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- Participatory selection of amaranthus genotypes in the KwaMbonambi Area, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa2021| MDPIParticipatory variety selection (PVS) is a process that tests promising genotypes in farmers’ fields through a close farmer–researcher collaboration approach, which enhances the acceptance of new varieties by farmers. However, limited studies have been conducted to select Amaranthus genotypes that have potential for future breeding programmes in South Africa. Therefore, this study was aimed at selecting Amaranthus genotype(s) that is/are preferred by farmers in northern KwaZulu-Natal, using the PVS approach. Seedlings of fifteen Amaranthus genotypes were each planted in separate 10 × 10 m plots. Fourteen local farmers managed these genotypes and also determined the preferred traits to be used to evaluate them. These traits were: mild taste; profuse stem branching; big and numerous leaves; soft texture; and longer shelf life. Plants at four months after transplant were then evaluated and ranked according to farmers’ preferred traits using score sheets designed on a four-point Likert scale or five-point hedonic scale. However, genotype ACAT seed fair had the best scoring for appealing taste and aroma, and profuse branching. The TOT 8789 genotype had the largest and softest leaves. Again, A. thunbergii had the most numerous leaves of them all. These genotypes are thus recommended for multi-environment testing, seed multiplication, genetic improvement, and promotion for cultivation in South Africa.
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- 2019| Gaurav PublicationsPolyploidy was induced in Corchorus olitorius L., a traditional leafy vegetable, which is also consumed by the rural community at KwaMbonambi. Corchorus seeds were treated with colchicine at four different concentrations (0.025, 0.05, 0.075 and 0.1 g/l) for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 h, respectively. For the control, treatment seeds were imbibed in water only. After germination in petri dishes, seedlings were transplanted to seedling trays and then to plastic pots and kept under shade cloth at the University of Zululand. There were three replicates for each treatment in a completely randomized design. Several morphological traits were measured and data were subjected to ANOVA, principal component analysis and cluster analysis. Significant (P<0.05) variation was observed among all traits measured, with all traits decreasing in value as the colchicine concentration and treatment duration increased, with the exception of stem girth. Of all traits measured, only the leaf chlorophyll content of plants treated with 0.025 g/l colchicine for two hours was significantly (P<0.05) higher than for the control treatment. The principal component analysis showed that the first two principal components (PC1 and PC2) contributed more than 80% of the total variation. The Pearson's correlation coefficients were positive and significant (P<0.05) for the majority of studied traits. Clustering pattern showed a close relationship between the C. olitorius plants treated with low colchicine concentrations and shorter treatment durations. A similar trend was also observed in the biplot. Colchicine treatment induced sufficient variability among treatments to be useful in future breeding programmes.
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