Dactyloctenium Aegyptium Research Articles

Phytotoxicity of Rich Oxygenated Terpenes Essential Oil of Prosopis farcta against the Weed Dactyloctenium aegyptium

Weeds are considered the main reason for crop yield loss in the world. Weed control and management include various treatments such as cultural, physical, chemical, and biological methods. Chemical control of weeds is the most common method; however, the application of commercial synthetic herbicides caused several dangerous hazards in the environment including the appearance of resistant weed biotypes. Prosopis farcta (Banks & Sol.) J.F.Macbr. (Family: Fabaceae), is a common weed plant in the Middle East, where it is hard to eliminate due to its deep and overlapped roots. On the other side, it has many traditional uses around the world. Herein, the essential oil (EO) of P. farcta above-ground parts was extracted via hydrodistillation techniques and then analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). From the GC-MS analysis, 47 compounds were identified with a relative concentration of 98.02%, including terpenes as the main components (95.08%). From overall identified compounds, cubenol (19.07%), trans-chrysanthenyl acetate (17.69%), torreyol (8.28%), davana ether (3.50%), camphor (3.35%), and farnesyl acetone (3.13%) represented the abundant constituents. Furthermore, the phytotoxic activity of the P. farcta EO was assessed against the weed Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Willd. The EO of P. farcta, at a concentration of 100 µL L−1, significantly inhibited the germination, seedling shoot growth, and seedling root growth by 64.1, 64.0, and 73.4%, respectively. The results exhibited that the seedling root growth is the most affected followed by the seed germination and seedling shoot growth with respective IC50 at 64.5, 80.5, and 92.9 µL L−1. It can be concluded that weeds are not absolutely harmful, but they may have beneficial uses, such as, for example as a source of phytochemicals with application in weed control practices (bioherbicides). It is advised to conduct additional research to characterize the allelopathic action of the major chemicals in their pure form, either alone or in combination, against a variety of weeds.

Ecological Survey on Species of Poaceae Family Present in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Campus Awka, Anambra State

An ecological survey was done on the species of poaceae family present in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka campus. Data was collected from eight different zones of the campus which was randomly divided for adequate coverage and proper representation. Species dominance, percentage cover of species, abundance and diversity of poaceae species were recorded. The result of the study showed that a total of 24 poaceae species were identified in the study area; Eleusine indica had the highest species abundance across the eight zones, with a total frequency of 36 and a total average cover of 28.59, while Sporobulus pyramidalis is the second most abundant with a frequency of 35 and Pennisetum polystachion is the third most abundant with a frequency of 25. The result went further to show the various distributions of the poaceae species across the different zones. Eleusine indica had a relative abundance of 19.4%, followed by Sporobulus pyramidalis (16%) and Pennisetum polystachion (13.5%). More so, Andropogon gayanus had a relative abundance of (8.1%) while Andropogon tectorum, Brachiaria falcifera, Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Digistaria horizontalis as well as Eragrostis tenella, Eragrostis tremela, Panicum maximum and Pennisetum violaccum all had the lowest relative abundance of 0.5 % each. The result of Shannon Wiener index for species of poaceae family in the study area was 2.59 and this showed that there is high diversity of species of poaceae family in the study area which invariably indicates a great potential for utilization in conservation and ecological purposes.

Morphometrics, Habitat and Breeding Activity of Asian Common Toad, <i>Duttaphrynus melanostictus</i>, in Pakistan

