Comparative studies of different ant-hypertensive treatments used for cardiovascular disease patients : a case study of public health facility in the Eastern Cape South Africa
- Abiodun, Oluwatoyin Victoria
- Authors: Abiodun, Oluwatoyin Victoria
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Survival analysis (Biometry) Cardiovascular system -- Diseases
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13205 , vital:39519
- Description: Discovery has shown that many deaths arising from cardiovascular disease often show early symptoms of high blood pressure, which makes it the leading risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. There is a distressing rate of 970 million hypertensive patients worldwide, a higher ratio of 640 million are from developing countries, if proper measures are not taken, there will be a higher growth of cardiovascular disease in adults by 2025. The focus of this study was to compare the therapeutic potentials of the anti-hypertensive therapies, drug A (amiloride + furosemide) and drug B (hydrochlorothiazide + enalapril) used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease patients for their capability to lengthen remission duration and survival time. All patients were diagnosed with a type of cardiovascular disorder, therefore patient records were followed up and blood pressure was being monitored for a period of two years. The retrospective data gotten from the public health facility was analysed using survival analysis methods. The results revealed that there was no statistical significance in the distributions of the length of remission and survival time of drug A and drug B patients. Also, in the age category, CVD patients that are 55 and above recover faster with drug A, while CVD patients below 55 shows a better survival with drug B. Then again, estimates from the gender category show a better survival in males using drug A, while the females thrive slightly better using drug B. Among all the risk factors considered in the study, only employment status showed a strong impact on survival time (remission). The findings from this study may help to formulate interventions and strategies that will increase the lifespan of cardiovascular patients and reduce early mortality due to cardiovascular diseases.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Abiodun, Oluwatoyin Victoria
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Survival analysis (Biometry) Cardiovascular system -- Diseases
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13205 , vital:39519
- Description: Discovery has shown that many deaths arising from cardiovascular disease often show early symptoms of high blood pressure, which makes it the leading risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. There is a distressing rate of 970 million hypertensive patients worldwide, a higher ratio of 640 million are from developing countries, if proper measures are not taken, there will be a higher growth of cardiovascular disease in adults by 2025. The focus of this study was to compare the therapeutic potentials of the anti-hypertensive therapies, drug A (amiloride + furosemide) and drug B (hydrochlorothiazide + enalapril) used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease patients for their capability to lengthen remission duration and survival time. All patients were diagnosed with a type of cardiovascular disorder, therefore patient records were followed up and blood pressure was being monitored for a period of two years. The retrospective data gotten from the public health facility was analysed using survival analysis methods. The results revealed that there was no statistical significance in the distributions of the length of remission and survival time of drug A and drug B patients. Also, in the age category, CVD patients that are 55 and above recover faster with drug A, while CVD patients below 55 shows a better survival with drug B. Then again, estimates from the gender category show a better survival in males using drug A, while the females thrive slightly better using drug B. Among all the risk factors considered in the study, only employment status showed a strong impact on survival time (remission). The findings from this study may help to formulate interventions and strategies that will increase the lifespan of cardiovascular patients and reduce early mortality due to cardiovascular diseases.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Cost and return analysis of smallholder organic crop farms in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa
- Authors: Akharume, Celestine Ohi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Profit -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Organic farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MAgric
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13730 , vital:39703
- Description: Agriculture remains an influential sector in South Africa in terms of its contributions to economic development and poverty reduction, notably in the rural areas. These include providing sufficient and affordable food for the constantly increasing population, providing cheap food for the developing industrial labor force, providing employment and livelihoods and supplying raw materials to the country’s rising domestic industrial sector. Despite phenomenal progress in integrating smallholder farmers into the mainstream economy since democratic reforms in the country, deteriorating soil quality through poor agricultural practices, land erosion, acidification and concerns about production and productivity and compliance with food safety standards are beginning to loom high. Hence, organic farming is identified as one of the sustainable approaches to farming. It is also believed to guarantee substantial net gains and to promote sustainable natural resource management with the possibility of enhancing overall agricultural productivity. Notwithstanding, organic farming is still being perceived negatively in South Africa and there is shortage of empirical studies which focus on cost and return of smallholder organic crop farms. It is in this regard that the study therefore seeks to analyze cost and return of smallholder organic crop farms in the Eastern Cape Province to contribute to knowledge on the relative economic advantages of organic agriculture at the smallholder sector. Specifically, the study profiled the socioeconomic characteristics of smallholder organic crop farmers, determined costs and returns, and estimated profitability and factors that constrain profitability of the smallholder organic crop farms. The research design used in this study was cross-sectional where data were collected at a single point in time. A multi- stage random sampling technique was used to obtain primary data from one hundred and sixty smallholder organic crop farmers (160) with the aid of structured questionnaires. Primary data were collected on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, variable costs and fixed costs, and returns from the organic crop farms. Data collected were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and the descriptive and inferential statistics involved were mean, frequency proportion, gross margin and net income analysis as well as OLS regression analysis. The results of the descriptive analysis showed that the proportions of women involved in organic crop farming were higher than that of men and many of the farmers cultivated on less than 1.0ha. The analysis of the data also showed that smallholder organic crop farms are undoubtedly profitable farm business, with attractive net farm income and lower production costs. The findings further affirmed that factors such as household size, gender, farming experience, number of years in school, farm size, source of labor and access to credit affect profitability and net farm income. Therefore, government is advised to encourage the practice of organic farming by giving short-term loans to smallholder farmers, to enable them invest more in their organic crop farms. There is also need for government to organize workshops and lectures, educating and enlightening individual smallholder organic crop farmers on modern organic farming techniques to enhance profitability of smallholder organic crop farms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Akharume, Celestine Ohi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Profit -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Organic farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MAgric
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13730 , vital:39703
- Description: Agriculture remains an influential sector in South Africa in terms of its contributions to economic development and poverty reduction, notably in the rural areas. These include providing sufficient and affordable food for the constantly increasing population, providing cheap food for the developing industrial labor force, providing employment and livelihoods and supplying raw materials to the country’s rising domestic industrial sector. Despite phenomenal progress in integrating smallholder farmers into the mainstream economy since democratic reforms in the country, deteriorating soil quality through poor agricultural practices, land erosion, acidification and concerns about production and productivity and compliance with food safety standards are beginning to loom high. Hence, organic farming is identified as one of the sustainable approaches to farming. It is also believed to guarantee substantial net gains and to promote sustainable natural resource management with the possibility of enhancing overall agricultural productivity. Notwithstanding, organic farming is still being perceived negatively in South Africa and there is shortage of empirical studies which focus on cost and return of smallholder organic crop farms. It is in this regard that the study therefore seeks to analyze cost and return of smallholder organic crop farms in the Eastern Cape Province to contribute to knowledge on the relative economic advantages of organic agriculture at the smallholder sector. Specifically, the study profiled the socioeconomic characteristics of smallholder organic crop farmers, determined costs and returns, and estimated profitability and factors that constrain profitability of the smallholder organic crop farms. The research design used in this study was cross-sectional where data were collected at a single point in time. A multi- stage random sampling technique was used to obtain primary data from one hundred and sixty smallholder organic crop farmers (160) with the aid of structured questionnaires. Primary data were collected on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, variable costs and fixed costs, and returns from the organic crop farms. Data collected were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and the descriptive and inferential statistics involved were mean, frequency proportion, gross margin and net income analysis as well as OLS regression analysis. The results of the descriptive analysis showed that the proportions of women involved in organic crop farming were higher than that of men and many of the farmers cultivated on less than 1.0ha. The analysis of the data also showed that smallholder organic crop farms are undoubtedly profitable farm business, with attractive net farm income and lower production costs. The findings further affirmed that factors such as household size, gender, farming experience, number of years in school, farm size, source of labor and access to credit affect profitability and net farm income. Therefore, government is advised to encourage the practice of organic farming by giving short-term loans to smallholder farmers, to enable them invest more in their organic crop farms. There is also need for government to organize workshops and lectures, educating and enlightening individual smallholder organic crop farmers on modern organic farming techniques to enhance profitability of smallholder organic crop farms.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Antidiabetic and toxicological properties of Dianthus thunbergii (Caryophyllaceae) roots and Hypoxis argentea (Hypoxidaceae) corms
- Authors: Akinrinde, Akinleye Stephen
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Medicinal plants--South Africa--Eastern Cape Traditional medicine--South Africa--Eastern Cape Diabetics--Alternative treatment--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Biochemistry
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16036 , vital:40606
- Description: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder primarily characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. Its rapidly increasing prevalence as a major non-communicable disease is now a growing concern for both developed and developing countries. The development of safe, cost-effective and pharmacologically-effective medications continues to a major challenge of antidiabetic management. Since most conventional antidiabetic drugs are costly and present with numerous adverse effects, alternatives are increasingly being sought from natural sources, most notably medicinal plants, as viable approaches to tackling the scourge of this disease. In the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, the roots of Dianthus thunbergii and corms of Hypoxis argentea are frequently used traditionally for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, although no scientific evidence exists to validate their effectiveness for diabetes management. The studies conducted in the resent research were, therefore, aimed at investigating the antidiabetic and toxicological properties of these plants, in an attempt to providing data towards validating their use in traditional management of diabetes mellitus. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of the underground parts of D. thunbergii and H. argentea were initially subjected to analysis of their phytochemical composition, relative to standard compounds, and the nature of their in-vitro antioxidant activities using standard spectrophotometric methods. The potentials of these extracts for cytotoxicity and/or cell proliferation were evaluated using MTT assay in HepG2 cells and Crystal violet assay in INS-1 cells. These activities were further examined in INS-1 cells using live cell fluorescence imaging techniques. To evaluate the antidiabetic properties of the extracts, they were screened for their inhibitory effects on the activities of different enzymes including α-amylase, α-glucosidase, porcine pancreatic lipase, Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV), collagenase and the drug metabolizing enzyme, CYP3A4, while also assessing their effects on protein glycation using in- vitro visible and fluorescence spectrophotometric approaches. Cell culture procedures were carried out to evaluate the effects of the extracts on glucose utilization in HepG2 cells and L6 myotubes; nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages; glucose metabolism in INS-1 cells, as well as triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. Furthermore, identification of compounds present in the aqueous and ethanol extracts was carried out by Liquid chromatography- Mass spectrometry (LC-MS), while volatile oils extracted from fresh and dried parts of the two plants by hydrodistillation were also analyzed by Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The ethanol extracts of both D. thunbergii and H. argentea contained higher amounts of total phenols, flavonoids, tannins, proanthocyanidins and alkaloids, when compared with the aqueous extracts. This finding was in direct correlation with the antioxidant activities of the extracts, with the ethanol extracts of both plants demonstrating stronger scavenging activities against hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, ABTS and DPPH radicals, while also exhibiting higher ferric reducing antioxidant potentials, when compared with the aqueous extracts, and in some cases, the standard antioxidants, Vitamin C, butylated hydroxytoluene and rutin. The aqueous extracts of D. thunbergii exhibited the highest toxicity in HepG2 cells with IC50 < 50 μg/ml, while also producing a concentration-dependent reduction in the viability of INS-1 cells up to 41.81percent at 50 μg/ml. Both extracts of H. argentea, however, did not produce any significant toxicity in these cells. Fluorescence imaging of live INS-1 cells using Hoechst and propidium iodide staining revealed stimulation of cell proliferation by H. argentea, while the cytotoxicity of D. thunbergii was further confirmed. H. argentea caused stimulation of glucose uptake in HepG2 cells up to 119.58 percent at 100 μg/ml and as much as 116.96 percent in L6 myotubes at 50 μg/ml, without showing toxicity to these cells. D. thunbergii produced 18.39 percent increase in L6 glucose uptake above untreated control; although its effect on HepG2 glucose uptake was irrelevant as significant toxicity was produced in these cells. H. argentea produced a concentration-dependent reduction in nitric oxide production in RAW macrophages, although not as effectively as the positive control, aminoguanidine. Again, the toxicity of D. thunbergii to this cell line precludes the relevance of nitric oxide inhibition as an antidiabetic mechanism for this plant. D. thunbergii produced a concentration-dependent increase in 3T3-L1 triglyceride accumulation, as measured by Oil red O staining, compared to untreated cells, while H. argentea exerted no significant alterations in pre- adipocyte differentiation. Generally, the two plants produced weak inhibition of the activities of the various enzymes measured, suggesting that this mechanism may not play a major role in the activities of these plants as possible antidiabetic agents. GC-MS analysis revealed major differences in the volatile oil composition between fresh and dried plant parts for both plants. Most notably, total terpenoid content of D. thunbergii oils reduced significantly from 77.17 percent in the fresh root oil to 47.58 percent in the dried root oil. Total terpenoid content was much lower in H. argentea oils, but similarly reduced from 10.58 percent in the fresh corm oil to 4.00 percent in the dried corm oil. LC-MS analysis enabled the tentative identification of compounds including phenolic glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids saponins and sapogenins, many of which have been reported in literature to exert bioactivities relevant to the ones elucidated in the present study. Overall, H. argentea exhibited antidiabetic properties that may be mediated by its stimulation of glucose uptake in HepG2 and L6 cells; stimulation of proliferation in INS-1 cells; lack of stimulation of 3T3-L1 triglyceride accumulation and a tendency to reduce nitric oxide production in RAW macrophages. These activities suggest that H. argentea has promise for further investigations as an antidiabetic agent. On the contrary, D. thunbergii exhibited significant toxicity to HepG2 cells, INS-1 cells and RAW macrophages. Its cytotoxicity at the concentrations investigated in the present studies raises significant concerns about any potential antidiabetic applications for this plant.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Akinrinde, Akinleye Stephen
