Thesis (M.A. Agricultural Management (Crop Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / Guar bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L. Taub) is a drought tolerant leguminous crop usually grown for its seed which has a special gum (galactomannan) used in the food and the mining industries. The study aimed at evaluation of yield potential and agronomic management of 14 determinate and indeterminate guar accession lines sourced from the Australian Tropical Crops and Forages collection grown under dry-land conditions of Limpopo province and assessing their response to phosphorus and inoculation. Two different experiments, one on variety evaluation and the other on response to P fertilizer and inoculation were conducted during 2006/7 and 2007/8 growing seasons at Syferkuil and Tompi Seleka in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. There were significant differences amongst the 14 guar accession lines at Syferkuil during 2006/7 and 2007/8 and Tompi Seleka during 2007/8 growing seasons. Tompi Seleka showed higher potential for guar bean production over Syferkuil on the basis of grain yield. Seed yield from the two locations during the two seasons ranged from 326 kg ha-1 by variety Stonewall to 2340 kg ha-1 by variety Durgapurasaffed. At Syferkuil in 2006/7 Brooks variety recorded the highest seed yield of 1103 kg ha-1 while Hall achieved lowest seed yield of 353 kg ha-1. During 2007/8 at Syferkuil, TRCF 95203 recorded the highest seed yield of 701 kg ha-1 and Stonewall recorded lowest of 326 kg ha-1. At Tompi Seleka in the same season, the highest yield was recorded with Durgpurasaffed variety that recorded 2340 kg ha-1 and lowest Stonewall with 720 kg ha-1. The varieties which consistently performed well and were within the top five performing lines at the two locations were Durgapurasaffed, TRCF CSIRO and Brooks. The accession lines at Tompi Seleka experiment gave higher dry matter and seed yields than at Syferkuil, suggesting their preference for hot environments. In the second experiment, the response of two guar bean varieties to phosphorus level and inoculation was evaluated. Variety did not influence seed yield. Application of phosphorus (P) at 60 kg ha-1 plus inoculation significantly increased seed yield. At Tompi Seleka 2007/8 season, 60 kg ha-1 of P application achieved seed yield 37% higher than the control treatment. In the same season at Syferkuil the highest seed yield was also recorded at 60 kg ha-1 P application and was 57% xiii more than lowest seed yield from the control treatment. Grain yield significantly increased during 2006/7 as influenced by P application rate of 30 kg ha-1 compared to zero P fertilizer while there was no significant different between P rates during 2007/8 season at this site. The results from the study showed good response P application in the range of 30 to 60 kg ha-1. Inoculation significantly increased seed and dry matter yield at all sites. Variety X P levels and variety X inoculation interactions significantly influenced seed yield and dry matter at all sites. Both varieties achieved the highest seed yield at 60 kg ha-1 and the lowest was with the control at Syferkuil for both varieties. At Tompi Seleka, the control and application 30 kg ha-1 of fertilizer gave similar seed yield for both varieties. At Syferkuil in 2006/7 and Tompi Seleka in 2007/8 both Stonewall and Cedric were higher with inoculation but in 2007/8 Cedric had lower seed yield with inoculation at Syferkuil. The Phosphorus X inoculation interaction was significant with combination of 60 kg P ha-1 and inoculation giving significantly higher seed yield than the 0 kg P ha-1 and no inoculation. Future experiments should consider inclusion test in these guar accession under dryland conditions, levels of P higher than 60 kg P ha-1, include nodulation data, quality evaluation of guar seed and conducting basic growth margin analysis on P and inoculation of guar. / ACIAR Project

