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Benzoic acid regulates the physio-biochemical responses of chia (Salvia hispanica L.) seedlings under salinity stress
(University of Zululand, 2024) Khawula, Ndoni Sindiswa; Nkomo, M.A.; Zharare, G.E.
Plant immobility renders plants constantly susceptible to various abiotic and biotic stresses. These stresses generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause cellular damage through osmotic or oxidative stress, ultimately constraining agricultural productivity worldwide. To mitigate the challenges caused by these stresses, plants have evolved a variety of adaptive strategies, including the secretion of phenolic acids in response to environmental stresses. Phenolic acids can be categorised into different subclasses based on their chemical structures, such as hydroxybenzoic acids and hydroxycinnamic acids. Among them, benzoic acid (B.A) serves as a signaling molecule that mediates physiological responses to various environmental stresses and enhances stress tolerance. This study investigated the effects of exogenously applied B.A on chia during germination and plant growth under salinity stress. Chia seeds were exposed to varying concentrations of sodium chloride (10–400 mM NaCI) and benzoic acid (10–400 μM) to determine the optimal conditions for plant growth promotion and salinity stress mitigation. Plant growth parameters such as shoot and root lengths, fresh and dry weights, relative water content, and leaf area were measured. Essential macronutrients were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed with increasing NaCl concentration. Supplementing B.A to 100 mM NaCl improved plant performance (p < 0.05) compared to salinity stress (100 mM NaCl) alone. Exogenous application of B.A alleviated osmotic stress-induced damage by reducing superoxide anion (O₂˙⁻) levels, altering total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), and preventing the increase in cell death, observed under 100 mM NaCl. These results suggest that exogenously applied benzoic acid enhances chia tolerance to osmotic stress by scavenging O₂˙⁻, preventing lipid peroxidation, and protecting against cell death. Furthermore, B.A application increased total phenolic and flavonoid content (p < 0.05), enhancing antioxidant defence and maintaining higher levels of essential ions such as potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca), which are crucial for salinity (NaCI) tolerance. ISIFINYEZO Ukunganyakazi kwezitshalo kubenza bahlale bebhekene nezinsongo ezihlukahlukene ezibangelwa yisimo sezulu noma izinto eziphilayo. Lezi zinsongo zaziwa ngokuthi zikhiqiza ama-reactive oxygen species (ROS), okuyizakhi ezidala ukusabela okwesibili kwamangqamuzana (ukucindezeleka kwe-osmotic noma i-oxidative), okudala izinselelo ezinkulu ekukhiqizeni ezolimo emhlabeni jikelele. Ukuze zilwe nalezi zinkinga ezibangelwa izinsongo, izitshalo zithuthukise amasu ahlukahlukene okuvikelwa. Ama-phenolic acids ayingxenye ebalulekile yala masu, njengoba aziwa kakhulu ngokuthi akhishwa izitshalo uma zibhekene nezinsongo ezibangelwa yisimo sezulu noma izinto eziphilayo. Ama-phenolic acids angahlukaniswa abe izigaba ezahlukene ngokuya ngesakhiwo samakhemikhali awo, njenge-hydroxybenzoic acids kanye ne-hydroxycinnamic acids. I-Benzoic acid (B.A) iyisikhuthazi sokuxhumana kwezitshalo esithinta ukusabela ngokomzimba kwezitshalo ezimeni ezahlukene zezinsongo zemvelo futhi ithuthukise ukumelana nezinsongo. Lolu cwaningo luhlolisise umphumela we-B.A esetshenziswa ngaphandle ezitshalweni ze-chia ngesikhathi sokuhluma kanye nokukhula kwezitshalo ngaphansi kwezimo zokucindezeleka kwesawoti. Imbewu ye-chia yahlolisiswa ngokuthi ibekwe ezingeni elihlukahlukene le-sodium chloride (10–400 mM NaCl) kanye ne-Benzoic acid (10–400 μM) ukuze kutholakale izimo ezinhle kakhulu zokukhula kwezitshalo nokumelana nokucindezeleka kwesawoti. Izinkomba zokukhula kwezitshalo ezifana nobude besiqu nempande, izisindo ezimanzi nezomile, okuqukethwe kwamanzi okuhlobene, kanye nendawo yamahlamvu kwalinganiswa. Ama-macronutrients abalulekile ahlaziywa kusetshenziswa i-Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Kutholakale umehluko obalulekile (p<0.05) lapho kuqina amazinga e-NaCl. Ukwenezelwa kwe-B.A ku-100 mM NaCl kuthuthukise ukusebenza kwezitshalo (p<0.05) uma kuqhathaniswa nokucindezeleka kwesawoti kuphela (100 mM NaCl). Ukwenezelwa kwe-B.A kwangaphandle kwehlise umonakalo odalwa ukucindezeleka kwe-osmotic ngokunciphisa amazinga e-superoxide anion (O₂˙⁻), ukushintsha okuqukethwe kwe-total phenolic (TPC), okuqukethwe kwe-total flavonoid (TFC), nokufa kwamangqamuzana, okwakhuphuka ngaphansi kwe-100 mM NaCl. Le mibiko ibonisa ukuthi i-Benzoic acid esetshenziswa ngaphandle ithuthukisa ukumelana kwe-chia nokucindezeleka kwe-osmotic ngokukhipha i-O₂˙⁻, ukuvimbela i-lipid peroxidation, kanye nokuvikela ekuqothulweni kwamangqamuzana. Ngaphezu kwalokho, lolu cwaningo lwabonisa ukuthi ukusetshenziswa kwe-B.A kwandisa okuqukethwe kwe-total phenolic kanye ne-flavonoid (p<0.05), kuthuthukise ukuzivikela kwe-antioxidant futhi kwagcina amazinga aphezulu wezinsimbi ezibalulekile ezifana ne-potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), kanye ne-calcium (Ca), ezibalulekile ekumelaneni nesawoti (NaCl).