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Medicinal plants--South Africa--Eastern Cape Traditional medicine--South Africa--Eastern Cape Diabetics--Alternative treatment--South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , Biochemistry
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16036 , vital:40606
- Description: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder primarily characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. Its rapidly increasing prevalence as a major non-communicable disease is now a growing concern for both developed and developing countries. The development of safe, cost-effective and pharmacologically-effective medications continues to a major challenge of antidiabetic management. Since most conventional antidiabetic drugs are costly and present with numerous adverse effects, alternatives are increasingly being sought from natural sources, most notably medicinal plants, as viable approaches to tackling the scourge of this disease. In the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, the roots of Dianthus thunbergii and corms of Hypoxis argentea are frequently used traditionally for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, although no scientific evidence exists to validate their effectiveness for diabetes management. The studies conducted in the resent research were, therefore, aimed at investigating the antidiabetic and toxicological properties of these plants, in an attempt to providing data towards validating their use in traditional management of diabetes mellitus. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of the underground parts of D. thunbergii and H. argentea were initially subjected to analysis of their phytochemical composition, relative to standard compounds, and the nature of their in-vitro antioxidant activities using standard spectrophotometric methods. The potentials of these extracts for cytotoxicity and/or cell proliferation were evaluated using MTT assay in HepG2 cells and Crystal violet assay in INS-1 cells. These activities were further examined in INS-1 cells using live cell fluorescence imaging techniques. To evaluate the antidiabetic properties of the extracts, they were screened for their inhibitory effects on the activities of different enzymes including α-amylase, α-glucosidase, porcine pancreatic lipase, Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV), collagenase and the drug metabolizing enzyme, CYP3A4, while also assessing their effects on protein glycation using in- vitro visible and fluorescence spectrophotometric approaches. Cell culture procedures were carried out to evaluate the effects of the extracts on glucose utilization in HepG2 cells and L6 myotubes; nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 macrophages; glucose metabolism in INS-1 cells, as well as triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. Furthermore, identification of compounds present in the aqueous and ethanol extracts was carried out by Liquid chromatography- Mass spectrometry (LC-MS), while volatile oils extracted from fresh and dried parts of the two plants by hydrodistillation were also analyzed by Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The ethanol extracts of both D. thunbergii and H. argentea contained higher amounts of total phenols, flavonoids, tannins, proanthocyanidins and alkaloids, when compared with the aqueous extracts. This finding was in direct correlation with the antioxidant activities of the extracts, with the ethanol extracts of both plants demonstrating stronger scavenging activities against hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, ABTS and DPPH radicals, while also exhibiting higher ferric reducing antioxidant potentials, when compared with the aqueous extracts, and in some cases, the standard antioxidants, Vitamin C, butylated hydroxytoluene and rutin. The aqueous extracts of D. thunbergii exhibited the highest toxicity in HepG2 cells with IC50 < 50 μg/ml, while also producing a concentration-dependent reduction in the viability of INS-1 cells up to 41.81percent at 50 μg/ml. Both extracts of H. argentea, however, did not produce any significant toxicity in these cells. Fluorescence imaging of live INS-1 cells using Hoechst and propidium iodide staining revealed stimulation of cell proliferation by H. argentea, while the cytotoxicity of D. thunbergii was further confirmed. H. argentea caused stimulation of glucose uptake in HepG2 cells up to 119.58 percent at 100 μg/ml and as much as 116.96 percent in L6 myotubes at 50 μg/ml, without showing toxicity to these cells. D. thunbergii produced 18.39 percent increase in L6 glucose uptake above untreated control; although its effect on HepG2 glucose uptake was irrelevant as significant toxicity was produced in these cells. H. argentea produced a concentration-dependent reduction in nitric oxide production in RAW macrophages, although not as effectively as the positive control, aminoguanidine. Again, the toxicity of D. thunbergii to this cell line precludes the relevance of nitric oxide inhibition as an antidiabetic mechanism for this plant. D. thunbergii produced a concentration-dependent increase in 3T3-L1 triglyceride accumulation, as measured by Oil red O staining, compared to untreated cells, while H. argentea exerted no significant alterations in pre- adipocyte differentiation. Generally, the two plants produced weak inhibition of the activities of the various enzymes measured, suggesting that this mechanism may not play a major role in the activities of these plants as possible antidiabetic agents. GC-MS analysis revealed major differences in the volatile oil composition between fresh and dried plant parts for both plants. Most notably, total terpenoid content of D. thunbergii oils reduced significantly from 77.17 percent in the fresh root oil to 47.58 percent in the dried root oil. Total terpenoid content was much lower in H. argentea oils, but similarly reduced from 10.58 percent in the fresh corm oil to 4.00 percent in the dried corm oil. LC-MS analysis enabled the tentative identification of compounds including phenolic glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids saponins and sapogenins, many of which have been reported in literature to exert bioactivities relevant to the ones elucidated in the present study. Overall, H. argentea exhibited antidiabetic properties that may be mediated by its stimulation of glucose uptake in HepG2 and L6 cells; stimulation of proliferation in INS-1 cells; lack of stimulation of 3T3-L1 triglyceride accumulation and a tendency to reduce nitric oxide production in RAW macrophages. These activities suggest that H. argentea has promise for further investigations as an antidiabetic agent. On the contrary, D. thunbergii exhibited significant toxicity to HepG2 cells, INS-1 cells and RAW macrophages. Its cytotoxicity at the concentrations investigated in the present studies raises significant concerns about any potential antidiabetic applications for this plant.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Contribution of home gardens to rural household income in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Alaka, Kolawole O
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Gardens Food security Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MAgric
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8176 , vital:31826
- Description: For decades, home gardens have proved to be significant to rural inhabitants by providing a wide range of useful products such as fruits, vegetables and medicine, but there is lack of quantitative information on its benefits and its contributions to income of rural household. The main objective of this study is to investigate contributions of home garden to income of rural household in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, formerly Nkonkobe Local Municipality of Eastern Cape Province South Africa. The stratified random sampling method was applied in order to choose a sample of 160 household that were interviewed by means of semi-structured questionnaires. The study was conducted among 80 households engaging in home gardens and 80 non- participating households in the study area. Frequencies and mean were used to describe the general characteristics of the households as well as ownership patterns of home gardens. In order to determine the factors that influence home gardens ownership binary logistic regression model was used. The overall model show that level of education, total household income and access to land significantly affects ownership of the home garden positively. Social grant has the highest contributions to total household income for both category while income generated from home garden has the second largest share to total household income, this show that the majority of rural households in the study area rely on social grant as their source of income. Cabbage, spinach, potatoes and carrots were the dominant crops in home gardens. In view of research findings, there is still a wide room for further improvement in home gardens practises in study area. Contrary to expectations, home gardens have the potential to improve livelihood significantly if the rural households take the necessary steps to make the production more sustainable. Based on research findings several policy proposals are suggested. These include investment in agricultural programmes that will empower the rural households like Massive food projects, Siyazondla and related home garden initiatives. Home garden is the major source of food and income generation in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality. Therefore, government should provide sufficient credit facilities, extension services together with marketing arrangement in the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Alaka, Kolawole O
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Gardens Food security Sustainable agriculture -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MAgric
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8176 , vital:31826
- Description: For decades, home gardens have proved to be significant to rural inhabitants by providing a wide range of useful products such as fruits, vegetables and medicine, but there is lack of quantitative information on its benefits and its contributions to income of rural household. The main objective of this study is to investigate contributions of home garden to income of rural household in Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, formerly Nkonkobe Local Municipality of Eastern Cape Province South Africa. The stratified random sampling method was applied in order to choose a sample of 160 household that were interviewed by means of semi-structured questionnaires. The study was conducted among 80 households engaging in home gardens and 80 non- participating households in the study area. Frequencies and mean were used to describe the general characteristics of the households as well as ownership patterns of home gardens. In order to determine the factors that influence home gardens ownership binary logistic regression model was used. The overall model show that level of education, total household income and access to land significantly affects ownership of the home garden positively. Social grant has the highest contributions to total household income for both category while income generated from home garden has the second largest share to total household income, this show that the majority of rural households in the study area rely on social grant as their source of income. Cabbage, spinach, potatoes and carrots were the dominant crops in home gardens. In view of research findings, there is still a wide room for further improvement in home gardens practises in study area. Contrary to expectations, home gardens have the potential to improve livelihood significantly if the rural households take the necessary steps to make the production more sustainable. Based on research findings several policy proposals are suggested. These include investment in agricultural programmes that will empower the rural households like Massive food projects, Siyazondla and related home garden initiatives. Home garden is the major source of food and income generation in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality. Therefore, government should provide sufficient credit facilities, extension services together with marketing arrangement in the area.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Group membership and collective action among small-scale farmers in Nkonkobe Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Arwari, Margaret Kwamboka
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Farmers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8144 , vital:31535
- Description: In South Africa, the organisation of farmers into groups has been a basic tenet for numerous, small and dispersed small-scale farmers to make their voices heard, address challenges and access support services from the government and other development agencies. However, the literature shows that the South African government promotes inappropriate forms of farmer collective action, i.e. collective production. The government seems to lack knowledge on what forms of collective action to implement and support. It is also noted in the literature that in South Africa, the majority of farmers do not participate in farmer organisations. There is limited research on the determinants of membership in farmer organisations, especially in terms of the role of ‘human agency’. Human agency is a concept which is interrelated with the concept of ‘empowerme nt’, whereby a person with strong agency is someone who is an agent of positive change. Therefore, the study sought to address these gaps. The broad objective of this study was to explore the phenomenon of group membership and collective action among small-scale farmers in Nkonkobe Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study used the mixed method approach where an exploratory design was employed. A mult istage sampling technique was used which employed random, purposive and convenience sampling techniques. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 245 farmers using semistructured questionnaires and detailed qualitative data were elicited from 16 farmer organisat ions using interview guides. For the quantitative research, a cross-sectional survey design was employed. After discarded unusable observations, data from 228 farmers were analysed using a combination of descriptive statistics, simple inferential statistics, and econometric analysis. For the qualitative data obtained, thematic analysis was used in line with the study objectives. The study findings show that farmers undertake collective action through farmer organisations. These farmer organisations were categorised into two types, i.e. farmer cooperatives and farmer associations. However, low membership in these farmer organisations is noted and this was attributed to the following: (1) low farmer awareness of the existence of farmer organisations, (2) challenges faced by the organisations that contribute to their ineffectiveness and thus low membership, (3) the prevalence of negative perceptions of farmer organisations due to confusion as to their role, (4) the government’s farmer support approach which compels or encourages farmers to form groups. The results also showed that the following are determinants of participation in farmer organisations: farmer’s age, level of education, human agency, whether a farmer has off-farm income sources, whether a farmer is involved in government supported projects, whether a farmer accesses extension information, the number of visits from extension officers received by a farmer, and the number of adults in a household contributing family labour. The study findings also show that the farmers in farmer organisations have higher human agency compared to those not in farmer organisations. According to the study results, farmer groups offer a number of benefits. For one, farmer organisations are avenues for farmers’ voices to be heard, they lobby government for better access to support services such as credit, input supply, information, and training. In addition, farmers who belong to organisations experience the benefits of collective marketing. Despite the aforementioned benefits of farmer organisations, group challenges are observed. For example, farmer organisations face declining membership, the free rider problem and conflicts between members, have a problem of ineffective, old members and lack of commitment of some group members. It was therefore recommended that there is a need for concerted effort by the government, development agencies, non-governmental organisations, farmers, and farmer organisations to ensure the success of farmer organisations in promoting small-scale agriculture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Arwari, Margaret Kwamboka
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Farmers -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Farms, Small -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8144 , vital:31535
