Crassocephalum Crepidioides Research Articles

Chromatographic Fingerprint Analysis, Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitory Properties and Antioxidant Activities of Redflower Ragleaf (C rassocephalum Crepidioides) Extract

Consumption of vegetables has been suggested to be a practical strategy in the management of several degenerative diseases. The present study characterized the phenolic constituents, assessed the acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect and evaluated the antioxidant properties of hydrophilic extracts of redflower ragleaf (Crassocephalum crepidioides [Benth.] S. Moore [Asteraceae]) used as food and traditional medicine in Africa. The vegetable extract was found to be rich in phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid) and flavonoids (quercetin and rutin). Furthermore, the extract (IC50 = 139.75 μg/mL) inhibited acetylcholinesterase activity in a dose-dependent manner and had high antioxidant properties as typified by the radical scavenging abilities, reducing property, Fe2+ chelating ability and inhibition of lipid peroxidation in brain tissue (in vitro). These results reveal that the vegetable extract is a rich source of phenolic compounds with antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory potential. Practical Applications Redflower ragleaf (Crassocephalum crepidioides) may be a good source of potential phenolic phytochemicals that act as natural antioxidants and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, and may be beneficial for treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

강원 횡성 및 제주지역 더덕밭 잡초발생양상

The weed flora in the Codonopsis lanceolata upland fields were surveyed in Hoengseong and Jeju in May, August, and October of 2014. The objectives of this study were to use the survey data for establishing weed control methods and to bring awareness of possible problematic weeds occurred in C. lanceolata upland fields in Korea. Altogether 207 weed species of 47 families were identified, of which 87 were annual, 47 species were biennial and 73 were perennial. Based on the morphological characteristic of the leaves, 182 species were broad leaves, 18 species were grasses, and 7 species were sedges. The dominance was highest in the Artemisia princeps followed by Digitaria ciliaris, Commelina communis, Persicaria longiseta and Echinochloa crus-galli etc. Fifty-nine species were exotic weeds with 29% of a total presence, of which Erigeron annuus was highest, followed by Crassocephalum crepidioides, Bidens frondosa, Hypochaeris radicata etc. In the PCA plot, weeds presented in the C. lanceolata upland fields of Hoengseong were divided into three groups, E. annuus, Sigesbeckia pubescence and C. communis communities and those of Jeju were divided into four groups, C. crepidioides-Cyperus iria, Spergula arvensis, Poa annua and Youngia japonica communities.

In-vitro anti-cholinesterase activity of essential oil from four tropical medicinal plants

The chemical inhibition of acetyl-cholinesterase (AChE) is a potent strategy for addressing signal related neuropathology and natural products are potential sources of compounds with such properties. Essential oil extracts from leaf, seed, stem and rhizome of four medicinal plants [Aframomum melegueta K. Schum, Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth S. More), Monodora myristica (Gaertn.), and Ocimum gratissimum (Linn)] were tested for acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitory activity (AChEI) using Ellman's colorimentric method and compared to a reference acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitor (galantamine). The seed (IC50=6.71mg/l) and leaf (IC50=6.54mg/l) extracts from O. gratissimum showed values that matched the capacity of the reference inhibitor (IC50=6.62mg/l). The least potent extract was rhizome extracts of A. melegueta (IC50=28.97mg/l) about four times that of the reference inhibitor. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that the intrinsic properties (bioactive ingredient factor) of each extract (PC1=29.50%) was the most important factor defining the difference or similarity in potency to the reference acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitor while ‘dose response’ (PC2=11.38%) was the second most important factor. The outstanding AChEI property of O. gratissimum extracts could largely be attributed to the high monoterpene content while the weak potency of rhizome extracts of A. melegueta may be attributed to its predominant concentrations of sesquiterpenes. Since potency could be related to interaction between bioactive components, understanding the interaction between ratios of monoterpene and sesquiterpene in extracts could be important in determining their potency for AChEI.

