Senior lecturer | University of KwaZulu-Natal | South Africa
Dr. Rebecca Zengeni is a distinguished soil scientist and lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, with a strong academic background including a BSc and MPhil in Soil Science from the University of Zimbabwe and a PhD from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, where her research focused on soil carbon dynamics and carbon dioxide efflux under different vegetation environments. She began her professional career as a researcher at the Ministry of Agriculture in Zimbabwe and later served as a lecturer at Bindura University of Science Education before joining UKZN. At UKZN, she teaches courses in soil science, waste management, and indigenous knowledge systems, while her research interests encompass soil fertility, soil and water conservation, field experiments, soil analysis, waste management, and nutrient management. Dr. Zengeni has authored 32 documents indexed in Scopus, with her work cited 454 times and an h-index of 10, reflecting her significant scholarly impact. Her research skills include expertise in soil analysis, experimental design, soil fertility assessment, and sustainable waste management. She has received recognition for her contributions to soil science through awards and professional acknowledgments, demonstrating her commitment to advancing knowledge in agricultural and environmental sciences. Overall, Dr. Zengeni’s career represents a blend of rigorous research, effective teaching, and meaningful contributions to sustainable soil and environmental management.
Profiles: Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar
Featured Publications
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Mbava, N., Zengeni, R., & Muchaonyerwa, P. (2025). Carbon dioxide emissions and nitrogen and phosphorus mineralization patterns from soil amended with shoot and root residues of different wheat genotypes. Frontiers in Agronomy, 7, 1576878.
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Vambe, M., Zengeni, R., Arthur, G., Singh, K., Amoo, S., Naidoo, K., & Coopoosamy, R. M. (2024). Moringa oleifera leaf powder influenced the chemical profile of Leonotis leonurus essential oils. Student’s Journal of Health Research Africa, 5(6).
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Vambe, M., Singh, K., Coopoosamy, R. M., Naidoo, K., & Zengeni, R. (2024). Vermicompost leachates enhance morpho-physiological properties in Pelargonium sidoides DC. Journal of Medicinal Plants for Economic Development, 8(1), a256. https://doi.org/10.4102/jomped.v8i1.256
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Ntonta, S., Zengeni, R., Muchaonyerwa, P., & Chaplot, V. (2024). Variability in decomposition rate of sorghum cultivar residues linked to lignin content. Rhizosphere, 29, 100850.
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Zengeni, R., & Hlatshwayo, N. (2023). Non-agricultural soil uses by communities in uMgungundlovu District and their safety for use. Inkanyiso, 15(1), a70.