has informed sustainable aquaculture development in sub-Saharan African countries.

Explore research opportunities: DIFS, Makana Meadery and Statistics

Rangelands and livestock

Research on the conservation of rangeland ecology in the Botany Department aimed to establish optimal stocking regimes in semi-arid grazing lands.

Explore research opportunities: Botany

Go to the Rhodes University ENVIRONMENT front page. Suggestions/Questions? Contact environment(at)ru.ac.za