A field-scale study of cadmium phytoremediation in a contaminated agricultural soil at Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand: (1) Determination of Cd-hyperaccumulating plants

The cadmium (Cd) phytoremediation capabilities of Gynura pseudochina, Chromolaena odorata, Conyza sumatrensis, Crassocephalum crepidioides and Nicotiana tabacum were determined by conducting in-situ experiments in a highly Cd-contaminated agricultural field at Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand. Most of these five plant species, which are commonly found in Thailand, previously demonstrated Cd-hyperaccumulating capacities under greenhouse conditions. This study represented an important initial step in determining if any of these plants could, under field-conditions, effectively remove Cd from the Mae Sot contaminated fields, which represent a health threat to thousands of local villagers. All plant species had at least a 95% survival rate on the final harvest day. Additionally, all plant species, except C. odorata, could hyperaccumulate the extractable Cd amounts present in the soil, based on their associated Bioaccumulation Factor (BAF), Translocation Factor (TF), and background Vegetation Factor (VF). Therefore, the four Cd-hyperaccumulating plant species identified in this study may successfully treat a majority of contaminated fields at Mae Sot, as it was previously reported that Cd amounts present in a number of these soils were mostly available.

Potency of Traditional Insecticide Materials against Stored Bean Weevil, Acanthoscelides Obtectus (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in Tanzania

The bean weevil, Acanthoscelides obtectus is a major insect pest of stored common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris an important source of plant protein in many parts of the world, Tanzania inclusive. In rural Tanzania, most smallholder farmers apply traditional insecticide materials in the protection of bean from insect pests. The laboratory study investigates the potency of the selected traditional insecticide materials employed by small scale farmers to reduce stored bean losses caused by A. obtectus . The materials were identified and collected from Kimuli and Mabira villages in Kagera region and from Dar es Salaam. The effect of the materials to A. obtectus at different doses and durations was determined by both the number of surviving insects in treated set-ups reflecting the insect mortality and by the insects' reproductive performance at first filial generation (F1). The findings revealed effectiveness of the materials against A. obtectus to vary in the order: Azadirachta indica > Tephrosia vogelii > Nicotiana tabacum > Vegetation ash > Ocimum gratissimum > Crassocephalum crepidioides . Kruskal-Wallis test indicated significant differences in the number of A. obtectus survivors among the treatments at different doses during the study periods and also in the number of insects’ progeny (F1) produced at the end of their life cycle. It was concluded that the materials exhibit potency against A. obtectus at varying levels. Keywords : Traditional insecticide materials, Acanthoscelides obtectus , potency, Phaseolus vulgaris , mortality

제주 정의읍성 벽면식생에 근거한 벽면식재용 식물 선정에 관한 기초연구

본 연구는 제주도를 비롯하여 온대남부지방 성벽 벽면녹화에 적절한 식물종 선정을 위한 기초자료 제시를 목적으로 시도되었다. 제주 정의읍성 외곽 성벽의 식생을 조사 분석하여, 그 벽면식생의 가치특성과 문제점을 진단한 본 연구의 주요 결론은 다음과 같다. 성벽에 자생하는 식물은 총 52분류군이며, 이 중 방가지똥, 약모밀, 주홍서나물, 개망초, 자주광대나물 등 5분류군은 귀화식물로 분류되었다. 한편, 조사구별 출현종수는 3~14분류군이며, 평균 자생식물은 7.1분류군으로 나타났다. 상재도 III등급 이상의 식물은 말똥비름, 하늘타리, 송악, 모시풀이었으며, 종조성표 조작 결과, 정의읍성 성벽에 자생하는 식물종은 군락구분종 11분류군, 수반종 41분류군으로 총 52분류군으로 밝혀졌다. 자료 고찰 결과, 성벽 벽면식재를 위해 활용성이 높은 식물은 송악, 왕모람, 줄사철나무 등의 상록성 만경식물과 담쟁이덩굴, 하늘타리, 계요등 등의 낙엽성 만경식물로 밝혀졌다. 특히 왕모람은 남향의 성벽에 더욱 유용한 법면식생 재료로 추천한다. 이밖에 으름덩굴, 푼지나무, 가새잎개머루, 장딸기, 사위질빵 등의 목본식물과 각시마, 단풍마, 부채마, 거지덩굴 그리고 좁은잎계요등 등의 초본식물은 남부지방의 성벽을 비롯한 벽면식재용 재료로 활용 가능성이 높은 것으로 판단된다. 이밖에 콩짜개덩굴을 비롯하여 봉의꼬리, 도깨비 쇠고비, 실고사리 등의 양치식물은 제주도를 비롯하여 남부지방 성벽 고유의 지역성 반영을 위해 매우 유용한 식물로 판단된다. The purpose of this study is to examine vegetation of the outer walls of the Jeongyi Town Wall in Jeju and analyze the characteristics and problems identified, for suggesting preliminary data for selecting species of plants appropriate for the greening of the walls in the southern temperate climate region, including Jeju. The result of this study is as follows. The number of plants growing naturally around the walls of the town was identified to be 52 taxa. Based on the list of naturalized plants, there are 5 taxa; Sonchus oleraceus, Houttuynia cordata, Crassocephalum crepidioides, Erigeron annuus and Lamium purpureum. The number of species by district was from 3 to 14 taxa with 7.1 taxa on average. Analyzing by the constancy class, plants in class III included Sedum bulbiferum, Trichosanthes kirilowii, Hedera rhombea and Boehmeria nivea. Manipulation of the species composition table shows that the number of plant species growing naturally around the walls of Jeongyi Town Wall is a total of 52 taxa, including 11 taxa by differential species of community and 41 taxa by companion species. The types of plants very useful for the covering of the walls are evergreen climbing vine, such as Hedera rhombea, Ficus thunbergii and Euonymus fortunei and deciduous climbing vine, such as Parthenocissus tricuspidata, Trichosanthes kirilowii and Paederia scandens. In addition, Ficus stipulata is identified as a vegetation more appropriate for the southern-ward lattice-blocked walls. Woody plants, such as Akebia quinata, Celastrus flagellaris, Ampelopsis brevipedunculata for. citrulloides, Rubus hirsutus, Clematis apiifolia and herbaceous plants, such as Dioscorea tenuipes, D. quinqueloba, D. nipponica, Cayatia japonica and Paederia scandens var. angustifolia are highly useful materials for climbing plants for covering the walls of the southern province. Pteridophyte, such as Lemmaphyllum microphyllum, Pteris multifida, Cyrtomium falcatum and Lygodium japonicumare suggested as very useful for increasing unique regional characteristics of the southern province, including Jeju.

