The wild watermelon, Citrullus lanatus L. was among the most important foodstuffs to a number of African communities, until the colonists introduced their own foodstuffs in a process that was highly supported by the laws of the time. However, there is now a growing realization by government and other stakeholders of the importance of indigenous crops (including the wild watermelon) as substitute food stuff to improve food security. Wild watermelon is an adaptable crop, which can contribute to food security as it has a potential for commercialization. However, there are no records on the production of wild watermelon with reference to optimum planting density and the effects of mulch on the growth and development of the crop. To investigate this issue, which the smallholder farmers are faced with, a study that designed to (a) determine the effects of population density on growth and yield of wild watermelon and (b) investigate the effects of mulching on growth and yield of wild watermelon under field conditions. The study was undertaken over two seasons during which two different types of propagules, namely seed and seedlings, were used. A field study of wild watermelon establishment and yield using seeds and seedlings to compare the effects of different population densities (3000, 6000, 9000 and 12000 plants/ha) and mulching rates (0, 2.5 and 5 t/ha) based on the availability of grass on soil water, temperature, vine length (height), number of branches and leaves per plant, fruit number, total yields, fruit size and weed distribution was conducted at Dohne Agricultural Development Institute (Lat-32.52521; Long – 27.46119, alt. 907 m above sea-level) over a two year period ( 2009 – 2011 growing season). Results on data collection and analysis of growth and yield parameters are that: When seed was used as means of propagation, there were significant effects (p 0.05) of mulching and population density, on soil temperature and volumetric water content. However, no significant differences were found with regards to vine length, number of branches and leaves per plant. Concerning yield, there were no significant differences recorded on any of the measured parameters in response to mulch. Yet, with population density, significant differences were noted on fruit number per hectare and total yield at p 0.05. The number of fruits and total yield per hectare increased as plant population increased, resulting in high yields to range from 9000 -12 000 plants per hectare with both seed and seedling propagules used during the study period with or without mulching. Seedling propagules were associated with differences in soil temperature and volumetric water content with regards to mulching and population density (p 0.05). Results obtained from this study in both years, revealed that yield is more influenced by plant population density than by mulching. Mulching has been found to be ineffective as far as growth and yield are concerned, but it was found to influence soil temperature and volumetric water content. / Thesis (M.Sc.Agric.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2012.

Wild mustard is an indigenous leafy vegetable. Its use is limited by a lack of knowledge of its agronomy. However, it is a rich source of nutrients and other minerals. Nowadays, the use of indigenous crops has been replaced by exotic crops. Climate change is affecting agricultural productivity. South Africa is a water scarce country with uneven rainfall distribution. Therefore, studies on water stress effects on plant growth were promoted by the Water Research Commission and the University of KwaZulu-Natal to understand plant responses to water stress for commercial and subsistence farming. The objective of the study was to characterise local wild mustard cultivars morphologically and physiologically with respect to production, and for the purposes of identifying their drought tolerance. Three experiments were conducted at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in order to evaluate the responses of local wild mustard cultivars to water stress. Seeds of wild mustard cultivars were characterised according to seed coat colour. Seed quality was determined by a standard germination test. Vigour was then tested using electrolyte conductivity. Seeds were sown in seedling trays under two water regimes of 25% field capacity (FC) and 75% (FC) on pine bark growing media. The experiment was terminated at 21 days when root and shoot lengths were measured. The effect of water stress on protein content and seedling growth parameters was determined. Soil was collected from the University of KwaZulu-Natal Research Farm for a pot trial. Seeds of wild mustard were sown in 81 pots, each filled with 2 kg of soil, under three water regimes (25% FC, 50% FC and 75% FC). Pots were maintained at the corresponding field capacity level by re-weighing the pots, three times a week. Measurements of plant height and leaf number were recorded weekly. The experiment was terminated at the flowering stage. At the end of the experiment, plant growth parameters (plant height, leaf area and number, dry and fresh mass) were measured in order to evaluate the effects of water stress at the vegetative stage. A field trial was conducted at the University of KwaZulu-Natal Ukulinga Research Farm in Pietermaritzburg. The experiment was conducted during the winter and spring of 2009. A completely randomised design was used for non-irrigated and irrigated (25 mm/week) trials. Emergence was measured as well as plant height and leaf number. Plant growth parameters were also measured at the end of the experiment. Leaf samples were taken for proline determination. There was a significant interaction (p<0.05) between seed colour, landraces and days to germinate with respect to germination capacity. Isaha and Masihlalisane landraces showed higher germination percentages than Kwayimba. There was also a significant interaction (p<0.05) between landraces and seed colour with respect to electrolyte conductivity. Lighter seeds of wild mustard landraces showed higher solute leakage. Isaha and Masihlalisane had higher solute leakage than Kwayimba. Significant interactions (p<0.05) between landraces and field capacity with respect to emergence, leaf number, root and shoot length and total proteins were also observed. Isaha and Masihlalisane showed higher emergence than Kwayimba. Leaf number was reduced for all landraces under water stress. Total protein content was high in black seeded landraces under water stress. There was a significant interaction (p<0.05) between landraces and field capacity with respect to seedling fresh and dry masses. Under moderate water stress conditions, Isaha and Masihlalisane showed increased biomass accumulation. There were highly significant differences (P<0.001) in plant height, leaf area, fresh and dry mass with respect to planting date. Plants performed significantly (p<0.05) better in spring than in winter. Isaha and Masihlalisane performed significantly (p<0.05) better than Kwayimba. There was a highly significant interaction (p<0.001) between landrace and irrigation treatments with respect to proline accumulation. Under water stress, Kwayimba black seeded landrace accumulated more proline. It is concluded that light-coloured seeds of wild mustard landraces were associated with good seed quality. Masihlalisane brown seeds have good early seedling establishment. Kwayimba black seeds showed tolerance to water stress through accumulation of proteins. Isaha and Masihlalisane showed an increase in biomass accumulation under moderate water stress. Water stress tolerance in some of wild mustard landraces was negatively correlated with proline accumulation. Masihlalisane brown type can grow well, with good yields, under water stress. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