- Description: In South Africa, the organisation of farmers into groups has been a basic tenet for numerous, small and dispersed small-scale farmers to make their voices heard, address challenges and access support services from the government and other development agencies. However, the literature shows that the South African government promotes inappropriate forms of farmer collective action, i.e. collective production. The government seems to lack knowledge on what forms of collective action to implement and support. It is also noted in the literature that in South Africa, the majority of farmers do not participate in farmer organisations. There is limited research on the determinants of membership in farmer organisations, especially in terms of the role of ‘human agency’. Human agency is a concept which is interrelated with the concept of ‘empowerme nt’, whereby a person with strong agency is someone who is an agent of positive change. Therefore, the study sought to address these gaps. The broad objective of this study was to explore the phenomenon of group membership and collective action among small-scale farmers in Nkonkobe Local Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The study used the mixed method approach where an exploratory design was employed. A mult istage sampling technique was used which employed random, purposive and convenience sampling techniques. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 245 farmers using semistructured questionnaires and detailed qualitative data were elicited from 16 farmer organisat ions using interview guides. For the quantitative research, a cross-sectional survey design was employed. After discarded unusable observations, data from 228 farmers were analysed using a combination of descriptive statistics, simple inferential statistics, and econometric analysis. For the qualitative data obtained, thematic analysis was used in line with the study objectives. The study findings show that farmers undertake collective action through farmer organisations. These farmer organisations were categorised into two types, i.e. farmer cooperatives and farmer associations. However, low membership in these farmer organisations is noted and this was attributed to the following: (1) low farmer awareness of the existence of farmer organisations, (2) challenges faced by the organisations that contribute to their ineffectiveness and thus low membership, (3) the prevalence of negative perceptions of farmer organisations due to confusion as to their role, (4) the government’s farmer support approach which compels or encourages farmers to form groups. The results also showed that the following are determinants of participation in farmer organisations: farmer’s age, level of education, human agency, whether a farmer has off-farm income sources, whether a farmer is involved in government supported projects, whether a farmer accesses extension information, the number of visits from extension officers received by a farmer, and the number of adults in a household contributing family labour. The study findings also show that the farmers in farmer organisations have higher human agency compared to those not in farmer organisations. According to the study results, farmer groups offer a number of benefits. For one, farmer organisations are avenues for farmers’ voices to be heard, they lobby government for better access to support services such as credit, input supply, information, and training. In addition, farmers who belong to organisations experience the benefits of collective marketing. Despite the aforementioned benefits of farmer organisations, group challenges are observed. For example, farmer organisations face declining membership, the free rider problem and conflicts between members, have a problem of ineffective, old members and lack of commitment of some group members. It was therefore recommended that there is a need for concerted effort by the government, development agencies, non-governmental organisations, farmers, and farmer organisations to ensure the success of farmer organisations in promoting small-scale agriculture.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Multi-temporal assessment of spatial changes in vegetation distribution in the Swartkops estuary, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Atyosi, Yonwaba
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Environmental impact analysis Estuaries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13762 , vital:39710
- Description: Over the last decade, image classification has been widely used as a change detection method and provides detailed information for detecting and monitoring changes in land use and land cover (LULC). The main objective of this study was to reconstruct long-term changes in the spatial distribution of different vegetation types in the Swartkops Estuary from 1983 to 2013. The Swartkops Estuary is ecologically important for its wide range of vegetation types that are habitat to estuarine and riverine organisms. Four Landsat images for the years 1984 (Thematic Mapper), 1993 (Thematic Mapper), 2003(Enhanced Thematic Mapper +) and 2013 (Operational Land Imager) were used with the aid of aerial photographs that were used as an ancillary data source. The research methodology comprised of supervised classification, classification accuracy assessment and image differencing. Supervised classification was performed and results of the image classification process for the four time periods were compared to derive information on changes that occurred over the 29-year study period. Images were classified into the following classes: Estuarine water, Salt works, Zostera capensis, Spartina maritima, Terrestrial vegetation, Salt marsh, Swartkops thicket, Built-up areas, Bare areas, and Beach sand, using the Maximum likelihood classifier on Erdas IMAGINE 2014 Software. The significance of the image classification was tested using linear trend regression analysis. Image differencing was performed using 1984 and 2013 Landsat images to reconstruct overall changes in vegetation distribution of the Swartkops Estuary. Results of this investigation revealed significant changes in all land cover types, 24 ha increase from 1984 to 2013 in Zostera capensis as well as Spartina maritima, salt marshes increased by 14 ha between 1984 and 2013, terrestrial vegetation declined by 18 ha between 1984 and 2013. There was a stable increase in estuarine water from 1984 to 2013 by a total area of 29 ha. Water increased by 14 ha between 1984 and 1993, 11 ha increase between 1993 and 2003. However, there was a decline in estuarine water in the period between 2003 and 2013.This decline is associated with the increase in submerged macrophytes like Zostera capensis which utilise open water habitat. The dominant salt marsh species Limonium peregrinum, Sarcoconia pillansii and Spartina maritima occurred in the intertidal, supratidal and floodplain areas where the water table was the shallowest, with the soil moisture being the highest. These results indicate that Remote Sensing and GIS can be effectively used to detect and monitor changes in estuarine biodiversity and habitat in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Atyosi, Yonwaba
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Climatic changes -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Environmental impact analysis Estuaries -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13762 , vital:39710
- Description: Over the last decade, image classification has been widely used as a change detection method and provides detailed information for detecting and monitoring changes in land use and land cover (LULC). The main objective of this study was to reconstruct long-term changes in the spatial distribution of different vegetation types in the Swartkops Estuary from 1983 to 2013. The Swartkops Estuary is ecologically important for its wide range of vegetation types that are habitat to estuarine and riverine organisms. Four Landsat images for the years 1984 (Thematic Mapper), 1993 (Thematic Mapper), 2003(Enhanced Thematic Mapper +) and 2013 (Operational Land Imager) were used with the aid of aerial photographs that were used as an ancillary data source. The research methodology comprised of supervised classification, classification accuracy assessment and image differencing. Supervised classification was performed and results of the image classification process for the four time periods were compared to derive information on changes that occurred over the 29-year study period. Images were classified into the following classes: Estuarine water, Salt works, Zostera capensis, Spartina maritima, Terrestrial vegetation, Salt marsh, Swartkops thicket, Built-up areas, Bare areas, and Beach sand, using the Maximum likelihood classifier on Erdas IMAGINE 2014 Software. The significance of the image classification was tested using linear trend regression analysis. Image differencing was performed using 1984 and 2013 Landsat images to reconstruct overall changes in vegetation distribution of the Swartkops Estuary. Results of this investigation revealed significant changes in all land cover types, 24 ha increase from 1984 to 2013 in Zostera capensis as well as Spartina maritima, salt marshes increased by 14 ha between 1984 and 2013, terrestrial vegetation declined by 18 ha between 1984 and 2013. There was a stable increase in estuarine water from 1984 to 2013 by a total area of 29 ha. Water increased by 14 ha between 1984 and 1993, 11 ha increase between 1993 and 2003. However, there was a decline in estuarine water in the period between 2003 and 2013.This decline is associated with the increase in submerged macrophytes like Zostera capensis which utilise open water habitat. The dominant salt marsh species Limonium peregrinum, Sarcoconia pillansii and Spartina maritima occurred in the intertidal, supratidal and floodplain areas where the water table was the shallowest, with the soil moisture being the highest. These results indicate that Remote Sensing and GIS can be effectively used to detect and monitor changes in estuarine biodiversity and habitat in South Africa.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Enhancing productivity and market participation for poverty reduction and shared prosperity in South Africa
- Authors: Avuletey, Richard
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13978 , vital:39736
- Description: There have been several attempts by the South Africa government to improve the agricultural productivity on smallholder farms since the end of apartheid. In spite of the government support, agricultural productivity has stagnated for several years across the Eastern Cape rural communities including Mthatha and Qamata. The aim of this study was to understand the roles played by irrigation adoption and market participation in addressing poverty reduction and shared prosperity levels of smallholder farmers in Eastern Cape of South Africa. Data were collected using purposive and random sampling approach through the use of the snowball method. To collect data, a questionnaire was designed and administered through face-to-face interviews. Overall, 200 farmers were interviewed both at Mthatha and Qamata irrigation scheme to represent the farmers in the area. The collected data were analysed using both parametric and non-parametric methods. The non-parametric methods used include descriptive analysis, estimation of gross margins as a proxy for profitability. The Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), Binomial Logistic Regression (BLR), Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), tobit censored regression and propensity score matching (PSM) were the parametric methods used in the study. Profit efficiency was measured using the normalized transcendent logarithmic profit frontier approach (Cobb-douglas). Stochastic Production Frontier (SPF) technique was used to determine the technical efficiency of individual farmers and to identify the major factors that influence technical efficiency. Binomial logistic regression was used to determine factors affecting irrigation adoption and market participation among smallholder farmers. OLS was used to estimate the impact of institutional characteristics, socio-economic and agronomic factors on smallholder farmers’ level of market participation for selected crop enterprises. Lastly, tobit regression and propensity score matching (PSM) analyses were used to estimate the impact of irrigation technology adoption on poverty reduction in the province. The results of the descriptive statistics of the overall sample revealed an average age of 61 years, and mean household size of 4.6 persons with majority of the household head having at least obtained some primary school education (59.5percent). Most of the household heads interviewed were men (68.5percent). Most farmers are single (65percent) with regard to their marital status. Farming is viewed as major source of livelihood for smallholders with an average income of R12523.37 for overall sample and income of R15559.80 and R5795.59 per crop season, respectively, for irrigators and non irrigators. Smallholder irrigators generated a higher gross margin of R7585.26, R21966.89 and R6266.07 from maize, cabbage and potato enterprises, respectively, compared to their non irrigator counterparts in maize (R131.39), cabbage (R10938.04) and potato (R3433.31) enterprises. The results of the frontier profit model revealed mean profit efficiency of 90percent, 99.99percent and 99.99percent, respectively, for maize, cabbage and potato.The binary logistic regression model for irrigation adoption indicated that years in school, cooperative membership, off-farm income, credit access and distance to market significantly explain smallholder farmers’ irrigation adoption decision. On the other hand, age of household head, market support, farm size, livestock income and distance to market were the key variables that accounted for smallholder farmers’ market participation adoption behaviour. The findings from the stochastic production frontier (SPF) indicate that smallholder farmers are technically efficient in maize and cabbage enterprises both at 99.99percent. Lastly, the findings from the Tobit regression and propensity score matching are consistent across the two methods, suggesting that being a member of irrigation adoption has a positive significant impact on income of smallholder farmers. Irrigation and market participation appear to have a significant and positive impact on smallholder poverty reduction (measured by crop income) for those farmers engaged in them. The findings from this study provide useful practical insights for policy makers, farm advisers and researchers in the design of effective and efficient policies, programmes and projects which can affect the adoption of irrigation technology and market participation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Avuletey, Richard
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Poverty -- South Africa Economic development -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/13978 , vital:39736
- Description: There have been several attempts by the South Africa government to improve the agricultural productivity on smallholder farms since the end of apartheid. In spite of the government support, agricultural productivity has stagnated for several years across the Eastern Cape rural communities including Mthatha and Qamata. The aim of this study was to understand the roles played by irrigation adoption and market participation in addressing poverty reduction and shared prosperity levels of smallholder farmers in Eastern Cape of South Africa. Data were collected using purposive and random sampling approach through the use of the snowball method. To collect data, a questionnaire was designed and administered through face-to-face interviews. Overall, 200 farmers were interviewed both at Mthatha and Qamata irrigation scheme to represent the farmers in the area. The collected data were analysed using both parametric and non-parametric methods. The non-parametric methods used include descriptive analysis, estimation of gross margins as a proxy for profitability. The Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA), Binomial Logistic Regression (BLR), Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), tobit censored regression and propensity score matching (PSM) were the parametric methods used in the study. Profit efficiency was measured using the normalized transcendent logarithmic profit frontier approach (Cobb-douglas). Stochastic Production Frontier (SPF) technique was used to determine the technical efficiency of individual farmers and to identify the major factors that influence technical efficiency. Binomial logistic regression was used to determine factors affecting irrigation adoption and market participation among smallholder farmers. OLS was used to estimate the impact of institutional characteristics, socio-economic and agronomic factors on smallholder farmers’ level of market participation for selected crop enterprises. Lastly, tobit regression and propensity score matching (PSM) analyses were used to estimate the impact of irrigation technology adoption on poverty reduction in the province. The results of the descriptive statistics of the overall sample revealed an average age of 61 years, and mean household size of 4.6 persons with majority of the household head having at least obtained some primary school education (59.5percent). Most of the household heads interviewed were men (68.5percent). Most farmers are single (65percent) with regard to their marital status. Farming is viewed as major source of livelihood for smallholders with an average income of R12523.37 for overall sample and income of R15559.80 and R5795.59 per crop season, respectively, for irrigators and non irrigators. Smallholder irrigators generated a higher gross margin of R7585.26, R21966.89 and R6266.07 from maize, cabbage and potato enterprises, respectively, compared to their non irrigator counterparts in maize (R131.39), cabbage (R10938.04) and potato (R3433.31) enterprises. The results of the frontier profit model revealed mean profit efficiency of 90percent, 99.99percent and 99.99percent, respectively, for maize, cabbage and potato.The binary logistic regression model for irrigation adoption indicated that years in school, cooperative membership, off-farm income, credit access and distance to market significantly explain smallholder farmers’ irrigation adoption decision. On the other hand, age of household head, market support, farm size, livestock income and distance to market were the key variables that accounted for smallholder farmers’ market participation adoption behaviour. The findings from the stochastic production frontier (SPF) indicate that smallholder farmers are technically efficient in maize and cabbage enterprises both at 99.99percent. Lastly, the findings from the Tobit regression and propensity score matching are consistent across the two methods, suggesting that being a member of irrigation adoption has a positive significant impact on income of smallholder farmers. Irrigation and market participation appear to have a significant and positive impact on smallholder poverty reduction (measured by crop income) for those farmers engaged in them. The findings from this study provide useful practical insights for policy makers, farm advisers and researchers in the design of effective and efficient policies, programmes and projects which can affect the adoption of irrigation technology and market participation.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Forest resources income, poverty and income inequality: evidence from rural households in South-western Nigeria.
