Resumo: O Brasil é um dos maiores produtores de carambola do mundo, entretanto há poucas informações científicas, especialmente estudos de nutrição mineral. Objetivando-se contribuir com o conhecimento de nutrição mineral da caramboleira, desenvolveram-se estudos que permitissem avaliar o crescimento e o acúmulo de nutrientes na frutífera nas fases de hipobioto (porta-enxerto), muda e plantas em formação. Foram realizados dois experimentos em casa de vegetação em hidroponia, nas fases de hipobioto e mudas de caramboleira, na Universidade Estadual Paulista "Julio de Mesquita Filho" - UNESP, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias - FCAV, Câmpus Jaboticabal, Brasil, coordenadas de 210 15' 22" sul, 480 18' 58" oeste e altitude de 615 m. O experimento com hipobioto foi realizado no período de agosto a dezembro de 2005, tendo cinco tratamentos constituídos por épocas de coleta: 25, 50, 75, 100 e 125 dias após o transplantio e seis repetições, disposto em delineamento inteiramente casualizado. O experimento realizado com as mudas foi desenvolvidos, no período de março a junho de 2006, em parcelas subdivididas, com três repetições, tendo como parcelas duas cultivares de caramboleira (B-10 e Golden Star) e, como subparcelas cinco épocas de coletas de plantas: 208,233,258,283 e 308 dias após o transplantio para a solução nutritiva, disposto em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições. Em ambos os experimentos, avaliaram-se, em todas as coletas, a altura da planta, o diâmetro do caule e a área foliar. Em seguida, as plantas foram divididas em raízes, caule e folhas, determinando-se a massa da matéria seca e o teor de nutrientes nos referidos órgãos. O experimento realizado a campo foi desenvolvido de outubro de 2006 a novembro de 2008, em área experimental da FCAV/UNESP, Câmpus Jaboticabal, em Latossolo Vermelho eutrófico típico (Eutrustox). / Abstract: Brazil is one of the greatest star fruit producers in the world; however, there is little scientific information, especially mineral nutrition studies which contributesto the production. Aiming to contribute to the star fruit knowlege in the field of mineral nutrition, researches were developed to evaluate the growth and the nutrients accumulation in the 'hipobioto', seedling and orchard in formation under irrigation conditions. Two experiments were accomplished at greenhouse in hydroponics at the São Paulo State University - Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias 'Julio de MesquitaFilho', Jaboticabal Campus, with coordinates of 210 15' 22" South, 48018' 58" West and 615 m of altitude. The experiment with 'hipobioto' was accomplished in the periodfrom August to December 2005 and it was constituted by an experiment with five treatments that reffered to the collection time 25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 days after the transplanting and six repetitions, deposed in an completely randomized designo The seedlings experiment was accomplished in the period from March to June 2006, in slipt plots with three replications. As a plot, it was used two star fruit cultivars ('B-10' and 'GoldenStar') and, as a slipt plot, the five collection of plants accomplished by 208, 233, 258, 283 and 308 days after the transplanting for the nutritious solution, disposed in completely randomized design with three replications. It was evaluated, in both experiments, the plant height, the stem diameter, and the leaf area in ali collections. Afterthat, the plants were divided in roots, stem and leaves, determining the mass of the dry matter and the nutrients content in the referred organs. The experiment was accomplished on the field from October 2006 to November 2008, in an experimental area of the FCAV/UNESP, Jaboticabal Campus, in Eutrustox. / Orientador: Renato de Mello Prado / Coorientador: William Natale / Banca: Antonio Enedi Boaretto / Banca: Francisco Maximino Fernandes / Banca: José Carlos Barbosa / Banca: José Frederico Centurion / Doutor

