Masters Degrees (Horticultural Science)
Recent Submissions
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Responses of cabbage (brassica oleracea var. capitata), swiss chard (beta vulgaris), and pepper (capsicum annuum) seedlings to growing media pre-enriched with vermicompost.
(2021)Seedling production is mainly achieved by using growing media as substrates; most nurseries in South Africa use pine bark and vermiculite in their ‘in-house’ medium. For the growing medium to effectively anchor and yield ... -
Investigating the antifungal efficacy of moringa leaf extracts against Fusarium oxysporum, a causal agent of fusarium dry rot.
(2021)Fungal diseases are amongst the most-destructive potato pathogens worldwide. Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is one of the most-common and -widely consumed crops in South Africa (SA). Population growth in SA is continuously ... -
Effect of elevated CO2 concentration on growth, development and postharvest characteristics of sweetcorn (Zea mays L. var. saccharata)
(2022)Abstract available in PDF. -
Postharvest technologies for predicting and reducing susceptibility of ‘Marsh’ grapefruit (Citrus paradisi MacFad.) to rind pitting disorder.
(2019)Citrus fruit is globally one of the most important fruit due to their nutritional value and sensorial attributes, however, they were susceptible to various postharvest disorders, especially during shipping period. ... -
Evaluating the efficacy of formulations containing hexanal, moringa leaf extracts, and carboxy methylcellulose as postharvest treatments for fresh tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.).
(2020)Tomato fruit have a relatively short shelf life due to their highly perishable nature. This presents a challenge for long distance transportation of tomatoes. The use of non-refrigerated trucks (used by most commercial ... -
Investigating the effect of trellising and stem training methods on the horticultural performance of indeterminate tomatoes grown in dome shape tunnels.
(2020)Growing of tomato in open field in South Africa is very challenging due to unfavorable environmental conditions, pests and diseases. This has resulted to an increased hydroponic production of tomatoes in protected ... -
Physiological and biochemical effect of biostimulants on Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) and Cleome gynandra (L.)
(2021)Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) and Cleome gynandra (L.) are neglected plants, often collected from the wild, with dual benefits of nutritional and medicinal values, especially in rural communities. Biostimulants are well-known ... -
The effect of moringa leaf extract (MLE) on growth and development, mineral composition and antioxidant properties of radish (raphanus sativus) and green beans (phaseolus vulgaris)
(2019)Besides enhancing food production, one of the major challenges of the agricultural sector is to provide essential minerals and nutrients to humans for the maintenance of a healthy body, not only from a caloric perspective, ... -
Effect of storage temperatures on the postharvest performance and sprouting of selected potato cultivars.
(2019)Sprouting, processing and nutritional quality of potato tubers are cultivar and storage dependent. Due to the extensive choice of potato cultivars currently available in South Africa, there is a limited information on their ... -
Effects of Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C.B. Rob. plant biowaste-derived media on plant growth and development of thyme and rocket.
(2020)Enhancing and sustaining agricultural productivity is critical, as soil quality in many parts of the world deteriorates becoming unsuitable for agriculture. Plant bio-waste derived from composted alien invasives could be ... -
Effects of edible coatings and moringa extracts on postharvest quality of papaya fruits.
(2018)Carica papaya L., known as papaya is a member of the small family Caricaceae. It is an important fruit for both fresh and processed products. It is a good source of vitamin A, lycopene, polysaccharides and proteins. High ... -
Efficacy of carboxymethyl cellulose and gum arabic edible coatings in combination with moringa leaf extract in improving postharvest quality of new avocado (Persea americana Mill.) cultivar, ‘Maluma’.
(2018)There is growing trend towards an increase in demand for environmental friendly and sustainable postharvest treatments for fresh horticultural produce. This trend is also coupled by the recent increase in demand for ‘organic’ ... -
Effects of organic and inorganic fertilisers on the growth of pseuderanthemum atropurpureum, soil fertility and leachate composition.
(2018)The use of fertilisers in agricultural production systems, particularly nitrogen and phosphorous, has been shown to be one of the causes of eutrophication as a result of the excessive enrichment of freshwater systems through ... -
Non-destructive determination of pre-symptomatic biochemical markers for Peteca spot and evaluation of edible coatings for reducing the incidence of the disorder on ‘Eureka’ lemons
(2019)International markets that import citrus fruit from South Africa have imposed regulations that involve cold sterilization at low temperatures, which cause physiological disorders such as peteca spot in lemon. The aim of ... -
Maintenance of carbon 7 sugar levels and effect on ripening of 'fuerte' and 'hass' avocado (Persea americana Mill.) fruit.
(2018)Avocado fruit are susceptible to a large variety of disorders. These disorders may be a result of an inability of the mesocarp tissue to counteract or tolerate postharvest stress. The C7 sugars D-mannoheptulose and perseitol ... -
Evaluation of best practices for local chicory production.
(2017)Chicory roots obtained from Cichorium intybus are commonly used to produce a caffeine-free coffee substitute. Although the crop has been produced in South Africa for many decades, the country still relies on imported chicory ... -
The combined effects of daylength and temperature on onion bulb when grown under greenhouse environment.
(2017)Abstract available in PDF file. -
Evaluation of a low-cost energy-free evaporative cooling system for postharvest storage of perishable horticultural products produced by smallholder farmers of Umsinga in KwaZulu-Natal.
(2017)In this study, a low-cost energy-free evaporative cooling system for postharvest storage of perishable horticultural was investigated. The evaporative cooler is a cost effective, energy free and easy to maintain way of ... -
Potential of pre-and postharvest illumination of cherry tomato, a climacteric fruit, to reduce the ripening period and enhance yield and quality while maintaining shelf life.
(2017)Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is the most-consumed horticultural commodity worldwide because it is diverse in use, attractive and contributes significantly to the health and nutrition of humans. There are many different ... -
Evaluation of fruit growth and development over a very extended harvesting period of 'Hass', ‘Fuerte’, ‘Gem’ and ‘Ryan’ avocado fruit.
(2017)Assessing avocado fruit growth and development by measuring fruit diameter during ontogeny may, therefore, offer clues to better understand whole plant behaviour. Plant sampling was carried out over different developmental ...
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