Thesis (M. Sc. (Agronomy)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is an important annual leguminous crop grown in arid and semi-arid areas in Sub Saharan Africa. Most of the cowpea production in South Africa is mainly used for domestic consumption and, as seed for planting and little gets to be used in food processing, thus, there is a need to expand the utilization of cowpea through food processing. This study aimed to evaluate cowpea genotypes for phenotypic and canning quality traits. Field experiments were conducted at two locations in Limpopo Province, namely Syferkuil Agricultural Experimental Farm and Ga-Molepo village during the 2017/2018 growing season. The field experiment was comprised of 100 cowpea genotypes laid out in an Alpha Lattice Design replicated twice. Cowpea canning analysis was done using tomato puree following ARC-GC in-house method at the Agricultural Research Council-Grain Crops in Potchefstroom, North West Province of South Africa. Collected data on yield was analysed using Genstat 18th edition and XLSTAT 2021.1.1.1081 software for canning quality data. The results revealed significant differences among the cowpea genotypes based on the number of seeds per pod and 100 seed weight for Syferkuil. Significant differences were also observed among the studied genotypes for 100 seed weight at Ga-Molepo. The highest yield recorded across locations was for genotypes RV 555 (875.4 kg/ha), RV 207 (756,3 kg/ha), RV 439 (694.6 kg/ha) and RV 554 (682.3 kg/ha) respectively. The number of pods per plant recorded a high positive association with pod number per plant and number of seeds per pod. Grain yield of RV 558, RV 556, RV 207, RV 439 and RV 553 was high at Syferkuil and at Ga-Molepo RV 353, RV 194, IT99K-494-6, RV 341 and RV 202 recorded the highest yield. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed the three most important PCs contributing to a total variation of 76.71%. PC1, PC2, and PC3 contributed 51.01, 13.97 and 11.73%, respectively. For canning ability, out of 79 cowpea canned genotypes, only 11 genotypes were spoiled and had a bad odour. About 68 genotypes were suitable for canning including genotypes that had an excellent appearance without cracks or loose skins and even colour. Furthermore, there was vast variability among the genotypes based on yield and yield components as well as canning quality traits. Genotypes with high grain yield and had canning ability are recommended xi for canning. Data produced from this study will add useful information to the database of the characteristics of these cowpea genotypes.

MSc (Plant Production) / Department of Plant Production / See the attached abstract below

South Africa has an array of mining commodities which all play an integral role in our everyday surroundings, income, and most importantly, in the economy of the country. These mining activities also produce vast amounts of discard material, better known as tailings material, which is stored in different ways after extraction has taken place. Usually, storage entails the construction of tailings storage facilities, normal discard or tailings dumps. The upper surfaces of these anthropogenic structures are usually unstable and are, in most cases, characterised by different forms of erosion. This can be due to the chemical and physical properties of the materials of which they are constructed, but mainly due to unstable construction geomorphology, steep slopes, which leads to poor water run-off management and subsequent instability. Therefore, these structures need to be actively managed in order to increase and maintain their stability. Grass establishment, as a stabilisation technique, is the most effective out of all of the techniques, but there are certain constraints regarding this method (Titshall et al. 2013). The most costly constraint is nutrient supplementation during aftercare phases. In order to minimize this cost, new and innovative technologies need to be explored, and trialled. The contribution of soil biological processes in this regard was assessed, in order to minimise anthropogenic inputs. These biological processes refer to the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by nodular root bacteria that grow on a group of plants referred to as legumes. These bacteria, also known as rhizobia, live in a symbiotic relationship with the host plant where they receive energy in the form of nutrients by trading nitrogen, which is an essential plant nutrient. Nine different tailings materials from different commodities available from South African Mines were selected. For a control medium, a well-drained soil type with an apedel structure and a clay content of approximately 6% was selected in order to promote optimal natural growth. These materials were chemically and physically analysed in order to develop a more holistic understanding on a micro scale level, as well as to ascertain possible constraints in this regard. Pot trials were selected as the experimental method in order to apply more specific control over root growth, plant development and growing conditions. The experimental data were collected over one growing season for both live forms. For this study, seven legume species were selected for establishment in the tailings materials in order to investigate their establishment potential in the growth mediums and their ability to fixate nitrogen. Based on the data, specific species were identified as viable options to include in future tailings amelioration projects; it can be assumed that the nitrogen produced by these species will be available in the growth medium for uptake by neighbouring plants that lack this biological function. These plants will also play a vital role in the long-term sustainable development of vegetation in the anthropogenic growth mediums. Sericea lespedeza had the highest enrichment ability during this study. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