Resumo: Objetivou-se estudar os efeitos nutricionais da omissão de boro, doses de boro via foliar, tempo de absorção e a sua mobilidade em plantas de tomate e beterraba cultivadas em ambiente protegido. Para isto, foram realizados na Unesp Câmpus Jaboticabal, quatro experimentos com as plantas do tomate e da beterraba cultivadas em vasos. Estudou-se no primeiro a omissão de boro em plantas de tomate e beterraba. No segundo experimento, estudou-se as doses de boro via foliar nas duas hortaliças. No terceiro experimento, estudou-se a absorção foliar de B ao longo do tempo nas plantas de tomate e beterraba. Comparou-se no quarto experimento, a mobilidade do boro absorvido pelas raízes e pelas folhas, para as partes novas da planta. Em todos os experimentos, avaliaram-se as variáveis de crescimento, nutrição e de produção de matéria seca das plantas. Verificou-se, no primeiro experimento, que o prejuízo da deficiência de boro ficou evidente no final do ciclo das hortaliças (terceiro estádio de desenvolvimento), causando maior diminuição nos órgãos reprodutivos do tomate (frutos) e da beterraba (raiz tuberosa). No segundo experimento, a adubação foliar com o micronutriente promoveu a maior produção de matérias secas do fruto e da planta inteira do tomateiro, com pulverizações foliares de B na concentração de 0,340 g L-1 e esteve associada com o teor foliar de B de 72 mg kg-1. Para a produção de matérias secas da raiz tuberosa e da planta inteira de beterraba ocorreu com 0,065 g L- 1 e associou-se com o teor de B de 26 mg kg-1. No terceiro experimento, notou-se que o B é rapidamente absorvido pelas folhas, atingindo 50% do B absorvido, próximo de dez horas após aplicação para o tomate e duas horas e meia após a aplicação para a beterraba. No último experimento, observou-se que a aplicação do boro via foliar não foi... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This work aimed to study the nutritional effects of the boron omission, boron doses by foliar means, absorption time and its mobility in both tomato and beetroot cultures which were cultivated in a protected environment. For this purpose, four experiments with the plants of both tomato and beetroot cultivated in vases were used at the Unesp Campus of Jaboticabal. In the first experiment, it was studied the boron absorption by the roots of both vegetables in a hydropnic system, with the presence and the omission of the micronutrient. In the second experiment, it was studied the boron doses by foliar means in both vegetables. In the third one, it was studied the foliar absorption of B over the time in both tomato and beetroot plants. In the fourth, it was compared the boron mobility absorbed by the roots and the leaves, for the new parts of the plant. In all the experiments, it was evaluated the growth, nutrition and production variables of the plants dry matter. It was verified, in the first experiment, that the boron deficiency loss was evident in the end of the vegetables cycle (third development phase) causing higher decrease in the reproductive organs of the tomato (fruits) and beetroot (tuberous root). In the second experiment, the foliar fertilization with the micronutrient promoted the highest production of both the fruit's and the whole plant's dry matter of the tomato plant with B foliar spray at the concentration of 0,340 g L-1 and it was associated with the B leaf content of 72 mg kg-1. The tuberous root and the beetroot whole plant dry matter production occurred with 0,065 g L-1 and it was associated with the B content of 26 mg kg-1. In the third experiment, it was noticed that the B is quickly absorbed by the leaves, reaching 50% of the absorbed B, close to ten hours after the application for the tomato and two hours and... (Complete abstract, click electronic access below) / Orientador: Renato de Mello Prado / Coorientador: Arthur Bernardes Cecílio Filho / Banca: William Natale / Banca: Jairo Osvaldo Cazetta / Banca: Cassio Hamilton Abreu Junior / Banca: Francisco Maximino Fernandes / Doutor

Orientadores: Ricardo Ribeiro Rodrigues, Beatriz Appezzato-da-Gloria / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-15T21:40:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Muniz_MartaReginaAlmeida_D.pdf: 4518938 bytes, checksum: 396e1e3e5133f391b653239abaabfc34 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: O presente abordou aspectos da relação solo-planta, verificando o reflexo das condições físico-químicas e da disponibilidade hídrica do solo de áreas de Cerradão (Ce) e de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual (FES), sobre a anatomia do xilema secundário, sobre aspectos morfológicos (comprimento e a biomassa de parte aérea e de raízes), e sobre o teor, a quantidade e a distribuição de nutrientes e alumínio em