The scientific data on ecology of amphibians from Pakistan are scarce. Asian Common Toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) is widely distributed in South Asia, and has been introduced outside its range causing severe ecological problems. We gathered data on morphometrics, habitat and breeding activity of the species in its western edge, North Punjab, Pakistan, of the range. The morphometric measurements of Asian Common Toad showed that the males were 49 ± 3.4 mm in snout vent length while the females were 58 ± 5.5 mm. Of the 13 measurements tested, the factor analysis produced five (head width, forelimb length, femur length, width of upper eyelid and foot length) significant measurements (r 0.80) for male while six (snout-vent length, head width, head length, greatest tympanum diameter, forelimb length, length of tarsus and foot) for female. The substrate of the habitat of Asian Common Toad was recorded as muddy to stony; water with neutral to slightly alkaline pH; dominated by herbs: Cannabis sativa, Parthenium hysterophorus; shrubs: Dodonaea viscosa, Lantana camara; grasses: Cynodon dactylon, Dactyloctenium aegyptium; and hydrophytes Alternanthera sessilis and Centella asiatica. The mean air and water temperature (day) during the breeding period were 27 – 30.5 and 25 – 28.5°C, respectively. The toad species laid eggs in small sized pools with lentic to slow-moving water with the mean depth of 32 – 64 cm. The males were more abundant than females (2.14♂:1♀) at the breeding sites. The advertisement call was of 9.3 ± 0.80 sec duration with a single note and 49.5 ± 6.5 nodes, –7.45 ± 0.95 average amplitude, 776 ± 51.8 Hz minimum frequency and 7011 ± 1680 Hz maximum frequency.

Influence of Season and Habitat on the Essential Oils Composition, Allelopathy, and Antioxidant Activities of Artemisia monosperma Delile

Plants belonging to the Artemisia genus (Asteraceae) are widely distributed worldwide and have many ethnopharmacological, traditional, therapeutic, and phytochemical aspects. Artemisia monosperma is an important aromatic plant due to its traditional and therapeutic uses and phytochemical diversity, including essential oils (EOs). The EO chemical profile of aromatic plants has been reported to be affected by exogenous and endogenous factors. Geographic and seasonal variations are crucial factors shaping the chemical composition of the EO. Herein, the variations of the yields, chemical profiles, and allelopathic and antioxidant activities of A. monosperma EOs collected from three regions in four seasons were assessed. A slight variation in the oil yields was observed among regions and seasons, while the chemical profile, characterized via GC-MS, exhibited significant quantitative and qualitative variation among either regions or seasons. Sesquiterpenes were the main components of all EOs, with significant variation in concentration. In most EO samples, the summer-plant samples had the highest concentration of sesquiterpenes, followed by spring, winter, and autumn. The 7-epi-trans-sesquisabinene hydrate, 6-epi-shyobunol, dehydro-cyclolongifolene oxide, isoshyobunone, diepicedrene-1-oxide, dehydro-aromadendrene, and junipene were the main compounds of all the EO samples. The extracted EOs of the A. monosperma samples showed considerable allelopathic activity against the weed Dactyloctenium aegyptium and the crop Lactuca sativa. A significant variation in allelopathic activity was observed among samples collected during different seasons, while the samples of the autumn and summer seasons had more potential. Also, L. sativa was more affected by the EO compared to D. aegyptium, reflecting that weeds are more resistant to allelochemicals. In this context, the EOs of A. monosperma samples exhibited substantial antioxidant activity with the same pattern of allelopathic activity, whereas the samples of the autumn and summer seasons showed higher antioxidant activity. These biological activities of the EOs could be ascribed to the higher content of oxygenated compounds. The present study revealed that seasons have a substantial effect on EO production as well as composition. In consequence, the biological activities varied with the variation of the chemical profile of the EO. These results show the importance of season/timing for sampling aromatic plants.

