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- Influence of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Biostimulators on Growth and
Content of Bioactive Constituents of Karkade (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)
Abstract: This work was carried out to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), 0, 500, and 1000 mg/L, and biostimulators (Delfan plus), 0 and 10 ml/L, and their interactions (sprayed on the plant shoot and soil until the complete wetness) on growth and production of bioactive constituents of karkade (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) planted in plastic pots. After finishing experiment, growth parameters (length of shoot and root, number of leaves, branches, and fruits, chlorophyll content, and dry weight of calyces yield) were measured and also the active compounds of aqueous extracts calyces were measured by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The obtained results explained that the experimental treatment caused a significant increase in all measured parameters. GC-MS analysis shows quantitative and qualitative alterations of bioactive constituents of water extract from calyxes of karkade, where plant production of 60 active compounds at the combination of 1000 mg/L of MWCNT and 10 ml/L of Delfan plus was compared to untreated plants which produced 4 only.
PubDate: Sun, 11 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +000
- Phylogeny of Ten Kenyan Plectranthus Species in the Coleus Clade Inferred
from Leaf Micromorphology, Rbcl and MatK Genes
Abstract: Plectranthus species are difficult to taxonomically delimit due to lack of clear-cut morphological synapomorphies. This study is aimed at bringing insights into classification of ten Plectranthus species in the Coleus clade by using leaf micromorphology and molecular data. Stomatal counts and observation of microtome leaf sections generated leaf micromorphology data, while molecular data was obtained from sequencing MatK and Rbcl genes from each species. Phylogeny based on the MatK and Rbcl gene sequences clustered four species P. caninus, P. otostegioides, P. barbatus, and P. lanuginosus together (Clusters A and D, respectively), while P. pseudomarrubioides, P. ornatus, and P. aegyptiacus were grouped together into Clusters B and E, respectively, and P. montanus and P. amboinicus were grouped together (Cluster C). A dendrogram was generated through a cluster analysis of the leaf micromorphological characters grouped together, P. caninus, P. ornatus, P. otostegioides, P. montanus, and P. pseudomarrubioides (Cluster F). The dendrogram also grouped together P. aegyptiacus, P. amboinicus, P. edulis, P. barbatus, and P. lanuginosus (Cluster G). The present study has grouped the ten studied Plectranthus species using molecular and leaf micromorphology characters into phylogenies, which are supported by previous studies, and proved that these characters can aid in plant identification and phylogenetic studies.
PubDate: Mon, 18 Dec 2017 09:31:08 +000
- Phenotypic Variation Profile of Marsilea crenata Presl. Cultivated in
Water and in the Soil
Abstract: The aim of this research was to investigate possible phenotypic variation profile of Marsilea crenata Presl. cultivated in water and in the soil, to find alternative cultivation techniques to fulfill the increasing demand for pollutant-free plants. Phenotypic profile was investigated through macroscopic and microscopic examinations of all plant parts, and phytochemical screening on the ethanol extract of the leaves using thin layer chromatography technique was conducted to detect the terpenoid constituents. Results showed a variation of phenotypic profiles in the macroscopic examination caused by different cultivation methods. Phytochemical screening showed spots of terpenoid compounds with different color intensity. No differences were found in the microscopic examination of the leaves, petioles, and stems. Since major profile changes did not occur, M. crenata is recommended to be cultivated in water as its original habitat by providing a better caring and quality of water. Due to its phytoremediation property, it is necessary to grow M. crenata in pollutant-free water.
PubDate: Sun, 06 Aug 2017 07:00:11 +000
- Micromorphological Characterization of the Leaf and Rhizome of Agapanthus
praecox subsp. praecox Willd. (Amaryllidaceae)
Abstract: Agapanthus praecox subsp. praecox Willd. is a highly valued medicinal plant of family Amaryllidaceae. The genus Agapanthus has been difficult to classify into distinct species due to broad similar morphology of its members. Present taxonomic confusion in this genus and numerous medicinal uses of A. praecox necessitate its proper identification. The leaf and rhizome microcharacters were studied using scanning electron, light microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Epidermal cells are polygonal having wavy anticlinal walls with mean adaxial length of μm and mean abaxial length of μm. The leaf is amphistomatic with anomocytic stomata with mean pore length of μm on the adaxial and μm on the abaxial surface. The mean stomata densities on the adaxial and abaxial surfaces were mm2 and mm2. Trichomes and secretory ducts are absent on both surfaces. EDX spectroscopy showed that beryllium, carbon, oxygen, sodium, and silicon were present on both epidermal surfaces and rhizome while nitrogen, aluminum, and chlorine were detected only on the adaxial surface and sulphur was detected only in the rhizome.
PubDate: Wed, 26 Jul 2017 09:17:02 +000
- Study on the Diversity and Use of Wild Edible Plants in Bullen District
Northwest Ethiopia
Abstract: This study was designed to document the use and conservation of wild edible plants in Bullen district, northwestern Ethiopia. Data was collected through semistructured interview and focus group discussions. The collected data was analyzed through direct matrix ranking, pairwise ranking, and priority ranking methods. In this study, a total of 77 wild edible plant species were identified. Of these plants, trees account for 35.5% followed by shrubs (31.1%). Fruits were the most harvested parts (59.7%) followed by leaves (12.9%), roots and tubers (3.8%), and rhizomes (2.5%). These plants are consumed either raw (57.1%) and/or cooked (17%); most are collected by women (62.5%) and children (20.8%), but the participation of men is stumpy (4.2%). According to pairwise ranking analysis, fruits of Vitex doniana and the leaves of Portulaca quadrifida are the most preferred plant species because of their sweet taste. However, some of the plants have side effects causing abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. Although religion and cultural norms and values play an important role in the conservation of wild edible plants, population pressure and its associated impacts contributed much to the disappearance of these plants. Thus, community participation is the suggested solution for the conservation and sustainable use of the wild edible plants in the study area.