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Assessment of records management trustworthiness and authenticity to support the auditing process at Umgungundlovu District Municipality in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
(University of Zululand, 2024) Dlamini, Lindo Duppa; Luthuli, L.P
This study assesses trustworthiness and authenticity of records to support the auditing process at uMgungundlovu District Municipality. There have been a number of negative opinions from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) resulting from inadequate records management in some public sector organisations. In conducting this, the study examined the types of records required for auditing at uMgungundlovu District Municipality, the contribution of records trustworthiness and authenticity to auditing, policies, procedures and guidelines in place for maintaining the authenticity of records, challenges hindering records authenticity and trustworthiness and recommendations to the management, on recordkeeping issue to support auditors at uMgungundlovu District Municipality. The study used a qualitative approach and adopted an interpretive paradigm. Sixteen records keepers were part of the data collection for this study, and they were selected using purposive sampling. Google Forms, observation and document analysis were also used as data collection instruments, while thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Despite the existence of records management policies, procedures and guidelines, the study found that proper records management is not sufficiently prioritised at the uMgungundlovu District Municipality, even though a lot of work is required to perform proper records management. This was demonstrated by the absence of formal training for the staff on records management skills, the nonexistence of risk registers, and the lack of evidence which would lead to disclaimer of opinion from the Auditor-General of South Africa at uMgungundlovu District Municipality. The uMgungundlovu District Municipality produces electronic records, paper records, audio-visual records, and micrographic records, which are kept in different divisions. Records are classified by means of a file system that consists of numbers and alphabets at uMgungundlovu District Municipality. The issues of loss of information, unauthorised access, and insecurity of records are still prevalent at uMgungundlovu District Municipality. The study recommends that records management be considered a core component for clean and qualified audits at uMgungundlovu District Municipality, including the creation of risk registers to mitigate potential disasters and tempering the records, as well as the provision of formal records management training for staff.
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Knowledge management practices in public libraries: a case study of uMkhanyakude district in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
(University of Zululand, 2024) Ngcamu, Siphelele; Dlamini, P.N.
The study's main purpose was to survey the knowledge management practices in public libraries in the uMkhanyakude District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Three research objectives informed the study: to identify knowledge management practices in public libraries, understand the value of knowledge management practices in public libraries, and determine the factors hampering knowledge management practices in public libraries. The study was underpinned by knowledge creation whose founder is Nonaka (1994). The study was informed by the interpretivism research paradigm, which is associated with qualitative studies. The study collected data from six librarians who were purposively selected from public libraries. The study adopted a social anthropological approach, which thoroughly evaluated each participant's response. Data was collected from the participants through telephonic semi-structured interviews and was analysed using thematic analysis. The study's findings showed that all six (100%) selected public libraries apply knowledge management practices. The findings of the study revealed that public libraries have knowledge sharing as the main knowledge management practice. It was noted that public libraries employ many practices, but each library employed its practices of choice depending on their knowledge management practices structure. The findings further showed that knowledge management practices in public libraries are employed through meetings, training, information sessions, and awareness, to mention a few. The findings revealed that knowledge management practices make the libraries usable. The results also showed that 83.35% of public libraries had factors hampering knowledge management practices. The factors are not limited to shortage of funds, resources and space, and political interference. Several suggestions were made to improve knowledge management practices in public libraries. These suggestions include improving the library budget, increasing libraries’ building sizes, and conducting more staff training.
