Medicinal plant cultivation for sustainable use and commercialisation of high-value crops

Many traditional healing systems are based on natural biological resources, and there is a general shift in most parts of the world towards natural medicine, with direct implications on the demand and supply of medicinal plants. This review highlights the economic importance of medicinal plants, their contribution to healthcare systems, and potential opportunities for rural economic development through cultivation.  A systematic literature review with specific search terms related to medicinal plants was used to collect scientific and non-scientific information from peer-reviewed literature and grey literature databases. The findings indicate that trade in medicinal plants is increasing, and although they are considered minor crops compared to major food crops, their value is among the highest in the list of traded plants globally. The trade also serves as a revenue source for many rural livelihoods, with women playing a significant role. Medicinal plants contribute to primary health care in many developing countries, and they are also an essential source of modern drug discovery. Cultivation of medicinal plants offers emerging rural farmers an opportunity to grow these plants as new and alternative crops, thus reducing unsustainable wild harvesting and competition with established commercial farmers who mostly focus on food crops. Furthermore, medicinal plant cultivation should be promoted as one of the options for local economic development and sustainability through job creation, the revival of the rural economy, and income generation for small businesses, such as the transport businesses, involved in the value chain. Land accessibility, financial resources, and direct market access for rural communities can elevate their contribution to the industry. Formalisation of the lower levels of the medicinal plant trade is also recommended. Significance:• Cultivation is a viable option for biodiversity conservation of medicinal plants and ensuring a goodquality supply of plant materials.• Cultivation of medicinal plants – a source of natural products used in product development – can contribute to job creation, income generation, and rural economies in developing countries.• This review underlines the importance of medicinal plants in product development, the contribution of the industry to economies of different countries, and the potential for cultivation

Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017

A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4% (62.3 (55.1–70.8) million) to 6.4% (58.3 (47.6–70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target of <5% in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2% (30 (22.8–38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0% (55.5 (44.8–67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic

The quality of baby spinach as affected by developmental stage as well as postharvest storage conditions

Baby spinach is rich in phytochemicals that provide great benefits to consumers’ health. The study aim was to investigate the effect of the growth harvest stage, postharvest storage duration and temperature on quality of baby spinach leaves. A 3 × 5 × 3 factorial experiment was laid out in a randomised complete block design with four replicates per treatment. The treatments were arranged as follows namely: stage I [28 days after sowing (DAS)], stage II (35 DAS)and stage III (42 DAS), and leaves were kept up to 12 d at three different temperatures – 4, 10 and 20°C. The study demonstrated that the overall appearance and odour were both well maintained in the leaves of baby spinach harvested at stage II. The baby spinach harvested 28 DAS led to higher content of iron [1.13 mg g−1 dry weight (DW)], magnesium (14.4 mg g−1 DW), and zinc (0.17 mg g−1 DW). The highest level of total antioxidant activity (0.43 mg g−1 DW) and flavonoids (12 mg g−1 DW) after 12 d of storage was observed in baby spinach leaves at stage I when stored at 4°C. Therefore, baby spinach leaves harvested 28 DAS and store at 4°C for 6 d improved shelf life and nutraceutical quality. Thus, early harvest of fresh produced baby spinach harvested in order to attain high phytochemical and mineral content when stored at low temperature (4°C) without exceeding 6 days is recommended

Estimating evapotranspiration and determining crop coefficients of irrigated sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) grown in a semi-arid climate

Please read abstract in the article.The Agricultural Research Council Professional Development Programme, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, as well as the National Research Foundation of South Africa.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/agwat2021-04-30hj2020Plant Production and Soil Scienc

Effects of Rhizobium Inoculation on N2 Fixation, Phytochemical Profiles and Rhizosphere Soil Microbes of Cancer Bush Lessertia frutescens (L.)

Plant-beneficial microorganisms are determinants of plant health and productivity. However, the effects associated with secondary plant metabolism and interactions in the rhizosphere for Cancer bush Lessertia frutescens (L.) is unclear. The study was conducted to understand the mechanism of rhizobium inoculation for L. frutescens, variations in phytochemicals, soluble sugars, and soil&ndash;plant interactions in the rhizosphere. Four rhizobium inoculation levels (0, 100, 200, and 400 g) were evaluated under the field conditions to establish the antioxidant properties, soluble sugars, and rhizosphere soil microbial diversity at 150, 240, and 330 days after planting (d.a.p). Although inoculation did not significantly affect plant biomass and N2 fixation of L. frutescens, total phenolics and flavonoids were enhanced with the application of 200 g at 240 days after planting. The antioxidant values analyzed through FRAP (Ferric reducing power assay) were highest with 100 g inoculation at 240 days after planting. Water-soluble sugars such as fructose, sucrose, and glucose increased with the application of 400, 200, and 100 g rhizobium inoculation. The rhizosphere&prime;s carbon source utilization profiles (CSUP) did not vary significantly, depicting the weaker ability in converting C, P, and N profiles. The lowest &szlig; glucosidase activity was observed in the bulk soil with the lowest alkaline and acid phosphatase activities. Soil microbial populations present in the bulk sample demonstrated the smallest overall enzyme activities. The variation of different variables studied indicate the potential of rhizobium inoculation. However, further studies are required to ascertain the inoculation&prime;s effectiveness for plant growth and rhizosphere microbial populations of L. frutescens

Evaluating Growth, Yield, and Water Use Efficiency of African and Commercial Ginger Species in South Africa