Specific diversity of Vachellia tortilis subsp. raddiana formations in Kilakam and N'Guel kolo in the Diffa region, Niger

Objective: The objective of the study was to analyse the ecological and floristic indicators of natural formations with Vachellia tortilis subsp. raddiana. Methodology and Results: The present study was conducted in the departments of Maine-Soroa and Goudoumaria located in the Diffa region, in the extreme south-east of Niger Phytosociological data were collected using the Braun-Blanquet sigmatiste method and the Daget and Poissonet quadrat point method. In total, 80 plots were delimited. The data collected are related to the coverage of plant species and environmental variables. The spectra of biological and phytogeographical types were calculated. Hierarchical Ascending Classification (HAC), Canonical Detrended Analysis (CDA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) were used to determine the plant groupings and their ecological and floristic characteristics. The results revealed a total species richness of 72 plant species divided into 34 families and 70 genera. The most represented families are Poaceae (18.06%), Fabaceae- Mimosoideae, and Convolvulaceae (8.33% each). Therophytes are the most represented biological type (50%). Paleotropical species is the dominant phytogeographic type (37.5%). The ascending hierarchical classification (CHA) and the Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) allowed to discriminate three (3) plant groupings with V. tortilis. These are the Vachellia tortilis and Dactyloctenium aegyptium group (G1) and the Vachellia tortilis and Cenchrus biflorus group (G2) observed on the dune flats and slopes and the Vachellia tortilis and Schoenefeldia gracilis group (G3) in the lowlands. The analysis of structural parameters showed that the population of V. tortilis is characterized by an average density of 102.5±22.10 plants/ha with individuals having an average diameter of 14.68±8.22 cm, an average height of 5.24±1.49 m and an average cover of 25.58±16.47 m². Conclusion and application of results: This study constitutes a reference state that can serve as a basis for sustainable management of the ecosystems in these areas, whose main uses are essentially pastoral. Key words: Vachellia tortilis, Biological types, Phytogeographical types, Floristic diversity, Niger.

Exploration of the bioenergy potential of Dactyloctenium aegyptium through pyrolysis, kinetics, and thermodynamic parameters to produce clean fuels and biochemicals

The Egyptian grass (Dactyloctenium aegyptium) is a common low-cost coarse grass which is adapted to poor soils. The biomass of the Egyptian grass may be used to produce cleaner and sustainable fuels through pyrolysis without causing any contradictory impact on the land for food. It is profound to understand the thermochemical character of the Egyptian grass biomass for its efficient thermal conversion to clean fuels and chemicals. The current study elucidated the pyrolysis process of this biomass for the very first time based on the pyrolysis data. Heat-dried powdered biomass of Dactyloctenium aegyptium was pyrolyzed at 10 min−1, 30 min−1 and 50 °C min−1 in a simultaneous Thermogravimetry–Differential Scanning Calorimetry analyzer (TGA-DSC) under nitrogen atmosphere. Isoconversional models of Kissenger-Akahira-Sunose (KSA), Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) and first and second order reaction kinetics model were used to analyze the pyrolytic kinetic parameters. The pyrolysis of D. aegyptium grass biomass was shown to be a three-stage pyrolysis process where around 50 % of the product formation was happening within a narrow temperature range of 240–360 °C with the Activation energies ranged from 167 to 267 kJ mol−1 and thermodynamic parameters including 18.25–18.63 MJ kg−1 of high heating values, 169–177 kJ mol−1 of Gibb’s free energies, and 166–256 kJ mol−1 of reaction enthalpy have shown the outstanding pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis potential of Egyptian grass to produce clean fuels.

Effect of <i>Acacia albida</i> Leaf Supplementation on Reproductive Parameters and Pre-Weaning Growth of Arabian Lambs