South Africa has an array of mining commodities which all play an integral role in our everyday surroundings, income, and most importantly, in the economy of the country. These mining activities also produce vast amounts of discard material, better known as tailings material, which is stored in different ways after extraction has taken place. Usually, storage entails the construction of tailings storage facilities, normal discard or tailings dumps. The upper surfaces of these anthropogenic structures are usually unstable and are, in most cases, characterised by different forms of erosion. This can be due to the chemical and physical properties of the materials of which they are constructed, but mainly due to unstable construction geomorphology, steep slopes, which leads to poor water run-off management and subsequent instability. Therefore, these structures need to be actively managed in order to increase and maintain their stability. Grass establishment, as a stabilisation technique, is the most effective out of all of the techniques, but there are certain constraints regarding this method (Titshall et al. 2013). The most costly constraint is nutrient supplementation during aftercare phases. In order to minimize this cost, new and innovative technologies need to be explored, and trialled. The contribution of soil biological processes in this regard was assessed, in order to minimise anthropogenic inputs. These biological processes refer to the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen by nodular root bacteria that grow on a group of plants referred to as legumes. These bacteria, also known as rhizobia, live in a symbiotic relationship with the host plant where they receive energy in the form of nutrients by trading nitrogen, which is an essential plant nutrient. Nine different tailings materials from different commodities available from South African Mines were selected. For a control medium, a well-drained soil type with an apedel structure and a clay content of approximately 6% was selected in order to promote optimal natural growth. These materials were chemically and physically analysed in order to develop a more holistic understanding on a micro scale level, as well as to ascertain possible constraints in this regard. Pot trials were selected as the experimental method in order to apply more specific control over root growth, plant development and growing conditions. The experimental data were collected over one growing season for both live forms. For this study, seven legume species were selected for establishment in the tailings materials in order to investigate their establishment potential in the growth mediums and their ability to fixate nitrogen. Based on the data, specific species were identified as viable options to include in future tailings amelioration projects; it can be assumed that the nitrogen produced by these species will be available in the growth medium for uptake by neighbouring plants that lack this biological function. These plants will also play a vital role in the long-term sustainable development of vegetation in the anthropogenic growth mediums. Sericea lespedeza had the highest enrichment ability during this study. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study aimed to assess the contribution of anaplerotic C prOVISIOn VIa phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (pEPc, EC 4.1.1.31), during Pi stress in the root and nodule components of Lupinus angustifolius. The role of PEPc in DIC metabolism in roots and nodules of phosphate-starved plants was studied. The symbioses involving leguminous plants and species of Rhizobium and Bradyrhizobium bacteria form an integral part of effective management ofN in the environment. In agricultural settings, roughly 80% of this biologically fixed N2 comes from this type of symbiotic relationship. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in concert with legumes fix atmospheric nitrogen, which is then available to the infected plant. Worldwide, legumes are grown on approximately 250 Mha and they fix about 90 Tg (90 billion tons) of N, per year. The overall stoichiometry for nitrogen assimilation in the nodule requires one molecule of oxaloacetate to be converted to one molecule of asparagine per dinitrogen molecule fixed. One possible source for the required oxaloacetate is the reaction catalysed by PEPc. The reaction catalysed by PEPc is a major source of anaplerotic carbon for the plant and it is expected that this reaction will be even more important to plants under Pi stress, as the reaction is not ATP-dependent. Seeds of Lupinus angustifolius (cv. Wong a) were inoculated with Rhizobium sp. (Lupinus) bacteria and grown in hydroponic culture. Tanks were supplied with either 2 11MP04 (LP) or 2 mM P04 (HP) and air containing 360 ppm CO2. Roots experienced pronounced P stress with a greater decline in Pi, compared to nodules. Under P stress, PEPc activities increased in roots but not in nodules and these changes were not related to the expression of the enzyme. Root and nodular PEPc were not regulated by expression, but possibly by posttranslational control. LP roots also synthesised more pyruvate from malate than LP nodules. The role of pyruvate accumulation under Pi stress, was further highlighted by the metabolism of PEP via both the pyruvate kinase (PK, Ee 2.7.1.40) and PEPc routes. The enhanced PK activities supported these high pyruvate levels. The results show unequivocally that nodules do not experience P stress to the same extent as roots. Implications of the findings are that nodules require low P to function normally. Maintenance of phosphate levels in nodules may be at the expense of host. It can be suggested that when nodules are P-starved they can become aggressive scavengers for available P and even out-compete roots. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om die bydrae van anaplerotiese koolstof-voorsiening via fosfo-enolpirovaatkarboksilase (pEPc, EC 4.1.1.31), tydens fosfaatstremming in die wortels en wortelknoppies van Lupinus angustifolius te bepaal. Die rol van PEPc in die metabolisme van opgeloste anorganiese koolstofdioksied in fosfaat-beperkte wortels en wortelknoppies is ondersoek. Die simbiose tussen peulplante en spesies van Rhizobium en Bradyrhizobium bakterieë vorm 'n integrale deel van die doeltreffende bestuur van stikstof in die omgewing. In die landbou word ongever 80 %van biologies-gefikseerde stikstof deur hierde simbiotiese verhouding geproduseer. Stikstotbindende bakterieë, in simbiose met peulplante, fikseer atmosferiese stikstof, wat dan beskikbaar is vir die geïnfekteerde plant. Wêreldwyd fikseer peulplante ongeveer 90 biljoen ton stikstof per jaar. Die algehele stoïgiometrie vir stikstof-fiksering in wortelknoppies vereis dat een molekule oksaalsuur na een molekule asparagien omgesit word per stikstofmolekule wat gefikseer word. Een moontlike bron vir die benodigde oksaalsuur is die reaksie wat deur PEPc gekataliseer word. Die reaksie wat deur PEPc gekataliseer word is 'n belangrike bron van anaplerotiese koolstof vir die plant en dit word vermoed dat hierdie reaksie van nog groter belang sal wees vir plante onder fosfaatstremming, omdat die reaksie nie ATP-afhanklik is nie. Sade van Lupinus angustifolius (cv. Wonga) is geïnokuleer met Rhizobium sp. (Lupinus) bakterieë en gekweek in waterkultuur. Tenke is voorsien met óf 2 !lM P04 (LP), óf 2 mM P04 (HP) en lug wat 360 ppm CO2 bevat het. Wortels het skerp fosfaatstremming ervaar, met 'n groter afname in Pi, vergelykbaar met wortelknoppies. Tydens fosfaatstremming het die aktiwiteit van PEPc toegeneem in wortels, maar nie in wortelknoppies nie en hierdie veranderinge was nie verwant aan die uitdrukking van die ensiem nie. PEPc van wortels en wortelknoppies is nie gereguleer deur uitdrukking nie, maar moontlik deur post-translasie kontrole. Wortels onder 'n lae-fosfaat voorsiening het ook meer pirodruiwesuur vanaf malaat gesintetiseer as wortelknoppies. Die rol van pirodruiwesuur-akkumulering tydens fosfaatstremming is verder beklemtoon deur die metabolisme van PEP via beide die pirovaatkinase- (PK, EC 2.7.1.40) en PEPc- roetes. Die verhoogde PK-aktiwiteite verklaar hierdie hoër vlakke van pirodruiwesuur. Die resultate toon ondubbelsinnig dat wortelknoppies me tot dieselfde mate fosfaatstremming ervaar as wortels nie. Dit impliseer dat wortelknoppies min fosfaat benodig om normal te funksioneer. Handhawing van fosfaatvlakke in wortelknoppies mag ten koste van die wortel wees. Dit is moontlik dat, wanneer wortelknoppies fosfaatbeperk is, hulle aggressiewe opruimers word vir beskikbare fosfaat en selfs beter funksioneer as die wortels.

