Heavy metal uptake and growth characteristics of Amaranthus caudatus L. under five different soils in a controlled environment

This study investigated the influence of soil types on morphological growth characteristics in Amaranthus caudatus. Seeds of A. caudatus were sown in soils formulated using USDA soil triangle technique and after germination, variabilities in the mean leaf area, shoot height, girth, mean number of branches and leaves per representative stand on different soils were measured. Also, heavy metal uptake characteristics of the plant were examined by comparing the concentrations of trace metals in the soil before and after planting with amount retained in the plant shoot. The results of soil mineral analysis indicated variabilities in the mineral content of the soil before and after planting. While some trace element concentrations got depleted after planting, some appreciated considerably. In addition, variabilities observed in the mean leaf area, shoot height, girth, mean number of branches and leaves per representative plant on different soils suggested the critical role of minerals present in each soil type in plant development. Some essential minerals such as calcium and magnesium were returned to the soil in three-fold of their initial concentrations. This suggested that the plant could serve as a phytoremediator of such minerals, particularly in mineral deficient areas. Also, reduced acidity of the post-harvest soils further showed the plant’s capacity to mop up high acidity in an environment, thus; a good candidate for phytoremediation. For optimal yield in afore-mentioned growth parameters in a regulated environment, loam and silty clayey loam soils are recommended for cultivation of Amaranthus caudatus

Medicinal plants used in the management of diabetes mellitus 2015

Diabetes mellitus is one of the common endocrine disorders prevalent in almost all of the countries. This chronic pathology is characterized by hyperglycemia caused by defective insulin action, insulin secretion, or the combination of both. Prolonged persistence of elevated blood glucose level consequently caused a series of complications such as nephropathy, retinopathy, and cardiomyopathy. Currently available synthetic drugs for treating this disease are found to be associated with many adverse effects. The use of plants in medicine is an age-long practice in various parts of the globe for both preventive and curative purposes. Several warnings have been issued over lack of quality control, scientific evidence for the efficacy, and potential adverse effects of herbal remedies including hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity among others. Despite all of these, reliance on herbs as medicine for the management of diabetes mellitus is still much practiced by a large proportion of the world population because they are readily available and affordable with perceived reduced toxicity. Therefore, with the upsurge of interests in medicinal plants, there is a need for thorough scientific investigations of these plants for both efficacy and potential toxicity. In this issue, we present some recent advances in the use of medicinal plants for treating diabetes mellitus. B. Pang et al. (“Innovative Thoughts of Treating Diabetes from the Perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine”)presented a review article on the contribution of traditional Chinese medicine to the development of alternative and complementary medicine for the treatment and prevention of diabetes mellitus. In another paper (“Effect of Rhizoma Coptidis (Huang Lian) on Treating Diabetes Mellitus”), B. Pang et al. discussed the efficacy and safety of Rhizoma Coptidis in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. In another study (“Evaluation of the Effects of Cornus mas L. Fruit Extract on Glycemic Control and Insulin Level in Type 2 Diabetic Adult Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial”), R. Soltani et al. reported the results of a clinical trial on the effect of Cornus mas L. fruit extract on hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetic patients. In addition, W. Liu et al. (“The Effects of Chinese Medicine on Activation of Wnt/β-Catenin Signal Pathway under High Glucose Condition”) present a valuable review on some compounds implicated in the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway as a mechanism of action involved in the antihyperglycemic activity from Chinese medicine. Furthermore, A. O. T. Ashafa and M. I. Kazeem (“Toxicopathological Evaluation of Hydroethanol Extract of Dianthus basuticus in Wistar Rats”) reported on the effects of Dianthus basuticus (a Basotho plant with acclaimed antidiabetic activity) on some biochemical parameters and histology of Wistar rats. Finally, X.-J. Li et al. (“TCM Formula Xiaoyaosan Decoction Improves Depressive-Like Behaviors in Rats with Type 2 Diabetes”) evaluated the effect of traditional medicine formula, Xiaoyaosan, on the cognitive function of diabetic rats. After the first volume of this special issue that was published in 2014, we hope that this issue will present additional valuable information for scientists and clinicians

Insecticidal activities and chemical composition of the essential oil from Tarchonanthus camphoratus (L.), leaves against Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky, and Sitophilus oryzae (L.)