- Authors: Azeez, Fatai Abiola
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Poverty--Nigeria http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2010107919 , Rural poor--Nigeria , Income distribution--Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19454 , vital:43119
- Description: This thesis explores economic contributions of forest resources in relation to rural households’ welfare and inequality as well as forest resources management. The thesis consists of an introductory chapter, study locations, literature review on major concepts of the study and findings on different forest extraction activities impacts on rural households livelihood in South-western region Nigeria, which make up the rest of the thesis chapters. , Thesis (PhD) (Agric Econs) -- University of Fort Hare, 2017
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Azeez, Fatai Abiola
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Poverty--Nigeria http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2010107919 , Rural poor--Nigeria , Income distribution--Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/19454 , vital:43119
- Description: This thesis explores economic contributions of forest resources in relation to rural households’ welfare and inequality as well as forest resources management. The thesis consists of an introductory chapter, study locations, literature review on major concepts of the study and findings on different forest extraction activities impacts on rural households livelihood in South-western region Nigeria, which make up the rest of the thesis chapters. , Thesis (PhD) (Agric Econs) -- University of Fort Hare, 2017
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Analyses of the simple harmonic oscillator and its variations
- Authors: Bambiso, Noludwe Patience
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Harmonic analysis Vibration -- Mathematical models Oscillations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8132 , vital:31530
- Description: Vibratory motion is fundamental to all natural phenomena. It occurs everywhere in nature, from fundamental particles to the complexity of the life of the smallest cell, to the properties of the cosmos. Its frequency ranges from those of gammarays down the spectrum of X-rays, microwave, optical and radio waves. These are common concepts in everyday life, but their origin and nature are seldom comprehended. In this thesis we look at the mathematical fundamentals and how to apply them. We start with fundamental concepts and extend them to more complicated systems. We consider methods of analysis and applications. In Chapter 2 we consider simple harmonic oscillators and their mathematical analyses and in Chapter 3 we look at applications. Chapter 4 discusses the general form of simple harmonic motion, i.e. damped and forced harmonic motion. We consider simple coupled systems and their analysis. In Chapter 5 we introduce the method of complex functions and its application to complicated compound systems. Chapter 6 introduces a novel application, that of how SHM can be used as a model for advanced effects, or acausality. Chapter 7 presents a summary and conclusion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Bambiso, Noludwe Patience
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Harmonic analysis Vibration -- Mathematical models Oscillations
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8132 , vital:31530
- Description: Vibratory motion is fundamental to all natural phenomena. It occurs everywhere in nature, from fundamental particles to the complexity of the life of the smallest cell, to the properties of the cosmos. Its frequency ranges from those of gammarays down the spectrum of X-rays, microwave, optical and radio waves. These are common concepts in everyday life, but their origin and nature are seldom comprehended. In this thesis we look at the mathematical fundamentals and how to apply them. We start with fundamental concepts and extend them to more complicated systems. We consider methods of analysis and applications. In Chapter 2 we consider simple harmonic oscillators and their mathematical analyses and in Chapter 3 we look at applications. Chapter 4 discusses the general form of simple harmonic motion, i.e. damped and forced harmonic motion. We consider simple coupled systems and their analysis. In Chapter 5 we introduce the method of complex functions and its application to complicated compound systems. Chapter 6 introduces a novel application, that of how SHM can be used as a model for advanced effects, or acausality. Chapter 7 presents a summary and conclusion.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Determining and analysing the emergent behaviour from context-aware devices
- Authors: Bandason, Vivian
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Context-aware computing Mobile computing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7907 , vital:30805
- Description: With the continued miniaturization of technology and the incorporation of Moore’s law, smartphones are more powerful. These mobile devices contain technologies that add other functionalities to them. Technologies such as sensors constantly provide information to the device. The constant stream of information from these sensors often leads to information overload of relevant and irrelevant information. To work towards solving this problem context-aware computing was introduced. Our major concern is that context information in context aware computing is not completely being utilized. The aggregation of context information could unlock more possibilities. This research seeks to aggregate the context of multiple devices such that, through analysis, some emergent behaviour can be observed. In this research context information from the sensors of devices is collected using an Android application and a central Server. The context information is used for pattern analysis. A pattern analysis algorithm is designed and used to observe patterns throughout the data set. It shows patterns that are similar within the dataset. In the case that the pattern observed has no similar pattern or few similar patterns this behaviour can be stated as emergent in the dataset. Further study of this emergent behaviour can be performed were a classifier can be used to give the exact activities that were being performed at that time. The research found this was possible and has many uses. One of these is in disaster prevention were the behaviour of a group of individuals may be monitored to observe any random changes such as masses running at the same time. This could be used as a first warning to natural disasters.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Bandason, Vivian
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Context-aware computing Mobile computing
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7907 , vital:30805
- Description: With the continued miniaturization of technology and the incorporation of Moore’s law, smartphones are more powerful. These mobile devices contain technologies that add other functionalities to them. Technologies such as sensors constantly provide information to the device. The constant stream of information from these sensors often leads to information overload of relevant and irrelevant information. To work towards solving this problem context-aware computing was introduced. Our major concern is that context information in context aware computing is not completely being utilized. The aggregation of context information could unlock more possibilities. This research seeks to aggregate the context of multiple devices such that, through analysis, some emergent behaviour can be observed. In this research context information from the sensors of devices is collected using an Android application and a central Server. The context information is used for pattern analysis. A pattern analysis algorithm is designed and used to observe patterns throughout the data set. It shows patterns that are similar within the dataset. In the case that the pattern observed has no similar pattern or few similar patterns this behaviour can be stated as emergent in the dataset. Further study of this emergent behaviour can be performed were a classifier can be used to give the exact activities that were being performed at that time. The research found this was possible and has many uses. One of these is in disaster prevention were the behaviour of a group of individuals may be monitored to observe any random changes such as masses running at the same time. This could be used as a first warning to natural disasters.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Forage production, nutritive value and intake rates by goats of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) forages grown in the subtropical region of South Africa
- Authors: Buthelezi, Lindokuhle Sizwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Forage Pigeon pea Forage plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7852 , vital:30773
- Description: Different growth stages and drying methods were used to assess forage production, nutritive value and intake of leaves from three Cajanus cajan varieties (ICEAP 00557, ICEAP 01514 and CIMMYT 100/01). In the 2016/17 growing season, three complete randomized block designs (CRBD’s) were conducted. Regrowth parameters were measured during both the both vegetative and flowering stages. The plots were harvested at the flowering stage. Biomass yields were measured at the flowering stage. The harvested leaves were then dried under the two different drying methods. The methods used were shade- and oven-drying at 60 oC. This was used to determine dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) for the C. cajan varieties. Minerals Ca, Mg, K, Na, K/(Ca+Mg), P and Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe and phytochemicals condensed tannins, phenolic compounds and saponins were also analyzed. The intake rates and in vitro and in sacco ruminal degradabilities were also determined. The survival percentage was significantly different (P<0.05) only across the means of varieties. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the number of shoots per plant, stems per shoot and coppice stems produced by the three C. cajan varieties at vegetative and flowering stage. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the heights of plants recorded by the varieties only at flowering stage. The yields of fresh biomass in C. cajan was significantly different (P<0.05) across all the varieties harvested in 2016. In all the varieties there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in dry matter yield in both seasons of 2016 and 2017. The effect of browse varieties and drying methods showed a significant effect (P<0.05) on DM, CP, fat, NDIN, ADIN and hemicellulose content of varieties. There was little impact by varieties and drying methods (P<0.05) on ash, NDF, ADF, ADL, TNC and cellulose content of varieties. Varieties and drying method had no effect (P>0.05) on Ca, Mg and K except for Na and P. There was no effect caused by varieties and drying methods (P>0.05) on Zn and Mn with Cu and Fe being the exceptions. Oven drying showed an overall reduction in the tannin concentration on leaves while there was an increase in saponins. The different varieties had no effect (P>0.05) on the IIR, 0.0275±0.0089, 0.0275±0.0077 and 0.0409±0.0109 for Cv1, Cv2 and Cv3, respectively. The day of the trial and browse variety had an effect (P<0.05) on bite rate. However, the day of trial had no significant effect (P>0.05) on both bite size and the instantaneous intake rate. Individual goat had a significant effect (P<0.05) on bite rate. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the in vitro and in sacco rapidly degradable fractions (a) of all the three varieties but the drying method had no effect (P>0.05). The slowly degradable fraction (b) and degradation rate constant (c) of all varieties was not significantly different (P>0.05) on both drying methods during IV DaisyII procedure. However, b and c, in all the varieties was significantly different (P<0.05) in both drying methods during the in sacco procedure. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean potentially degradable fraction (a+b) across all C. cajan varieties during IV DaisyII procedure, however a+c of all varieties was significantly different (P<0.05) in both the drying methods during the in sacco procedure. The effective in vitro and in sacco degradability of the varieties was significantly different (P<0.05) with a rumen outflow rate of 2, 5 and 8 percent per hour. The shade-dried varieties had a higher (P<0.05) ED than the oven-dried materials during IV DaisyII and the in sacco procedures. It was concluded that the decline in yield of C. cajan during the study is a reflection of poor survival, the insufficient regeneration from seed, nutrient depletion over time and the extended dry seasons. Therefore, shade drying is commended method of drying forages.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Buthelezi, Lindokuhle Sizwe
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Forage Pigeon pea Forage plants
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7852 , vital:30773
- Description: Different growth stages and drying methods were used to assess forage production, nutritive value and intake of leaves from three Cajanus cajan varieties (ICEAP 00557, ICEAP 01514 and CIMMYT 100/01). In the 2016/17 growing season, three complete randomized block designs (CRBD’s) were conducted. Regrowth parameters were measured during both the both vegetative and flowering stages. The plots were harvested at the flowering stage. Biomass yields were measured at the flowering stage. The harvested leaves were then dried under the two different drying methods. The methods used were shade- and oven-drying at 60 oC. This was used to determine dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL) and total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) for the C. cajan varieties. Minerals Ca, Mg, K, Na, K/(Ca+Mg), P and Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe and phytochemicals condensed tannins, phenolic compounds and saponins were also analyzed. The intake rates and in vitro and in sacco ruminal degradabilities were also determined. The survival percentage was significantly different (P<0.05) only across the means of varieties. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the number of shoots per plant, stems per shoot and coppice stems produced by the three C. cajan varieties at vegetative and flowering stage. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the heights of plants recorded by the varieties only at flowering stage. The yields of fresh biomass in C. cajan was significantly different (P<0.05) across all the varieties harvested in 2016. In all the varieties there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in dry matter yield in both seasons of 2016 and 2017. The effect of browse varieties and drying methods showed a significant effect (P<0.05) on DM, CP, fat, NDIN, ADIN and hemicellulose content of varieties. There was little impact by varieties and drying methods (P<0.05) on ash, NDF, ADF, ADL, TNC and cellulose content of varieties. Varieties and drying method had no effect (P>0.05) on Ca, Mg and K except for Na and P. There was no effect caused by varieties and drying methods (P>0.05) on Zn and Mn with Cu and Fe being the exceptions. Oven drying showed an overall reduction in the tannin concentration on leaves while there was an increase in saponins. The different varieties had no effect (P>0.05) on the IIR, 0.0275±0.0089, 0.0275±0.0077 and 0.0409±0.0109 for Cv1, Cv2 and Cv3, respectively. The day of the trial and browse variety had an effect (P<0.05) on bite rate. However, the day of trial had no significant effect (P>0.05) on both bite size and the instantaneous intake rate. Individual goat had a significant effect (P<0.05) on bite rate. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in the in vitro and in sacco rapidly degradable fractions (a) of all the three varieties but the drying method had no effect (P>0.05). The slowly degradable fraction (b) and degradation rate constant (c) of all varieties was not significantly different (P>0.05) on both drying methods during IV DaisyII procedure. However, b and c, in all the varieties was significantly different (P<0.05) in both drying methods during the in sacco procedure. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the mean potentially degradable fraction (a+b) across all C. cajan varieties during IV DaisyII procedure, however a+c of all varieties was significantly different (P<0.05) in both the drying methods during the in sacco procedure. The effective in vitro and in sacco degradability of the varieties was significantly different (P<0.05) with a rumen outflow rate of 2, 5 and 8 percent per hour. The shade-dried varieties had a higher (P<0.05) ED than the oven-dried materials during IV DaisyII and the in sacco procedures. It was concluded that the decline in yield of C. cajan during the study is a reflection of poor survival, the insufficient regeneration from seed, nutrient depletion over time and the extended dry seasons. Therefore, shade drying is commended method of drying forages.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Applicability of putative probiotic bacteria to replace antibiotics as growth promoters in commercial and indigenous piglets
- Authors: Dlamini, Ziyanda Confidence
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Antibiotics , Dietary supplements , Piglets
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11428 , vital:39071
- Description: Antibiotic use in pig production contributes to development of antimicrobial resistance in food animals and risk of antibiotic residues in animal food products. The use of probiotics appears to be the potential alternative to antibiotics. This work is designed to validate the applicability of administered direct-fed putative probiotic strains of Lactobacillus reuteri ZJ625, Lactobacillus reuteri VB4, Lactobacillus salivarius ZJ614 and Streptococcus salivarius NBCR 13956 on growth performance, hematological parameters, and antibody stimulation in weaned commercial and indigenous pigs. Forty-five weaned piglets were divided into five treatment experimental groups as follows: Diet with: antibiotic (PC), No antibiotic and no probiotic (NC), Probiotic (P1) (P2) combination of probiotics (P3). Piglets’ performance were monitored during the trial. Faecal and ileum samples were collected for microbial count analysis. Blood samples were collected from the sacrificed piglets at the end of the trial, for the hematological and biochemical analysis and probiotics ability to stimulate immunoglobulin G (IgG). Four probiotic strains were tested for cell surface hydrophobicity against xylene, chloroform and ethyl acetate. The strains were also tested for auto-aggregation and co-aggregation abilities. Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 was used as a control pathogen in the co-aggregation ability test. The probiotic strains were also screened for presence of virulence and resistance genes. DNA was extracted from all the four probiotic strains using ZR Fungal/Bacterial DNA MiniPepTM (Zymo Research, USA) following manufacturer’s instructions. The DNA samples were later amplified in PCR reactions with specific primers to detect virulence genes of adhesion collagen protein (ace), aggregation substances (agg and asa); antibiotic resistance genes of: Vancomycin vanA, Vancomycin vanC1 and Vancomycin vanC2/3. The data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA using SAS statistics software (SAS 9.3) (2003). Results from the study revealed that supplementation of probiotics had no effect on feed intake (FI) in all of the experimental groups. However, supplementation of probiotics in P3 treatment resulted in greater average daily gain (ADG) and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) of weaned piglets (p < 0.05). Microbial count of fecal samples from all the treatment groups did not differ while ileum samples had lower enteric bacteria in P3 group as compared to other treatments. Concentration of albumin, globulin, neutrophils and basophils were high in NC treatment compared to other treatments. (p < 0.05). IgG concentration was highest in P3 compared to other treatment (p < 0.05). All probiotics strains showed high hydrophobicity to all solvents used in the test. Cell Surface Hydrophobic was highest in xylene (78percent – 84percent), followed by chloroform (68percent – 75percent) and lowest in ethyl acetate (52percent - 60percent). All of the test strains showed high auto-aggregation ability after 4 hr of incubation. L .reuteri VB4 exhibited highest auto-aggregation ability of 70percent, while the least auto-aggregation ability of 60percent was observed for L. salivarius ZJ614. In the co-aggregation assays, all probiotic bacterial strains exhibited a strong co-aggregation of 45percent to 56percent after 4 hr of incubation at 37 °C. L. reuteri VB4 exhibited highest co-aggregation ability while L. salivarius ZJ614 exhibited the lowest co-aggregation ability. No presence of virulence genes ace and asa was detected in all of the putative probiotic strains, but agg virulence gene was detected in L. reuteri VB4 strains. L. reuteri VB4 and S. salivarius NBRC13956 had resistance genes vanC 2/3 and vanC1, respectively. Overall, the results from this study, suggest that the candidate probiotics strains have enhanced the growth and measured blood parameters of the weaned piglets used in these experiments, and also, the probiotic strains have the abilities to initiate the stimulation of IgG. Probiotics could be used as a novel alternative to antibiotics in the animal nutrition and production, with the abilities to confer health benefits and promote growth. The outcome of the research advocates that these probiotics will be beneficial to pig production, and might outcompete the current antibiotics in use as growth promoters. One of the major advantages of probiotics to pig industry is the production of antibiotic free and good quality pork meat to local and international consumers, thus, enhancing South African Pork industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Dlamini, Ziyanda Confidence
