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Evaluation of pigeon [cajanus cajan (L.)] varieties and phosphorus fertilization on drought tolerance mechanisms, grain yield and nutritional value under no-till in a smallholder farming system of South Africa
Get PDFThesis (Ph.D. Agriculture (Plant Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023The first study comprised a survey on pigeon peas to determine the crop’s current
status in six local municipalities within the two Provinces. The survey study was
divided into two sections. The first section found that the crop is produced on less than
1 ha of land, mostly by old, female, and subsistence farmers, mainly for home
consumption. Out of 114 farmers interviewed, 11 were smallholder farmers, 103
subsistence, and no commercial farmers were recorded. Grain yield ranged from 10
to 20 kg ha-1 and fewer farmers produced more than 200 kg ha-1. About 66% of farmers
used unknown pigeon pea varieties. The crop is mostly produced in an intercrop
system with maize and mangoes without fertilizer applications. Only 3% of male
farmers used pigeon pea for fodder. About 78% used pigeon peas for income
generation and mainly were male farmers. Majority of farmers confirmed that markets
are available both locally and internationally. The second section revealed that low
production yields were caused primarily by drought, high temperatures, poor
agronomic practices, the use of unimproved seeds, and the outbreak of insect pests
and disease.
The second study was carried out in smallholder farmers' fields at two locations in
Limpopo and Mpumalanga, namely, Ofcolaco and Zoeknog respectively from
December 2019 to July 2021 to assess the growth and yield of pigeon pea. The trials
were laid out at the two experimental sites as a randomized complete block design
(RCBD) in 4 × 2 factorial arrangements with three replications. The two treatment
factors were four pigeon pea varieties, namely Komboa; Tumia; Ilonga 14-M2; local
landrace, and two levels of P-fertilizers at 0 kg ha-1 and 60 kg ha-1. Shoot biomass
ranged from 5375 to 10149 kg ha-1 for all varieties and sampling dates at both
locations. Application of P-fertilizer and growth stages (P X DAP) significantly
influenced shoot biomass at 180 DAP only at Ofcolaco. Interaction of V x P did not
show significant variations in shoot biomass at both locations. At Ofcolaco, P yield in
plant tissue ranged from 11.11 to 23.89 kg ha-1 and 15.11 to 41.47 kg ha-1 at 120 and
470 DAP, respectively, whereas at Zoeknog, the range was from 16.73 to 31.09kg ha-
1 and 22.68 to 52.0 kg ha-1 at 120 and 470 DAP, respectively. PRE was reduced by
the application of P-fertilizer at 60 kg ha-1. The Ilonga 14-M2 variety and the local
landrace produced the lowest grain yield ranging from 618 kg ha-1 to 922 kg ha-1.
Komboa produced the highest grain yield of 1136 kg ha-1 and 1431kg ha-1 during the
first harvest at Ofcolaco and Zoeknog, respectively. The study revealed that
unfertilized plants had a higher HI of 30.64% relative to fertilized plants which attained
27.23% during the first harvest only at Ofcolaco.
The third study objective was to identify pigeon pea varieties under P fertilization that
are tolerant to drought conditions through root biomass production, stomatal
conductance, and water use efficiency (WUE). Across all sampling dates, Ilonga 14-
M2 produced the highest root biomass of 3185 and 3867 kg ha-1 at Ofcolaco and
Zoeknog, respectively. Significant variations in P-fertilizer application were observed
from 150 to 500 DAP at Ofcolaco and Zoeknog only at 500 DAP. Photosynthetic rates
ranged from 26.39 to 39.06 (μmol m-2s-1) across varieties. Application of P-fertilizer at
60 kg ha-1 influenced the opening of the stomata for Komboa and controlled in Ilonga
14-M2. Komboa resulted in higher intrinsic-WUE due to higher photosynthesis rates over
stomatal conductance. Ilonga 14-M2 had the highest instantaneous-WUE, low
photosynthetic and transpiration rates, and able to control their stomatal conductance
The interaction effect of V x P in instantaneous -WUE was significant and not significant for
intrinsic WUE.
