Department of Horticulture and Crop Production

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Browsing Department of Horticulture and Crop Production by Author "Madzaramba, Tendai Hardwork"

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    The effect of pre-soaking common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seeds in gibberellic acid solution on germination and seedling growth
    (Horticultural Association of Kenya (HAK), 2024-12-01) Zanamwe, Pesanai; Tembo, Lenon; Madzaramba, Tendai Hardwork
    Poor seed germination and early seedling growth often limit common bean production. Pre-treatment with plant hormones, such as gibberellic acid (GA3), can improve germination and seedling vigour in many plants. However, its effects on common bean seeds are not well understood. This study evaluated GA3’s potential to promote germination and seedling growth in common beans. Laboratory germination tests and greenhouse trials were conducted using two varieties, Gloria and Nua45. Seed from each variety was divided into two groups and the other group was soaked in 60 ml/L GA3 solution for 5 min and the other group was left untreated and used as a control. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with three technical and two biological replicates. Data on germination percentage were collected every 24 hours for 120 h, along with measurements of rootlet length, seedling vigour indices, root length, shoot length, and dry weight. Results indicated that GA3-treated Nua45 seeds had significantly higher germination percentages than untreated seeds after 48, 72, and 96 h, while treated Gloria seeds showed lower germination than untreated seeds within the same time frames. By 120 h, both treated and untreated seeds of both varieties reached a minimum of 90% germination. Nua45 seeds treated with GA3 showed significantly greater rootlet length (5.29 cm) than untreated seeds (4.12 cm), while Gloria seeds showed no significant difference in rootlet length between treated (2.49 cm) and untreated seeds (2.86 cm). For Nua45, GA3-treated seedlings had higher shoot length (46.7 cm), dry weight (4.10 g), and seedling vigour index II (3.7) than untreated seedlings (28.5 cm, 2.34 g, and 2.25, respectively). In contrast, untreated Gloria seedlings had greater root length (35.1 cm) than treated seedlings (14.4 cm), with no shoot length difference. These findings suggest that pre-soaking Nua45 seeds in GA3 solution enhances germination and growth, while pre-soaking Gloria seeds reduces them. These findings suggest a hormone-genotype interaction effect warranting further study.
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    User perceptions and acceptance of treated greywater reuse in low-income communities: a narrative review
    (IWA Publishing, 2023-11-01) Madzaramba, Tendai Hardwork; Zanamwe, Pesanai
    This research output established that a significant proportion of the global population lives in low-income communities mostly in the Global South. These communities face severe water scarcity and persistent sanitation challenges. It emerged that greywater reuse has the potential to improve the access to sufficient clean water in low-income communities. The study sought to ascertain user perceptions and acceptance of treated greywater reuse in low-income communities. To anchor this research, a comprehensive consultation of literature was done, and key sources of data were drawn from various secondary sources of data such as bibliographic databases. This was followed by the snowballing of obtained papers. The research employed a narrative review approach in methodology. The findings of this study indicate that people living in low-income communities have a positive perception regarding reusing treated greywater. Furthermore, it was established that the majority of persons living in low-income communities accept reuse for non-potable purposes including vegetable irrigation, laundry, toilet flushing, and car washing.