The essential oil of Tarchonanthus camphoratus dry leaves growing in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa was obtained by hydrodistillation and evaluated for its repellent effect, contact and fumigation toxicity against both Sitophilus zeamais and Sarocladium oryzae. Chemical composition of the essential oil was analysed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The study revealed that the essential oil of T. camphoratus had no contact and fumigation toxicity against stored insect pests, S. zeamais and S. oryzae. The oil, however, showed good repellent activity of over 50% after 24 h for all the concentrations used on both S. zeamais and S. oryzae. A total of 27 compounds accounting for 73% of the total oil composition were identified of which sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, (59.18%), were the most dominant. These results suggest that the essential oil of T. camphoratus could be considered a potential control agent of stored grain pests as a repellent

Growth and yield parameters of three cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) lines as affected by planting date and zinc application rate

Cowpea is one of the most important food legumes in most African countries. Cowpea is a valuable source of dietary protein for both humans and their livestock. There is limited information available on cowpea production and suitable agronomic practices, such as planting date, to best suit different environmental conditions in South Africa. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of two locations on cowpea production and the effect of planting date as affected by zinc application rate. Field experiments were conducted at two locations (Bien Donne’ and Nietvoorbij) in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, using two planting dates (2 October and 2 November), three cowpea lines (Veg1, M217 and Qukawa) and three zinc (Zn) fertiliser application levels (0 kg/ha, 15 kg/ha and 30 kg/ha) during the 2015 growing season. The experimental design was a randomised complete block with five replicates. The results showed that Veg1 and Qukawa lines performed significantly better in both vegetative and reproductive parameters when compared to M217 at both locations. Application of zinc fertiliser significantly (p<0.05) affected seed iron content in Veg1 and M217 at Bien Donne’ and seed iron content in M217 and zinc content in Veg1 at Nietvoorbij. Significance: • Cowpea lines Veg1 and Qukawa were the best performing lines in all parameters measured, making these two lines suitable for dual purpose cultivation. • Planting cowpea in November, rather than October, increased the crop production efficiency. • Cowpea showed a better overall total yield in the sandy soil of Bien Donne’ than in the sandy loam clay soil of Nietvoorbij. Open data set:  https://osf.io/u4veb/?view_only=45d90f5cd93949fb90cd0ee45055f92

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by traditional healers for the treatment of cancer in Hammanskraal and Winterveld, Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa

Background: Knowledge of medicinal plants used by the traditional healers are mostly confined among the locals and the adherents, hence, proper enquiry and documentation can help the ever dynamic scientific world to find permanent cure to the menace of such deadly diseases such as cancer. This study aimed at (1) specifically recording medicinal plants traditionally used for the treatment of cancer in Hammanskraal and Winterveld, South Africa, and (2) documenting the different methods of preparation and administration of those medicinal plants as recorded during the study. Method: An open-ended semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 90 willing traditional healers in Hammanskraal and Winterveld area, Tshwane Municipality, South Africa to document plants used for cancer treatments. The study was conducted over a period of six months (July – December, 2018). Descriptive statistics was used to present the obtained data. Results: The study recorded twenty-eight plant species belonging to 18 families for the treatment of different types of cancer. Plant species in the Fabaceae family particularly Lessertia frutescens (L.) Goldblatt and J.C. Manning, Senna italica Mill and Trifolium pratense L. were the most prominently mentioned (highest citation frequency) by the traditional healers for lung, and skin cancer treatment. Based on the citation frequency, the most treated cancer by the traditional healers is in the order: skin cancer &gt; lung cancer &gt; breast cancer &gt; prostate cancer &gt; cervical cancer. The method of preparation included decoction(32.3%), infusion (29%), paste (16.1%) and maceration (22.6%). Conclusion: In addition to the documentation of indigenous knowledge related to the use of medicinal plants in the traditional management of cancer in South Africa, this study opens a vista for investigations into the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of the documented plants. Keywords: Cancer; Indigenous plants; Medicinal plants; South Africa; Traditional practitioners

Effects of Veld Degradation on Biomass Production in the Arable Lands of South Africa