The fourth study objective was to assess the effect of pigeon pea variety and Pfertilizer
application on the nutritional composition of pigeon pea grain. Protein content
ranking was 33.30, 32.81, 23.25%, and 20.84% for Ilonga 14-M2, Tumia, Komboa,
and the local varieties, respectively at Zoeknog. P-fertilizer application did not change
the nutritive value and mineral elements of pigeon pea grains. Minerals, trace
elements, and residual soil nutrients did not differ significantly among varieties, Pfertilizer
application, and interactions at both locations. In conclusion, Ilonga 14-M4
proved to be a promising variety for drought tolerance, soil fertility enhancement, high
protein content, and satisfactory grain yield even under suboptimal rainfall growing
seasons. Komboa variety is recommended for farmers in grain production. Whereas
Tumia is a dual-purpose variety The application of P-fertilizer at 60 kg ha-1 enhanced
pigeon pea’s drought tolerance and productivity but this was found to be dependent
on several factors which extend to growth stage, variety, locality, climatic conditions,
soil type, and agronomic management practices.National Research Foundation (NRF
Assessing english grammar proficiency of exit-level university students : the case of the University of Limpopo
Get PDFThesis Ph.D. (English Studies) -- University of Limpopo, 2023Research on university students’ grammar proficiency levels at both local and international contexts indicates a general struggle with self-expression and communication skills necessary for interaction among peers and lecturers, especially with written activities. The aim of the study was to assess the proficiency levels of English exit-level students at the University of Limpopo. The identified research problem was the rampant poor student grammar proficiency, especially at exit-levels at Higher Education institutions. This emanates from insufficient knowledge of grammar structures, resulting in poor self-expression, inadequate vocabulary skills as well as failure to attach meaning to texts. The research design was exploratory and the approach qualitative. Purposive sampling was employed to select two exit-level English grammar module lecturers to complete questionnaires. Secondly, convenience sampling was used for two samples: a sample of 10 exit-level English students who participated in semi-structured interviews as well as for a sample of 10 essays written by the interviewed students for document analysis. The study was underpinned by three theories: Theory of Linguistic competence, Input-Hypothesis and Affective-Filter Hypothesis. Data obtained from questionnaires and interviews were analysed through Content Analysis, while Error Analysis (EA) was employed for data collected through students’ essays. Moreover, EA was used to analyse interviews to establish oral proficiency of interviewees. Findings reveal that in spite of indications of challenges with some grammar structures, and the available literature which indicates the opposite, the English exit-level students’ grammar proficiency was relatively high. This proficiency level could have resulted from the input by lecturers, through the employ of a variety of teaching strategies, prior as well as during the course of the study. The study recommends that lecturers be provided with in-service training particularly on online teaching and learning systems, and a review of the grammar modules’ content, which should hopefully address future English university exit-level students’ grammar proficiency challenges
Examining the diffusion and adoption of Open Access publishing among academics at the University of Limpopo, South Africa
Get PDFJournal article published in Mousaion Volume 41 | Number 1 | 2023This study examined the diffusion and adoption of open access (OA) publishing
among 250 academic staff members at the University of Limpopo (UL), South
Africa. The study was guided by Rogers’s Diffusion of Innovation (DoI) theory
to measure their (the academics’) level of awareness on the availability of OA
platforms, to determine their adoption and usage levels of OA publishing for
scholarly communication, to establish their attitudes towards the use of the OA
publishing platforms, and to identify their perspectives with regard to challenges
and benefits presented by OA publishing. A questionnaire was used as a data
collection instrument. The findings revealed that most academics were, “to
some extent,” aware of OA publishing, through their subject librarians and the
internet. Although most were “strongly in favour” of OA publishing, their level
of adopting it was lower than expected. The institutional repository (IR) was
found to be the OA platform they have used most frequently to upload journal
articles. Article processing charges (APCs), connectivity related issues, articles
not being peer reviewed, predatory publishers, and lack of knowledge and OA
access policies remain some of the challenges encountered in adopting OA
publishing. It is recommended that the library staff should intensify its OA
publishing marketing strategies and educate academics about its implications
through workshops and seminars. Rewards for academics who publish in OA
platforms should also be considered by the institution, and the academics who
are reaping the benefits of OA publishing should also showcase their rewards to
the other academics
