G-Space Institutional Repository
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Estimation of yield and yield-related genetic parameters in citron watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides)
(Taylor & Francis, 2025-08-11) Tembo, Lenon; Maphosa, Mcebisi
This study aims to improve citron watermelon, an underutilized African crop. Despite its climate resilience and economic importance, the estimation of yield-related genetic parameters remain unexplored. Ten high-yielding accessions were crossed in a bi-parental mating design to develop five hybrids that were evaluated together with their parents in a randomized complete block design, replicated thrice. Traits such as fruit yield, length and weight displayed the greatest potential to respond to selection owing to high heritability (61.64, 73.80% and 59.00%, respectively) and genetic advance (4585.09, 77.32 and 73.27%, respectively). Fruit weight, rind thickness and yield showed significant positive heterosis (p < .05) in hybrids 7 × 8 and 1 × 2, indicating their potential for heterotic improvement. Hybrids 1 × 2 and 3 × 4 were the best cross combinations for elevated Vitamin C levels and rind thickness for both forms of heterosis. Gene number estimates revealed a range from minor to oligogenic control, with fruit weight controlled by 5.81 genes using Wright’s estimator. Total soluble solutes had the lowest number of genes in all hybrid combinations coupled with a low genetic advance of 0.44, displaying a low response to selection using this population. This study highlights several traits that have the potential to improve citron watermelon productivity.
Allellopathy as trait of invasiveness of Sorghum halepense L. (Pers) on germination and establishment of weedy grass species (Rotteboellia cochinchinensis, Eleusine indica (L) and Ipomoea purpurea)
(Academic Journals, 2025-04) Polite, Masara; Zivanayi, Musabayana; Lenon, Tembo; Mathema, Ndabanye
Biology of alien plants contributes to invasiveness of both natural and agrarian ecosystems. Bio-assay experiments were set up at Bindura University of Science Education, Zimbabwe, to evaluate allelopathy as traits of invasiveness of Sorghum halepense L. (Pers) on germination and establishment of grass species. The results indicated that germination rate, growth rate and dry matter accumulation was highly affected by S. halepense extracts. Seed germination was improved by dormancy-breaking treatments, with the highest germination rate attained using a combination of sulphuric acid and potassium nitrate. Equally, the lowest germination rate was observed in seeds treated with water and a 2% sodium hypochlorite solution. The greatest seedling growth was observed in seeds treated with sulphuric acid and potassium nitrate whereas the lowest growth rate was recorded in seeds treated using sodium hypochlorite. S. halepense extracts affected dry matter accumulation of all grass species tested. Rottboellia species had the highest seed germination rate of 90%, followed by Eleusine 88%, and Ipomoea species 66% being the least. The highest germination inhibition was observed in leaves when compared to extracts from stems, roots and flowers. In pot experiments, S. halepense leaves affected growth and dry matter accumulation. Results showed that S. halepense extracts affect germination and establishment of grass species.
A Conceptual Framework for Integrating Exoskeleton Technologies in Healthcare
(IEOM Society International, USA, 2025-04-08) Dube, Andile; Dzehonye, Fadzai; Muzenda, Hillary; Nyamupaguma, Tanyaradzwa; Dube, Sibusisiwe
Exoskeleton technologies are machines that can be worn on part or the whole body of a human being to enhance mobility. Exoskeletons are and are revolutionizing healthcare. Despite their affordances, the adoption of exoskeletons in healthcare is low and there is limited literature with conceptual frameworks for integrating exoskeletons in healthcare. This paper presents a conceptual framework for integrating exoskeletons technology in healthcare. A systematic literature review (SLR), guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) model informed this research. Twenty-one peer reviewed articles drawn from databases such as SpringerLink, PubMed, IEEE Xplore and ScienceDirect. The findings show that the integration of exoskeleton technology in healthcare, provide innovative solutions for patients with mobility constraints. By providing consistent, repetitive, and task-specific training, exoskeletons enhance neuroplasticity and functional recovery, improving patient outcomes in rehabilitation. Furthermore, exoskeleton technology has various applications in healthcare, which include rehabilitation and elderly care, simplifies patient handling, aides’ mobility and provides surgical support. The findings of the study identified the reasons for the low uptake of exoskeleton technology which involve high costs of the exoskeleton technology, technical complexities, and safety concerns. These findings inform the health care policies makers, management, health care workers and patients with mobility constraints on how to integrate exoskeletons to improve the health care management.
IoT for Smarter Students in Smarter Personalized Learning: Higher Education Context
(2026) Chasokela, Doris; Hlongwane, Joseph; Mathonsi-Tshuma, Ethel
The traditional classroom is moving to rapidly evolving technologies that assist in improving teaching and learning in the 21st century and prepare students for the future workforce. The Internet of Things (IoT) has changed the betterment of education by assisting lecturers to administer it according to every student's needs. This chapter explores the avenues of IoT in education, including its applications, merits, and demerits. The chapter introduces the IoT and provides an in-depth analysis of how it is significant in education, and its current status in education is also elaborated. Applications of IoT are crucial and may be used to design smart classrooms, such as the integration of mobile technology and sensors. The merits of adaptive learning are that it can be accessed easily, provides fast feedback from the lecturers, and student engagement is also increased. For smart classrooms to be put in place, it is important to have the relevant infrastructure; lecturer development through short courses, workshops, and seminars; creation of relevant curriculum content; and implementation procedures. The convenience of IoT-based adaptive learning, such as increased student achievement, lecturer high remuneration rates, and increased lecturer satisfaction, is also discussed. The chapter also intends to examine the issues and challenges that need attention in IoT integration in higher education setups. The lessons learned from the accomplishment of IoT-based adaptive learning deployments are also stated. The importance of strategising on how to handle the challenges in connection with equity and access is highlighted to make sure that students at large have an equal chance to benefit from this latest technology development.