plantas jovens de espécies arbóreas. O objetivo geral foi comparar plantas jovens de espécies arbóreas de Cerradão e de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual quanto ao crescimento proporcional em parte aérea e raízes, a distribuição da biomassa, aos teores e conteúdo de nutrientes e de alumínio, e a organização do xilema secundário, a fim de elucidar se há diferenças entre essas formações. O trabalho foi desenvolvido em duas parcelas de 10 ha de Cerradão (Estação Ecológica de Assis; Assis, SP) e de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual (Estação Ecológica de Caetetus; Gália, SP) que são mantidas pelo projeto temático "Parcelas Permanentes". Este trabalho foi dividido em dois capítulos: o primeiro relacionado a aspectos morfológicos, como comprimento total da parte aérea e raízes, biomassa, e teores, quantidades e distribuição de nutrientes (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Zn, Mn, Cu, Fe) e alumínio na planta. Para este estudo, foram escolhidas espécies abundantes e que representam aproximadamente 50% da comunidade arbórea adulta presentes em cada uma das parcelas. No total, foram escolhidas sete espécies de Ce e oito espécies de FES, sendo utilizadas para as análises, quinze plantas jovens de cada uma das espécies em cada uma das formações. Dentre as espécies escolhidas, duas são comuns entre Ce e FES. No segundo capítulo realizou-se uma abordagem anatômica, para o qual foram utilizadas plantas jovens de Cupania tenuivalvis Radlk, que é uma espécie comum às duas formações, pertencente à família Sapindaceae e que possui tuberizações ao longo de suas raízes. Os resultados encontrados neste trabalho mostraram que as variáveis analisadas são definidas pelas características edáficas dessas duas formações. As maiores concentrações de nutrientes encontrados em plantas de FES estão relacionados à maior disponibilidade de nutrienentes presentes no solo dessa formação. As diferenças entre o xilema secundário das plantas jovens de Cupania tenuivalvis Radlk estão relacionadas à disponibilidade de água nas camadas superficiais dos solos dessas duas formações / Abstract: This study investigated aspects of soil-plant relations, focusing on how physicochemical conditions and ground water availability in areas of Savannah (Sa) and Seasonal Semideciduous Forest (SSF) reflect on the anatomy of secondary xylem, on shoot and roots morphological characteristics such as length and biomass, and also on the percentage, quantity and distribution of nutrients and aluminum in wildlings of tree species. The overall objective was the comparison between saplings of tree species from Savannah and Seasonal Semideciduous Forest regarding the proportional investment in shoot vs roots, biomass distribution, percentage and content of nutrients and aluminum, and secondary xylem organization in order to elucidate whether there are significant differences between these vegetation formations. The study was conducted in two plots of 10 ha of Savannah (Assis Ecological Station, Assis, SP) and Seasonal Semideciduous Forest (Ecological Station Caetetus; Gália, SP) that are maintained by the project "Permanent Plots." This study is divided into two chapters. The first chapter focuses on aboveground and belowground morphology, total length and biomass, besides nutrients and aluminum percentages, amounts and distribution in the plant. For this study, we chose abundant species which represent aproximately 50% of the adult tree community present in each of the plots. In total, seven species were chosen from Ce and eight species of FES, and used for analysis, fifteen saplings of each species in each of the formations. Among the species elected,two are common these two formations. In the second chapter held an anatomical approach, for which they were used of Cupania tenuivalvis Radlk, which is a species common to both two formations in the family Sapindaceae and has tuberous along their roots. The results of this study showed that the variables examined are defined by soil characteristics of these two formations. The highest concentrations of nutrients found in plants of FES are related to increased availability of nutrienentes in the soil of that training. The differences between the secondary xylem of saplings of Cupania tenuivalvis Radlk. are related to water availability in the surface layers of soils in these two formations / Doutorado / Doutor em Biologia Vegetal