Integrated morphological and molecular characterization of the fish parasitic nematode Rhabdochona (Rhabdochona) gendrei Campana-Rouget, 1961 infecting Labeobarbus altianalis (Boulenger, 1900) in Kenya
Get PDFJournal article published in the International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife 21 (2023) 201-209During a parasitological survey carried out between May and August 2022 in the River Nyando, Lake Victoria
Basin, a single species of Rhabdochona Railliet, 1916 (Nematoda: Rhabdochonidae) was recorded from the intestine
of the Rippon barbel, Labeobarbus altianalis (Boulenger, 1900) (Cyprinidae). Based on light microscopy
(LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and DNA analyses the parasite was identified as Rhabdochona
(Rhabdochona) gendrei Campana-Rouget, 1961. Light microscopy, SEM and DNA studies on this rhabdochonid
resulted in a detailed redescription of the adult male and female. The following additional taxonomic features are
described in the male: 14 anterior prostomal teeth; 12 pairs of preanal papillae: 11 subventral and one lateral; six
pairs of postanal papillae: five subventral and one lateral, with the latter pair at the level of first subventral pairs
when counted from the cloacal aperture. For the female: 14 anterior prostomal teeth and the size and absence of
superficial structures on fully mature (larvated) eggs dissected out of the nematode body. Specimens of R. gendrei
were genetically distinct in the 28S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) mitochondrial gene regions
from known species of Rhabdochona. This is the first study that provides genetic data for a species of Rhabdochona
from Africa, the first SEM of R. gendrei, and the first report of this parasite from Kenya. The molecular and SEM
data reported herein provide a useful point of reference for future studies on Rhadochona in Africa
Case formulations on selected mental disorders by clinical psychologists and traditional health practitioners: a comparative analysis
Get PDFThesis (Ph.D. (Psychology)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023With the realisation that both the traditional and western health care systems are
consulted in South Africa, the Traditional Health Practitioners Act, No 22 of 2007 was
promulgated. In addition to the Act, there was a growing body of literature proposing the
integration of the two health systems to improve the overall South African health
system. This study explored the possibility for such collaboration by investigating case
formulation by western-trained clinical psychologists and traditional health practitioners
regarding selected cases of mental disorders.
A qualitative research design, specifically a case study method was used in the present
study. Six clinical psychologists and six traditional health practitioners were selected
through purposive sampling and were requested to participate in the study. The
researcher further sampled two vignettes of Major Depressive Disorder and
Schizophrenia for data collection purposes. Data was collected through semi-structured
interviews and vignettes and analysed through Braun and Clarke‟s thematic content
analysis steps. Six main themes that related to case formulations by clinical
psychologists emerged. These themes were: a). Collateral information as a major
determinant in the assessment and treatment of mental illness; b). Classifications of
mental illness; c). The symptomatology of mental illness; d). Causes of mental illness;
e). The multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of mental illness; and f). Views
regarding the collaboration of Clinicians and Traditional Health Practitioners. On the
other hand, eight themes that related to the case formulations by traditional health
practitioners were identified. These themes were: a) Divination as the main process of
enquiry, b) Descriptive names of mental illnesses, c) Conceptualisations of stress related and depressive disorders by Traditional Health Practitioners, d) Views on
causes of mental illness, e) The effectiveness of the Western approach in the treatment
of some forms of mental illness, f) The relationship between religion and African
traditional practices; g) A calling as symbolised by symptoms of mental illness, and, h)
Traditional health practitioners‟ views on the collaboration between themselves and
western health practitioners.
The study has further revealed that there are some similarities as well as differences in
the way clinical psychologists and traditional health practitioners formulate cases. The
convergences in their formulations were revealed in the following themes; a). The
conceptualisation of stress and related conditions; b). The western system is the most
appropriate in the management of stress-related and depressive disorders and c). The
benefits of the collaboration between western and African healing systems. The
following divergences were further identified from the way clinical psychologists and
traditional health practitioners formulate their cases: a). The conceptualisation of the
presenting symptoms from the two cases; b). The causal factors of mental health
conditions; c). The initial methods of enquiry; and d). The management of mental health
conditions. The study has further revealed that both traditional health practitioners and
clinical psychologists have positive views regarding the collaboration of western and
African traditional health systems, especially in the management of mental disorders.
