Plennegy Research: Research Field Assistant

Starke Ayres is the foremost African specialist and global supplier of premium vegetable, flower and lawn seed varieties – both for commercial and home garden planting. The following position has become available for a Research Field Assistant, based in Oudtshoorn.

Assists farm manager, breeders and production department with day-to-day operations thereby ensuring that research and production activities are carried out effectively and efficiently in open fields and or growing tunnels. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Seed Store & Planning Coordination

• Collect seed from the seed store and arrange as indicated on the planting lists as prepared by Production/Breeders.
• Ensure correct numbering of seed as indicated on the planting lists.
• Applies to all production, breeding and screening programmes, including grow-out evaluations, disease screening trials, and trials at different locations.

Operations (Tray Preparation & Germination)

• Ensure correct filling of trays with the required growing medium.
• Supervise proper labelling of trays.
• Supervise correct sowing of seeds.
• Ensure optimal germination conditions.
• Responsible for watering and feeding of seedlings.
• Receiving new bee hives.
• Data capture on Excel and Phenotop (simple input systems, the pages/processes has already been developed and they only need to add data to the system).

Seedling Health & Monitoring

• Responsible for scouting and reporting insect infestations and disease symptoms on seedlings.
• Report issues promptly to the Breeder.

Field Preparation & Establishment

• Measure land space and prepare land/beds with irrigation.
• Oversee building of tunnels and onion cages.
• Plant and record specific seed or seedlings at the correct time in rows specified by the Farm Manager/Breeder.
• Assist with planting to ensure accuracy and proper documentation.

Crop Maintenance & Field Management

• Monitor and control weeds during the plant growth cycle.
• Assist with fertilisation and irrigation.
• Supervise trellising and maintenance of plants.
• Scout for insect infestations during the growth cycle.
• Monitor and report plant health to the Farm Manager.

Plant Selection & Quality Control

• Perform de-rouging of off-type plants across all segments.

Pollination & Breeding Support

• Execute hand pollinations accurately, recognising their critical importance in the breeding programme.
• Ensure all pollinations are properly executed.
• Coordinate resources effectively for successful pollination.
• Responsible for all selfings and assist with hybridisation between lines.

Harvesting & Seed Processing

• Conduct fermenting, washing, drying and chemical treatment of seed.
• Sort and compile lists of all harvested seed.
• Arrange seed in an organised and hygienic manner in the seed store.

Research & Disease Screening

• Maintain pure virus cultures used for resistance screening.
• Prevent contamination or loss of cultures.
• Prepare inoculum and conduct inoculation processes.
• Report on issues in the field (diseases etc).

Staff Management

• Supervise the field staff (but also able {physically} to assist if needed).
• Use their drivers license to assist with seedling transport (George to Oudtshoorn, Radical seedlings to the Kouebokkeveld).
• Use their drivers license to assist with transport on the Oudtshoorn station (my field are not close to each other, we do not have our own storage facilities {few and far between} – for bulb harvest, seed harvest, bulb transport, umbel transport, fiels irrigation prep etc}.)

REQUIREMENTS

Qualification:

• Grade 12 National Senior Certificate (essential)
• Tertiary Qualification (preferential)
• Driver License Code 8

Knowledge:

• Plant Production: Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing and harvesting plant products, including storage/handling techniques.
• English Language: Basic and applicable knowledge of the English language.
• Zulu Language: Basic and applicable knowledge of the Zulu language.
• Basic Mathematics