Orientador: Rafael Silva Oliveira / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T21:06:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Candido_HugoGalvao_M.pdf: 2416852 bytes, checksum: e2c495e1dc8a3aa3997d789f5761655e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: A disponibilidade de nutrientes tem um papel fundamental na estruturação de comunidades vegetais. Um modelo teórico recentemente proposto por Lambers et al. 2008 postula que em regiões com solos muito antigos e pobres em fósforo e nitrogênio, as espécies dominantes teriam maior proporção de especializações radiculares e menos associações com fungos micorrízicos. Estas regiões foram classificadas como OCBILs (do inglês: old, climatically buffered, infertile landscapes). Este estudo teve como objetivo testar tal modelo e avaliar se comunidades de campos rupestres podem ser categorizadas como OCBILs, avaliar se os campos rupestres podem ser considerados OCBILs mediante uma análise comparativa de um conjunto de caracteres morfofisiológicos das plantas e características físico-químicas do solo, através do estudo de seis comunidades na Cadeia do Espinhaço, Minas Gerais. Selecionamos as dez espécies mais abundantes em cada uma áreas distribuídas ao longo de um transecto de 190 km, totalizando 60 espécies. Avaliamos os atributos foliares (concentração de N, P, análise da massa foliar por unidade de área e razão N:P) e a colonização de raízes por micorrizas. Quimicamente, os solos dos campos rupestres têm baixa disponibilidade de P e N, comparáveis aos solos de outros OCBILs (oeste da Austrália e região do Cabo na África do Sul). A proporção de colonização das raízes das plantas por fungos foi positivamente correlacionada com a [P] do solo de cada comunidade, corroborando o modelo de Lambers em uma escala regional. Espécies de campos rupestres apresentam uma alta razão N:P foliar (média de 43 para todos os campos de estudo), maior que as encontradas nos outros OCBILs, o que sugere uma forte limitação por fósforo. Foram encontradas médias de 183 g m-2 para LMA, 12,46 mg g-1 para o N foliar e de 0,36 mg g-1 para o P foliar. Pelos resultados obtidos propomos que os campos rupestres devem ser classificados também como OCBILs, status que demandaria maior atenção para esses campos ainda pouco estudados e já ameaçados ecologicamente / Abstract: The availability of nutrients plays a key role in structuring plant communities. A theoretical model recently proposed by Lambers et al. (2008) postulates that in regions with very old and poor soils in P and N, the dominant species had a higher proportion of specializations and less root associations with mycorrhizal fungi. These regions were classified as OCBILs (ols, climatically buffered, infertile landscapes). This study aims to test this model and asses whether communities of rupestrian fields might be categorized as OCBILs by analyzing the chemical composition of soil, leaf stoichiometry and % mycorrhizal root colonization by the dominant species in six communities in the Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais. We selected the ten most abundant species in each of areas distributed along a transect of 190 km, totaling 60 species. We evaluated the leaf attributes (concentration of N, P analysis of leaf mass per unit area and N:P ratio) and colonization of roots by micorrhiza. Chemucally, the soil of the rupestrian fields shows very low availability of P and N, comparable to other soils OCBILs (Western Australia and the Cape region in South Africa). The proportion of root colonization of plants by fungi was positively correlated with [P] soil of each community, supporting the Lambers model's on a regional scale. Species of rupestrian fields have a high N:P ratio leaf (average of 43 for all fields studied), higher than those found in other OCBILs, suggesting a strong limitation by phosphorus. We found average 183 gm.m-2 for LMA, 12,46 mg.g-1 and 0,36 mg.g-1 to P leaf. The results obtained suggests that rupestrian fields should also be classified as OCBILs, status wich would require greater attention to these fields still little studied and already threatened ecologicaly / Mestrado / Ecologia / Mestre em Ecologia

Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-26T18:56:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Antonio.pdf: 211885 bytes, checksum: e214e1b48dae596dc66cc5f486b6a338 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-11-23 / The Northwest area of the State of Paraná-Brazil has been turning into an important agricultural border. The purpose of this work is to study the productivity in the cover with nitrogen and potassium and their reflexions in the chemical parameters on the ground and the exportation of nutrients by grains, and the ground classified as Red Argissolo (red clayey soil), Calcium and Magnesium poor. This work has been done in the city of Umuarama (S 23°50', W 53°18 and Altitude 467,0 m). The experimental delineation was done in blocks at random, with four repetitions, and four treatments (1 With no application of fertilizers in the cover; 2 100 kg ha-1 of K2O and 20 kg ha-1 of Nitrogen. 3 100 kg ha-1 of K2O. 4 20 kg ha-1 of Nitrogen). It was concluded that there was no meaningful answer in productivity, in fertilization, in cover with nitrogen and potassium and in the soybean culture. There was no meaningful difference on the ground parameters, except to the calcium drift and the exportation of nutrients by grains, except for potassium and sulfur / A região noroeste do Estado do Paraná vem se tornando uma importante fronteira agrícola. Com o objetivo de estudar o incremento da produtividade na cultura da soja, devido à adubação em cobertura com nitrogênio e potássio, e seus reflexos nos parâmetros químicos do solo e na exportação de nutrientes pelos grãos, num solo classificado como Argissolo Vermelho, derivado do Arenito Caiuá, deficiente em cálcio e magnésio, foi realizado o trabalho no município de Umuarama (23˚50 S, 53˚18 W e altitude 467,0 m) tendo em vista a grande área de cultivo nestas condições e o baixo número de experimentos nestes locais. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e quatro tratamentos (1 sem aplicação de adubos em cobertura; 2 100 kg ha-1 de K2O e 20 kg ha-1 de Nitrogênio. 3 100 kg ha-1 de K2O. 4 20 kg ha-1 de Nitrogênio). Concluiu-se que não houve resposta significativa, em produtividade, à adubação, em cobertura, com nitrogênio e com potássio, na cultura da soja, não houve diferença significativa nos parâmetros de solo, exceto para o teor de cálcio e não houve diferença significativa para a exportação de nutrientes pelos grãos, exceto para o potássio e enxofre

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-18T17:51:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Antonio.pdf: 211885 bytes, checksum: e214e1b48dae596dc66cc5f486b6a338 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-11-23 / The Northwest area of the State of Paraná-Brazil has been turning into an important agricultural border. The purpose of this work is to study the productivity in the cover with nitrogen and potassium and their reflexions in the chemical parameters on the ground and the exportation of nutrients by grains, and the ground classified as Red Argissolo (red clayey soil), Calcium and Magnesium poor. This work has been done in the city of Umuarama (S 23°50', W 53°18 and Altitude 467,0 m). The experimental delineation was done in blocks at random, with four repetitions, and four treatments (1 With no application of fertilizers in the cover; 2 100 kg ha-1 of K2O and 20 kg ha-1 of Nitrogen. 3 100 kg ha-1 of K2O. 4 20 kg ha-1 of Nitrogen). It was concluded that there was no meaningful answer in productivity, in fertilization, in cover with nitrogen and potassium and in the soybean culture. There was no meaningful difference on the ground parameters, except to the calcium drift and the exportation of nutrients by grains, except for potassium and sulfur / A região noroeste do Estado do Paraná vem se tornando uma importante fronteira agrícola. Com o objetivo de estudar o incremento da produtividade na cultura da soja, devido à adubação em cobertura com nitrogênio e potássio, e seus reflexos nos parâmetros químicos do solo e na exportação de nutrientes pelos grãos, num solo classificado como Argissolo Vermelho, derivado do Arenito Caiuá, deficiente em cálcio e magnésio, foi realizado o trabalho no município de Umuarama (23˚50 S, 53˚18 W e altitude 467,0 m) tendo em vista a grande área de cultivo nestas condições e o baixo número de experimentos nestes locais. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, com quatro repetições e quatro tratamentos (1 sem aplicação de adubos em cobertura; 2 100 kg ha-1 de K2O e 20 kg ha-1 de Nitrogênio. 3 100 kg ha-1 de K2O. 4 20 kg ha-1 de Nitrogênio). Concluiu-se que não houve resposta significativa, em produtividade, à adubação, em cobertura, com nitrogênio e com potássio, na cultura da soja, não houve diferença significativa nos parâmetros de solo, exceto para o teor de cálcio e não houve diferença significativa para a exportação de nutrientes pelos grãos, exceto para o potássio e enxofre