The study has further uncovered the convergences and divergences in the
conceptualisation of mental health conditions between traditional health practitioners
and clinical psychologists
Rural entrepreneurship and its implications on local economic development: a case of Mogalakwena Local Municipality, Waterburg District, Limpopo Province
Get PDFThesis (Ph.D. (Development Planning and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023Rural entrepreneurship is a relatively young sector in the entrepreneurship field, but it has
emerged as one of the most important tools for rural economic growth in developing nations like
South Africa. A majority of poor people live in the rural areas and face the challenges of extreme
poverty levels, high unemployment rates, appalling socio-economic conditions, and inequalities.
Therefore, rural entrepreneurship is regarded as a vital tool for accelerating Local Economic
Development (LED) and improvement of the quality of life of the rural people and their
communities. Rural entrepreneurship stimulates economic development by improving economic
conditions, creating employment, reducing poverty and improving the overall standard of living
of the rural populace. Theoretically, there is clear consensus that rural entrepreneurship has the
potential to reduce poverty, unemployment, economic inequalities and low income as well as
value creation and improving standards of life in rural areas through the creation of new
enterprises. Entrepreneurial activities stimulate the local economy and create employment
opportunities through the creation of new enterprises in the rural areas. Thus, entrepreneurship
development is seen as one of the important components of LED and the development agenda in
most developing countries. However, entrepreneurial success is dependent on various factors,
internal or external, such as the need for achievement, locus of control and desire for personal
control of business, human capital, infrastructure, training, communication network, financial
support, business environment, economic climate, competitiveness, risk-taking propensity,
confidence, and regulatory environment. These factors may determine or influence the success of
enterprises, thereby hampering LED efforts in a particular locality.
Literature further reiterates the importance of rural entrepreneurship development towards
accelerating economic development of local communities in the developing countries.
Entrepreneurship development is regarded as a driving force of local economic growth and
development in the developing countries. Many developing countries are faced with numerous
socio-economic challenges of extreme poverty levels, high unemployment rates, stagnant
economic growth and poor living conditions. Entrepreneurship development has become an
important policy agenda and priority for employment creation, poverty reduction and economic
growth and development of communities in many developing countries. Thus, many developing
countries have turned their focus on entrepreneurship development as an important mechanism
and driver of economic development with expectations of addressing these challenges. Despite
such efforts, entrepreneurship development in developing countries faces challenges such as
financial, human, management, lack of access to markets, lack of capacity, lack of infrastructure
and appropriate regulations. These challenges affect and undermine the potential of
entrepreneurship to stimulate LED and address challenges affecting many developing countries.
The role of local government in creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurial activities
and LED to thrive is widely acknowledged in most developing countries. Local governments in
developing countries have become important vehicles for the promotion and implementation of
LED and the creation of enabling environment for entrepreneurial activities to take place. LED
in these developing countries is driven mainly by globalisation and decentralisation as an
important strategy to local development. Globalisation and decentralisation play an important
role in reconfiguring of planning approaches to local and regional development in developing
countries.
The observations above are also prevalent in South Africa, where entrepreneurship development
is one of the national development policy imperatives. However, South Africa has a low
entrepreneurial rate compared to other developing countries because of various factors including
those highlighted above. Lack of entrepreneurial spirit or culture is increasing highly in the
country. Entrepreneurship development and LED practice in South Africa is shaped by
overwhelming policies and legislations, which seek to support and encourage entrepreneurship
and LED. These regulatory frameworks are aimed at creating conducive and enabling
environment for LED and entrepreneurial activities to take place. Local governments have a
constitutional obligation to promote social and economic development as well as improving the
overall standard of living of local communities within the municipal area. In the process,
municipalities must work collectively with local people and local stakeholders to develop their
communities. LED has been adopted as one of the strategies to local growth and development of
communities in South Africa. Despite LED efforts, the country continues to grapple with societal
challenges of poverty, unemployment, inequality and stagnant growth of the economy.
Currently, municipalities are plagued with various challenges and are in a dire state that threatens
the ability to fulfil their constitutional and developmental mandate of promoting social and
economic development.