A trial on Acacia albida leaf supplementation on reproductive parameters and pre-weaning growth of Arabian lambs was conducted from September 2020 to May 2021 at the small ruminant station of the Livestock Research Institute for Development (IRED) in N’Djamena, Chad. Forty-eight (48) Arabian sheep (45 non-pregnant females and 3 males for a sex ratio of 1 ram to 15 ewes) with an average weight of 20.3 ± 1.2 kg and aged approximately 2 years were divided into 3 groups of 15 ewes each. The supplemented group received in addition to the dominant forage of the pasture (300 g of Dactyloctenium aegyptium + 300 g of Cenchrus ciliaris + 600 g of Panicum maximum), 400 g and 600 g of Acacia albida leaves/animal/day while the control group received only 300 g of Dactyloctenium aegyptium + 300 g of Cenchrus ciliaris + 600 g of Panicum maximum. From the results of this study, it appears that the ewes that received 400 g of Acacia albida leaves had a significantly higher fertility rate and birth mortality rate (93.03% and 6.25% respectively). Animals in the control group had a significantly higher pre-weaning mortality rate than those receiving Acacia albida leaves as a supplement (16.66% versus 6.66% and 14.28% respectively). The highest weight of the lambs was observed in the ration supplemented with 600 g of Acacia albida leaves (12209.66 g). The total weight gain, as well as the average daily weight gain of the lambs receiving the 600 g Acacia albida leaf ration was significantly higher than those of the other rations. Supplementation with 400 g and 600 g of Acacia albida leaves can be recommended as a protein supplement for breeding ewes and pre-weaned lambs.

Volatile Oils Discrepancy between Male and Female Ochradenus arabicus and Their Allelopathic Activity on Dactyloctenium aegyptium.

Volatile oils (VOs) composition of plants is affected by several exogenous and endogenous factors. Male and female plants of the dioecious species exhibit variation in the bioactive constituents' allocation. The chemical variation in the VOs between male and female plants is not well studied. In the present study, the chemical characterization of the VOs extracted from aerial parts of male and female ecospecies of Ochradenus arabicus was documented. Additionally, the extracted VOs were tested for their allelopathic activity against the weed Dactyloctenium aegyptium. Via GC-MS analysis, a total of 53 compounds were identified in both male and female plants. Among them, 49 compounds were identified from male plants, and 47 compounds were characterized in female plants. Isothiocyanates (47.50% in male and 84.32% in female) and terpenes (48.05% in male and 13.22% in female) were the main components of VOs, in addition to traces of carotenoid-derived compounds and hydrocarbons. The major identified compounds of male and female plants are m-tolyl isothiocyanate, benzyl isothiocyanate, butyl isothiocyanate, isobutyl isothiocyanate, carvone, and α-bisabolol, where they showed variation in the concentration between male and female plants. The O. arabicus VOs of the male plants attained IC50 values of 51.1, 58.1, and 41.9 μL L-1 for the seed germination, seedling shoot growth, and seedling root growth of the weed (D. aegyptium), respectively, while the females showed IC50 values of 56.7, 63.9, and 40.7 μL L-1, respectively. The present data revealed that VOs composition and bioactivity varied significantly with respect to the plant gender, either qualitatively or quantitatively.

Nutritional Value of Climate-Resilient Forage Species Sustaining Peri-Urban Dairy Cow Production in the Coastal Grasslands of Benin (West Africa).

Along the coast of West Africa, grazing ruminants rely on perennial forage species remaining in uncultivated plots, roadsides, and marshlands during the dry season. To assess the quality of these forages, thirteen drought-tolerant plants were harvested at the mature stage, and the samples were evaluated for chemical composition, in vitro fermentation characteristics, and metabolizable energy (ME) content. They are ten drought-tolerant grasses, including: Andropogon virginicus, Brachiaria deflexa, Cenchorus biflorus, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Eragrostis tremula, Leptochloa caerulescens, Loudetia aroundinacea, Paspalum notatum, Paspalum vaginatum, Pennisetum purpureum, two perennial herbs, Chamaecrista rotundifolia, Zornia latifolia, and one multipurpose tree, Elaeis guineensis. Legume species had the highest nutritional value (highest crude protein and ME, and lowest neutral detergent fiber) of the species studied. In terms of the in vitro data, the gas produced after 120 h of incubation ranged from 149 mL/g in E. tremula to 185 mL/g in Paspalum. Z. latifoliaa and had the fastest rate of fermentation, producing half of the total gas in 19.5 h, whereas E. tremula required 49.9 h (p < 0.01). The production of branched-chain fatty acids (isobutyrate and isovalerate) was greatest for E. guineensis and the lowest in both Paspalum species (p < 0.01). The study suggests the need for the protein supplementation of the animals to ensure maximum forage utilization and to satisfy the nutrient requirements of ruminant livestock.

