A visita de estudo: (re)descoberta e reflexão

A oportunidade de parceria entre a Universidade de Évora e o Instituto Superior de Educação da Huíla (Angola) permitiu reflectir sobre a visita de estudo (VE) e redescobrir as potencialidades deste recurso didáctico, acessível e adaptável a contextos escolares com escassez de meios, assentes num método de ensino/aprendizagem das Ciências da Natureza, vincadamente teórico. A proposta de guião para a VE apresentada teve em conta as percepções de uma amostra de alunos e de professores, os programas das disciplinas intervenientes (Geografia, Biologia e Química) e o contexto da comunidade escolar

The impact of customer engagement on organisational change communication at Absa bank in greater Durban area

Events that unfolded in the past decade- the ease of new entrants into the South African banking sector, uncertain economic outlook, the 2008 global financial crisis, competition within the South African banking sector, have changed the retail banking landscape in South Africa. Retail banks are under tremendous pressure to realign their banking operations to meet these global challenges. Conforming to the mounting pressure in the South African banking sector, Barclays PLC a major shareholder in Barclays Africa Group now (Absa bank) announced its departure from the bank. A move that made it lose its strategic partner with over 100 years of experience working in Africa. The departure was received with mixed reactions across the banking landscape. Research on customer engagement in South African banking sector is still in its infancy and no study has been undertaken to determine the impact of customer engagement on organisational change communication during episodes of organisational change. To address this research gap, this study seeks to determine the impact of customer engagement on organisational change communication at Absa bank in the greater Durban area. The study adopted a quantitative research paradigm, with a pre-coded structured closed ended questionnaire on a 5-point Likert scale administered to a target population of 650 000 Absa customers in the greater Durban area. Sekaran statistical table was used for sample selection. A sample of 384 customers was selected using convenience sampling a non-probability sampling technique. Some notable conclusions resulted from the extensive statistical analysis, which were also validated by national and international studies undertaken by various researchers, who also demonstrated concordance or discordance with the current findings and were appropriately referenced

Evaluation of substrate productivity and market quality of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) grown on different substrates

Substrate is one type of the major factors affecting the yield and quality of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). Six substrates, cotton lint waste, maize stover, jatropha cake, corncobs, wood shavings and wheat straw were evaluated for their productivity and impact on mushroom market quality of P. ostreatus. Wheat straw was used as a control because it is commonly used for mushroom production in Zimbabwe. The experiment was carried out in a low cost mushroom growing house and laid out in a randomized complete block design with each treatment replicated four times. Bags containing the pasteurized substrates were spawned at a rate of 8%. Three flushes were harvested from which substrate productivity was evaluated by determining mean number of basidiocarps (MNB), mean basidiocarp weight (MBW) and biological efficiency (BE) while mushroom market quality was evaluated on the basis of basidiocarp percentage number within pileus diameter groups; >7, 5-7, 3-5, 7 and 5-7 cm size groups and highest in the deformed group. There were, however, no significant differences in the 3-5 and 0.05). Cotton lint waste and maize stover are competent alternatives to wheat straw as they are equally productive and produce high market quality mushrooms

Evaluation of substrate productivity and market quality of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) grown on different substrates

Substrate is one type of the major factors affecting the yield and quality of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus). Six substrates, cotton lint waste, maize stover, jatropha cake, corncobs, wood shavings and wheat straw were evaluated for their productivity and impact on mushroom market quality of P. ostreatus. Wheat straw was used as a control because it is commonly used for mushroom production in Zimbabwe. The experiment was carried out in a low cost mushroom growing house and laid out in a randomized complete block design with each treatment replicated four times. Bags containing the pasteurized substrates were spawned at a rate of 8%. Three flushes were harvested from which substrate productivity was evaluated by determining mean number of basidiocarps (MNB), mean basidiocarp weight (MBW) and biological efficiency (BE) while mushroom market quality was evaluated on the basis of basidiocarp percentage number within pileus diameter groups; >7, 5-7, 3-5, 7 and 5-7 cm size groups and highest in the deformed group. There were, however, no significant differences in the 3-5 and 0.05). Cotton lint waste and maize stover are competent alternatives to wheat straw as they are equally productive and produce high market quality mushrooms

The impact of customer engagement on organisational change communication at Absa bank in greater Durban area

Events that unfolded in the past decade- the ease of new entrants into the South African banking sector, uncertain economic outlook, the 2008 global financial crisis, competition within the South African banking sector, have changed the retail banking landscape in South Africa. Retail banks are under tremendous pressure to realign their banking operations to meet these global challenges. Conforming to the mounting pressure in the South African banking sector, Barclays PLC a major shareholder in Barclays Africa Group now (Absa bank) announced its departure from the bank. A move that made it lose its strategic partner with over 100 years of experience working in Africa. The departure was received with mixed reactions across the banking landscape. Research on customer engagement in South African banking sector is still in its infancy and no study has been undertaken to determine the impact of customer engagement on organisational change communication during episodes of organisational change. To address this research gap, this study seeks to determine the impact of customer engagement on organisational change communication at Absa bank in the greater Durban area. The study adopted a quantitative research paradigm, with a pre-coded structured closed ended questionnaire on a 5-point Likert scale administered to a target population of 650 000 Absa customers in the greater Durban area. Sekaran statistical table was used for sample selection. A sample of 384 customers was selected using convenience sampling a non-probability sampling technique. Some notable conclusions resulted from the extensive statistical analysis, which were also validated by national and international studies undertaken by various researchers, who also demonstrated concordance or discordance with the current findings and were appropriately referenced

Pesticidal efficacy of crude aqueous extracts of Tephrosia vogelii L., Allium sativum L. and Solanum incanum L. in controlling aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae L.) in rape (Brassica napus L.)n controlling aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae L.) in rape (Brassica napus L.)

Cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae L.) is one of the most problematic pests in smallholder vegetable production, causing significant yield losses in heavy infestations. Current control strategy focuses on use of synthetic pesticides that consequently lead to decimation of natural enemies, development of insect resistance and resurgence and upset biodiversity. Botanical pesticides have been used widely in smallholder farmers but not much documented literature exists on efficacy of these products. A field trial was done to assess the efficacy of crude aqueous extracts of Tephrosia vogelii, Allium sativum and Solanum incanum in controlling Brevicoryne brassicae in Brassica napus production. The trial was laid in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five treatments replicated four times. The five treatments used in the experiment were T. vogelii, A. sativum, S. incanum, dimethoate and control. Wingless adult female aphids were inoculated three weeks after transplanting of seedlings. Spraying and data collection were done weekly for four weeks. Data was collected on aphid nymph and adult counts on the third leaf from the aerial plant part of randomly selected plants from each treatment for 24 hours after the application of treatments and total plant fresh weight per each treatment. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in the efficacy of botanicals and synthetics in controlling aphids, with dimethoate being the most effective followed by T. vogelii, A. sativum, S. incanum and lastly the control. The treatments applied had a significant effect (p<0.05) on the yield of rape. It was concluded that T. vogelii, S. incanum and A. sativum aqueous crude extracts have some pesticidal effects on aphid in rape production

Screening of Stored Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties grain for tolerance against maize eeevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.)

Insect pests cause major damage to stored maize grain thereby reducing its weight, quality and germination vigour. Five open pollinated maize varieties (ZM401, ZM309, ZM521, ZM421 and Hickory King) and one hybrid maize variety (SC709) were evaluated for tolerance and their effects on progeny development against the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.). The experiment was laid in a randomised complete block design, with 6 treatments replicated 5 times. 100g maize grain was infested with 100 three week old unsexed pure culture adult weevils in 750 ml jars. After 14 days oviposition period, adult weevils were sieved out and parent weevil mortality determined. After a further 45 days, number of weevils emerged, percentage grain weight loss and number of damaged kernels were determined. Percentage kernel germination was determined through a germination test after 45 days of weevil attack. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in number of parent weevil mortality, number of weevils emerged, grain weight loss, kernel damaged and germination percentage among varieties. ZM421 and ZM521 varieties showed potential to S. zeamais progeny suppression and tolerance as evidenced by high parent weevil mortality, low weevil emergence, less grain weight loss, low grain damage and high germination percentage

Effects of different pulse solutions on vase life and quality of roses (Rosa hybrid L.)

Roses from different continents travel long distances to reach the international flower market in Holland and result in them reaching the market while they have aged thus reducing vase life and quality which are vital for consumer satisfaction. An experiment was carried out to assess the effects of five different pulse solutions (distilled water, aluminium sulphate + HTH + V90, aluminium sulphate + pentakill + V90, 3% sucrose solution + aluminium sulphate + V90, and water acidified with citric acid to a hydrogen potential of 4.2) on preserving the vase life of three rose (Rosa hybrid L.) varieties (Amore, Escimo and Calibra). The experiment was arranged as a 3×5 factorial treatment structure laid out in a completely randomised design (CRD). There was an interaction (p<0.001) between the three rose varieties and the five different pulse solutions. Escimo and Amore recorded the highest vase life days in solution containing 3 % sucrose averaging 19 and 18 days respectively. Calibra recorded the least vase life (17 days) in water acidified with citric acid to a hydrogen potential of 4.2. It was concluded that pulsing solutions prolong vase life of roses

Fresh leaf yield and flowering responses of Brassica junceavarieties to varying nitrogen levels

An experiment was undertaken to evaluate fresh leaf yield and flowering responses of two Brassica juncea varieties (Paida and ZGS) to varying rates of nitrogen fertilizer ammonium nitrate (0; 100; 200 and 300 kg ha -1) during winter of 2007 under irrigation. The experiment was arranged as a 2×4 factorial treatment structure, laid in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Fresh leaf yield and days to 50% flowering were measured during the course of the experiment. There was significant difference (p0.05) in days to 50% flowering due to different N treatments. There was significant difference (p<0.05) in days to 50% flowering of the two varieties, with Paida flowering 24 days later than the ZGS mustard. N level had significant effect only on fresh leaf yield whilst variety had significant effect on both fresh leaf yield and days to 50% flowering. The N rate of 300 kg NH4NO3 ha -1 was considered as the optimal dosage and Paida the best variety

Effects of soil type and manure level on the establishment and growth of moringa oleifera

Moringa oleifera is considered one of the most useful trees being promoted across the world for its nutritional value. However, the production requirements of this crop are seldom known. The study was conducted to investigate the effects of soil type and cattle manure on initial establishment and growth of M. oleifera. Greenhouse experiments were conducted at Africa University, Zimbabwe in a 4×4 factorial treatment structure laid in a randomized complete block design replicated 3 times. Sandy, sandy loam, clay loam and clay soils were used while cattle manure was applied to all the soils at levels of 0, 10, 20 and 40% on mass to mass basis. Results showed that, plant height, number of branches, basal stem diameter, root, shoot and total dry biomass significantly increased (p<0.05) with an increase in the amount of cattle manure applied. An increase of 173% in M. oleifera height was recorded where 40% manure was applied. Clay loam soils significantly increased (p<0.05) M. oleifera growth rate. The study showed that application of cattle manure in acidic granitic sandy soils enhances the production of M. oleifera. A combination of clay loam and 40% manure was concluded as the best for M. oleifera establishment and growth