The aim of this study was to investigate rural entrepreneurship and its implications towards LED
in the Mogalakwena Local Municipality, Limpopo Province. To achieve this aim, the study
adopted descriptive, positivist case study design, and used the concurrent mixed methods
approach to achieve the aim and objectives of the study. The study sampled 54 rural
entrepreneurs around three Service Delivery Areas (SDAs) of Mokopane, Mapela and Bakenberg
in Mogalakwena Local Municipality as well as key informants from Small Enterprise
Development Agency, Local Economic Development Agency (LEDA) and Municipal LED Unit.
A semi-structured questionnaire was used to solicit data from rural entrepreneurs whereas an
interview schedule was used to solicit data from key informants. The study findings affirm that
rural entrepreneurship plays a significant role towards LED through poverty alleviation,
employment creation, economic opportunities, income generation, value or wealth creation,
migration and overall improvement of the standard of living of local communities in
Mogalakwena Local Municipality. Rural entrepreneurship is seen as one of the stimulators of
economic activities in rural areas within the municipality. Despite the affirmation, the study
found that rural entrepreneurs are faced with persistent challenges such as lack of access to
finance and markets, lack of skills or capacity, stiff regulations and completion, crime, lack of
infrastructure, lack of support by the municipality and poor participation or integration in LED.
These challenges inhibit entrepreneurial activities to take place, thereby threatening the survival
and success of rural enterprises. Therefore, the study recommends measures such as creation of
an enabling regulatory environment, financial support models for entrepreneurs, skills
development and training, recognition and integration of rural entrepreneurs in LED fora and
promotion of entrepreneurship culture to maximize the potential of rural entrepreneurship in
Mogalakwena Local Municipality. Additionally, future research is also important to tap into the
niche area of rural entrepreneurship
A taxonomic study of selected representatives of siphonostomatoida (copepoda) from ostechthyes in coastal waters off Southern Africa
Get PDFThesis (M.Sc. (Zoology)) -- University of Limpopo , 2023Currently Copepoda consists of 14 600 species of which 2 275 species are members
of the Siphonostomatoida. Siphonostomatoida consists of 40 families, with 17 families
symbiotic on fish. Sphyriidae has 44 accepted species in eight reported genera, of
which four genera infect teleosts and the remaining four infect elasmobranchs. Adult
females undergo transformation through loss of locomotory appendages to suit their
mesoparasitic lifestyle and develop outgrowths on the cephalothorax or neck for
attachment to the host. To date, only 176 marine siphonostomatoid species have been
reported from South African waters, with only nine sphyriid species.
Sphyriids previously collected from marine bony fish off the east, south and west
coasts of southern Africa and preserved in 70% ethanol were studied. Specimens
were examined with stereo- and compound microscopes and identified using
published literature. Selected specimens were stained in lactic acid with added lignin
pink, appendages were dissected and illustrated with the aid of a drawing tube.
Selected specimens were also studied through scanning electron microscopy.
The examined specimens were identified as species of Sphyrion and Lophoura. Re descriptions were done for all valid Sphyrion species females (S. laevigatum, S. lumpi
and S. quadricornis) and new descriptions for the males of S. laevigatum and S.
quadricornis. Post-metamorphosis females of Sphyrion species can be differentiated
by the shape of cephalothorax, length of the neck in relation to the length of the trunk
and the length of posterior processes in relation to the trunk length, while males are
mostly very similar. New information is provided regarding the appendages of S.
laevigatum and S. quadricornis. The appendages of the three species bear close
resemblance to one another. Additionally, an identification key for the post metamorphosis females of Sphyrion species is provided.
Re-descriptions were done for five female Lophoura species (L. caparti, L. cornuta, L.
cf edwardsi, L. tetraloba and Lophoura sp.) and a new description of the male of L.
tetraloba. Differences between young and post-metamorphosis females of L. cf
edwardsi and L. tetraloba were observed in the width of the holdfast organ processes
and the length of porous peduncle and stalks of the posterior processes which appear
to grow with age. The difference between the young and adult male of L. tetraloba lies
in the lengths of the cephalothorax in relation to the trunk length and segmentation
visible on the trunk of the young male but not adult male. The post-metamorphosis
females of Lophoura species can be differentiated by the shape and number of
processes on the holdfast organ, in combination with the cephalothorax length in
relation to the neck length, neck length in relation to the trunk length, shape of the
trunk, and the length and structure of the posterior processes. An identification key
was drawn up for all species of the Lophoura post-metamorphosis females.