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Antibiotics , Dietary supplements , Piglets
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11428 , vital:39071
- Description: Antibiotic use in pig production contributes to development of antimicrobial resistance in food animals and risk of antibiotic residues in animal food products. The use of probiotics appears to be the potential alternative to antibiotics. This work is designed to validate the applicability of administered direct-fed putative probiotic strains of Lactobacillus reuteri ZJ625, Lactobacillus reuteri VB4, Lactobacillus salivarius ZJ614 and Streptococcus salivarius NBCR 13956 on growth performance, hematological parameters, and antibody stimulation in weaned commercial and indigenous pigs. Forty-five weaned piglets were divided into five treatment experimental groups as follows: Diet with: antibiotic (PC), No antibiotic and no probiotic (NC), Probiotic (P1) (P2) combination of probiotics (P3). Piglets’ performance were monitored during the trial. Faecal and ileum samples were collected for microbial count analysis. Blood samples were collected from the sacrificed piglets at the end of the trial, for the hematological and biochemical analysis and probiotics ability to stimulate immunoglobulin G (IgG). Four probiotic strains were tested for cell surface hydrophobicity against xylene, chloroform and ethyl acetate. The strains were also tested for auto-aggregation and co-aggregation abilities. Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 was used as a control pathogen in the co-aggregation ability test. The probiotic strains were also screened for presence of virulence and resistance genes. DNA was extracted from all the four probiotic strains using ZR Fungal/Bacterial DNA MiniPepTM (Zymo Research, USA) following manufacturer’s instructions. The DNA samples were later amplified in PCR reactions with specific primers to detect virulence genes of adhesion collagen protein (ace), aggregation substances (agg and asa); antibiotic resistance genes of: Vancomycin vanA, Vancomycin vanC1 and Vancomycin vanC2/3. The data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA using SAS statistics software (SAS 9.3) (2003). Results from the study revealed that supplementation of probiotics had no effect on feed intake (FI) in all of the experimental groups. However, supplementation of probiotics in P3 treatment resulted in greater average daily gain (ADG) and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) of weaned piglets (p < 0.05). Microbial count of fecal samples from all the treatment groups did not differ while ileum samples had lower enteric bacteria in P3 group as compared to other treatments. Concentration of albumin, globulin, neutrophils and basophils were high in NC treatment compared to other treatments. (p < 0.05). IgG concentration was highest in P3 compared to other treatment (p < 0.05). All probiotics strains showed high hydrophobicity to all solvents used in the test. Cell Surface Hydrophobic was highest in xylene (78percent – 84percent), followed by chloroform (68percent – 75percent) and lowest in ethyl acetate (52percent - 60percent). All of the test strains showed high auto-aggregation ability after 4 hr of incubation. L .reuteri VB4 exhibited highest auto-aggregation ability of 70percent, while the least auto-aggregation ability of 60percent was observed for L. salivarius ZJ614. In the co-aggregation assays, all probiotic bacterial strains exhibited a strong co-aggregation of 45percent to 56percent after 4 hr of incubation at 37 °C. L. reuteri VB4 exhibited highest co-aggregation ability while L. salivarius ZJ614 exhibited the lowest co-aggregation ability. No presence of virulence genes ace and asa was detected in all of the putative probiotic strains, but agg virulence gene was detected in L. reuteri VB4 strains. L. reuteri VB4 and S. salivarius NBRC13956 had resistance genes vanC 2/3 and vanC1, respectively. Overall, the results from this study, suggest that the candidate probiotics strains have enhanced the growth and measured blood parameters of the weaned piglets used in these experiments, and also, the probiotic strains have the abilities to initiate the stimulation of IgG. Probiotics could be used as a novel alternative to antibiotics in the animal nutrition and production, with the abilities to confer health benefits and promote growth. The outcome of the research advocates that these probiotics will be beneficial to pig production, and might outcompete the current antibiotics in use as growth promoters. One of the major advantages of probiotics to pig industry is the production of antibiotic free and good quality pork meat to local and international consumers, thus, enhancing South African Pork industry.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Assessment of anti-urease and consequential inhibitory potential of South African honey extracts on the multiplication of drug-resistant, vacA and cagA positive helicobacter pylori strains under acidic conditions
- Authors: Dube, Callote
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Helicobacter pylori Drug resistance in microorganisms Honey -- Therapeutic use
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7787 , vital:30764
- Description: Helicobacter pylori, a neutralophile chronically infects the gastric stomach of more than half of the world’s population. Infection with the organism is associated with acute or chronic duodenal/gastric ulcer disease, gastritis, gastric adenocarcinoma, mucosa-associated tissue lymphoma (MALT) and primary B-cell gastric lymphoma and has been grouped as a class one carcinogen by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Prevalence of this organism is very high in developing countries especially in Africa, including South Africa. H. pylori treatment using the common first and second line regimens, triple therapy with two antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is showing inefficiency due to increasing drug resistance. However, newly developed treatment regimens seem to be more expensive and are accompanied by more side effects. Honey contains phytochemicals which are a wealthy source of biologically active compounds some of which have been put into good use in the pharmaceutical industry. Pathogenesis of H. pylori infection in the human stomach relies on several virulence factors which include the urease enzyme, cagA and vacA. The urease enzyme actively hydrolyses urea to produce ammonia an important by-product involved in pH regulation favouring the survival of the organism in the acidic human stomach. This study therefore focuses on screening for anti-urease solvent extracts of South African honey, and evaluate whether inhibition of urease offsets the growth of H. pylori under acidic conditions. Locally produced natural honeys; Bush honey, Raw honey, Gold Crest honey, Q Bee honey, Little Bee honey, Fleures honey-radurised, Siyakholwa pure honey and Manuka honey; an import from New Zealand were purchased and the method by Syazana et al. (2010) was used for the extraction of compounds in honey. A standard strain ATCC 43526 (American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA, USA) and 48 pure cultures obtained from clinical isolates cultured from gastric corpus biopsy specimen of patients with gastric morbidities who were ix visiting the endoscopy unit in Livingstone Hospital, Port Elizabeth between June 2008 to December 2008 were initially used as source of urease enzyme as per extraction method done by Amin et al. (2013), but with modifications. Prior to urease extraction, H. pylori strains were identified by biochemical tests (urease, catalase, oxidase, Gram stain), confirmed by PCR targeting the glmM gene (140 bp) and drug resistance profiling was done on all the 48 strains according to Seanego et al. (2012). The screening for anti-urease active compounds was done according to Kaltwasser et al. (1966), a method relying on the reduction of NADH in a coupled urease dehydrogenase (GDH) system. Acetohydroxamic acid was used as a standard inhibitor. Prevalence of cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA) gene and vacuolating cytotoxin gene A (vacA) gene was determined among all 48 clinical samples. The standard strains of H. pylori, X47 (cagA positive), J99 (vacA s1m1) and Tx30a (s2m2) were used as positive controls. H. pylori’s growth was then monitored under acidic pH in a cocktail spiked with anti-urease compounds (test samples) and in a cocktail without anti-urease compounds (negative control). Acetohydroxamic acid was used as a standard urease inhibitor. H. pylori multiplication was monitored in Brain Heart Infusion Broth (BHIB) adjusted to pH of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The strain MP01 was used as a standard urease negative strain while X47 and J99 were used as positive standards for cagA and vacA s1m1 respectively. The compounds that had anti-urease activity and were successful towards suppressing the multiplication of H. pylori under acidic environment, all other factors optimised, were subjected to gas chromatograph mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatograph spectrometry (LCMS) to determine volatile compounds and drugs in honey extracts respectively. The findings of this study revealed that at a concentration of 50 mg/mL, urease inhibition by petroleum ether extracts of Gold Crest and Fleures honey, hexane extracts of Little Bee and Manuka honey, and chloroform extracts of Bush honey and Q Bee honey had a range above or equal to 50 percent and there was no significance difference in urease inhibition percentage (I percent) of urease from different sources including that extracted from drug resistant H. pylori (p >0.05). Virulence factors are important for the pathogenesis of H. pylori. All the 48 clinical isolates were glmM (140 bp) positive and cagA was detected in 97.9 percent of the test isolates. The vacA gene was detected in all isolates but with different subtypes. The vacA allelic combination s1m1 was detected in 75 percent of the test isolates and s1m2 allelic combination was detected in 16.7 percent of the test isolates while the combination s2m2 was detected in 8.3 percent of the test isolates. None of the test isolates possessed the allelic combination s2m1. When H. pylori multiplication was monitored under acidic conditions in the presence of anti-urease active compounds, it was revealed that anti-urease active compounds in honey are capable of inhibiting the normal multiplication of H. pylori strains that are cagA positive, vacA positive and drug resistant. The GC-MS analysis showed that Fleures honey (urease I percent = 67.8 – 68.5 percent) and Gold Crest honey (urease I percent = 50.9 percent – 53.3 percent), all petroleum ether extracts had 27 and 26 volatile compounds. The hexane extract of Manuka honey (urease I percent = 50.0 – 53.2) had 43 compounds detected. The chloroform extract of Q Bee (urease I percent = 64.2 – 66.2 percent) had 13 volatile compounds detected. All the volatile compounds considered as representative samples of GC-MS analysis had a spectral matching ≥ 90 percent with the NIST11 library. However, the majority of compounds that were detected by LC-MS in representative honey extracts include vardenafil, urapidil, hydrocortisone, e.t.c which are drugs commonly used in the treatment of different ailments or infections that affect human beings. In addition, two xi drugs, sulfaquinoxaline and hydroxyquinoline which are used in veterinary medicine and antiseptic, disinfectant and pesticide applications in agricultural activities were detected in Little Bee honey. We therefore conclude that inhibition of urease has a bactericidal effect on drug resistant, cagA positive and vacA positive H. pylori strains growing under acidic environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Dube, Callote
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Helicobacter pylori Drug resistance in microorganisms Honey -- Therapeutic use
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/7787 , vital:30764
- Description: Helicobacter pylori, a neutralophile chronically infects the gastric stomach of more than half of the world’s population. Infection with the organism is associated with acute or chronic duodenal/gastric ulcer disease, gastritis, gastric adenocarcinoma, mucosa-associated tissue lymphoma (MALT) and primary B-cell gastric lymphoma and has been grouped as a class one carcinogen by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Prevalence of this organism is very high in developing countries especially in Africa, including South Africa. H. pylori treatment using the common first and second line regimens, triple therapy with two antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) is showing inefficiency due to increasing drug resistance. However, newly developed treatment regimens seem to be more expensive and are accompanied by more side effects. Honey contains phytochemicals which are a wealthy source of biologically active compounds some of which have been put into good use in the pharmaceutical industry. Pathogenesis of H. pylori infection in the human stomach relies on several virulence factors which include the urease enzyme, cagA and vacA. The urease enzyme actively hydrolyses urea to produce ammonia an important by-product involved in pH regulation favouring the survival of the organism in the acidic human stomach. This study therefore focuses on screening for anti-urease solvent extracts of South African honey, and evaluate whether inhibition of urease offsets the growth of H. pylori under acidic conditions. Locally produced natural honeys; Bush honey, Raw honey, Gold Crest honey, Q Bee honey, Little Bee honey, Fleures honey-radurised, Siyakholwa pure honey and Manuka honey; an import from New Zealand were purchased and the method by Syazana et al. (2010) was used for the extraction of compounds in honey. A standard strain ATCC 43526 (American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA, USA) and 48 pure cultures obtained from clinical isolates cultured from gastric corpus biopsy specimen of patients with gastric morbidities who were ix visiting the endoscopy unit in Livingstone Hospital, Port Elizabeth between June 2008 to December 2008 were initially used as source of urease enzyme as per extraction method done by Amin et al. (2013), but with modifications. Prior to urease extraction, H. pylori strains were identified by biochemical tests (urease, catalase, oxidase, Gram stain), confirmed by PCR targeting the glmM gene (140 bp) and drug resistance profiling was done on all the 48 strains according to Seanego et al. (2012). The screening for anti-urease active compounds was done according to Kaltwasser et al. (1966), a method relying on the reduction of NADH in a coupled urease dehydrogenase (GDH) system. Acetohydroxamic acid was used as a standard inhibitor. Prevalence of cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA) gene and vacuolating cytotoxin gene A (vacA) gene was determined among all 48 clinical samples. The standard strains of H. pylori, X47 (cagA positive), J99 (vacA s1m1) and Tx30a (s2m2) were used as positive controls. H. pylori’s growth was then monitored under acidic pH in a cocktail spiked with anti-urease compounds (test samples) and in a cocktail without anti-urease compounds (negative control). Acetohydroxamic acid was used as a standard urease inhibitor. H. pylori multiplication was monitored in Brain Heart Infusion Broth (BHIB) adjusted to pH of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. The strain MP01 was used as a standard urease negative strain while X47 and J99 were used as positive standards for cagA and vacA s1m1 respectively. The compounds that had anti-urease activity and were successful towards suppressing the multiplication of H. pylori under acidic environment, all other factors optimised, were subjected to gas chromatograph mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatograph spectrometry (LCMS) to determine volatile compounds and drugs in honey extracts respectively. The findings of this study revealed that at a concentration of 50 mg/mL, urease inhibition by petroleum ether extracts of Gold Crest and Fleures honey, hexane extracts of Little Bee and Manuka honey, and chloroform extracts of Bush honey and Q Bee honey had a range above or equal to 50 percent and there was no significance difference in urease inhibition percentage (I percent) of urease from different sources including that extracted from drug resistant H. pylori (p >0.05). Virulence factors are important for the pathogenesis of H. pylori. All the 48 clinical isolates were glmM (140 bp) positive and cagA was detected in 97.9 percent of the test isolates. The vacA gene was detected in all isolates but with different subtypes. The vacA allelic combination s1m1 was detected in 75 percent of the test isolates and s1m2 allelic combination was detected in 16.7 percent of the test isolates while the combination s2m2 was detected in 8.3 percent of the test isolates. None of the test isolates possessed the allelic combination s2m1. When H. pylori multiplication was monitored under acidic conditions in the presence of anti-urease active compounds, it was revealed that anti-urease active compounds in honey are capable of inhibiting the normal multiplication of H. pylori strains that are cagA positive, vacA positive and drug resistant. The GC-MS analysis showed that Fleures honey (urease I percent = 67.8 – 68.5 percent) and Gold Crest honey (urease I percent = 50.9 percent – 53.3 percent), all petroleum ether extracts had 27 and 26 volatile compounds. The hexane extract of Manuka honey (urease I percent = 50.0 – 53.2) had 43 compounds detected. The chloroform extract of Q Bee (urease I percent = 64.2 – 66.2 percent) had 13 volatile compounds detected. All the volatile compounds considered as representative samples of GC-MS analysis had a spectral matching ≥ 90 percent with the NIST11 library. However, the majority of compounds that were detected by LC-MS in representative honey extracts include vardenafil, urapidil, hydrocortisone, e.t.c which are drugs commonly used in the treatment of different ailments or infections that affect human beings. In addition, two xi drugs, sulfaquinoxaline and hydroxyquinoline which are used in veterinary medicine and antiseptic, disinfectant and pesticide applications in agricultural activities were detected in Little Bee honey. We therefore conclude that inhibition of urease has a bactericidal effect on drug resistant, cagA positive and vacA positive H. pylori strains growing under acidic environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Characterization of livestock manures biochar and their effect on soil chemical properties and crop growth under glasshouse conditions
