Working Document Series Open Access Changes in respiration pathways during hydrogen cyanamide-induced terminal budbreak of Cripps’ Pink M. Inamahoro · G. Jacobs · E. Louw · M. Schmeisser +1 more Apple trees that do not receive adequate chill during winter undergo improper release of endodormancy resulting in decreased bud break, and uneven and delayed blooming that impacts negatively on yield. To overcome this, chemical rest break… RUF-37471 2016 CC BY 4.0 10 Apr 2018
Journal articles Open Access Differential responses of taxonomic, structural, and functional diversity to local-scale environmental variation in Afromontane forests in South Africa A.E. Assogbadjo · R. Glèlè Kakaï · Sylvanus Mensah · V.K. Salako Exploring taxonomic, functional, and structural diversity can provide additional insights into our understanding of diversity responses to environment. Using altitude, slope, and relative radiation index as well as floristic and functional… RUF-37388 2018 CC BY 4.0 20 Mar 2018
Journal articles Open Access Height – Diameter allometry in South Africa’s indigenous high forests: Assessing generic models performance and function forms Ben Du Toita · Anton Kunnekea · Sylvanus Mensah · Otto L. Pienaar +4 more Height-diameter equations are essential to understand forest dynamics and estimate forest biomass and carbon stocks. Most existing large scale height-diameter equations in Africa are based on data from rain forests, and their application t… RUF-37353 2018 CC BY 4.0 6 Feb 2018
Journal articles Open Access Ecosystem service importance and use vary with socio-environmental factors: A study from household-surveys in local communities of South Africa A.E. Assogbadjo · R. Glèlè Kakaï · Cori Ham · Sylvanus Mensah +2 more Ecosystem services (ESs) underpin human livelihoods around the world. Understanding how socio-environmental aspects influence stakeholders’ perceptions and use of ESs, is important for decision-making processes that target the social expec… RUF-37277 2017 CC BY 4.0 10 Nov 2017
Working Document Series Open Access Strengthening capacity for effective smallholder farmers support through university, research and government partnership T. Ngotho · D. Norris There is general consensus that the linear prescriptive model of technology generation and transfer from researchers to farmers often through extension has failed to deliver expected outcomes. Past approaches to agricultural research and d… RUF-36850 2016 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2017
Journal articles Open Access Effect of exogenous fludioxonil postharvest treatment on physiological response, physico-chemical, textural, phytochemical and sensory characteristics of pomegranate fruit Julian Atukuri · O.A. Fawole · Linus Opara Umezuruike The study investigated the effects of fludioxonil (FLU) on the postharvest quality of pomegranate fruit (cv. Wonderful). Fruits were dipped in FLU concentrations (control, 150, 300 and 600 mg/L) and stored for 4 months at 5 °C and 90–95% r… RUF-36725 2017 CC BY 4.0 21 Jul 2017
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Application of postharvest chemical treatments to enhance storage and shelf life of pomegranate fruit (cv. Wonderful) Julian Atukuri Pomegranate fruit is susceptible to a number of postharvest quality problems such as external and internal decay, weight loss, internal browning, chilling injury and husk scald. Postharvest treatments offer the possibility of alleviating t… RUF-36724 2017 CC BY 4.0 21 Jul 2017
Journal articles Open Access Application of physical and chemical postharvest treatments to enhance storage and shelf life of pomegranate fruit—A review Julian Atukuri · O.A. Fawole · Linus Opara Umezuruike There has been recent interest in pomegranate fruit production and research due to its high nutritional and health benefits. The increase in demand of the fruit necessitates the need to improve quality, storability and shelf life to meet c… RUF-36722 2015 CC BY 4.0 21 Jul 2017
TAGDev Resources Open Access Investigating bruise susceptibility of pomegranate cultivars during postharvest handling O.A. Fawole · Linus Opara Umezuruike · Hussein Zaharan Bruising is the most common type of mechanical damage of horticultural produce which results mainly from excessive impact and compression forces due to improper postharvest handling. The presence of bruise contributes to downgrading and re… RUF-36619 2017 CC BY 4.0 22 Mar 2017
Working Document Series Open Access University of Venda showcases community engaged work at the 5th Biennial RUFORUM Conference RUF-36541 2016 CC BY 4.0 16 Dec 2016
Working Document Series Open Access Sandwich Programmes for PhD Studies at the Agriculture - Environment Interface S. Walker Many young agricultural and environmental scientists seek employment following their first bachelors’ degree. Although they want to further pursue their studies with a Masters and PhD degree, they may be reluctant to do so if required to r… RUF-36526 2016 CC BY 4.0 24 Nov 2016
Working Document Series Open Access Reducing susceptibility of fresh produce to physical damage during postharvest handling: The case of pomegranate fruit O.A. Fawole · Linus Opara Umezuruike · Hussein Zaharan A large percentage of fruit waste in the horticultural industry results from mechanical damage such as bruising. Fruit bruise damage is mostly caused by impact, compression or vibration during handling, packaging and transport. This study … RUF-36409 2016 CC BY 4.0 26 Oct 2016
Working Document Series Open Access Evaluation of polymorphisms among South African winter wheat varieties M. Chemonges · L. Herselman · Z.A. Pretorius · B. Visser Wheat production globally is constrained by among other factors stem rust. Stem rust is a major disease of wheat that can result in up to 100% yield losses. Though stem rust had been managed before using host resistance genes, most of thes… RUF-36273 2016 CC BY 4.0 19 Oct 2016