An attempt was made to provide the COI barcodes for all the species of Sphyrion and
five species of Lophoura. These would have confirmed the species identification of
morphologically variable species e.g. S. laevigatum and S. lumpi and also provide an
estimation of the interspecific divergence amongst the different species. Additionally,
it would have assisted in distinguishing between L. tetraloba and L. cf edwardsi and
provided an estimation of the amount of sequence divergence between the two
genera. Unfortunately sequencing of apparently successfully amplified products was
unsuccessful probably due to low DNA quality which possibly degraded due to
collection methods used for the fish hosts and parasites and prolonged preservation
of specimens.
This study provides new host records i.e. Coelorinchus simorhynchus, Coelorinchus
trunovi and Saurida undosquamis for Sphyrion quadricornis off South Africa which is
also a new geographical record. Allocyttus verrucosus, Coelorinchus simorhynchus,
Coelorinchus trunovi, Mesovagus antipodum and Ventrifossa nasuta are also new
host records for S. lumpi. Additionally, Epigonus denticulatus and Bassanago
albescens are new host records for Lophoura caparti and L. cornuta respectively off
South Africa, which is a new geographical record for both species. Furthermore,
Coelorinchus fasciatus and Lucigadus ori are new host records for Lophoura tetraloba
and L. cf edwardsi off South Africa, which is also a new geographic record for both
species. Thus, the results of the study improve the current knowledge of the marine
siphonostomatoid biodiversity off South Africa as well as their distribution and infected
hosts.National Research Foundation (NRF
Inhition of corrosion by glycerol stearate on selected metals
No full textThesis (Ph.D. (Chemistry)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023Using “gravimetric analysis, potentiodynamic polarisation (PDP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), an investigation into the corrosion prevention properties of the metals aluminium (Al), mild steel (MS), and zinc (Zn) was carried out in a solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl) with a concentration of 1. 0 M. Inhibition was shown to be more effective as the concentration of the inhibitor increased, according to the measurements from the gravimetric analysis. Glycerol stearate (GS), was investigated for its possible use as a corrosion inhibitor on aluminium, mild steel and zinc metal in 1.0 M HCl solution. Techniques such as gravimetric analysis, potentiodynamic polarisation (PDP), and impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were utilised in order to ascertain the rate of corrosion. At a concentration of 50 mol. L-1, electrochemical tests (PDP and EIS) have indicated that there is the highest percentage of inhibitory efficiency of glycerol stearate such as 81.06 % (PDP), 86.18 % (EIS) for aluminium, 82.69 % (PDP), 75.44 % (EIS) for mild steel and 71.05 % (PDP), 89.50 % (EIS) for zinc metal. It was discovered using gravimetric analysis and electrochemical techniques that the rate of corrosion decreased as the inhibitor concentration increased. The findings that glycerol stearate operated as a mixed type of corrosion inhibitor were demonstrated by the disparities that existed between the corrosion potential (Ecorr) values of the blank (1. 0 M) and inhibitor (GS) concentrations for all metals. Studies on potentiodynamic polarisation demonstrated that the addition of GS reduced the corrosion current densities on aluminium metal, mild steel, and zinc metal, which resulted in the metals being more resistant to corrosion. Using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the researchers found that the charge transfer resistance increased as GS concentration increased. The values of the free Gibbs energy showed that a spontaneous corrosion process was occurring at the surface of the aluminium, mild steel, and zinc metal. The Langmuir adsorption
isotherm was followed by the data collected from adsorption isotherm research for each element. The presence of the adsorption coating was validated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), which was performed on the surfaces of aluminium, mild steel, and zinc. The adsorption mechanism has been further explained by using thermodynamics and quantum chemistry parameters, both of which have been calculated and interpreted. Images obtained using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the presence of glycerol stearate significantly reduced the amount of inhomogeneity in aluminium, mild steel, and zinc
Small-scale maize farmers' willingness to pay for changing planting dates in the face of climate change : a case study of Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality, Limpopo Province
