Department of Agriculture, Animal Health & Human Ecology

The influence of exogenously applied 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on fruit drop and quality of navel oranges (Citrus sinensis L.)

Mon, 18 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The influence of exogenously applied 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on fruit drop and quality of navel oranges (Citrus sinensis L.) Modise, D.M.; Likuku, A.S; Thuma, M.; Phuti, R. Orchard experiments were carried out in Botswana with the objective of evaluating the effect of 2,4- dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on reducing premature fruit drop. Different concentration levels of the 2,4-D (8, 16 and 20 mg/L were applied exogenously to mature fruit trees of sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L.) in the 2004/2005 season. In the 2005/2006 season the 2,4-D treatments ranged from 20 to 40 mg/L concentration. There appeared a general increase in fruit drop for the month of October in all treatments but a decrease in fruit drop was observed in the fruit trees with 16 and 20 mg/L 2,4-D concentration, that is, from November through February; with the latter showing the least number of fruits that dropped throughout the execution of the experiments. The application of 20 mg/L 2,4-D significantly reduced fruit drop by more than 50% but higher concentration levels of the plant growth regulator significantly increased fruit drop. It was also evident that, small sized fruits were more susceptible to fruit drop than larger fruits. These findings suggested that, 2,4-D can be an effective tool to control fruit drop by enhancing retention, as well as improving the quality of navel oranges under dry climatic conditions

Market segmentation and consumer willingness to pay for high fibre products : the case of Johannesburg and the surrounding areas, South Africa

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Market segmentation and consumer willingness to pay for high fibre products : the case of Johannesburg and the surrounding areas, South Africa Chabikuli, Nsengiyumva Functional foods constitute a growing focus for research, product development and consumer interest in recent years. This study investigated the factors that affect willingness to pay for high fibre food on the market as well as respondents’ attitude towards the purchase of these products. The results indicated that those consumers in the high income group were more health conscious than their low income counterparts and willing to pay for high fibre products. The results showed that health risk perceptions as well as regulatory programmes affected consumers’ willingness to pay. The results also showed that at low percentage prices consumers were willing to pay for high fibre products. Gender and marital status did not seem to have an influence on willingness to buy for any of the selected products. Findings of the study could encourage food manufacturers to carry on with developments of functional foods since willingness to pay increased with increase in income.

Effect of hatching egg size on hatchability and chick hatch-weight of indigenous Venda chickens

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Effect of hatching egg size on hatchability and chick hatch-weight of indigenous Venda chickens MBAJIORGU, Christiaan A. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of hatching egg size on hatchability and hatch-weight of indigenous Venda chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus). Three different egg size groups classified into small: (<49 g) medium: (50–59 g) and large:(60–69 g) were used in the experiment. A complete randomized design was used for the experiment. Simultaneously a quadratic type equation was used to determine the egg size for optimum hatchability and hatch-weight. Large-sized eggs had higher (P<0.05) hatchability than medium and small-sized eggs. However, medium-sized eggs produced chicks with higher (P<0.05) hatch-weight than small and large-sized eggs. Results from quadratic analysis indicated that egg weight of 67 g supported optimum hatchability while optimum-hatch weight was achieved with an egg weight of 60 g. These values are higher than the average egg weight of 52.81 g recorded for the three different egg size groups used in the experiment. This may indicate that improvement in egg size would be needed in order to maximize the hatchability potentials and day-old chick weight in indigenous Venda chickens.

Soil erosion, deforestation and rural livelihoods in the Central Rift Valley area of Ethiopia: a case study in the Denku micro-watershed Oromia region

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Soil erosion, deforestation and rural livelihoods in the Central Rift Valley area of Ethiopia: a case study in the Denku micro-watershed Oromia region Kassu Kebede Beyene This research was conducted in one of the districts in the Oromia region located in the Central Rift Valley to assess the problem of soil erosion and deforestation and to determine how these drivers of land degradation affect the livelihoods of farmers. The research was a case study undertaken in an identified micro-watershed making use of the questionnaire interview method. A household sample was obtained using a simple random sampling technique; Information interviews were conducted with community representatives, district level experts and development agents who worked in the community. The objective of the research was to assess the levels of soil erosion and deforestation and the impact on the livelihoods of the community. Research methods were questionnaire and direct observation. The results of the study indicated that the effects of soil erosion and deforestation on land productively, agriculture and livestock production at large, had a negative effect on livelihoods of the community members. Recommendations based on the research affirm the necessity to undertake large-scale natural resource management starting with community-based watershed management thereby reducing the impact of land degradation on livelihoods of farmers and ensuring food security and sustainable land management.