제주 성읍민속마을의 귀화식물 분포현황 및 관리방안

제주 성읍민속마을의 귀화식물 분포현황 및 관리방안

STUDY ON ESSENTIAL OIL COMPOSITION OF THE ROOTS OF CRASSOCEPHALUM CREPIDIOIDES (BENTH.) S. MOORE

ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to analyzed chemical constituents of the essential oil, obtained by hydro distillation of the roots of Crassocephalum crepidi -oides (Benth.) S. Moore. The oil was analyzed using gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Forty-seven compounds were identified, representing 93.2 % of the total oil. The main constituents were ( E )-β-farnesene (30.6%), α-humulene (10.3%), β-caryophyllene (7.2%), cis -β-guaiene (6.1%) and α-bulnesene (5.3%). The oil was constituted mainly of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (77.6%), followed by oxygenated sesquiterpenes (8.7%), oxygenated monoterpene s (3.5%), monoterpene hydrocarbons (2.8%) and phenyl derivatives (0.6%). This is the first report on the essential oil composition of the roots of C. crepidioides . Keywords: Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore, Essential oil composition, ( E )-β-Farnesene, GC/MS. INTRODUCTION

Flowering, post-pollination development and propagation of Ebolo (<i>crassocephalum crepidioides</i> (benth.) S. Moore) in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

A study of Crassocephalum crepidioides , a green leafy vegetable mainly collected from the wild in Nigeria and other parts of Africa, was conducted in order to elucidate flowering, postpollination developments, seed production and germination potential of the plant and investigate the eligibility of other propagation methods. From the flowering studies, it was discovered that peripheral florets opened and were pollinated before central florets. The species had appropriate or good pollination period, however, there might not be sufficient pollens for pollination. The post-pollination period for the maturity of the developing fruits/achenes was observed to be short leading to the production of many immature and malformed fruits or achenes. Partial reflexing and no reflexing of the receptacle were observed to be hindering adequate fruit dispersal. Crassocephalum crepidioides produced up to 768-1152 seeds per plant indicating that the seed production potential of the plant is very high. Germination percentage was not consistent with age and may be influenced by seed maturity. Seeds are photoblastic and germination was promoted by soaking in water. Vegetative propagation was hindered by floral initiation. Keywords : Crassocephalum crepidioides , flowering, germination potential, post-pollination development, vegetative propagation

Proximate, mineral and vitamin C composition of vegetable Gbolo [<i>Crassocephalum rubens</i> (Juss. ex Jacq.) S. Moore and <i>C. crepidioides</i> (Benth.) S. Moore] in Benin