Get PDFThesis (M.Sc. (Agricultural Economics)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023The agricultural sector plays an important role in South Africa regardless of the small contribution of 1.88% it has to the GDP of the Country. Small-scale maize farmers’ decisions to adopt adaptation options in response to climate change and variability are influenced by socioeconomic, institutional, and environmental factors, indicating that decision patterns can be very specific to a given locality. The study aimed to analyse the determinants of small-scale maize farmers’ willingness to pay for changing planting dates in the face of climate change. This study had two main objectives, to identify and describe the socio-economic characteristics of small-scale maize farmers, and to determine factors influencing the small-scale maize farmer’s willingness to pay for changing planting dates in the face of climate change in Makhuduthamaga Local Municipality. The study used primary data with a sample size of 150 small-scale maize farmers. Descriptive statistics and the Probit Regression Model were employed when analysing data. The study employed purposive sampling in the data collection process and three villages were selected. Probability was proportional to sample size and was used to select the number of small-scale maize farmers for the sample frame of each village. About 58% of the sampled small-scale maize farmers were willing to pay for changing planting dates in the face of climate change, as opposed to 42% of those not willing to pay for changing planting dates. Empirical results from the analysis reported that age (10%), educational level (1%), level of income (1%), years of farming (10%), total output (1%), exposure to climate information services (5%), and use of indigenous forecast (1%) out of twelve explanatory variables were found to be significant. Based on the empirical findings of the study it is recommended that government officials together with other stakeholders such as NGOs and research institutions should invest in the education of small-scale maize farmers through knowledge systems such as (presentations, conferences, seminars, abet etc). Government policies and strategic investment plans that support improved small-scale maize farmers’ accessibility to climate information are also recommended
Effect of citric acid supplementation on growth performance, carcass characteristics and physico-chemical attributes of male Venda chickens
Get PDFThesis (M.Sc. (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of citric acid
supplementation on growth performance, carcass and physicochemical features of
male Venda chickens. Day-old chicks were vaccinated against diseases at hatchery.
Sick chickens were isolated and treated accordingly by the veterinarian. On
Experiment 1, birds were assigned to four dietary supplemented with varying inclusion
levels of citric acid. Treatment description was as follows: CA1: 0g/kg DM of feed,
CA2: 12.5g/kg DM of feed, CA3: 25g/kg DM of feed, and CA4: 50g/kg DM of feed,
where 50 chicks were randomly assigned to each treatment.
In the present study, citric acid did not affect (P>0.05) DM feed intake and feed
conversion ratio of male Venda chickens aged one to 30 days. However, citric acid
supplementation affected (P<0.05) growth rate and live weights of male Venda
chickens aged one to 30 days. The growth rates and live weights of male Venda
chickens aged one to 30 days were optimised at citric acid supplementation levels of
2.392 and 2.536g per kg DM of the diet. Citric acid supplementation levels of 12 and
25g per kg DM improved (P<0.05) DM feed intake, growth rate, feed conversion ratio,
and live weight of male Venda chickens aged 31 to 90 days. Optimal growth rate, feed
conversion ratio, and live weights of male Venda chickens aged 31 to 60 days were
optimised at citric acid supplementation levels of 2.250, 2.373, and 2.308g per kg DM
of the diet. Citric acid supplementation levels of 1.560, 2.167, 2.332, and 2.272g per
kg DM of the diet resulted in optimised DM feed intake, growth rate, feed conversion
ratio, and live weights of male Venda chickens aged 61 to 90 days. Citric acid
supplementation improved (P<0.05) live weight, carcass weight and dressing pieces
of male Venda chickens aged 90 days.
On experiment 2, the effect of citric acid supplementation on meat pH, thawing loss,
cooking loss and shear force of male Venda chickens were determined.
Supplementing Venda chickens with citric acid had affected (P<0.05) cooking loss,
shear force and meat pH of male Venda chickens aged 90 days. Male chickens
supplemented with 50g of citric acid per kg DM outperformed 0, 12.5 and 25g of citric
acid per kg DM in terms of physicochemical features, implying that 50g of citric acid
v
per kg DM can help improve meat pH, thawing loss, cooking loss and shear force
values of male Venda chickens.
It can be concluded that citric acid supplementation of 12.5, 25g per kg DM can be
utilized in the diet of Venda chickens aged one to 90 days. However, 50g of citric acid
resulted in lower feed intake and weight loss this might be because high levels of citric
acid supplementation may be too sour and made the feed to appear unappealing to
the chickens. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.National Research Foundation (NRF