Browsing by Author "Mbhele, Zoliswa"

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    Effect of NPK basal fertilizer, nitrogen top dressing and season on growth and yield of Cucurbita argyrosperma
    (University of Zululand, 2017) Mbhele, Zoliswa
    Cucurbita argyrosperma is grown for its edible shoots, flowers, immature and mature fruits as well as seeds, which provide proteins, vitamins, edible oils and minerals. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of NPK basal fertilizer, nitrogen top dressing and seasonal variation on the agronomic traits of C. argyrosperma. Plants were grown at 0; 150; 300 and 450 kg ha-1 NPK basal fertilizer and 0; 150 and 300 kg ha-1 nitrogen top dressing during warm and cold seasons. The application of 300 kg ha-1 NPK and 300 kg ha-1 N resulted in longer vines and larger fruit size. Thicker stems, heavier fresh shoots and roots, vigorously growing first, second and third leaves from the apex, were recorded after an application of 450 kg ha-1 NPK and 300 kg ha-1 N. In the presence of NPK, any addition of nitrogen resulted in numerous leaves with more chlorophyll content. The application of 150 NPK and 300 N resulted in higher root moisture content and more staminate flowers. Numerous pistillate flowers were recorded at a combination of 450 kg ha-1 NPK and 150 kg ha-1 N fertilizers. However, 100 seed mass was not affected by the application of either NPK or nitrogen top dressing. In the warm season plants had thicker stems; numerous leaves; fast-growing first and second leaves from the apex; higher total chlorophyll content as well as heavier fresh and dry shoots and roots. Plants in the warm season (23° – 33°) also produced numerous staminate flowers; many fruits per plant with larger sizes; numerous and heavier seeds per fruit; and heavier hundred seed mass. Plants grown during cold season (16° – 25°) had their third leaf from the apex growing faster, as well as higher shoot and root moisture content. Season did not affect shoot growth as well as the number of pistillate flowers. A positive definition with PCA and significant positive correlation of all measured agronomic traits except shoot and root moisture content show them as proper traits to measure growth and yield in C. argyrosperma. Cluster analysis showed that the application of 300 and 450 kg ha-1 NPK fertilizer at varying nitrogen top dressing concentrations during warm and cold seasons, respectively, can promote growth and yield of C. argyrosperma.
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    Indigenous knowledge, variation in morphology, nutritional composition and genetics of Strychnos spinosa morphotypes
    (2023) Mbhele, Zoliswa; Ntuli, NR and Zharare, GE
    Strychnos spinosa Lam., commonly known as green monkey orange (English) and umHlala (isiZulu), belongs to the Loganiaceae family. It is of African origin, and in South Africa it grows predominantly in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga provinces. It is used for food, medicine and to improve the socio-economic status of rural communities. However, studies on indigenous knowledge, variation in morphology, nutritional composition, and genetics among S. spinosa morphotypes are limited. Thus, this study aimed to determine the indigenous knowledge, variation in morphology, nutrition, and genetics among S. spinosa morphotypes. Local indigenous knowledge on S. spinosa was documented from Oyemeni community in KwaZulu Natal, whereas variation in morphology, nutritional and genetic analysis were assesed from morphotypes at Bonamanzi Game Reserve in Northern KwaZulu-Natal. Indigenous uses of S. spinosa included direct fruit consumption; development of local and nutrient dense food products and drinks, such as fermented maize meal (umBhantshi), fermented porridge (amaHewu), alcohol, juice, and jam; various medicines; as well as for homestead protection, livestock increase and firewood. Oyemeni community gave the first report on umBhantshi preparation from S. spinosa, and indigenous knowledge on the morphological and organoleptic variations that exist within S. spinosa. Apparently, the whole study was the first evidence of variation among S. spinosa morphotypes based on morphological, nutritional, and genetic traits. This also included the first report on the existence of purple, pyriform, and rough fruits, as well as a purple tint on the juvenile leaves. Fruit and seed traits, as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron, manganese, fat, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre, sodium and crude protein nutrient, were the important traits used to determine variation among S. spinosa morphotypes, based on principal component analysis. In cluster analyses, morphotypes GRR-dGEO, GRxCP-GEF, GvRxCR-GEF, GRxCP-dGEF, PRR-dGRF, PRxCP-GEO, GvRR-dGEO, GvRR-GRO, GRxCR-dGEF, and GRxCR-dGEO were associated based on their rough pericarp texture, small-sized fruits, high nutrient content in fruits, and related genetic attributes. These morphotypes can be recommended for future breeding, domestication, use in various food products and commercialisation practices. This study also reported the first development and successful use of simple sequence repeat markers for genetic diversity and population structure of S. spinosa. Results on diversity in morphology and genetics of S. spinosa morphotypes can be used to improve these fruit species for commercialisation and enhanced food security, as they have a nutritional profile that is above well-known commericial fruits.