Thesis (M.A(Folklore)) --University of Limpopo, 2009 / This study contains documentation and naming of indigenous plant species of the GaMamabolo area. Knowledge about their classification and their local natural resources has been acknowledged through this study. It is not only naming and classification but extending information about interaction of useful indigenous plants with human society. This is followed by a survey of 85 plant species found in the Mamabolo area. The immense cultural significance of the traditional knowledge system is portrayed in this study. ii

Thesis (M.Sc.(Crop Science) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2011

Thesis (MTech (Food Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / The use of egusi melon in soup has been domesticated and egusi has predominantly been regarded as a secondary crop. The aim of this study was to evaluate the functional characteristics of egusi seed (Citrullus lanatus subsp mucosospermus) hydrocolloid and oil in instant egusi soup. An instant production of egusi soup by adding boiling water to an instant soup mix will promote the availability of this nutritious seed as a healthy meal option. Egusi oil was successfully extracted from egusi seed using supercritical carbon dioxide method. The percentage oil yield which measures the amount of oil derivable from egusi seed ranged from 46-53% w/w. There was a significant difference in the oil yield as pressure and temperature are increased at a constant CO2 flow rate of 30 g/h. The proximate composition of egusi oil was determined using standard AOAC method. The moisture contents were 1.3, 2.0 and 1.9% w/w, respectively for EO1 (60oC and 450 bar), EO2 (55oC and 600 bar) and EO3 (75oC and 600 bar). EO1 was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) lower in moisture content compared to EO2 and EO3. The fat content was 99.1% w/w (EO1), 98.3% w/w (EO2) and 98.9% w/w (EO3), with no significant difference in the three oil samples. The fatty acid composition was analyzed using gas chromatography. The fatty acid content of egusi oil was high in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, which was identified as linoleic (62%) and oleic (15%) acids. The saturated fatty acid (undecylic, myristic, palmitic and stearic) composition of egusi oil differed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with EO1, having the lowest compared to EO2 and EO3. The index of atherogenicity (IA %) were significantly low 0.35, 0.38 and 0.38% w/w for EO1, EO2, and EO3, respectively. The thrombogenicity index (IT %) were 0.08, 0.09 and 0.09% w/w for EO1, EO2, and EO3, respectively with no significant difference. Peroxide Value (PV) measured using auto titrate Titrino plus, ranging from 11.60 for EO1 milliequivalents peroxide/kg to 12.60 for EO2 and 11.89 milliequivalents peroxide/kg for EO3. The oxidative stability index (OSI) was measured using Methrohm Rancimat at 120°C, expressed as the induction time of oxidation was 10.2, 11.5 and 5.3 h for EO1, EO2, and EO3, respectively, with E03 significantly higher than EO1 and EO2 (p ≤ 0.05). The iodine number, determined by AOAC direct titration method was high and ranged from 95 g/100 g for EO1 to 129 g/100 g for EO3, with EO3 being significantly high (p ≤ 0.05). The nutritional and functional properties of defatted egusi flour and hydrocolloid extracted using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction was also successfully achieved. Proximate analysis of defatted egusi (DEF) flour after supercritical extraction was carried out according to standard AOAC procedures. The moisture content of DEF ranged from 5.3 to 10.1% w/w, crude protein 48.3 to 60.4% w/w, crude fibre 3.4 to 4.5% w/w) and ash 5.3 to 6.8 % w/w). The protein content of defatted egusi flour differed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) between samples. The amino acid compositions of DEF showed glutamic acid had the highest concentration of 12.9, 11.8 and 9.8 mg/100 g for DEF1, DEF2, and DEF3, respectively with a significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) across the samples. In functionality, the water absorption and solubility index at a low temperature of 50oC ranged between 52.5 to 57.6% w/w and 68.0 to 73.3% w/w respectively for DEF1 to DEF3, which significantly differed between samples. The final viscosity of defatted egusi flour ranged from 126.7 to 126.3 cP, which differed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) between samples. Egusi flour is high in protein 60% w/w and carbohydrate 25% w/w was treated with hot water to extract its hydrocolloid. Functional properties of egusi hydrocolloid for the three defatted flour shows a stable emulsifier as the breakdown viscosity remained constant at (8.00 cP). Breakdown viscosity of egusi hydrocolloid confirmed its stability.