- Authors: Dzvene, Admire Rukudzo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Biochar Soil fertility
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9863 , vital:35091
- Description: Biochar is being promoted as an amendment to improve soil properties, crop productivity, and carbon sequestration. In Africa, biochar adoption is hindered by production systems which include technology and feedstocks availability. However, little research has been published on the influence of biochar incorporation on soil chemical properties and early crop establishment. The aim of this study was to characterize biochar from cattle, goat, sheep and poultry kraal manures and their effect on soil properties and crop growth. This was guided by the following specific objectives, (i) to explore the mixed-farming system of Raymond Mhlaba Municipality on availability and utilization of livestock kraal manures (ii) to characterize biochar samples produced from cattle, goat, sheep and poultry kraal manures (iii) to determine the nutrient release patterns of biochars amended in a degraded soil (iv) to determine the effectiveness of converting manure to biochar and cattle manure on maize early development and, (v) to determine the effects of biochar type and application rate on early maize development. The farming system was surveyed to identify quantities of livestock manure, its availability and utilization for soil fertility amendment in cropping in the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality. The emerging results across all the villages revealed that, the mean livestock numbers were, 9.24±8.21 sheep, 9.37±8.15 goats, 7.95±7.66 cattle and 9.02±9.47 chickens. The findings revealed that 94 (82.4percent) of the respondents had access to cropland allocations in the form of outfields and homegardens. However, only 55 (48.2percent) of the respondents were currently cropping their fields. Maize was the most common crop grown followed by butternuts and potatoes. The application of manure by the respondents currently cropping their lands was only 40 (35.1percent) and the quantities used ranged from 210-1450 kg ha-1. The results further showed that the estimated total manure production was 2.9 t year-1, 0.82 t year-1, 0.04 t year-1, and 0.8 t year-1 from cattle, goats, chicken, and sheeps respectively. Drum retort method of slow pyrolysis at a temperature of 400°C was used to produce biochar from cattle, goat, sheep and poultry manure feedstocks. The biochar yields were 63percent, 72percent, 61percent and 83percent on a weight basis for the different feedstocks. The chemical properties of the biochar were significantly different from those of the manure from which they were made. Biochars that were high in Ca and K such as poultry manure biochar and sheep manure biochar indicated higher pH and electrical conductivity values. For instance, sheep manure biochar was (8.1 mS cm-1) and poultry manure biochar was (9.2 mS cm-1). The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that, the biochars had porous structures ranging from 1.23um to 5.23um in diameter which are important for water conductance and holding capacity. The target soil carbon level to determine the effects of biochar soil incorporation was 2percent and the soil had 0.7percent. Therefore, it was treated with four livestock manure biochars at application rates of 0; 53.2 t ha-1 (CMB); 48.1 t ha-1 (GMB); 50.7 t ha-1 (SMB); and 40.2 t ha-1 (PMB) based on their carbon content to supplement the soil carbon difference. The effect on soil pH was such that SMB increased to 6.44, PMB (6.45), CMB (6.54), and GMB (6.53) relative to the control which did not show any changes. An increase was also observed on Olsen P concentrations (mg P kg-1) which varied with biochar treatments: PMB (6.22), GMB (6.37), SMB (6.44) and CMB (6.44) and were significantly higher than the control. Ammonium-N(NH4+) concentrations (mg NH4+-N) were increased in biochar treatments but, no significant differences were obtained with sampling time. SMB released 7.95 mg kg-1, CMB 7.50 mg kg- 1, PMB 7.46 mg kg-1 and GMB 7.05 mg kg-1, compared to the control 3.23 mg kg-1. Maize growth in soil sampled from farmers fields in cultivation and abandoned treated with biochar without application of inorganic fertilizer did not differ with control (soil only) treatments. However, maize growth in soil treated with biochar and inorganic fertilizer was comparative to manure treatments. This resulted in a follow up study to elucidate the effects of biochar alone and was carried out with cattle, goat, sheep and poultry biochars at five application rates (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 kg C ha-1) applied to a sandy loam and a clayey loam soil of the Oakleaf and Tukulu soil forms respectively. Post-harvest soil pH, electrical conductivity and Olsen P showed improvements in biochar treatments relative to the control. Improvements in the chemical parameters and plant growth increased simultaneously with biochar application rate. Maize growth was not affected by biochar application at different rates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Dzvene, Admire Rukudzo
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Biochar Soil fertility
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9863 , vital:35091
- Description: Biochar is being promoted as an amendment to improve soil properties, crop productivity, and carbon sequestration. In Africa, biochar adoption is hindered by production systems which include technology and feedstocks availability. However, little research has been published on the influence of biochar incorporation on soil chemical properties and early crop establishment. The aim of this study was to characterize biochar from cattle, goat, sheep and poultry kraal manures and their effect on soil properties and crop growth. This was guided by the following specific objectives, (i) to explore the mixed-farming system of Raymond Mhlaba Municipality on availability and utilization of livestock kraal manures (ii) to characterize biochar samples produced from cattle, goat, sheep and poultry kraal manures (iii) to determine the nutrient release patterns of biochars amended in a degraded soil (iv) to determine the effectiveness of converting manure to biochar and cattle manure on maize early development and, (v) to determine the effects of biochar type and application rate on early maize development. The farming system was surveyed to identify quantities of livestock manure, its availability and utilization for soil fertility amendment in cropping in the Raymond Mhlaba Municipality. The emerging results across all the villages revealed that, the mean livestock numbers were, 9.24±8.21 sheep, 9.37±8.15 goats, 7.95±7.66 cattle and 9.02±9.47 chickens. The findings revealed that 94 (82.4percent) of the respondents had access to cropland allocations in the form of outfields and homegardens. However, only 55 (48.2percent) of the respondents were currently cropping their fields. Maize was the most common crop grown followed by butternuts and potatoes. The application of manure by the respondents currently cropping their lands was only 40 (35.1percent) and the quantities used ranged from 210-1450 kg ha-1. The results further showed that the estimated total manure production was 2.9 t year-1, 0.82 t year-1, 0.04 t year-1, and 0.8 t year-1 from cattle, goats, chicken, and sheeps respectively. Drum retort method of slow pyrolysis at a temperature of 400°C was used to produce biochar from cattle, goat, sheep and poultry manure feedstocks. The biochar yields were 63percent, 72percent, 61percent and 83percent on a weight basis for the different feedstocks. The chemical properties of the biochar were significantly different from those of the manure from which they were made. Biochars that were high in Ca and K such as poultry manure biochar and sheep manure biochar indicated higher pH and electrical conductivity values. For instance, sheep manure biochar was (8.1 mS cm-1) and poultry manure biochar was (9.2 mS cm-1). The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that, the biochars had porous structures ranging from 1.23um to 5.23um in diameter which are important for water conductance and holding capacity. The target soil carbon level to determine the effects of biochar soil incorporation was 2percent and the soil had 0.7percent. Therefore, it was treated with four livestock manure biochars at application rates of 0; 53.2 t ha-1 (CMB); 48.1 t ha-1 (GMB); 50.7 t ha-1 (SMB); and 40.2 t ha-1 (PMB) based on their carbon content to supplement the soil carbon difference. The effect on soil pH was such that SMB increased to 6.44, PMB (6.45), CMB (6.54), and GMB (6.53) relative to the control which did not show any changes. An increase was also observed on Olsen P concentrations (mg P kg-1) which varied with biochar treatments: PMB (6.22), GMB (6.37), SMB (6.44) and CMB (6.44) and were significantly higher than the control. Ammonium-N(NH4+) concentrations (mg NH4+-N) were increased in biochar treatments but, no significant differences were obtained with sampling time. SMB released 7.95 mg kg-1, CMB 7.50 mg kg- 1, PMB 7.46 mg kg-1 and GMB 7.05 mg kg-1, compared to the control 3.23 mg kg-1. Maize growth in soil sampled from farmers fields in cultivation and abandoned treated with biochar without application of inorganic fertilizer did not differ with control (soil only) treatments. However, maize growth in soil treated with biochar and inorganic fertilizer was comparative to manure treatments. This resulted in a follow up study to elucidate the effects of biochar alone and was carried out with cattle, goat, sheep and poultry biochars at five application rates (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 kg C ha-1) applied to a sandy loam and a clayey loam soil of the Oakleaf and Tukulu soil forms respectively. Post-harvest soil pH, electrical conductivity and Olsen P showed improvements in biochar treatments relative to the control. Improvements in the chemical parameters and plant growth increased simultaneously with biochar application rate. Maize growth was not affected by biochar application at different rates.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
The use of behaviour, saliva cortisol and faecal glucocorticoid levels as stress indicators in beef cows
- Authors: Dzviti, Melody
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Veterinary physiology Beef cattle -- Behavior Glucocorticoids
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8165 , vital:31634
- Description: The study evaluated the use of saliva as a minimally invasive technique for cortisol level determination. This was done by assessing the relationship between serum and saliva cortisol based on short sampling intervals. In addition, the study also determined the effect of successive handling on faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM), rectal temperature (RT), avoidance distance (AD), chute and crush scores as well as urination, defaecation and vocalization in multiparous cows. For trial one six non-pregnant, clinically healthy Nguni cows were used. They were administered with standardised doses of adrenocorticotropic hormone on treatment days and saline was used as a placebo on alternative days. Simultaneously, blood and saliva samples were collected to quantify cortisol levels. No relationship (r = 0.0131, P>0.05) was observed between serum and saliva cortisol. However, results showed that there was adrenal stimulation in saliva coupled by significant (P<0.05) effects of sampling intervals. For the second study 21 non-pregnant and clinically healthy Nguni cows of one herd were used for the trial. They were divided into parity groups and their weights were used as a covariate in data analysis. For five consecutive weeks, fresh faecal samples were extracted and rectal temperatures measured. In addition, fear of approaching humans was assessed by AD scores and behaviour scores in the crush chute, as well as vocalisation, urination and defaecation were observed. The effect of successive handling significantly (P<0.05) affected the physiological parameters, namely FGM and RT. Contrariwise, Chi-square tests revealed that parities had a significant (χ2 < 0.05) influence on AD and crush scores as well as on the occurrence of excretory behaviour. It was concluded that saliva cortisol can be used as a stress indicator in beef cows. However, plasma cortisol can be significantly volatile thereby becoming less sensitive to changes across time. This can cause a lack of relationship between plasma and saliva cortisol. On the other hand, repetitive handling of beef cows has an influence on faecal stress levels. In addition, beef cows of differing parities behave differently to handling stress.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Dzviti, Melody
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Veterinary physiology Beef cattle -- Behavior Glucocorticoids
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8165 , vital:31634
- Description: The study evaluated the use of saliva as a minimally invasive technique for cortisol level determination. This was done by assessing the relationship between serum and saliva cortisol based on short sampling intervals. In addition, the study also determined the effect of successive handling on faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM), rectal temperature (RT), avoidance distance (AD), chute and crush scores as well as urination, defaecation and vocalization in multiparous cows. For trial one six non-pregnant, clinically healthy Nguni cows were used. They were administered with standardised doses of adrenocorticotropic hormone on treatment days and saline was used as a placebo on alternative days. Simultaneously, blood and saliva samples were collected to quantify cortisol levels. No relationship (r = 0.0131, P>0.05) was observed between serum and saliva cortisol. However, results showed that there was adrenal stimulation in saliva coupled by significant (P<0.05) effects of sampling intervals. For the second study 21 non-pregnant and clinically healthy Nguni cows of one herd were used for the trial. They were divided into parity groups and their weights were used as a covariate in data analysis. For five consecutive weeks, fresh faecal samples were extracted and rectal temperatures measured. In addition, fear of approaching humans was assessed by AD scores and behaviour scores in the crush chute, as well as vocalisation, urination and defaecation were observed. The effect of successive handling significantly (P<0.05) affected the physiological parameters, namely FGM and RT. Contrariwise, Chi-square tests revealed that parities had a significant (χ2 < 0.05) influence on AD and crush scores as well as on the occurrence of excretory behaviour. It was concluded that saliva cortisol can be used as a stress indicator in beef cows. However, plasma cortisol can be significantly volatile thereby becoming less sensitive to changes across time. This can cause a lack of relationship between plasma and saliva cortisol. On the other hand, repetitive handling of beef cows has an influence on faecal stress levels. In addition, beef cows of differing parities behave differently to handling stress.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Quality indices of the Nahoon beach and canal in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Ebomah, Kingsley Ehi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Pathogenic bacteria -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Water quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Measurement Water -- Microbiology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8122 , vital:31525
- Description: Faecal indicator bacteria have long been recommended for usage in water quality monitoring of various water sources including surface water. A large number of people in different parts of the world often engage in recreational and other commercial activities at the various beaches along the coastal lines, most especially, during summer season and festive periods. It is generally assumed that beach water is safe all the times, however, there have been increasing reports of beach and other coastal water pollutions because of rising anthropogenic activities around coastal areas globally. The presence of pathogens in faecal contaminated beach water either directly or indirectly increases the risk of human exposure which may result in skin infections as well as the ingestion and transmission of multidrug resistant pathogens. Microorganisms may gain entry into beach water directly from improperly treated final effluents released by wastewater treatment plants and from agricultural runoffs and/or faulty drainages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality indices of the Nahoon Beach and canal waters in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. In order to achieve this aim, the objectives of this study were as follow: to determine the seasonal variations of the physicochemical characteristics of the Nahoon beach and canal waters, to assess the microbiological quality of the beach water by assessing the prevalence of potentially E. coli and Enterococcus species, and to evaluate the antibiogram profile of the E. coli pathotypes and Enterococci species recovered from the beach water samples. Water samples were collected bi-weekly for a period of twelve months, during which on-site physicochemical analyses were carried out. Bacteriological assessment was performed using the membrane filtration technique and the necessary incubation conditions were followed. Identification of the target organisms was done by molecular based methods using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) while antibiotic susceptibility testing was done using the disk diffusion method. During the spring season (August to October) and periods of festive activities (December, January and March), it was observed that turbidity was at its highest, consequently, influencing total dissolved solids and a rise in the values of pH and electrical conductivity. Microbiological qualities assessed follow the order: Escherichia coli (101 – 103 CFU/100ml) and Enterococcus (101 – 102 CFU/100 ml). The results show that 41.2percent (107/260) of the presumptive E. coli isolates were positive for uidA gene. A total of 73 out of 107 (68.2percent) PCR-confirmed E. coli isolates were observed to belong to different pathotypes while 59percent (102/172) of the presumptive Enterococcus strains isolated were positive for SodA gene (Enterococcus spp.). Out of 102 enterococci isolates, 45 strains were identified as species (E. faecalis and E. faecium) and these were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing. The E. coli strains exhibited a frequency of 100percent resistance against ampicillin while the Enterococcus strains also showed 100percent resistance against vancomycin and linezolid. Target genes eae 11 (10.3percent); ipaH 14 (13.1percent); ibeA 48 (44.9percent) that encode pathogenicity in E. coli were successfully amplified by PCR suggesting that the isolates are potentially pathogenic strains whereas Enterococcus spp. including Enterococcus faecalis 26 (25.5percent) and Enterococcus faecium 19 (18.6percent) were also identified in the water samples. In this study, the phenotypic antibiogram profiles of the E. coli isolates revealed that all 73 (100percent) of the pathotypes were resistant to ampicillin, 67 (91.8percent) were resistant to amikacin, gentamicin and ceftazidime while about 61 (83.6percent) and 51 (69.9percent) were resistant to tetracycline and ciprofloxacin as well as trimethoprim respectively. About 21.9percent (16) of the E. coli isolates exhibited multiple antibiotic resistances with 100percent being resistant to eight antibiotics whereas multiple antimicrobial resistances were observed in 14 (31percent) of the enterococci strains and the most predominant profile was the simultaneous resistance to ampicillin, penicillin and vancomycin. The results obtained in this study show that the beach water generally did not comply with the set guidelines. The results also suggest the possible survival and prevalence of potentially virulent E. coli as well as Enterococcus strains in the aquatic environment which may be a cause of concern for public health. Monitoring of the quality of surface water and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria is of great importance and has clinical and human health significance. Nonetheless, this study underscores the need for more detailed study of other waterborne pathogens of health importance including enteric viruses to ascertain the safety of the beach for human use.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Ebomah, Kingsley Ehi