Soil weed seedbank under different cropping systems of middle Indo-Gangetic Plains

Trees on agricultural fields can have a positive or negative impact on weed seedbank (WSB) due to diverse environmental and soil characteristics. Therefore, soil samples were drawn in six cropping systems [two agroforest systems (AFS): guava, mango; three horticulture systems (HCS): guava, mango, Indian gooseberry; and annual crop system (ACS)] at two landscape positions (lowland and upland) and two soil depths (0–15 cm and 15–30 cm) using factorial randomised block design each replicated three times. Results showed that guava-AFS had the highest WSB of different categories in general and individual weed species in particular, except for Eragrostis pilosa and Dactyloctenium aegyptium. Simultaneously, guava-AFS also showed the maximum Shannon-Weaver, species richness and Simpson index and was low in Whittaker statistics (βW). The species evenness varied non-significantly with the cropping systems. Similarly, the landscape position had no discernible effect on any weed diversity indices; however lowland landscape position was dominated by Cyperus spp. and E. pilosa, while the upland by Phyllanthus niruri. Furthermore, with the exception of βW, the WSB and diversity indices were found to be higher on the topsoil (0–15 cm). Our study establishes that the AFS system in the semi-arid sub-tropics has a more diverse WSB indicating a healthy system, as opposed to HCS, which has a dominance of certain weed species, opening the door for more severe infestation of invasive weed species.

Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Willd. (Poaceae) Differentially Responds to Pre- and Post-Emergence Herbicides through Micro-Structural Alterations

Herbicides are widely used to kill weeds and increase crop production all over the world. Nevertheless, some weeds show certain structural modifications in response to herbicide application that impart mostly partial or sometimes complete tolerance to these noxious plants. The present study was focused on morpho-anatomical modifications in the root, stem, and leaves of Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Willd. treated with different herbicides and to examine whether it possesses tolerance against herbicides. Two pre- and four post-emergence herbicides were applied to D. aegyptium at the recommended dose in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Pre-emergence herbicide Bromoxynil enhanced root growth (30%), leaves per plant (3%), and leaf fresh weight (17.2%). Increased stem epidermal thickness (100%) was the most notable feature among anatomical attributes. Post-emergence herbicides generally increased stem epidermal thickness 33–56%), leaf sheath thickness (5%), and root area in roots. Other modifications included increased sclerenchymatous thickness in the stem (133–255%), and epidermal thickness (100–200%) in the leaf blade. These characters assisted D. aegyptium to cope with herbicide toxicity. Collectively, pre-emergence herbicides more effectively controlled D. aegyptium compared with post-emergence herbicides.

Resistance status and physiological responses of Dactyloctenium aegyptium to diuron herbicide in pineapple plantation

Diuron herbicide has been used in the pineapple plantation in Lampung, Indonesia, for more than 35 years. It has been realized that the use of herbicides with the same mode of action intensively can speed up the evolution of resistant weeds over a long period of time. This study aimed to determine whether Dactyloctenium aegyptium from pineapple plantation has evolved resistance to diuron and to examine whether the resistance correlates with the weed physiological activities. The study was conducted at the University of Lampung, from September 2018 to March 2019. The study consisted of two stages, i.e. Stage 1: Weed resistance test and Stage 2: Physiological activity test on resistant weed. The study used a split-plot design. The main plot was the origins of weeds (exposed and unexposed to diuron) and thhe supplots was the diuron dose. The result showed that D. aegyptium exposed has high-level resistance to diuron. The physiological activities of D. aegyptium which has a high level of diuron resistance exhibited higher carbon assimilation, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rates than the sensitive D. aegyptium.