Thesis (M.Com.)(Agricultural Economics)--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Includes summary. Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph.D.). / Written for the Dept. of Anthropology. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2007/08/30). Includes bibliographical references.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (PhD (Agronomy))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Plant Production and Soil Science / unrestricted

With the high rate of human population growth in Africa, it is imperative that food production be increased through improving yields and bringing more land under cultivation. Nitrogen is a key element required for plant growth and with the low input of fertilizers into African farming-systems, it is necessary to harness biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) to its fullest extent. To maximize nitrogen fixation in crop and pasture legumes under various conditions and cropping systems requires intensified research. In this study the diversity of root nodule bacteria associated with Lotononis species in South Africa was investigated. To our knowledge, no past attempts have been made to investigate the diversity of rootnodule-bacteria associated with the genus Lotonollis. Eighty nodulated plants representing thirty-two Lotononis spp. were collected from all the main geographical and climatological regions in South Africa. Isolates obtained from rootnodules were purified and characterized with sodium dodecyl-sulphate gel polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), supplemented at the genomic level with 16S rDNA sequence data of selected strains. Initial screening (SDS-PAGE) showed that most isolates obtained from the same plant species, grouped into various clusters within the dendrogram. A few of the isolates from similar host plants seemed to cluster with high similarity. It is thus reasonable to conclude that host specificity in the symbiotic interaction is less applicable for most species of Lotononis. When considering the geographical origins of the isolates, their diverse nature was clearly illustrated. It was showed that isolates from similar geographical regions were evenly distributed throughout the dendrogram. Some of the isolates obtained from arid environments formed closely related electrophoretic groups. It was subsequently shown that root-nodule bacteria associated with Lotononis species are not restricted to a particular rhizobial genus, but that heterogeneity is evident. Some of the isolates were also related to genera outside the Rhizobiaceae, namely Methylobacterium and Burkholderia. / Dissertation (MSc (Microbiology))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Microbiology and Plant Pathology / unrestricted

Thesis (M.Sc. (Agriculture)) --University of Limpopo, 2008 / The mineral nutrition of indigenous crop species is not well documented like other known crop species, thus making it difficult for one to know how to plant and maintain the crops. Mmupudu (Mimusops zeyheri), which, happens to be a wild crop, is one of the indigenous trees of interest to the Discipline of Plant Production, University of Limpopo. The current study gives baseline information that will be important in various environmental physiology studies of this plant. Physiological studies will be necessary to assess the importance of “limiting” mineral nutrients in the accumulation of certain mineral nutrients in Mmupudu in relation to its productivity. The experiment was arranged as a 2 x 3 factorial in RCBD, with the first and second factors being time of sampling and location, respectively. The three locations where data were collected were Chuenespoort, Bochum and Sekgosese. In each location, the experiment was replicated 10 times. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and means were separated using the least significant difference test. The two-factor interaction was nonsignificant (P ≥ 0.10) for both pH and electrical conductivity. Soil pH was not affected by time in all three locations suggesting that abscised flowers and fruitlets have no effect on pH. Leaf K experienced an increase of 65% at Chuenespoort and a decrease of soil K after fruiting by 44%. Leaf and soil P decreased after fruiting in all locations as was the case with Cu. Chuenespoort and Sekgosese experienced a decrease in leaf Mn after fruiting while soil Mn decreased in all locations after fruiting. Sekgosese experienced an increase of 25% soil Mg after fruiting, whereas leaf Mg decreased in all locations. / National Research Foundation and the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2003. / Bibliography: leaves 102-117. Also available online.