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Pathogenic bacteria -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Water quality -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Measurement Water -- Microbiology -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8122 , vital:31525
- Description: Faecal indicator bacteria have long been recommended for usage in water quality monitoring of various water sources including surface water. A large number of people in different parts of the world often engage in recreational and other commercial activities at the various beaches along the coastal lines, most especially, during summer season and festive periods. It is generally assumed that beach water is safe all the times, however, there have been increasing reports of beach and other coastal water pollutions because of rising anthropogenic activities around coastal areas globally. The presence of pathogens in faecal contaminated beach water either directly or indirectly increases the risk of human exposure which may result in skin infections as well as the ingestion and transmission of multidrug resistant pathogens. Microorganisms may gain entry into beach water directly from improperly treated final effluents released by wastewater treatment plants and from agricultural runoffs and/or faulty drainages. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality indices of the Nahoon Beach and canal waters in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. In order to achieve this aim, the objectives of this study were as follow: to determine the seasonal variations of the physicochemical characteristics of the Nahoon beach and canal waters, to assess the microbiological quality of the beach water by assessing the prevalence of potentially E. coli and Enterococcus species, and to evaluate the antibiogram profile of the E. coli pathotypes and Enterococci species recovered from the beach water samples. Water samples were collected bi-weekly for a period of twelve months, during which on-site physicochemical analyses were carried out. Bacteriological assessment was performed using the membrane filtration technique and the necessary incubation conditions were followed. Identification of the target organisms was done by molecular based methods using PCR (polymerase chain reaction) while antibiotic susceptibility testing was done using the disk diffusion method. During the spring season (August to October) and periods of festive activities (December, January and March), it was observed that turbidity was at its highest, consequently, influencing total dissolved solids and a rise in the values of pH and electrical conductivity. Microbiological qualities assessed follow the order: Escherichia coli (101 – 103 CFU/100ml) and Enterococcus (101 – 102 CFU/100 ml). The results show that 41.2percent (107/260) of the presumptive E. coli isolates were positive for uidA gene. A total of 73 out of 107 (68.2percent) PCR-confirmed E. coli isolates were observed to belong to different pathotypes while 59percent (102/172) of the presumptive Enterococcus strains isolated were positive for SodA gene (Enterococcus spp.). Out of 102 enterococci isolates, 45 strains were identified as species (E. faecalis and E. faecium) and these were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing. The E. coli strains exhibited a frequency of 100percent resistance against ampicillin while the Enterococcus strains also showed 100percent resistance against vancomycin and linezolid. Target genes eae 11 (10.3percent); ipaH 14 (13.1percent); ibeA 48 (44.9percent) that encode pathogenicity in E. coli were successfully amplified by PCR suggesting that the isolates are potentially pathogenic strains whereas Enterococcus spp. including Enterococcus faecalis 26 (25.5percent) and Enterococcus faecium 19 (18.6percent) were also identified in the water samples. In this study, the phenotypic antibiogram profiles of the E. coli isolates revealed that all 73 (100percent) of the pathotypes were resistant to ampicillin, 67 (91.8percent) were resistant to amikacin, gentamicin and ceftazidime while about 61 (83.6percent) and 51 (69.9percent) were resistant to tetracycline and ciprofloxacin as well as trimethoprim respectively. About 21.9percent (16) of the E. coli isolates exhibited multiple antibiotic resistances with 100percent being resistant to eight antibiotics whereas multiple antimicrobial resistances were observed in 14 (31percent) of the enterococci strains and the most predominant profile was the simultaneous resistance to ampicillin, penicillin and vancomycin. The results obtained in this study show that the beach water generally did not comply with the set guidelines. The results also suggest the possible survival and prevalence of potentially virulent E. coli as well as Enterococcus strains in the aquatic environment which may be a cause of concern for public health. Monitoring of the quality of surface water and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacteria is of great importance and has clinical and human health significance. Nonetheless, this study underscores the need for more detailed study of other waterborne pathogens of health importance including enteric viruses to ascertain the safety of the beach for human use.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
An investigation on the motivational feattures influence on technical efficiency and profitability of smallholder irrigated crop farmers in Kwa-Nobuhle, Eastern Cape province of South Africa
- Authors: Funde, Sibongile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Crops -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Marketing Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11917 , vital:39118
- Description: Substantial impact and the importance of agriculture in the economies of the developing countries is increasingly acknowledged. Agriculture generally has shown to remain crucial to economic development. It has been noted that agricultural growth plays a pivotal role in poverty reduction and employment creation. Due to the potential of the smallholder sector to alleviate poverty and minimize unemployment rate leading to the country’s economic growth, enormous development programs have in the past and continues to be implemented by South African government. Programs such as land-based development strategies including agriculture, extension services, improved technologies including irrigation establishment, revitalization and rehabilitation, water rights legislation and financial support. However, the current state of smallholder low-agricultural productivity growth trends raises concerns on what other fundamental development strategies to implement in order to enhance agricultural productivity growth. Hence, this study seeks to address the impact of social farming on agricultural productivity by investigating smallholder farmer’s motivational features. Motivational features regarded are as important determinants of success, modify behaviour, serve to mobilize and direct energy into actions. Given the importance of motivational features and their formation in social interaction, the objective of the study was to investigate motivational features of smallholder farmers with regard to expanding irrigation land, determine technical efficiency of smallholder farmers as well as their profitability generation capability. A multistage sampling method was used that involved using purposive sampling, simple random sampling was adopted where three smallholder agriculture projects using irrigation methods to farm were selected and by use of snowball sampling the study ended up collecting data from a total of 124 respondents. The sample was chosen on the basis that smallholder farmers hold attributes that were crucial for execution of this research. The study proceeded by conducting face-to face interviews of smallholder farmers, focus groups and key informant using interview schedules and a questionnaire consisting both open and close-ended questions. Data were analysed using different methods. Firstly, data were analysed descriptively to get a deeper understanding of smallholder farmer’s socio-economic characteristics as well as their motivational features. Secondly, data were analysed statistically to determine Technical Efficiency (TE) of smallholder farmers using both Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA). Lastly, Gross Margin Analysis was used to measure farmer’s profitability. Results show that smallholder farmers have a range of motivational features that incorporates both productive and non-productive goals. The study made use of twenty-five goals obtained from literature studies and categorised them into six motivational feature types namely; outcome based, process focused/extrinsic, performance, achievement, intrinsic/self-efficacy, and household livelihood strategies. Smallholder female and male outcome based motivations were found to be statistically significant at 5percent, while process focused/extrinsic, performance, achievement, intrinsic/self-efficacy and household livelihood strategies motivations between them were found not to be statistically significant, which means that smallholder female and male motivations are not different and that both farmers consider such motivations at the same level. Technical Efficiency (TE) was measured using DEA method and was found to be 0.70, which is different from the TE obtained using SFA that was 0.47. Three dominant crops were produced, namely potatoes, cabbage and spinach. Cabbage crop was the most produced, had the highest gross margin results with a commercialization ratio of 0.33percent as compared to potatoes and spinach. Which indicates that cabbage is a high value crop to smallholder farmers of Kwa-Nobuhle area. In view of the research findings, it was concluded that motivational features of smallholder farmers were positively related to technical efficiency which implies that the more motivated farmers become, the higher their technical efficiency, hence their potential to expand land under irrigation. Cabbage production was high and more profitable than potatoes and spinach production. Recommendations include that government, NGO’s, private sector and institution need to promote the use of improved technologies, agricultural training and take smallholder farmer’s motivational features into account in development programmes. These actions are necessary to increase irrigated farming, overcome low-performance levels and enhance profitability of smallholder farmers, and ultimately achieve poverty alleviation and improve employment opportunities in the rural areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Funde, Sibongile
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Crops -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape -- Marketing Irrigation farming -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11917 , vital:39118
- Description: Substantial impact and the importance of agriculture in the economies of the developing countries is increasingly acknowledged. Agriculture generally has shown to remain crucial to economic development. It has been noted that agricultural growth plays a pivotal role in poverty reduction and employment creation. Due to the potential of the smallholder sector to alleviate poverty and minimize unemployment rate leading to the country’s economic growth, enormous development programs have in the past and continues to be implemented by South African government. Programs such as land-based development strategies including agriculture, extension services, improved technologies including irrigation establishment, revitalization and rehabilitation, water rights legislation and financial support. However, the current state of smallholder low-agricultural productivity growth trends raises concerns on what other fundamental development strategies to implement in order to enhance agricultural productivity growth. Hence, this study seeks to address the impact of social farming on agricultural productivity by investigating smallholder farmer’s motivational features. Motivational features regarded are as important determinants of success, modify behaviour, serve to mobilize and direct energy into actions. Given the importance of motivational features and their formation in social interaction, the objective of the study was to investigate motivational features of smallholder farmers with regard to expanding irrigation land, determine technical efficiency of smallholder farmers as well as their profitability generation capability. A multistage sampling method was used that involved using purposive sampling, simple random sampling was adopted where three smallholder agriculture projects using irrigation methods to farm were selected and by use of snowball sampling the study ended up collecting data from a total of 124 respondents. The sample was chosen on the basis that smallholder farmers hold attributes that were crucial for execution of this research. The study proceeded by conducting face-to face interviews of smallholder farmers, focus groups and key informant using interview schedules and a questionnaire consisting both open and close-ended questions. Data were analysed using different methods. Firstly, data were analysed descriptively to get a deeper understanding of smallholder farmer’s socio-economic characteristics as well as their motivational features. Secondly, data were analysed statistically to determine Technical Efficiency (TE) of smallholder farmers using both Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA). Lastly, Gross Margin Analysis was used to measure farmer’s profitability. Results show that smallholder farmers have a range of motivational features that incorporates both productive and non-productive goals. The study made use of twenty-five goals obtained from literature studies and categorised them into six motivational feature types namely; outcome based, process focused/extrinsic, performance, achievement, intrinsic/self-efficacy, and household livelihood strategies. Smallholder female and male outcome based motivations were found to be statistically significant at 5percent, while process focused/extrinsic, performance, achievement, intrinsic/self-efficacy and household livelihood strategies motivations between them were found not to be statistically significant, which means that smallholder female and male motivations are not different and that both farmers consider such motivations at the same level. Technical Efficiency (TE) was measured using DEA method and was found to be 0.70, which is different from the TE obtained using SFA that was 0.47. Three dominant crops were produced, namely potatoes, cabbage and spinach. Cabbage crop was the most produced, had the highest gross margin results with a commercialization ratio of 0.33percent as compared to potatoes and spinach. Which indicates that cabbage is a high value crop to smallholder farmers of Kwa-Nobuhle area. In view of the research findings, it was concluded that motivational features of smallholder farmers were positively related to technical efficiency which implies that the more motivated farmers become, the higher their technical efficiency, hence their potential to expand land under irrigation. Cabbage production was high and more profitable than potatoes and spinach production. Recommendations include that government, NGO’s, private sector and institution need to promote the use of improved technologies, agricultural training and take smallholder farmer’s motivational features into account in development programmes. These actions are necessary to increase irrigated farming, overcome low-performance levels and enhance profitability of smallholder farmers, and ultimately achieve poverty alleviation and improve employment opportunities in the rural areas.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Distribution of culturable vibrio species in freshwater resources of Cacadu, or Tambo and Chris Hani district municipalities
- Authors: Gaqavu, Sisipho
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Vibrio--South Africa--Eastern Cape Vibrio infections--South Africa--Eastern Cape Foodborne diseases--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Microbiology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11571 , vital:39085
- Description: Freshwater resources are essential to the survival of all living organisms and are used for numerous purposes such as domestic, industrial, agricultural and recreational activities. Nevertheless they are vulnerable to contamination including by pathogenic organisms. Among the pathogens distributed in water resources, diarrhoea causing pathogens such as Vibrio species are the most frequently encountered, hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of pathogenic Vibrio species in freshwater resources in Cacadu, OR Tambo and Chris Hani District Municipalities. Water samples were collected from four rivers located in Cacadu, OR Tambo and Chris Hani District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A total of 6 physicochemical parameterswere measured and includes: temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH and electrical conductivity. Samples were collected between March and May 2016and concentrated using the standard membrane filtration technique and plated on TCBS agar. Yellow and green colonies on TCBS agar were enumerated as presumptive Vibrio species and expressed as CFU/100ml for each river. The identification of the presumptive Vibrio species and their antibiogram characteristics were done using both culture based and molecular techniques. The physicochemical qualities ranged as follows: pH (7.0-7.03), temperature (16 - 23 ºC), turbidity (15.6 – 43 NTU), electrical conductivity (61.1 – 835μS/cm), dissolved oxygen (7.34 – 8.73 mg/L), total dissolved solids (39.3 – 533.33 mg/L). Statistical analysis showed that pH, temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen were significantly different (P < 0.05), whereas the total dissolved solids were not significantly different (P ˃ 0.05) with respect to sampling sites. Vibrio densities ranged between 3.08 ×101-6.96 ×101 with Bloukrans River characterized by high counts compared to other rivers. Two hundred and three (203) positive Vibrio genus isolates were screened for speciation. Of these, the prevalent species found was V. cholerae (29percent) followed by V. vulnificus (4percent), V. fluvialis (4percent) and the least was V. parahaemolyticus (3percent). The remaining unidentified 60percent were alleged to belong to other Vibrio species not covered within the scope of this study. The antibiotic susceptibility profiles of confirmed Vibrio genus isolates recovered from the four rivers revealed that 83percent of Vibrio isolates in this study exhibited resistance againstthree or more antimicrobial agents. The presence of the following Vibrio pathogens V. fluvialis, V. cholerae, V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus in water resources suggests that these water resources are significant reservoirs of Vibrio pathogens. Thus, there is a need for regular contamination monitoring programme of the selected water resources and other areas that might be of interest. In general, the results obtained from this study suggest that the river waters are not suitable for drinking, domestic or recreational use.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Gaqavu, Sisipho
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Vibrio--South Africa--Eastern Cape Vibrio infections--South Africa--Eastern Cape Foodborne diseases--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Microbiology
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11571 , vital:39085