Palyno-Morphological Characteristics as a Systematic Approach in the Identification of Halophytic Poaceae Species from a Saline Environment.

Pollen morphology of 12 salt-tolerant grasses (Calamagrostis pseudophragmites, Cenchrus biflorus, Cenchrus ciliaris, Cenchrus pennisetiformis, Cymbopogon jwarancusa, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Echinochloa colona, Echinochloa crus-galli, Saccharum griffithii, Saccharum ravennae, Saccharum spontaneum, and Urochloa ramosa) from the Salt Range was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy (LM). The main aim was the elucidation of taxonomic significance of pollen morphology, which might be useful for taxonomists in the identification of halophytic Poaceae taxa. The described pollen morphology is a good source of taxonomic characteristics that can help in species and genera differentiation. The investigated variations in the pollen micromorphological features and exploration of new palynological traits support and strengthen the systematics of Poaceae. The pollen shape of all studied species was sub-spheroidal, and exine ornamentation includes microechinate-areolate (11 spp.) and microechinate (1 spp.). Two types of pollen apertures were reported, i.e., monoporate (11 spp.) and diporate (Cenchrus pennisetiformis). The annulus was found in all species while operculum was observed only in three species. The univariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze the quantitative data. The highest pollen viability values (%) depicted the adaptability of Poaceae taxa in the salt region. Overall, the pollen characteristics in polar and equatorial view, apertures, annulus, operculum, and surface ornamentation of pollen grains of the family Poaceae are of great taxonomic significance for the species identification.

Ameliorative Impacts of Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Parapholis incurva Ethanolic Extracts on Sodium Fluoride Induced Pathological Alterations in the Thyroid Gland in Male Rats

Ameliorative Impacts of Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Parapholis incurva Ethanolic Extracts on Sodium Fluoride Induced Pathological Alterations in the Thyroid Gland in Male Rats

Impact of Dactyloctenium aegyptium Weed Extracts on Soil Borne Fungal Phytopathogens and Legume Crop-Vigna

Background: As it is well known that intensive and indiscriminate use of chemicals in agriculture has caused very serious problems to the environment and as well as the human beings as it has poisoned our food also contaminated for soil and water. Aim to make light of the adverse effect of these chemical pesticides the extract of Dactyloctenium aegyptium was used against the soil borne plant pathogens i.e., Fusarium oxysporium, Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Sclerotium rolfsi. Methods: In this field-laboratory investigation during 2018-19, different part of Dactyloctenium aegyptium extracts show the antifungal activity against soil born fungal phyto-pathogen and also show the effect on vigna (Moong) at different parameters. The antifungal activity was resolute by well diffusion method. It is very effortless and usual method to resolve the inhibition zone. Result: Our investigation in which the heptane extract of the Dactyloctenium weed both part s was found to be most effective against the fungal plant pathogens i.e. 0.00 over the control which was 6.3 and 5.8 in Fusarium oxysporium and Rhizoctonia solani respectively and extract in ethyl acetate and butyl alcohol was show lowest effectiveness against Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsi i.e 5.3 and 6.4. In case of green gram germination, Dactyloctenium aegyptium in different solvent at 25% concentration, butylalcohol was the highest in increasing the germination percentage (100) show effectiveness. The leaves, root and stem length show highest effectiveness respectively methanol, heptane and water. The overall effectiveness of the different extract against the fungal plant pathogens were found significantly effective.