Ginger species play an important economic role as medicinal plants, food flavourings, and dietary supplements. Products from ginger, including oil and fresh and dried rhizomes can be used to treat malaria, asthma, headaches, and act as anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agents. The cultivation of wild plant species can alleviate the pressure from harvesting from the wild. Under cultivation, the major constraints on crop yield and quality are water availability and plant nutrition. Therefore, the impact of water stress on commercial and African ginger was assessed in the rain shelter study. Irrigation treatments were based on the maximum allowable depletion (MAD) levels of plant available water in the root zone (T1: 20&ndash;25% MAD, the control; T2: 40&ndash;45% MAD; T3: 60&ndash;65% MAD; T4: 80&ndash;85% MAD). As water stress decreased, the plant height and number of stems per plant of both plant species were positively affected. The number of open stomata was higher for well-watered and less stressed treatments in both ginger species. Higher fresh and dry rhizome yields were recorded for commercial ginger at all water treatments as compared to those from African ginger. In general, water use efficiency (WUE) of fresh and dry rhizome yield was higher for commercial ginger as compared to the indigenous African ginger, while moderately stressed treatments generally resulted in the highest WUE for both species

Growth and yield responses of two ginger species to different levels of nitrogen

Please read abstract in the article.The University of Pretoria, National Research Foundation, Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Scholarships, Fortuna Food Company and Agricultural Research Council.https://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tjps202020-06-12hj2020Plant Production and Soil Scienc

NADES Compounds Identified in Hypoxis hemerocallidea Corms during Dormancy

Soaking Hypoxis hemerocallidea corms in distilled water improved the propagation and development of cormlets, suggesting the potential leaching-out of inhibitory chemical compounds. To investigate the presence of inhibitory compounds, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral data of the leachate from dormant H. hemerocallidea corms were obtained using a 600 MHz 1H-NMR spectrometer. The 1H-NMR analysis led to the identification of choline, succinate, propylene glycol, and lactose, as inhibitory compounds. These four chemical compounds are part of the &ldquo;Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents&rdquo; (NADES) that protect plant cells during stress periods, each of which has the potential to inhibit bud growth and development. These compounds are supposedly leached out of the corms during the first rain under natural conditions, possibly accompanied by changes in the ratios of dormancy-breaking phytohormones and inhibitory compounds, to release bud dormancy. The identified chemical compounds heralded a novel frontier in the vegetative propagation of H. hemerocallidea as a medicinal plant, and for its enhanced sustainable uses

Medicinal plant cultivation for sustainable use and commercialisation of high-value crops

Many traditional healing systems are based on natural biological resources, and there is a general shift in most parts of the world towards natural medicine, with direct implications on the demand and supply of medicinal plants. This review highlights the economic importance of medicinal plants, their contribution to healthcare systems, and potential opportunities for rural economic development through cultivation. A systematic literature review with specific search terms related to medicinal plants was used to collect scientific and non-scientific information from peer-reviewed literature and grey literature databases. The findings indicate that trade in medicinal plants is increasing, and although they are considered minor crops compared to major food crops, their value is among the highest in the list of traded plants globally. The trade also serves as a revenue source for many rural livelihoods, with women playing a significant role. Medicinal plants contribute to primary health care in many developing countries, and they are also an essential source of modern drug discovery. Cultivation of medicinal plants offers emerging rural farmers an opportunity to grow these plants as new and alternative crops, thus reducing unsustainable wild harvesting and competition with established commercial farmers who mostly focus on food crops. Furthermore, medicinal plant cultivation should be promoted as one of the options for local economic development and sustainability through job creation, the revival of the rural economy, and income generation for small businesses, such as the transport businesses, involved in the value chain. Land accessibility, financial resources, and direct market access for rural communities can elevate their contribution to the industry. Formalisation of the lower levels of the medicinal plant trade is also recommended. Significance: Cultivation is a viable option for biodiversity conservation of medicinal plants and ensuring a goodquality supply of plant materials. Cultivation of medicinal plants – a source of natural products used in product development – can contribute to job creation, income generation, and rural economies in developing countries. This review underlines the importance of medicinal plants in product development, the contribution of the industry to economies of different countries, and the potential for cultivation

Yield and metabolite production of pelargonium sidoides DC. in response to irrigation and nitrogen management

Competition for water between agricultural and non-agricultural economic sectors hampers agricultural production, especially in water-scarce regions. Understanding crop responses in terms of yield and quality to irrigation is an important factor in designing appropriate irrigation management for optimal crop production and quality. Pelargonium sidoides DC., often harvested from the wild, is in high demand in the informal market and for commercial formulations. Agricultural production of high-quality materials through cultivation can help reduce pressure on its wild populations. This study aimed at determining the effects of water and nitrogen on P. sidoides yield and metabolite production. The irrigation treatments applied were 30%, 50%, and 70% of an allowable depletion level (ADL), while the nitrogen (N) levels were 0 (control), 50, 100, and 150 kg ha−1. The 30% ADL resulted in a significantly higher biomass and root yield. Nitrogen at 50 and 100 kg ha−1 resulted in a significantly higher biomass yield, compared to the N control. An increase in sugars and citrate cycle components was observed for the well-watered 30% ADL treatment, whereas water-stressed (50% and 70% ADL) treatments increased alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism, increasing levels of asparagine, 4-aminobutyrate, and arginine. The treatments had no significant effect on the root content of esculin, scopoletin, and umckalin. Water stress induced metabolite synthesis to mitigate the stress condition, whereas under no water stress primary metabolites were synthesized. Moreover, cultivation of P. sidoides as a conservation strategy can increase yield without affecting its bioactivity, while providing sustenance for the rural communities.The Department of Science and Technology in South Africahttp://www.mdpi.com/journal/metabolitesam2020Plant Production and Soil Scienc