Working Document Series Open Access Reception analysis and popularity of American action movies in Kampala, Uganda P. Atim · P. Boshoff This study set out to examine the meaning that young working class men living in Kampala, Uganda, make of American action movies in Bibanda, informal video-viewing halls. The study examined the ways in which these meanings may contribute t… RUF-36167 2016 CC BY 4.0 15 Oct 2016
Working Document Series Open Access Unlocking Africa’s agricultural development through public-private partnerships, supportive curricula and agriculture friendly policy D.L. Bese · L. Coetzee · B. Dayimani · C.T. Kadzere +2 more With over 25% of the world’s arable land being in Africa, the continent could play a pivotal role in producing food and fiber for itself and for the export basket to feed a waxing global population projected to reach nine billion by 2050. … RUF-36092 2016 CC BY 4.0 14 Oct 2016
Working Document Series Open Access Public-Private-University partnerships in agriculture science research for economic development in Africa: Lessons from North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park C.T. Kadzere The objective of this paper was to discern how public-private-university partnerships (PPUPs) in Africa can support agriculture science research for economic development, similar to what Research Triangle Park (RTP) has done for North Caro… RUF-36086 2016 CC BY 4.0 14 Oct 2016
Theses & Dissertations Open Access Variation in cassava (Manihot esculenta crantz) based on single nucleotide polymorphisms, simple sequence repeats and phenotypic traits R.S. Kawuki This thesis presents results from four research objectives. The first objective presents analysis of cassava germplasm form six countries (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, D.R.C, and Madagascar) using 29 qualitative traits. Germplasm form … RUF-35475 2009 CC BY 4.0 28 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Differential gene expression in nematode-susceptible and -tolerant East African highland bananas following inoculation with non-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum endophytes D. Coyne · T. Dubois · P. Paparu · A. Viljoen Endophytic non-pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum isolates have been shown to reduce Radopholus similis populations through induced resistance. We used cDNA-AFLPs to identify genes induced in banana plants susceptible (cv Nabusa, AAA-EA) and to… RUF-35131 2010 CC BY 4.0 16 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Comparison of field and laboratory measured hydraulic properties of selected diagnostic soil horizons J. G. Chimungu · M. Hensley · L. D. Van Rensburg This study characterised the hydraulic properties of two soil types in South Africa, Bainsvlei and Tukulu using both field (instantaneous profile method) and laboratory (desorption techniques). The results showed that the two approaches we… RUF-35033 2010 CC BY 4.0 15 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Feedlot performance of dorper wether lambs fed Opuntia-based diets with different nitrogen sources H.O. de Waal · J. Els · L. Schwalbach · K.L. Shiningavamwe The performance and carcass characteristics of 45 Dorper wether lambs fed Opuntia-based diets with different nitrogen (N) sources were evaluated in the feedlot. Lambs were weighed weekly to determine the ADG and slaughtered when they reach… RUF-34951 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Characterization of semen from the unimproved South African indigenous goats J.P. Greyling · B. Matshaba · M. Mphaphathi · T.L. Nedambale +4 more In this study, we characterised semen of the unimproved South African (SA) indigenous goat with an aim of determining the potential of using modern techniques such as artificial insemination to multiply it. The SA unimproved goat is hardy … RUF-34889 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Genetic and non-genetic factors influencing production in two boer goats studs M.D. Fair · F.J.M. King · F.W.C Neser The effect of genetic and environmental factors on weaning and post-weaning traits of boer goats was studied using 3233 records collected from 1998 to 2008. Least square analysis was used for estimation of environmental effects. Genetic pa… RUF-34846 2010 CC BY 4.0 14 Sep 2015
Journal articles Open Access Perforation-mediated modified atmosphere packaging of fresh and minimally processed produce: A review J. Caleb Oluwafemi · Linus Opara Umezuruike · Hussein Zaharan The overwhelming global demand by consumers for convenience and fresh quality fruit and vegetables, heightens the need for appropriate postharvest technologies. In order to maintain freshness quality attributes, extend the shelf life of fr… RUF-34741 2015 CC BY 4.0 10 Sep 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Association of seed coat colour with germination of three wild mustard species with agronomic potential A. T. Modi · J.O. Ochuodho Seed dormancy and germination present significant challenges when wild species are domesticated for cultivation and economic exploitation. Wild plant species are generally characterized by dormant seeds with variable germination widely spr… RUF-34442 2010 CC BY 4.0 21 Aug 2015
Working Document Series Open Access Effect of temperature on maize sensitivity to acetochlor J. Allemann · P. Mphundi This greenhouse study determined the effect of temperature on the herbicide acetochlor. The herbicide was applied a day after planting at the rates of 0.74, 1.47, 2.94 and 5.85 kg ha-1. Plants were kept at three temperature: supra-optimal … RUF-34413 2010 CC BY 4.0 20 Aug 2015