ABSTRACT Legumes are becoming increasingly important in cropping systems due to their beneficial effects on soil nutrient availability. Including legumes into a cropping system not only positively affect many soil physical properties and increases soil nitrogen (N) supply, but is also reported to have a positive impact on soil phosphorus (P) availability. Although a series of studies have examined the effect of grain legumes in rotation on increasing soil N and P fertility after several years, the effect of forage legumes like alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) on soil P availability, the yield and P uptake of subsequently grown crops remain unknown in Western Canada. To address this gap, a four year field experiment was conducted in four soil zones of Saskatchewan: Dark Brown soil zone (Saskatoon), thin Black soil zone (Lanigan), Brown soil zone (Swift Current), and Gray soil zone (Melfort). The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate the impact of including a two-year period of forage legumes alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) along with annual crops on soil P forms, amounts and availability and uptake of P by the crops in rotation and (ii) to evaluate the effect of the different crop rotations over the four years on soil P dynamics and P balance. After two years of forage legume and annual crop rotations, it was observed that alfalfa and red clover removed more P from the soil in the hay harvest as compared to the amount of P removed in grain in the barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) - pea (Pisum sativum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) - flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) rotations at all four sites (P < 0.10). However, the four crop rotations did not significantly affect the amount of soil available P and P supply rate at all four sites (P > 0.10) despite greater P uptake and removal by forage legumes relative to annual crops in 2010 and 2011 growing seasons. Also, similar amounts of labile and stable P were measured in the different sequentially extracted chemical fractions after two years of different crop rotations at all sites (P > 0.10). Grain yields of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and canola (Brassica napus L.) crops grown following two years of forage legume and annual crop rotations were positively affected by forage legume rotations at Saskatoon, Lanigan and Melfort (P < 0.10). Wheat P uptake was improved significantly by two years of red clover at Lanigan, Swift Current and Melfort (P < 0.10) but canola P uptake was not affected by different crop rotations at all locations (P > 0.10). The amount of soil available P and P supply rate measured after wheat and canola harvest were not affected by different crop rotations at all sites (P > 0.10) despite the greater P removal by forage legumes during the first two years of the four year crop rotation period at all sites and the enhanced P removal by wheat and canola crops following forage legume rotations at Lanigan and Melfort. This suggests that forage legumes are able to maintain soil P fertility in the face of greater P removal by crops in rotation, at least in the short-term. Four years of continuous cropping with the minimum amount of fertilizer P addition resulted in a significant reduction of soil P fertility over time at all locations (P < 0.10). The lack of a significant effect of rotation treatment on available P levels in the soil does not rule out that there is an effect but variability prevented its detection. Further research is needed to evaluate the effects of several cycles of this rotation over a number of years on soil P availability and the P uptake of crops in rotation.

LD2668 .T4 1949 S55 / Master of Science

Thesis (MTech (Horticulture Science))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2009 / The study used common bean (P. vulgaris L. variety Provider) in a spilt-split-plot design involving 2 levels of Rhizobium inoculation (with and without rhizobia), 3 levels of lime (0, 2 and 3 t.ha-1) and 3 levels of molybdenum (0, 6 and 12 g.kg-1 of seeds) in a glasshouse experiment. The glasshouse experiment was then verified in the field during 2008 and 2009 cropping seasons. The aim was to assess the effects of Rhizobium inoculation, molybdenum and lime supply on: i) yield and yield components of the P. vulgaris L. ii) Changes in soil pH and the concentrations of selected plant-available nutrients in the rhizosphere, iii) photosynthesis and chlorophyll formation in P. vulgaris L. and (iv) plant growth and N2-fixation in P. vulgaris L. The results showed that Rhizobium inoculation had significant effects in increasing yield components and ultimately the final seed yield. Rhizobial inoculation also significantly increased the levels of chlorophyll content in leaves, improved all photosynthetic parameters, increased dry matter yield of different organs and decreased 15N values in all organs assessed. As a result, % nitrogen derived from atmosphere (%Ndfa) in all organs as well as the amount of N derived from fixation was improved. In the field, the whole plant level of N-fixation of P. vulgaris L. from Rhizobium inoculation accounted for approximately 33 kg N.ha-1. Furthermore, soil pH and the concentration of mineral nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn) in the rhizosphere were significantly increased with Rhizobium inoculation when compared with the control.

by Cha Chi Fai. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 139-154). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest Information and Learning Company, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web.