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Impact of intervention strategies on motor vehicle accident - induced head injury survivors in Kwazulu-Natal Province, South Africa
(University of Zululand, 2024) Nkwanyana, Nhlakanipho Lawrence
The study explored the role of psychological interventions in the delivery of healthcare for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). This was a case study of selected road accident-induced TBI survivors drawn from my practice as a clinical psychologist. In this connection, I was conscious of my dual role as a researcher and practitioner. I accordingly employed a practice-based enquiry perspective for the purposes of pursuing canons of research quality as well as ethically grounding the study. Data was collected using in-depth phenomenological interviews with selected participants from road accident-induced TBI survivors. There were three main findings. The first was that psychological interventions are one part of a conglomeration of necessary treatments in the delivery of healthcare for TBI survivors. This suggests that the multi-dimensional nature of the disease requires a multidisciplinary approach. The second finding is that healthcare pathways towards recovery - beyond consultations with experts following brain injury - were blurred. Without a clear healthcare roadmap, it is difficult to imagine what chances TBI patients have for recovery. The third finding is that the TBI survivors were not attended to on a timely basis - raising concerns about the likelihood of deterioration and complications of their condition. The study concludes that, while psychological interventions are a necessary and important part of healthcare delivery, they alone are not sufficient to set a TBI patient onto a recovery trajectory. Thus, the main recommendation is that further research on the management of TBI in South Africa be carried out - to develop more appropriate and effective intervention strategies. A proposed framework to contribute to this effort is provided in this study.
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Academics’ adoption and use of moodle in selected South African Universities
(University of Zululand, 2024) Afolabi, Oluwafemi Sunday; Dr. P. Dlamini; Dr. N. Evans
The widespread adoption of e-learning resources since the start of the twenty-first century has significantly transformed the storage, access, and distribution of information in higher education institutions. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the use of Learning Management Systems (LMS), such as Moodle, in many institutions worldwide, including those in South Africa. This study aimed to investigate the adoption and use of Moodle by academics at the University of Zululand (UZ) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) with the view of providing practical and theoretical knowledge to develop best strategies that can improve the adoption and use of Moodle. The specific research objectives were: 1. To assess the level of use of Moodle by academics in the selected universities before, during, and after COVID-19. 2. To determine the purpose of Moodle use by academics in the selected universities. 3. To examine the factors influencing the behavioural intention of academics in the selected universities to use Moodle. 4. To identify the challenges faced in the adoption and use of Moodle among academics in the selected universities. 5. To examine the moderating effect of age, gender, and experience on the adoption and use of Moodle by academics in the selected universities. The study was guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), this study followed a positivist research paradigm, utilizing a quantitative approach. A Priori Power analysis determined the minimum sample size, and data were collected through an online questionnaire using Microsoft Forms. A total of 150 academics participated in the study (61 from UZ and 89 from UKZN), representing response rates of 47% and 68%, respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). The results revealed that before COVID-19, most academics preferred face-to-face teaching, but during the pandemic, online teaching became more favoured. Post-COVID-19, a hybrid teaching approach was preferred. Academics mainly used Moodle for communication, delivering course content, and monitoring student attendance, as well as for assignments, quizzes, and chats. At UZ, performance expectancy significantly influenced academics’ intention to use Moodle, whereas effort expectancy and social influence did not. Facilitating conditions were also not influential. At UKZN, both performance expectancy and social influence significantly impacted the intention to use Moodle, while effort expectancy did not. Facilitating conditions and behavioural intention significantly affected usage behaviour. The moderating effects of gender, age, and experience were found to be insignificant at both universities. Challenges identified included poor internet bandwidth, lack of institutional policy on Moodle use, unreliable electricity supply, poor ICT skills among academics, and limited hardware availability. The study concluded that it is essential to provide conducive conditions for Moodle usage and develop an intuitive interface to enhance academics’ intention to use the platform. While the results are specific to UZ and UKZN and cannot be generalized to other universities, they contribute to the theoretical validity and empirical applicability of the UTAUT model in the context of Moodle adoption. The study recommended that both universities promote blended learning, encourage regular Moodle usage, and organize training sessions to equip academics with the necessary skills. These results have significant implications for e-learning implementation policies in higher education institutions in South Africa and globally. The originality of this study lies in its specific context, subject matter, and application. Its results are valuable for further research, teaching, and learning, as well as for informing e-learning policies in higher education institutions.