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.