Wild mustard (Brassica spp.) is used as an edible wild leafy vegetable by indigenous people in South Africa. The potential of wild leafy vegetables in agriculture is not well understood, because there is generally no agronomic research on their production practices. The objective of this study was to examine the performance of three wild mustard species (herein referred to as I, K and M) over four cropping seasons in an intercropping system with green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Imbali). The crops were grown with and without organic fertiliser under dryland conditions at two sites (The University of KwaZulu-Natal Research Farm, Ukulinga and in a rural area of Umbumbulu, KwaZulu-Natal within the farmers' locality) during autumn, winter, spring and summer of 2004 to 2005. Plant development (leaf number, plant height and fresh biomass) during the first six weeks after sowing and seed yield were used to determine agronomic performance of each species. Nutrient status of the rhizosphere soil was determined at 42 days after sowing for each species to determine what effect growing the species would have on mineral availability. Wild mustard production significantly (P < 0.01) performed better at Ukulinga than Umbumbulu. Polyculture was beneficial for wild mustard leaf accumulation and green bean production as determined by land equivalent ratios greater than one for all species combinations, regardless of fertiliser application. Cool environmental conditions occurring in autumn and spring were more favourable (P < 0.05) for wild mustard and green bean biomass accumulation than summer and winter conditions. However, wild mustard seed yield was highest in winter compared with autumn and spring, and there was no measurable seed production in summer. Soil analysis results at 42 days after sowing showed an increase in P, K, Cu and Mg in the rhizosphere of wild mustard without organic fertiliser. Polyculture improved Zn, Cu, Mn and K in wild mustard leaf tissue. It is concluded that wild mustard can be grown as a leafy vegetable throughout the year, but it requires cool environmental conditions to enhance seed yield. Species M significantly yielded better biomass and seeds than species I and K during all the seasons. However, species K performed the least in all aspects. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

Involvement in agricultural activities has generally been the main livelihood strategy for rural people. This was also the case with KwaMbonambi and Sokhulu farmers, especially amadumbe producers. The research was therefore undertaken to explore the marketing opportunities for amadumbe in the Mbonambi Municipality under which KwaMbonambi and Sokhulu tribal areas fall. A research team was formed by five staff members from the Department of Agriculture including the researcher. Five research tools were used to collect data and these were questionnaires for formal retail shops, focus groups for processing centres, a transect walk to assess the land availability, sustainable livelihoods and force field analyses for amadumbe producers, From the findings, the formal retail shops and processing centres did not have a direct link with local amadumbe producers of KwaMbonambi and Sokhulu. Their produce came via agents from Durban and Johannesburg. Amadumbe producers on the other hand were producing amadumbe for their own consumption or to sell either to local communities (from the garden gate) or to hawkers in nearby towns. A recommendation was made that an amadumbe marketing forum be constituted in order to close the gap between formal retail shops, the processing centres and the amadumbe producers of KwaMbonambi and Sokhulu. Farmers felt that they could produce amadumbe of the quantity and quality required by the formal outlets if they improved their production amounts and marketing strategies. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

The role of traditional foods in reducing hunger and malnutrition is not well documented in South Africa. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution, popularity and nutritional value of traditional foods in KwaZulu-Natal through evaluation of recipes submitted for a traditional foods recipe competition. Traditional recipes are characterised by indigenous or local ingredients passed from one person to another over many generations, with little or no change in form. Modern recipes include those which use processed ingredients. Modified recipes include those which use processed ingredients. Modified recipes include a mixture of traditional and modern ingredients. The differences between the ingredients of traditional, modern and modified recipes were investigated to determine how modifying and modernising traditional foods changed their nutritional quality. Using competition entries from a traditional recipe competition from all 11 districts of KwaZulu-Natal, the nutritional value of 1200 recipes was analysed using published Food Composition Tables. The 10 most commonly submitted recipes were identified. The majority of recipes came from the more rural districts of KwaZulu-Natal. The largest number of recipes submitted were traditional (68% of entries) followed, respectively, by modified (24%) and modern (8 %) recipes. Adult females submitted more recipes than female youths, male youths and adult males. In general, modified foods had higher nutrient contents than traditional and modern foods. There was a negative correlation between food popularity and nutrient content suggesting that popular foods were not necessarily the most nutritious. It was concluded that the people of KwaZulu-Natal simultaneously use traditional, modified and modern recipes, but that there is a shift towards food modification through use of non-indigenous crops and modern ingredients. Further investigations into the relationship between food choice and the effect of modification on food quality attributes, including sensory and storage quality, are recommended. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.