Woody plant encroachment is one of the major problems worldwide because it affects negatively the herbaceous layer, which provide forage for livestock production. However, the role of ruminants particularly browsers in the dispersal of woody plant seeds still remains a concern for farmers interested in grass production. Seedpods of various woody plant species constitute a crucial part of the diet of herbivores during the dry season because of their high nutritional quality compared to herbaceous material. The interaction of associated diet quality, seed characteristics and animal species among other factors play a pivotal part in the success of livestock faecal seeds dispersion. Furthermore, dispersed seeds that successfully grow into mature woody plants become an important source of protein for herbivores. The use of woody plants as a source forage is known to be limited by plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) such as condensed tannins. The objectives of this study were to determine 1) the effects of condensed tannins and crude protein of Vachellia tortilis and Dichrostachys cinerea pods in seed recovery and germination fed to goats, and 2) the effects of diet mixing on the feed intake of plant species by goats. In the first experiment, a total of 12 female indigenous goats and 12 female Pedi sheep were utilised in this study, with the average body weights of 29.50 kg ± 1.60 (S.E) and 28.70 kg ± 1.60, respectively. Twelve goats were grouped into two groups of six goats per group, one group was fed D. cinerea pods and the other group was fed V. tortilis pods. The group of 12 sheep were divided similarly, the one group was fed D. cinerea pods and the other group was fed V. tortilis pods. Each animal was given V. tortilis and D. cinerea pods at 2.50% of their body weight. All animals were allowed to consume D. cinerea or V. tortilis pods within 24 h, after which the remaining pods were collected and weighed. Faecal collection commenced immediately after the 24 h pods feeding and was carried on until no seeds were discovered in faeces. All faeces extracted from sheep and goats were collected daily in the morning from the faecal bags. In the second experiment, a total of 24 indigenous goats with average body weight of 26.6 kg ± 0.51 were utilised. Goats were arbitrarily selected and grouped into four groups of six goats per group (goats were placed individually in 2 m2 pens). Each group was fed one of the following diets: diet one - Searsia lancea, diet two - S. pyroides, diet three - Euclea crispa and diet four - was a combination of the three plant species (Searsia lancea, S. pyroides and Euclea crispa). Searsia lancea, S. pyroides and E. crispa branches were collected every morning prior to feeding, and were weighed before offering the animals. Refusals were gathered and weighed, and intake was calculated as distinction between weight in and refusals. Plant species foliage were analysed for crude protein, condensed tannin, acid detergent lignin, acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre. During the first experiment, the cumulative percentage seed recovery of V. tortilis from goats (46.00 % ± 1.90) and sheep (52.00 % ± 2.93) was significantly higher than D. cinerea from goats (13 % ± 1.47) and sheep (24.00 % ± 1.16). Germination percentage of D. cinerea seeds that passed through the gastro-intestinal tract of goats (33.12 % ± 2.94) and sheep (36.00 % ± 2.68) was significantly higher than V. tortilis seeds that passed through the gastro-intestinal tract of goats (28.98 % ± 2.68) and sheep (23.04 % ± 2.81). Average D. cinerea (34.56 % ± 1.99) and V. tortilis (26.02 %± 2.10) seeds that went through the gastro-intestinal of goats and sheep had a significantly higher germination rate than the control (i.e. no passage through the gut; D. cinerea = 2.31 % ± 1.55, V. tortilis = 5.07 % ± 2.68). The high mean cumulative percentage seed recovery of V. tortilis (18.80 %) may