Gbolo (Crassocephalum crepidioides and Crassocephalum rubens) is a traditional leafy vegetable highly consumed in southern and central Benin, as well as in some part of northern Benin. The nutritional potential of the two species of Gbolo were evaluated through their proximate composition, mineral and vitamin C profile using recommended AOAC method of analysis. The analysis revealed that the contents in raw protein, total lipids, ash and carbohydrates expressed in % of dry matter were 27.13±0.01%,3.45± 0.00%,19.02± 0.01%and 42.22 ± 0.04% for C. crepidioides; 26.43± 0.01%, 2.75± 0.01%, 19.76± 0.05% and 43.11±0.10 % for C. rubens respectively. The content of vitamin C for 100g of fresh leaf is of 9.17 mg for C. crepidioides and 3.60 mg for C. rubens. The moisture content (% of cool matter) and the total metabolizable energy (kcal/100 g of dried matter) were respectively 86.79± 0.04 %and 308.45 ± 0.28 for C. crepidioides and 87.95% ± 0.07 %and 302.91 ± 0.56 for C. rubens. The result of the mineral composition indicated that the sodium (Na), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn) and Copper (Cu) contents were higher in C. rubensthan in C. crepidioides. With regard to the obtained values, the Gbolo vegetable showed a satisfactory composition and a significant variability between the mineral salts in its two species and can be valorised for a balanced nutrition of populations. Efforts should be made for the promotion of its wide cultivation and consumption. © 2013 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Benin, Crassocephalum, Gbolo, mineral composition, proximate composition, vitamin C.

FIRST REPORT OF THE OCCURRENCE OF EMILIA YELLOW VEIN VIRUS IN CRASSOCEPHALUM CREPIDIOIDES IN CHINA

In May of 2008, the wide occurrence of Emilia sonchifolia plants with yellow vein symptoms was observed in the Chinese province of Fujian. Symptomatic plants were infected with Emilia yellow vein virus (EmYVV) (Yang et al., 2008). Subsequently, the presence of thickhead plants (Crassocephalum crepidioides) show- ing foliar yellow vein symptoms was noticed in proximity to symp- tomatic E. sonchifolia. Total DNA was extracted from symptomatic C. crepidioides leaves and tested by rolling circle amplification (Haible et al., 2006). Amplification products were digested by the restriction enzyme EcoRI for 30 min. Restriction products (2.7 kb) were then cloned and sequenced. Comparison of DNA sequences by Clustal V analysis revealed the occurrence of EmYVV and an isolate denoted Fz12 was selected for further sequence analysis. The genome of EmYVV isolate Fz12 was 2,726 nt in size and had the typical genomic organization of begomoviral DNA-A (Gen- Bank accession No. JQ247188). A BLAST analysis of the NCBI database disclosed that isolate Fz12 had the highest nucleotide se- quence identity (99.67%) with that of an EmYVV isolate from E. sonchifolia (GenBank accession No. EU377539). To our knowl- edge, this is the first report of the natural occurrence of EmYVV in C. crepidioides, a common weed species in the People’s Republic of China.

Ethnobotanical investigation and diversity of Gbolo (Crassocephalum rubens (Juss. ex Jacq.) S. Moore and Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore), a traditional leafy vegetable under domestication in Benin

Thirty five villages randomly selected across ethnic and agro-ecological zones of Benin were surveyed to document the indigenous knowledge associated with the domestication (bringing into cultivation), production and utilization of vegetable Gbolo (Crassocephalum spp.). The study revealed the existence of different morphotypes (1–4 per village) corresponding to two botanical species (Crassocephalum rubens (Juss. ex Jacq.) S. Moore) and (Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore) found unequally distributed throughout the country. The domestication (bringing into cultivation from the wild) of Gbolo was started in many villages and with some tribes in southern Benin, the vegetable is already being produced in sole cropping for commercial purposes. Regular consumption (49.90 % of responses) and scarcity (20.30 % of responses) were the two main reasons attributed by the interviewees for domestication of the vegetable. The cultural practices recorded were of five categories. The commonest cropping system found was mixed or inter-row cropping (92.31 % of producers) with either vegetable crops (53.85 % of producers) or non-vegetable crops (38.46 % of users). Sauce prepared with either fresh or dried leaves was the main type of preparation of Gbolo and the vegetable was reported to possess special nutritional and medicinal values. For further promotion, important researches directions are suggested.

Analysis of the Essential Oils of Leaves and Stems of Crassocephalum crepidioides Growing in South Western Nigeria

The essential oils from fresh leaves and stems of Crassocephalum crepidioides (Asteraceae) growing wild in south western Nigeria and used as food supplement by the local population were extracted. The essential oils were extracted using Clevenger- type hydrodistiller and analysed by GC- MS. The percentage yields of oils were 0.12 %v/w and 0.09 %v/w, respectively. The essential oils of the leaves contained alpha-caryophyllene (10.29 %), beta-cubebene (13.77 %) and alpha-farnesene (13.27 %) as major constituents while the dominant constituents of the stems oil were thymol (43.93 %), alpha-caryophyllene (15.16 %) and 4-cyclohexybutyramide (20.94 %).