- Description: Freshwater resources are essential to the survival of all living organisms and are used for numerous purposes such as domestic, industrial, agricultural and recreational activities. Nevertheless they are vulnerable to contamination including by pathogenic organisms. Among the pathogens distributed in water resources, diarrhoea causing pathogens such as Vibrio species are the most frequently encountered, hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of pathogenic Vibrio species in freshwater resources in Cacadu, OR Tambo and Chris Hani District Municipalities. Water samples were collected from four rivers located in Cacadu, OR Tambo and Chris Hani District Municipalities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A total of 6 physicochemical parameterswere measured and includes: temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH and electrical conductivity. Samples were collected between March and May 2016and concentrated using the standard membrane filtration technique and plated on TCBS agar. Yellow and green colonies on TCBS agar were enumerated as presumptive Vibrio species and expressed as CFU/100ml for each river. The identification of the presumptive Vibrio species and their antibiogram characteristics were done using both culture based and molecular techniques. The physicochemical qualities ranged as follows: pH (7.0-7.03), temperature (16 - 23 ºC), turbidity (15.6 – 43 NTU), electrical conductivity (61.1 – 835μS/cm), dissolved oxygen (7.34 – 8.73 mg/L), total dissolved solids (39.3 – 533.33 mg/L). Statistical analysis showed that pH, temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen were significantly different (P < 0.05), whereas the total dissolved solids were not significantly different (P ˃ 0.05) with respect to sampling sites. Vibrio densities ranged between 3.08 ×101-6.96 ×101 with Bloukrans River characterized by high counts compared to other rivers. Two hundred and three (203) positive Vibrio genus isolates were screened for speciation. Of these, the prevalent species found was V. cholerae (29percent) followed by V. vulnificus (4percent), V. fluvialis (4percent) and the least was V. parahaemolyticus (3percent). The remaining unidentified 60percent were alleged to belong to other Vibrio species not covered within the scope of this study. The antibiotic susceptibility profiles of confirmed Vibrio genus isolates recovered from the four rivers revealed that 83percent of Vibrio isolates in this study exhibited resistance againstthree or more antimicrobial agents. The presence of the following Vibrio pathogens V. fluvialis, V. cholerae, V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus in water resources suggests that these water resources are significant reservoirs of Vibrio pathogens. Thus, there is a need for regular contamination monitoring programme of the selected water resources and other areas that might be of interest. In general, the results obtained from this study suggest that the river waters are not suitable for drinking, domestic or recreational use.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Comparative analysis of zero-tillage and conventional tillage practices in the Amahlathi local municipality of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa
- Authors: Gomo, Zintle
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Tillage--South Africa--Eastern Cape Farms, Small--South Africa--Eastern Cape No-tillage--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Agricultural Economics
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11586 , vital:39087
- Description: The current interest in zero tillage/no-till technologies is a result of the need to reduce excessive land degradation in most crop producing areas as well as to enhance sustainable food production. Farmers are always looking for ways to increase yields and profits and zero-tillage may be a way to achieve this goal. However, a systematic comparative study of the performance of zero-tillage and conventional tillage within the former homeland areas of the Eastern Cape Province is lacking. The broad objective of the study is to comparatively analyze zero tillage and conventional tillage and to determine which practice is more beneficial for the land and farmers in the area. Specifically, the study investigated the relative performance of Zero-tillage and conventional–tillage in terms of quantity produced per farm and per hectare, factors influencing the adoption rate of zero tillage and conventional tillage and to determine the relative impact of zero-tillage and conventional tillage on household income. The study was carried out in Amahlathi Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province and employed survey data obtained from 100 respondents using conventional tillage and zero tillage farmers growing spinach, cabbage, beetroot, maize, and potatoes. The study employed a cross-sectional research design. A multistage stratified sampling procedure was used in which the first stage involved selecting respondents from Amahlathi Local Municipally. This was followed by the selection of villages and then the respondents. This was done through stratification of smallholder farmers from the different Villages. This was followed by random sampling which was used to get the sample size for the study. Stata and SPSS were used to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics was used to examine current farming practices in the Eastern Cape Province while Propensity Score Matching was employed to estimate the factors that had an impact on zero tillage adoption as well as the relative impact of zero tillage and conventional tillage on household income. Gross margin analysis was used to estimate profitability of zero tillage and conventional. female farmers are participating more in zero tillage with 63.8percent while males are dominating the conventional tillage with 51.6percent. These results show that females play a crucial role in decision making when it comes to agriculture and adoption of new agricultural technologies. The majority of the farmers involved in the study were young farmers with 58percent from zero tillage and 42percent practically involved in conventional tillage. Moreover, the study showed that 41percent of the respondents practising ZT were married, and about 39percent of the respondents practising conventional tillage were married. The marital status of the respondents suggested that zero-tillage farmers were relatively stable in their farming activities as compared to conventional tillage. The results presented that 52.2percent of the respondents who practised zero tillage were better educated than the 48.4percent of the respondents practising conventional tillage. The respondents that were specialising in zero-tillage, about 41% relied on farming, 6% relied on salaried income and 54percent relied on social grants. On the other hand, respondents that were specialising in conventional tillage about, 26percent relied on farming, 16percent relied on salaried income, while 58percent relied on social grants. The respondents that were specialising in zero-tillage, about 28percent used communal land, 1percent used own land and 71percent used family land. On the other hand, respondents that were specialising in conventional tillage about, 42percent used communal land, 7percent use own land and 52percent used family land. The average household size for both groups of farmers is 5 people per household. Household income distribution for conventional tillage is giving the farmers an average of R3187.10 income while the zero tillage is giving them an income of R2305.80 on average. The study revealed that the landholdings for conventional tillage agriculture tend to be more (1.77 ha) compared to zero tillage (0.79 ha) agriculture. The Propensity Score Matching results indicated that participation in smallholder zero tillage farming contributes to household income. This implies that participating in zero tillage farming can contribute to rural livelihoods, increased income and production yields. The study results showed that households chose different farming systems based on their knowledge, level of education and farming experiences. The gross margin results show that conventional tillage farming households generated more income than zero tillage farming households. Farmers who were involved in conventional tillage farming were complaining that yields and income have decreased with time and they are continuing to decrease while farmers who carried out zero tillage farming indicated that their yields and income have improved considerably and continue to increase with time. Thus, support for adopting and implementing zero tillage practices can be an important factor for improving incomes for rural households. Based on the findings highlighted above, the study recommends provision of farm inputs and continuation of government support with more emphasis on strengthening access to inputs and technical assistance. There is a need for support programmes that would help to motivate farmers for better performance. The programmes include infrastructure developments, research and extension activities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Gomo, Zintle
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Tillage--South Africa--Eastern Cape Farms, Small--South Africa--Eastern Cape No-tillage--South Africa--Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , Agricultural Economics
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/11586 , vital:39087
- Description: The current interest in zero tillage/no-till technologies is a result of the need to reduce excessive land degradation in most crop producing areas as well as to enhance sustainable food production. Farmers are always looking for ways to increase yields and profits and zero-tillage may be a way to achieve this goal. However, a systematic comparative study of the performance of zero-tillage and conventional tillage within the former homeland areas of the Eastern Cape Province is lacking. The broad objective of the study is to comparatively analyze zero tillage and conventional tillage and to determine which practice is more beneficial for the land and farmers in the area. Specifically, the study investigated the relative performance of Zero-tillage and conventional–tillage in terms of quantity produced per farm and per hectare, factors influencing the adoption rate of zero tillage and conventional tillage and to determine the relative impact of zero-tillage and conventional tillage on household income. The study was carried out in Amahlathi Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape Province and employed survey data obtained from 100 respondents using conventional tillage and zero tillage farmers growing spinach, cabbage, beetroot, maize, and potatoes. The study employed a cross-sectional research design. A multistage stratified sampling procedure was used in which the first stage involved selecting respondents from Amahlathi Local Municipally. This was followed by the selection of villages and then the respondents. This was done through stratification of smallholder farmers from the different Villages. This was followed by random sampling which was used to get the sample size for the study. Stata and SPSS were used to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics was used to examine current farming practices in the Eastern Cape Province while Propensity Score Matching was employed to estimate the factors that had an impact on zero tillage adoption as well as the relative impact of zero tillage and conventional tillage on household income. Gross margin analysis was used to estimate profitability of zero tillage and conventional. female farmers are participating more in zero tillage with 63.8percent while males are dominating the conventional tillage with 51.6percent. These results show that females play a crucial role in decision making when it comes to agriculture and adoption of new agricultural technologies. The majority of the farmers involved in the study were young farmers with 58percent from zero tillage and 42percent practically involved in conventional tillage. Moreover, the study showed that 41percent of the respondents practising ZT were married, and about 39percent of the respondents practising conventional tillage were married. The marital status of the respondents suggested that zero-tillage farmers were relatively stable in their farming activities as compared to conventional tillage. The results presented that 52.2percent of the respondents who practised zero tillage were better educated than the 48.4percent of the respondents practising conventional tillage. The respondents that were specialising in zero-tillage, about 41% relied on farming, 6% relied on salaried income and 54percent relied on social grants. On the other hand, respondents that were specialising in conventional tillage about, 26percent relied on farming, 16percent relied on salaried income, while 58percent relied on social grants. The respondents that were specialising in zero-tillage, about 28percent used communal land, 1percent used own land and 71percent used family land. On the other hand, respondents that were specialising in conventional tillage about, 42percent used communal land, 7percent use own land and 52percent used family land. The average household size for both groups of farmers is 5 people per household. Household income distribution for conventional tillage is giving the farmers an average of R3187.10 income while the zero tillage is giving them an income of R2305.80 on average. The study revealed that the landholdings for conventional tillage agriculture tend to be more (1.77 ha) compared to zero tillage (0.79 ha) agriculture. The Propensity Score Matching results indicated that participation in smallholder zero tillage farming contributes to household income. This implies that participating in zero tillage farming can contribute to rural livelihoods, increased income and production yields. The study results showed that households chose different farming systems based on their knowledge, level of education and farming experiences. The gross margin results show that conventional tillage farming households generated more income than zero tillage farming households. Farmers who were involved in conventional tillage farming were complaining that yields and income have decreased with time and they are continuing to decrease while farmers who carried out zero tillage farming indicated that their yields and income have improved considerably and continue to increase with time. Thus, support for adopting and implementing zero tillage practices can be an important factor for improving incomes for rural households. Based on the findings highlighted above, the study recommends provision of farm inputs and continuation of government support with more emphasis on strengthening access to inputs and technical assistance. There is a need for support programmes that would help to motivate farmers for better performance. The programmes include infrastructure developments, research and extension activities.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
Biomass yield, nutrient content and silage quality of three forage sorghum (Sorghum Bicolour (L.) varieties grown in the semi-arid region of Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Gwantshu, Vuyolwethu Hamilton
- Authors: Gwantshu, Vuyolwethu Hamilton
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Sorghum -- Varieties -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sorghum -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Forage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9545 , vital:34368
- Description: The study determined the biomass yield, nutrient content and silage quality of forage sorghum varieties. Three varieties were used (King, PAN 868, and PAN 888), in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three blocks and three replicates per treatment at the University of Fort Hare research farm. The research study was conducted during the 2016/2017 growing season. The forages were harvested at flowering stage of growth. Biomass yields of fresh forage and dry matter yield were measured. Sub-samples were then dried, milled and analysed for nutrient content. Furthermore, the forage sorghum was ensiled and the silage was analysed for fermentation parameters and nutrient content. The fresh and dry matter biomass yield showed no significant differences (P>0.05) among the varieties. The highest fresh biomass yields were observed in PAN 888 variety was 13400 kg/ha, King had 12600 kg/ha and PAN 868 had 12600 kg/ha. The dry matter yield observed in PAN 888 was 4300.00 DM kg/ha, PAN 868 had 3633.33 DM kg/ha and King yielded 3533.33 DM kg/ha. The different sorghum varieties showed a significant (P<0.01) difference in some chemical composition parameters namely DM, NDIN and NSC. The different sorghum varieties had significant difference (P<0.01) in the silage fermentation parameters of pH, starch and lactic acid. The sorghum silage varieties were significantly (P<0.01) different in the starch fermentation with values of 0.001percent. The sorghum silage varieties were significant different for fermentation of lactic acid with values ranging from 1.99 to 2.62percent. However, PAN 868 and PAN 888 were not different from each other. Similarly, all varieties were different (P<0.05) in the pH with values ranging from 4.16 to 4.53. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences in CP, Fat, NDF, ADF, Hemicellulose, Ash, and ADIN content of the silages. The mineral composition (macro and micro) of the silage were not significantly (P>0.05) different among the varieties. In conclusion, the dry matter production and nutrient content of the three forage sorghum varieties were not significantly different. The silage fermentation quality showed significant (P<0.05) differences among the three sorghum varieties. Therefore, according to the results of this study PAN 888 is the recommended variety to grow in the semi-arid region of the Eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017
- Authors: Gwantshu, Vuyolwethu Hamilton
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Sorghum -- Varieties -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Sorghum -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Forage
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9545 , vital:34368
- Description: The study determined the biomass yield, nutrient content and silage quality of forage sorghum varieties. Three varieties were used (King, PAN 868, and PAN 888), in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three blocks and three replicates per treatment at the University of Fort Hare research farm. The research study was conducted during the 2016/2017 growing season. The forages were harvested at flowering stage of growth. Biomass yields of fresh forage and dry matter yield were measured. Sub-samples were then dried, milled and analysed for nutrient content. Furthermore, the forage sorghum was ensiled and the silage was analysed for fermentation parameters and nutrient content. The fresh and dry matter biomass yield showed no significant differences (P>0.05) among the varieties. The highest fresh biomass yields were observed in PAN 888 variety was 13400 kg/ha, King had 12600 kg/ha and PAN 868 had 12600 kg/ha. The dry matter yield observed in PAN 888 was 4300.00 DM kg/ha, PAN 868 had 3633.33 DM kg/ha and King yielded 3533.33 DM kg/ha. The different sorghum varieties showed a significant (P<0.01) difference in some chemical composition parameters namely DM, NDIN and NSC. The different sorghum varieties had significant difference (P<0.01) in the silage fermentation parameters of pH, starch and lactic acid. The sorghum silage varieties were significantly (P<0.01) different in the starch fermentation with values of 0.001percent. The sorghum silage varieties were significant different for fermentation of lactic acid with values ranging from 1.99 to 2.62percent. However, PAN 868 and PAN 888 were not different from each other. Similarly, all varieties were different (P<0.05) in the pH with values ranging from 4.16 to 4.53. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences in CP, Fat, NDF, ADF, Hemicellulose, Ash, and ADIN content of the silages. The mineral composition (macro and micro) of the silage were not significantly (P>0.05) different among the varieties. In conclusion, the dry matter production and nutrient content of the three forage sorghum varieties were not significantly different. The silage fermentation quality showed significant (P<0.05) differences among the three sorghum varieties. Therefore, according to the results of this study PAN 888 is the recommended variety to grow in the semi-arid region of the Eastern Cape.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2017