be attributed to the relatively higher crude protein than D. cinerea (12.20 %). This may encourage animal seed dispersal and germination of woody plant species with relatively high crude protein content. In the second experiment, Searsia lancea contained 8.50 % CP, 21.46 % acid detergent fibre (ADF), 12.50 % ADL and 39.37 % NDF. Searsia pyroides had 9.03 % CP, 27.07 % ADF, 10.89 % ADL and 40.30 % NDF. Euclea crispa had 6.19 % CP, 26.20 % ADF, 16.63 % ADL and 30.02 % NDF. Mixed diet (combination of the three plant species) had 8.96 % CP, 23.72 % ADF, 11.13 % ADL and 38.28 % NDF. Searsia lancea had 2.70 % of CTs while S. pyroides had 5.20 % CT, E. crispa had 6.44 % CT and mixed diet had 7.20 % CT. The mean dry matter intake varied significantly among dietary groups (P < 0.001). Similarly, goats offered a mixed diet consumed more CTs (P < 0.01) than those offered individual forage species. The high mean cumulative percentage seed recovery of V. tortilis may be attributed to the higher crude protein of V. tortilis (18.80 %) than D. cinerea (12.20 %). Higher passage rate may encourage animal seed dispersal and germination of plant species. The results from experiment two support the postulation that animals foraging in mixed diet systems consume more PSMs and achieve higher dry matter intake than animals confined to monocultures or single species feeding systems. Given that woody plant encroachment is already reducing farm-grazing capacities in African savannas and this problem is predicted to double by 2050, strategies that improve herbivore ability to consume woody plants will increase forage availability and inform bush control programmes and policies. Moreover, the concomitant increase in CTs by goats exposed to diets with diverse species also has positive implications for animal / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

MSCPNT / Department of Nutrition / Hypertension remains a major public health problem that needs different comprehensive health strategies to deal with it. Indigenous vegetables, Blackjack in particular, have been shown to possess anti-hypertensive properties that are attributed to bioactive chemical substances such as phytochemicals, fiber, antioxidants as well as micronutrients that include potassium, magnesium, calcium, vitamin C, zinc, iron and copper. The use of indigenous vegetables in combination with the conventional hypertension treatment may reduce hypertensive conditions; hence, the purpose of this study was to determine Blackjack nutritional knowledge and consumption by hypertensive patients. A cross-sectional study employing both quantitative and qualitative methods was conducted on 275 hypertensive participants at Mphambo and Mutale Health Centers, Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa. A questionnaire was used to collect data on participants’ Blackjack nutritional knowledge, Blackjack availability around their households as well as their Blackjack consumption patterns and nutritional status. The Blackjack nutritional knowledge data was triangulated with focus group discussions and participants’ nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric and dietary intake methods. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated and dietary intake frequency from selected foods was determined. Blood pressure was measured using Microlife automatic blood pressure monitor. The findings indicated that most hypertensive participants had poor knowledge of the nutritional importance of Blackjack and its associated medicinal contribution on hypertension management. Participants were unable to mention different diseases that can be prevented or managed by Blackjack, which was mostly consumed once a week with porridge during the summer season. Hypertensive patients were consuming high amounts of sodium and less amounts of minerals that are known to regulate blood pressure, such as potassium and magnesium. Hypertensive patients had high prevalence of overweight and obesity and most were either in hypertension stage 1 or stage 2. Lack of Blackjack nutritional knowledge may have contributed to a decreased consumption of Blackjack by hypertensive patients. The health professionals should promote the nutritional benefits of Blackjack in rural areas, particularly to hypertensive patients to raise awareness of Blackjack’s benefits in disease prevention and management. / NRF