Chemical and Phytochemical Profile of Some Uncommon Green Leafy Vegetables Consumed In South West, Nigeria

Green Leafy Vegetables (GLV) plays a vital role in the food culture of Nigerians and Africans as a whole. In this study, eleven green leafy vegetables not commonly consumed from south west Nigeria were analysed for proximate composition, mineral compositions and phytochemicals composition (Tannins, flavonoids and alkaloids). The green leafy vegetables analysed with corresponding local names were Launea taraxacifolia Yanrin, Struchium sparaganophora Ewuro Odo, Cnidoscolus aconitifolina Iyan Ipaja, Vernonia amygdalina Ewuro, Solanum nigrum Odu, Crassocephalum crepidioides Ebolo, Ocimum gratissimum Efirin, Manihot esculenta Ewe ege, Colocassia esulenta Ewe koko, Cerathoteca sesamoides Ekuku and Bidens pinnata Abere oloko. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) among the samples in chemical and phytochemical composition. The percentage moisture, protein, ether extract, ash, crude fibre, and carbohydrate content range from 78.60 to 88.47%, 1.76 to 3.36%, 0.20 to 2.93%, 1.73 to 4.43%, 2.56 to 3.73% and 2.93 to 12.33% respectively. The calcium, Iron, magnesium and phosphate also range from 87.67 to 187.33mg/kg, 2.50 to 7.50mg/kg, 2.33 to 5.23mg/kg and 33.66 to 115.67mg/kg respectively. The phytochemicals determined are: Tannin, total alkaloid and flavonoid with values 8.33 to 39.00mg/kg, 6.50 to 13.83mg/kg and 12.53 to 35.33mg/kg respectively. The data suggests that the eleven leafy vegetables analysed have both nutritional and phytochemical potentials.

Antioxidant Activities and Food Value of Five Underutilized Green Leafy Vegetables in South Western Nigeria

Objectives: To determine the food value and antioxidant activities of five underutilized leafy vegetables namely: Bidens pilosa L.-Beggar’s ticks/ Cobbler’s pegs; Celosia trigyna L.- Woolflower; Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth) S. Moore - Fireweed/Redflower ragleaf; Launaea taracifolia (L.) Cars- Wild lettuce and Solanum nigrum L. - Black Nightshade/Sun berry. Materials and methods: Fresh shoots of the five vegetables were collected from the wild, cleaned and milled. Food values which include proximate, minerals, and vitamin C contents were analyzed following the routine chemical analytical methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists. 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging effect and phenolic compounds concentrations of the plants extracts were determined spectrophotometrically. Results: The antioxidant activities and nutrient contents of the five vegetables showed variable trends and considerable high values. Across the vegetables, antioxidant activities ranged from 67.2% (L. taracifolia) to 91.8% (B. pilosa) at a concentration of 1mg/ml of the extracted material. The total phenol contents were between 5953.5±1.5 and 10193.5±0.5 mg/100g. The flavonoid contents varied from 3438±1.00 to 4974±1.00 mg/100g. Anthocyanin content in mg/100g ranged from 0.385±0.005 to 5.065±0.015 while Proanthocyanidin content varied from 0.125±0.05 to 2.050±0.15 in the extract powder. Crude protein values ranged from 3.5 to 9.16 g/100g, Carbohydrate contents varied from 1.09 to 9.43 g/100g while ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) compositions ranged from 27.2 to 87.3 mg/100g. Ca content ranged from 31.23 to 54.90 mg/100g, while Fe content varied from 21.25 to 139.75 mg/100g. Conclusion: The vegetables contained appreciable quantities of protein, iron, calcium and vitamin C. The antioxidant activities and phenolic antioxidant contents of the vegetables were also high. The health claims associated with some of these food values and bioactive compounds are noteworthy, thereby underlining the potential role of these underutilized vegetables as functional foods.

