G-Space Institutional Repository
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Recent Submissions
An analysis of mixed linear model, lagged rainfall effects on gastrointestinal parasite intensity in Chacma baboons, Filabusi, Zimbabwe
(Brill, 2026-05-14) Banda, Annabel; Moyo, Doreen Z.; Utete, Edmore; Tapedzwa, Enock; Ncube, Nokubonga; Ndlovu, Meshach; Magenge, Mangirichi M; Gandiwa, Edson
The spread of zoonotic diseases jeopardizes public health and wildlife conservation. Environmental, edaphic, and biological factors influence parasite intensity, thereby impacting zoonotic disease transmission. This study investigated the impact of rainfall, year, parasite type, and troops on the intensity of gastrointestinal parasites in Chacma baboons at Epoch Mine Campus, Gwanda State University, located in Filabusi, Insiza District. Data were collected in 2023 and 2024. A number of linear mixed-effects models were constructed to evaluate the factors influencing gastrointestinal parasite intensity in baboons. The analysis revealed two notable interaction effects regarding parasite intensity. The interaction between year and parasite type showed a substantial increase in parasite intensity in 2023 and 2024 (Estimate = 169.80, p < 0.001), even after controlling for rainfall factors. In contrast, lagged models showed no significant improvement, with a difference in the Akaike Information Criterion (ΔAIC) of less than 0.15. It is concluded that rainfall, year, and parasite type may influence the intensity of gastrointestinal parasites, but rainfall effects vary across parasites.
Carbon sequestration potential of climate smart finger millet for sustainable food and nutritional security
(Springer Nature, 2026-04-08) Tariro Mafirakurewa; Maltase Mutanda
Finger millet is emerging as a climate-smart cereal with strong potential for carbon farming and sustainable food systems. As an underutilized crop with inherent
drought tolerance, low input requirements and superior nutritional quality, it supports agricultural resilience while contributing to carbon sequestration in
marginal environments. Its extensive root architecture, delayed senescence and sustained photosynthetic activity under stress conditions promote biomass
production and belowground carbon inputs. This mini review evaluates the capacity and role of finger millet to transform agri-food systems through improved carbon capture, enhanced nutrient cycling and strengthened food and nutritional security. Recent advances in breeding, genomics and agronomy have generated nutrient dense and stress-resilient varieties optimized for low-carbon production systems. Integrating conservation agriculture, residue retention and intercropping can further enhance soil organic carbon accumulation and system sustainability. Despite its potential, adoption remains constrained by limited policy support, weak market incentives and low awareness of carbon farming opportunities. Therefore, targeted research, participatory breeding and carbon credit frameworks are essential for mainstreaming finger millet in climate-smart agriculture.
Carbon Isotope Discrimination: A Gateway to Smarter Water Use and Drought-resilient Cereals
(Hill Publishing, 2026-06-09) Mafirakurewa, Tariro; Mathema, Ndabanye; Mutanda, Maltase
Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ¹³C) is widely used as an integrative physiological trait for assessing intrinsic water use efficiency (iWUE) in cereals under water
limited conditions. This review synthesizes the physiological basis linking Δ¹³C to iWUE through intercellular-to-atmospheric CO₂ ratios (cᵢ/cₐ), emphasizing sto
matal conductance, photosynthetic capacity, and genotype × environment interactions. Environmental drivers, including drought, temperature, vapor pressure defi
cit, and atmospheric CO₂, are evaluated alongside differences between C₃ and C₄ cereals. Analytical approaches such as isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS),
near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and laser-based methods are compared in terms of precision and scalability. Evidence shows a strong inverse relationship between Δ¹³C and iWUE in C₃ species, while C₄ responses are weaker due to CO₂ concentrating mechanisms. Despite limitations related to environmental sensitivity and inconsistent trait-yield relationships, integrating Δ¹³C with complementary traits, multi-environment testing, and genomic tools enhances its application in breeding. Δ¹³C remains a valuable tool for developing drought-resilient cereal ideotypes.
A two-dimensional Darcy–Forchheimer mathematical model for bioconvection flow with microbial exoprotein activity
(The Academy of Science of South Africa, 2026-01-29) Mpofu, M. A; Dhlamini, M; Ndlovu, A; Chirwa, N. A
Microbes play a pivotal role in heat and mass transfer in boundary layer flow. These microbes are added to nanofluids to promote efficiency and the desired fluid properties. Some microbes excrete exoproteins into the solution, which significantly affect chemical reactions, heat and mass transfer. Based on an extensive literature review, we found no models that consider the existence of exoprotein dynamics when modelling boundary layer flow. In our model, we developed a system of partial differential equations and included exoprotein dynamics. The system of partial differential equations was transformed into a system of ordinary differential equations and then solved numerically using the spectral quasilinearisation method to a high degree of accuracy. Our results show that thermophoresis and the Brownian motion parameters increase the exoprotein concentration. The increase in growth rate, carrying capacity, and exoprotein production rate causes a significant increase in exoprotein production, and eventually, the product increases. The degradation of the exoprotein decreases the product concentration. The increase in the growth rate and the thermophoresis parameters also causes the Nusselt number to increase.
Efficacy of Lippia Javanica Leaf Powder and Combretum Imberbe Wood Ash Against the Larger Grain Borer (Prostephanus Truncatus) in Stored Maize
(Taylor & Francis, 2026-06-26) Chihumbiri, Lorraine Yeukai; Musabayana, Zivanayi; Zhou, Mandhlenkosi; Mathema, Ndabanye; Tembo, Lenon; Zanamwe, Pesanai
Prostephanus truncatus is a major storage pest responsible for substantial maize grain losses. This study evaluated the efficacy of Lippia javanica leaf powder and Combretum imberbe wood ash in controlling P. truncatus in stored maize. The study consisted of two separate trials, each with six treatments, replicated thrice and arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The treatments for the first trial consisted of four dosages of L. javanica (2, 4, 6, 8 g) applied to 200 g of maize grain, the untreated control and Actellic Gold Dust. The second trial treatments consisted of four dosages of C. imberbe (2, 4, 6, 8 g) applied to 200 g of maize grain, an untreated control and Actellic Gold Dust. Each experimental unit was infested with 10 adult Prostephanus truncatus, and assessments were conducted at 7, 14, and 21 days after treatment. The efficacy of L. javanica leaf powder and C. imberbe in the control of P. truncatus was assessed by determining insect mortality, insect reproduction, mean grain weight loss, and mean grain damage. Both biopesticides significantly (p < 0.05) increased adult insect mortality and suppressed reproduction compared to the untreated control. The highest mortality (90%) was observed at 8 g for both botanicals and reproduction was reduced by 5–85% relative to the control for L. javanica and 10–92% for C. imberbe, depending on dosage. The findings demonstrate that L. javanica and C. imberbe are promising bioinsecticides for maize protection against P. truncatusa especially for smallholder farmers.