- The effect of planting depth and orientation on growth and yield of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) cultivars for small-scale production in Verulam
Previous studies on sweet potato have shown contradictory results on the effect of different planting methods on sweet potato yield. These methods include orientating sweet potato cuttings (vines) horizontally or vertically at planting. Likewise, research on the effect of different planting depths on cuttings has also yielded contradictory results. Various sweet potato cultivars are currently available in South Africa, all of which differ in taste, yield, and their adaptation to environmental conditions. Identifying suitable cultivars for a particular region and market is important in improving yield and profitability. The aim of this MSc study is to investigate the effect of planting depth and orientation using different sweet potato cultivars to determine their adaptability, growth and yield under dry land conditions in the Verulam area of KwaZulu-Natal. The study is done in collaboration with the University of North-West.
- Evaluation of morpho-agronomic and nutritional variability of Corchorus spp
Corchorus is a nutritious indigenous leafy vegetable which can play a significant role in relieving nutrient deficiencies in rural communities. The Corchorus species are genetically diverse but it is not known to what extent they are different and also little information is obtainable about their nutritional profile and also on the improvement of foliage yield. The aim of this MSc study is therefore to characterize the available germplasm and to investigate the heritability of morpho-agronomic and nutritional traits of Corchorus accessions. This characterisation, which is part of pre-breeding is expected to generate information that can result in the genetic improvement of the genotypes evaluated in the current study leading to the production of new cultivars or the selection of the best lines for further testing before release. The study is done with collaboration with the University of Pretoria, the Agricultural Research Council and the University of North-West.
- Participatory selection, genetic variability, polyploidy and heritability studies on selected traditional leafy vegetables in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
The northern parts of KwaZulu-Natal have a vast plant biodiversity which includes nutrient rich traditional leafy vegetable (TLV) species. These species have the potential to improve food security, especially in rural areas. However, TLVs are still referred to as weeds and neglected since improvement of vegetables by most scientific studies have always focused on fully domesticated crops. Few people are eating them because of their seasonal nature, small consumed parts, and unfavourable taste as well as the lack of knowledge concerning their nutritional status. In order to improve them as crops, information on their genetic diversity is required. Once this is known, polyploidy offers one way of improving them as crops which needs to be investigated. The aim of this MSc study is to select the most preferred TLV in northern KZN and its desirable traits by using participatory plant breeding, and to study the effect of polyploidy on the selected characteristics of this species. The study is done in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council and the University of North-West.