PubDate: Mon, 15 May 2017 00:00:00 +000
- Relationship between Flower Opening in Six Cotton Cultivars and Their
Progeny to Pollen Dehydration Tolerance
Abstract: Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production in arid and semiarid environments routinely experiences elevated temperature and low humidity challenges that ultimately determine yield and producer profitability. The present study investigated the diversity of flower petal opening to determine if traditional genetics and breeding approaches could develop a more cupped or closed flower, thereby providing a more humid microenvironment around the dehisced pollen. Six cultivars with reported differences in pollen humidity sensitivity were used to evaluate the genetics of petal opening. Crosses between open flower cultivars generally resulted in F1 offspring with open flowers. Crosses between closed flower cultivars generally resulted in F1 offspring with closed flowers. Crosses between open and closed flower cultivars provided unique phenotypes depending on the cultivars used. The results from the F1 offspring suggested that the male parent influenced the flower shape of the offspring. In addition, analysis of F2 offspring from the bidirectional crosses suggests that a single dominant gene from the male parent ultimately influences flower petal openness. Using traditional breeding techniques, it may be possible to develop cultivars with either open or closed flower phenotypes, linking pollen development stability and mature pollen viability across a range of environments to stabilize and enhance crop yield.
PubDate: Thu, 11 May 2017 00:00:00 +000
- Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Pogostemon cablin (Blanco)
Benth.
Abstract: Pogostemon cablin (Lamiaceae) has been widely used in traditional medicine. In this study, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of leaves from P. cablin extracts were investigated. The water extracts had the highest total phenolic content mg gallic acid equivalent/g of dry plant extract. Nevertheless, high levels of total flavonoid content were found in ethanolic extracts mg quercetin equivalent/g of dry plant extract. The highest antioxidant activities were found for the ethanolic extract (, μg/mL) by DPPH and ABTS scavenging assays, respectively. Both extracts showed moderate inhibition of superoxide inhibition () and nitric oxide (NO) production in concentration-dependent manner. Antibacterial activity was calculated by disk diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bacterial concentration (MBC). The ethanolic extract had the greatest activity against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin sensitive S. aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes with zone diameters of , , and mm, respectively. The corresponding MIC and MBCs were 5, 0.625, and 0.039 mg/mL. P. cablin extracts contain antioxidant and antibacterial properties that should be exploited for possible clinical application.
PubDate: Wed, 29 Mar 2017 00:00:00 +000
- Micromorphological Studies of the Loranthaceae, Phragmanthera capitata
(Sprengel) Balle
Abstract: Phragmanthera capitata (Sprengel) Balle is a mistletoe of the Loranthaceae family that has been explored for its therapeutic properties in folklore for ages. However, there had been an alarming increase in misidentification of species in this family. This may be due in part to the lack of species taxonomic information. Hence, this study wishes to highlight the range of micromorphological features which could complement the information database of this species. Scanning electron, light, and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) microscopies were used for this study. The result revealed a paracytic type of stomata with mean abaxial and adaxial density of mm2 and mm2, respectively, and mean guard cell length of μm. Oval-shaped lenticels with a mean length of μm were observed. They were arranged in parallel on the epidermal cells of the abaxial midrib. Densely packed stellate trichomes were revealed on the abaxial epidermis with a density of mm2. Tracheary elements, which are tightly packed with granules believed to be proteins, were observed in the cross sections of the twig. Deposits chiefly composed of silicon, aluminium, potassium, and iron were recorded in the EDX analysis. This study revealed detailed descriptive micromorphological structures which could serve as a source of information and reference for the taxonomic description of P. capitata.
PubDate: Thu, 23 Feb 2017 12:26:08 +000
- Demucilaging Freshly Stored Seeds of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Improves
Seedling Emergence and Growth
Abstract: Fresh seeds of cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) are covered by a large amount of mucilage, which plays important ecological roles. However, for stored seeds, mucilage can adversely affect germination. This study investigated the effect of mucilage removal (demucilaging) and seed storage of freshly extracted cocoa seeds on seedling emergence and growth. The study showed that demucilaging cocoa seeds confers several advantages over mucilage intact seeds provided the seeds have been stored for at least three days before sowing. Demucilaging increased germination rate (T50) and percentage germination and presence of mucilage increased days to seedling emergence and cessation of germination when seeds were stored for over two days. For up to 21 days of seed storage, there was generally no difference in many traits for demucilaged seeds. Demucilaged seeds had 80–100% germination after 21 days of storage, and rate of germination increased with increasing duration of seed storage. Intact mucilage seeds maintained 80–100% germination for only 2 days after seed extraction and rate of germination decreased with increasing seed storage duration. We conclude that (i) if seeds are sown on the day of extraction demucilaging before sowing would be superfluous and (ii) demucilaging and storage can provide advantages to smallholder farmers when environmental or socioeconomic conditions preclude immediate sowing.
PubDate: Sun, 22 Jan 2017 09:44:49 +000
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