A Detailed Ecological Exploration of the Distribution Patterns of Wild Poaceae from the Jhelum District (Punjab), Pakistan

The purpose of this study was to investigate the taxonomic diversity, richness, and distribution patterns of Poaceae in relation to abiotic factors in the Jhelum district of the Pakistan Himalayas. We used a random sampling technique from 80 grids within 240 sites with a rich diversity of wild grasses and 720 quadrates in triplets from each site across the Jhelum district between 2019 and 2021 to collect data on grass species and the associated environmental factors and conditions. After evaluating the important value index for each plant taxa and for the environmental data, we analyzed the data using ordination and cluster analysis techniques. Fifty-two Poaceae taxa from twenty-nine genera were recorded within the study area. From a total of 52 recorded Poaceae species, 45 were native and 7 were invasive species. The life form (biological) showed the dominancy of 27 therophyte species, followed by 24 hemicryptophyte species, and 1 geophyte species. Microphyll had the leading leaf size spectra (27 species), followed by nanophyll (12 species), macrophyll (10 species), and leptophyll (3 species). The trend of the life cycle was the maximum (27 spp.) during the monsoon season, followed by spring (11 spp.), winter (8 spp.), and summer (6 spp.). The leading genera were Setaria with 9.61% of the species, followed by Panicum, Cenchrus, and Brachiaria with 7.69% of the species. Aristida and Echinochloa made up 5.76% of the species while Chrysopogon, Digitaria, Eragrostis, Pennisetum, and Poa made up 3.84% of the species. Other genera recorded single species. The leaf size spectra of grasses were dominated by microphylls (50%) followed by nanophylls (23.07%), macrophylls (19.23%), and leptophylls (7.69%). On the basis of the importance value index, the most dominant species was Cynodon dactylon (68), followed by Dichanthium annulatum (58), Brachiaria ramose (38), Dactyloctenium aegyptium (37), Eleusine indica (35), Saccharum bengalense (33), and Cenchrus biflorus (28). Two-way cluster analyses classified the grasses into three plant community associations based on the indicator plant species. Soil parameters as subsamples were tested for moisture, pH, EC, OM, macronutrients (CaCO3, N, P, and K), and saturation while the ordination analysis revealed that they had a significant (p ≤ 0.002) effect on vegetation associations. Overall, this study contributes to a better understanding of the influence of environmental factors on the composition and associations of grass species and the development of scientifically informed management solutions for the ecological restoration of degraded habitats in this Himalayan region.

Maize weed control and yield using different applications of tembotrione

Present study employed different methods of tembotrione applications for weed management in maize and investigated if integration of a herbicide in intra-row and hand weeding in inter-row could provide similar level of weed control to blanket application of a herbicide. The field study was conducted in 2018 and 2019 on loamy sand soil at Ludhiana and on a clay loam soil in 2018 at Langroya, in India. At Ludhiana, Cyperus rotundus L., Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Willd., Acrachne racemosa Ohwi and Trianthema portulacastrum L. and, at Langroya, C. rotundus, D. aegyptium, Echinochloa colonum L. and T. portulacastrum were major weeds. Integrated use of tembotrione at 36.7 g ha−1 alone or its tank mixture with atrazine 208 g ha−1 as band application (intra-row) with manual weeding (inter-row) provided similar level of weed control and maize grain yield to blanket application of tembotrione 110 g ha−1 alone or its tank mixture with atrazine 625 g ha−1. The study concluded that integration of herbicide application on crop rows and hand weeding in inter rows could be adopted in maize.

Relative bioefficacy of seventeen Poaceae extracts targeting oxidative stress-related diseases coupled with elemental profiling using ICP-MS

Free radicals produced in vivo increases ‘oxidative stress’ and leads to lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and other disorders such as hemolysis. Present study aimed at evaluating the biological potentials of seventeen Poaceae species in order to scientifically confirm their traditional uses and to identify elements involved in regulating reactive oxygen species. Extracts of seventeen grass species were prepared to determine antioxidant activity using ferric thiocyanate and thiobarbituric acid assays. Sorghum halepense, Eleusine indica, Ochthocloa compressa, Saccharum spontaneum, Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Cymbopogon citratus showed highest antioxidant potential. Antihemolytic potential was assessed by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced hemolysis in human erythrocytes and was found to be highest in C. citratus (96%) followed by S. spontaneum (95%), O. compressa (66%) and D. annulatum (60%). DNA damage activity was performed using p1391Z plasmid DNA. In the end, samples were digested using nitric acid and the concentration of twenty elements was determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method. Principal component analysis (PCA) of essential elements showed 70% variability and non-essential elements displayed 52% in total variance. Hence, the selected botanicals can be used commercially in the treatment of oxidative-stress related diseases as the concentration of different elements validate their safety and efficacy for human body.

