Plennegy Research: Research Field Assistant

Plennegy (Pty) Ltd.; South Africa; On-site; ZAR 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Plennegy (Pty) Ltd. is seeking a Supervisor to oversee seed planting, labeling and sowing across production, breeding and screening programmes. You will ensure proper germination, irrigation, weed control, pest scouting and accurate data collection on growth and yield, reporting to the Farm Manager/Breeder.

The role involves coordinating hand pollinations, maintaining records, and ensuring crop activities are documented and aligned with planting lists and breeding objectives.

Qualifications

• Correct filling of trays with required growing medium.
• Label trays accurately and consistently.
• Sow seeds properly according to planting lists.
• Ensure optimal germination conditions for seedlings.
• Water and feed the seedlings as required.
• Scout for insect infestations and disease symptoms; report promptly.
• Assist with land preparation, irrigation and field setup.
• Monitor and control weeds; assist fertilization and irrigation.
• Supervise trellising and plant maintenance.
• Record data on plant health, growth and yields.
• Collect yield data including weight and fruit counts; ensure documentation.
• Execute hand pollinations; coordinate with breeding program.

Responsibilities

• Collect seed from seed store and arrange as indicated on planting lists.
• Correctly number seed and ensure accurate labeling and documentation.
• Supervise sowing, labeling and planting activities across production, breeding and screening programmes.
• Monitor weeds, irrigation, fertilization and general crop care during growth.
• Scout for insect infestations and disease symptoms and report findings to the Farm Manager/Breeder.
• Assist with data collection from rows at specified times, including counts and mass.
• Harvest according to market specifications and record yield data daily.
• Coordinate pollinations within the breeding program and assist with selfings/hybridizations.

Skills

Tray filling

Tray labeling

Seed sowing

Germination care

Watering seedlings

Pest scouting

Pollination support

Data collection

Yield measurement

Job description

Collect seed from the seed store and arrange as indicated on the planting lists as prepared by production/breeders.?Correctly numbering of seed as indicated on the planting lists.?This applies to all production, breeding and screening programmes responsible for; grow out evaluations, desease screening trials and trials at different locations.

• oCorrect filling of trays with the required growing medium


• oSupervise correct labeling of trays


• oSupervise proper sowing of seeds


• oEnsure optimal germination conditions


• oResponsible for watering and feeding of the seedlings


• oResponsible for scouting and reporting insect infestations and desease symptoms on the seedlings; reports it promptly to breeder


• oThis entails measuring out land space; preparation of land/beds with irrigation, building of tunnels/onion cages; the planting and recording of specific seed or seedlings at a specific time in rows specified by the Farm Manager/Breeder.?

It is the Supervisor?s responsibility to assist with the planting to ensure that it is correct and properly documented. ?

• oMonitoring and controlling of weeds during the plant growth cycle


• oAssist with fertilization and irrigation.


• oSupervise trellising and maintaining of plants


• oScouting for insect infestations during the plant growth cycle as well as monitoring and reporting plant health to the Farm Manager.


• oDerouging of off-type plants.


• oExecution of hand pollinations. This is a procedure that is very critical in that it is the basis of the breeding programme.?All pollinations have to be properly executed, and since this is a biologically dependant process, co-ordination of resources is of utmost importance to accomplish this. The Supervisor is responsible for all selfings and to assist with the hybridization between lines.


• oThis entails collecting data from a specific row at a specified time and recording it. Data collected is mainly related to counts and mass.?Vast numbers are recorded under pressure to daily and seasonal deadlines:


• oDifferent market segments need to be harvested according to different specifications. It is crucial to harvest according to normal farming practices to calculate marketable yield. Quantitative data is collected every day. Fruit needs to be arranged daily to allow qualitative evaluation by the breeders and Marketing.


• oThe Supervisor is responsible to collect yield data, including weight and fruit number.