Browsing by Author "Nkuna, Mulisa"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The effect of chitosan in the germination and growth of sorghum bicolor under salt stress
    (University of the Western Cape, 2022) Nkuna, Mulisa; Mulaudzi-Masuku, Takalani
    The agricultural sector has been facing enormous challenges including reduced crop yield and increased food production demand to cater for the growing population. Crop production is severely affected by abiotic and biotic factors, however, abiotic stresses especially salinity is a major factor that has contributed to more than 50% loss of important crops including rice, wheat, and maize. The use of fertilisers and pesticides played a vital role in improving crop yield and quality throughout the seasons. However, in the last decade, there has been a rising concern about their negative effects on human health and the environment due to their overuse.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Green synthesis of iron oxide (hematite) nanoparticles and their influence on sorghum bicolor growth under drought stress
    (MDPI, 2023) Ndou, Nzumbululo; Rakgotho, Tessia; Nkuna, Mulisa
    Drought is a major abiotic stress that confronts plant growth and productivity, thus compromising food security. Plants use physiological and biochemical mechanisms to cope with drought stress, but at the expense of growth. Green-synthesized nanoparticles (NPs) have gained great attention in agriculture due to their environmental friendliness and affordability while serving as potential biofertilizers. This study investigates the role of hematite ( Fe2O3) NPs, synthesized from Aspalathus linearis (rooibos), to improve Sorghum bicolor growth under drought stress. About 18 nm, spherical, and highly agglomerated hematite ( Fe2O3) NPs were obtained. Sorghum seeds were primed with 5, 10, and 15 mg/L Fe2O3 NPs, and, after seven days of germination, the seedlings were transferred into potting soil, cultivated for fourteen days, and were subsequently water deprived (WD) for a further seven days.