A preliminary study of the efficacy of the polyherbal preparation Sao Thong Tai for erectile dysfunction among elderly men: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe traditional Thai polyherbal formulation “Sao Thong Tai” (STT) contains four medicinal plants, namely Boesenbergia rotunda (L.) Mansf., Sida acuta Burm.f., Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Willd., and Oryza sativa L. and it is considered an aphrodisiac and remedy for the effective treatment of decreased male libido in Thai traditional medicine and it may ameliorate erectile function. This pilot study was carried out to investigate the efficacy and safety of the polyherbal STT for mild to moderate erectile dysfunction in a small group of elderly men in Thailand in a double-blind, randomized controlled trial.MethodsThis research is a preliminary study. Fifty-four elderly males aged 50-69 years who had been diagnosed with mild to moderate ED were randomized into two groups of equal size: an STT group (n=27) and a placebo control group (n=27). The patients received either an 800 mg dose of STT extract or a lactose placebo twice a day for the eight-week treatment period, after which they were followed up for four weeks. Erectile function, sexual activity, self-reported attitudes toward sexual dysfunction, and partner-reported sexual dysfunction were investigated to confirm the efficacy of the polyherbal preparation. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and the Scale for Quality of Sexual Function (QSF) were used for primary outcome assessment.ResultsThe IIEF-5 scores of the STT group were significantly increased compared with those of the placebo group (p<0.001). The severity of ED decreased from "mild" or "mild to moderate" to normal in 88.9% of the STT group vs. 0% of the placebo group, and the QSF score increased in the STT group (p<0.001). Sexual activity, self-reported views of sexual dysfunction, and partners’ views of sexual dysfunction showed significant improvement in the STT group, and there was no significant difference in psychosomatic quality of life. No adverse events were observed in either group.ConclusionCompared with a placebo, an oral aqueous extract of STT taken daily at a dose of 1,600 mg for eight weeks can effectively treat mild to moderate ED in elderly men. The preparation was also shown to be safe with respect to all parameters assessed. This finding demonstrates that STT can be used for the effective treatment of decreased male libido in Thai traditional medicine and may ameliorate ED.Trial registrationTCTR/20180126001 033/2560. Registered 16 January 2018, Thai Clinical Trials Registry http://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/

Plant diversity and ecological potential of naturally colonizing vegetation for ecorestoration of fly ash disposal area

Fly ash dump has been noticed as one of the hazardous dumpsites on the earth, which pollutes our environment. Therefore, an affordable and effective approach for the restoration of fly ash dumps is urgently required worldwide. In this direction, to find out potential plant species through the assessment of naturally colonized vegetation is a basic criterion of ecological restoration. With the above vision, the present study was performed to identify potential colonizer plants of fly ash dumps for ecological restoration. The intensive field studies were made during 2019–2020 to gather naturally occurring plants from fly ash disposal area of Koradi Thermal Power Plant, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. Therefore, naturally colonizing plants were assessed on the basis of their dominance, ability of improving the rhizospheric FA, and ecological significance for their ecorestoration potential. Acacia nilotica L., Acmella oleracea L., Bacopa monnieri L., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Cyperus rotundus L., Dactyloctenium aegyptium L., Digitaria sanguinalis L., Trianthema portulacastrum L., Typha latifolia L. and Portulaca oleracea L. were recognized as potential plants for ecological restoration of FA dumps. Hence, the characteristics of above identified potential plant species can be used in ecological restoration of newly FA disposal areas.