Host range of Secusio extensa (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), and potential for biological control of Senecio madagascariensis (Asteraceae)

Secusio extensa (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) was evaluated as a potential biological control agent for Madagascar fireweed, Senecio madagascariensis (Asteraceae), which has invaded over 400 000 acres of rangeland in the Hawaiian Islands and is toxic to cattle and horses. The moth was introduced from southeastern Madagascar into containment facilities in Hawaii, and host specificity tests were conducted on 71 endemic and naturalized species (52 genera) in 12 tribes of Asteraceae and 17 species of non-Asteraceae including six native shrubs and trees considered key components of Hawaiian ecosystems. No-choice feeding tests indicated that plant species of the tribe Senecioneae were suitable hosts with first instars completing development to adult stage on S. madagascariensis (78.3%), Delairea odorata (66.1%), Senecio vulgaris (57.1%), Crassocephalum crepidioides (41.2%), and at significantly lower rates on Emilia fosbergii (1.8%) and Erechtites hieracifolia (1.3%). A low rate of complete larval development also was observed on sunflower, Helianthus annuus (11.6%), in the tribe Heliantheae. However, sunflower was rejected as a potential host in larval-feeding and adult oviposition choice tests involving the primary host S. madagascariensis as control. Although larvae died as first instars on most test species, incomplete development and low levels of feeding were observed on nine species in the tribes Heliantheae, Cardueae and Lactuceae. Larvae did not feed on any non-Asteraceae tested, including species with similar pyrrolizidene alkaloid chemistry, crops, and six ecologically prominent native species. Because all species of Senecioneae are non-native and weedy in Hawaii, these results indicate that S. extensa is sufficiently host-specific for introduction for biological control. High levels of feeding damage observed on potted plants indicate that S. extensa can severely impact the target fireweed as well as D. odorata, a noxious weed in native Hawaiian forests.

First report of Ageratum enation virus infecting Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore and Ageratum conyzoides L. in India

In October 2009, vein yellowing disease was observed on the weeds Crassocephalum crepidioides and Ageratum conyzoides in a subtemperate region in northern India. Ageratum enation virus (AEV), along with a nanovirus like satellite DNA 1, was found to be associated with both weeds. The isolates had 99% identity with each other and with an isolate of AEV reported from Zinnia elegans from this region. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first of any begomovirus infection in C. crepidioides in India and the first on AEV infecting C. crepidioides worldwide and A. conyzoides in India.

Abstracts of Nippon Dojo-Hiryogaku Zasshi

Abstracts of Nippon Dojo-Hiryogaku Zasshi

Factors affecting the seed germination and seedling emergence of redflower ragleaf (Crassocephalum crepidioides)

Redflower ragleaf (Crassocephalum crepidioides) is a weed, as well as a minor vegetable, in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The influence of environmental factors and seed conditions on the germination and emergence of redflower ragleaf have been evaluated in order to help understand its distribution and to develop effective management strategies. The seeds germinated at a constant temperature in the range of 10–30°C and reached a maximum at 15–20°C. The highest germination rate was recorded at an alternating temperature of 20/15°C (day/night). The seeds germinated over a wide pH range (2–12), with the highest germination rate at between 4 and 10. Germination under saturated and flooded conditions was also high. The germination of seeds from opened (mature) capitula was significantly higher than from partially opened or unopened capitula. The germination of seeds without a pappus was significantly higher than for seeds with a pappus. The germination rate of 1 year old seeds decreased drastically when compared to that of freshly harvested seeds. The seedling emergence rate was ∼63% for those seeds placed on the soil surface, but no seedling emerged from a depth of ≥1 cm. These results indicate that redflower ragleaf seeds can germinate in various environmental conditions, but that the percentage that germinates will be different in different environments. Regeneration could be effectively prevented by at least a 1 cm soil covering or by destroying the plant before the capitula open. In contrast, freshly harvested seeds from opened capitula should be sown on the soil surface when redflower ragleaf is to be cultivated as a vegetable.

Invasiveness evaluation of fireweed (Crassocephalum crepidioides) based on its seed germination features

In China, fireweed (Crassocephalum crepioides) is listed as an invasive plant that is also cultivated as a vegetable. To gain a clearer understanding of its invasiveness and rapid spread, we evaluated its seed dispersal ability, and the influences of light, temperature, pH, NaCl stress, moisture content, and storage periods on its seed germination. Its seed dispersal ability is limited. The seed germination of fireweed is inhibited by darkness, temperatures &lt;10°C or &gt;35°C, and a NaCl solution with a concentration &gt;0.15 mol L−1. The optimal conditions under which nearly all the seeds could germinate are light, with temperatures from 20 to 30°C, and a neutral soil with 40% moisture content. The seeds of fireweed have no apparent dormancy and retain a high viability after room storage for 10 months. Fireweed only has a moderate invasive capacity and its wide distribution in China possibly correlates with its cultivation.