This paper reviews the impacts of veld degradation on species diversity, veld ecological condition. The major focus of this review is to assess the major critical factors that contributeto veld degradation. It is imperative to revitalize information on the effects of veld degradation in the South African pastoral farming systems. Current studies have indicated the limited research gaps that identify the adverse effects of veld degradation on species composition and biomass production. Grazing behavior in different grazing patterns has not been clear. Finally, this review will assist farmers, policymakers, and pastoralists to broaden their knowledge on policy development, and appropriate the veld management practices, coping measures of veld degradation, particularly those from resource-poor communities. Whereby, livestock production is the focus for food security and poverty alleviation. However, the use of legumes intercropped with temperate grass species can improve animal performance and herbage production during critical periods. The review further evaluates the veld management practices and their ability in providing adequate foliar cover with the use of the edible perennial grass plant that ensures long-term sustainable production with maximum economic returns during critical grazing seasons

Histomorphometric traits, microbiota, nutrient digestibility, growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality parameters of chickens fed diets supplemented with different levels of Bacillus protease

ABSTRACTThe effects of dietary Bacillus protease on broiler performance were examined. Three hundred ‘Cobb 500’ day-old broilers were randomly assigned to five dietary groups with five replicates of 12 birds each. Treatments include: PROT0; without protease addition (0 g/kg; control), PROT10, PROT15, PROT20 and PROT25 diets supplemented with Bacillus protease at the level of 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 g/kg, respectively. Birds fed PROT25 had the highest (p < 0.05) villi height and villi height to crypt depth ratio, as well as crypt depth at the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of intestine. At starter and finisher phases, BWG was the highest (p < 0.05), whereas FI and FCR had their lowest values in PROT25 group (p < 0.05). PROT25 broilers had the best (p < 0.05) energy efficiency ratio. Crude protein, dry matter, and crude fibre digestibility were improved (p < 0.05) with increased inclusion levels of Bacillus protease. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria count increased (p < 0.05) as the inclusion levels of Bacillus protease increased in both ileum and caecum, while E. coli population decreased. Chickens fed with the PROT25 diets had the highest (p < 0.05) values for carcass, thigh, breast and drumstick weight. Cooking loss decreased (p < 0.05) as the inclusion levels of Bacillus protease increased, while water holding capacity increased (p < 0.05). Highest Bacillus protease (2.5 g/kg) inclusion improved digestibility, gut integrity, and health status with a better FCR, body weight gain, and retail cut yields

Vigna subterranea ammonium transporter gene (VsAMT1): Some bioinformatics insights

Ammonium transporters (AMTs) play a role in the uptake of ammonium, the form in which nitrogen is preferentially absorbed by plants. Vigna subterranea (VsAMT1) and Solanum tuberosum (StAMT1) AMT1s were characterized using molecular biology and bioinformatics methods. AMT1-specific primers were designed and used to amplify the AMT1 internal regions. Nucleotide sequencing, alignment and phylogenetic analysis assigned VsAMT1 and StAMT1 to the AMT1 family. The deduced amino acid sequences showed that VsAMT1 is 92% and 89% similar to Phaseolus vulgaris PvAMT1.1 and Glycine max AMT1 respectively, while StAMT1 is 92% similar to Solanum lycopersicum LeAMT1.1, and correspond to the 5th–10th trans-membrane domains. Residues VsAMT1 D23 and StAMT1 D15 are predicted to be essential for ammonium transport, while mutations of VsAMT1 W1A-L and S87A and StAMT1 S76A may further enhance ammonium transport. In addition to nitrogen uptake from the roots, VsAMT1 may also contribute to interactions with rhizobia

The biological activities of β-glucosidase, phosphatase and urease as soil quality indicators: a review

Soil is a fundamental resource and it is crucial to manage its quality in order to enhance agricultural productivity and environmental quality. Soil enzymes catalyze several biochemical reactions which result in the transformation of organic matter, and the release of inorganic nutrients for plant growth and nutrient cycling. Soil enzyme activities are useful biological soil quality indicators since they are operationally practical, very sensitive, integrative, easy to measure and more responsive to soil tillage and structure than other soil variables. There are several enzymes in soil, but those involved in hydrolases and the degradation of main litter components are used most often for evaluating soil quality. This paper reviews the roles of soil enzymes such as β-glucosidase, phosphatase and urease, as well as the implications of their activities for soil quality