Thesis (M. Agricultural Management (Agronomy)) -- University of Limpopo, 2018 / A survey study identified indigenous leafy vegetables (ILVs) utilized by rural communities in Limpopo Province in the three districts of Capricorn, Sekhukhune and Vhembe focusing on their availability, agronomic practices, marketing, medicinal and cultural roles, as well as their nutritional value. An ILV that was highly preferred and with good marketing potential was identified for further studies on its response to planting density and nitrogen fertilizer rate. A questionnaire survey was used to gather information about types of ILVs utilised, their production practices, marketing of ILVs and their importance in medicinal and cultural roles. Data collected were subjected to analysis using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) using descriptive statistics. Results showed that there were 45 different types of ILVs identified from the three districts in Limpopo Province. Farmers indicated that cultivation of these vegetables was mostly done from October to January in Sekhukhune and Capricorn district while in Vhembe it was practiced all year round. Most of farmers in Vhembe district used inorganic fertilizer during planting while farmers in Sekhukhune and Capricorn districts used organic fertilizers such as cattle manure. Irrigation was commonly used in Vhembe district through furrow irrigation system whereas in Capricorn and Sekhukhune districts most farmers relied on rainfall. Farmers indicated that harvesting was done at an early growing stage of the crop. Indigenous leafy vegetables were mostly marketed in local communities. Several ILVs were identified as preferred and regularly consumed as vegetables. Spider plant (Cleome gynandra) and nightshade (Solanum retroflexum) were identified as the most consumed ILVs in the three districts. Comparing the market potential of the two vegetables, S. retroflexum was chosen for further studies on its response to plant density and nitrogen fertilizer rate. The first study investigated the effect of varying plant density (inter and intra-row spacing) and the second study evaluated the response of intra-row spacing and nitrogen fertilizer (LAN-28%N) rate on growth and yield of S. retroflexum during 2014 (April to May) and 2015 (March to May) growing seasons. The plant density experiment was laid out as a 3 x 4 factorial arrangement in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatment factors were 3 inter-row spacings of 30, 45 and 60 cm and 4 intra-row spacings of vi 7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30 cm. The data collected included plant height, plant vigour, number of leaves and branches per plant as well as plant leaf yield. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using STATISTIX 10.0 package and mean treatments were separated using Turkey HSD at 5% probability level. The results revealed that growth parameters (plant height, plant vigour, number of branches and leaves) and plant leaf yield were significantly influenced by the combined inter and intra-row spacings. Closer inter-row spacings of 30 cm and 45 cm, and intra-row spacings of 7.5 and 15 cm produced the highest values of parameters and plant leaf yield. The combined spacings of 30 x 7.5 cm produced the highest plant leaf yield. The second study was also laid out as a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The treatments were 6 x 2 factorial arrangement: 6 levels of nitrogen (LAN-28%N) at 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 kg N/ha and two intra-row spacings of 15 and 30cm. Inter-row spacing of 30 cm was used. The nitrogen fertilizer was applied a week after transplanting and repeated a week after first harvesting. Data was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using STATISTIX 10.0 package. Where significant differences were detected, means were separated using Turkey HSD at 5% propability level. The results suggested that both nitrogen fertilizer and spacing can be used to enhance growth and leaf yield of S. retroflexum vegetable. Nitrogen fertilizer rate and plant density significantly (P≤0.05) affected plant growth and plant leaf yields. Growth parameters and leaf yield were optimised using closer spacing of 15 cm and applying nitrogen at 60 kg N/ha. The application of 60 kg N/ha and 15 cm spacing was therefore recommended for the production of S. retroflexum as a vegetable, if planted at 30 cm inter-row spacing. Key words: Indigenous leafy vegetables, agronomic practices, Solanum retroflexum, planting density, nitrogen fertilizer, planting date