Important Indigenous Plant Research Articles

Population dynamics of Spirostachys africana Sond. a species highly exploited amongst some communities of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract. Victor PM, Tshisikhawe MP, Magwede K. 2023. Population dynamics of Spirostachys africana Sond. a species highly exploited amongst some communities of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Biodiversitas 24: 492-497. Over-exploitation of important indigenous plant species impact negatively on their population structure. Unmonitored and unsustainable harvesting from plant ecosystems may inhibit plant recovery. The aim of the study was to investigate the population structure of Spirostachys africana in a communal area of Ha-Matsa Village in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Eleven transects of 100m x 10m were used to sample ecological parameter data from 66 plant specimens of S. africana species. Transects were subjectively placed within the population of S. africana. Data on plant height size classes and basal stem diameter size classes exhibited an almost Bell-shaped population curve. The population of S. africana did not have many seedlings, with the Crown health status data revealing a population with generally moderately damaged crowns (24%), while 19% of individuals had healthy crowns. The concern is the recorded 9% of dead crowns. Although the population looks great from a distance, the sampled ecological data revealed an unviable population. The Spirostachys africana population of Ha-Matsa Village does not have more individuals in the small size classes of both height and basal stem diameter. Conservation practice implies that if anthropogenic activities are not properly monitored, there may not be enough young individuals to support the population of S. africana into the future. Therefore, this study aimed to improve the assessment and the effects of harvesting on the S. africana species population. This study also suggests important information and guides ecologists and conservationists on sustainable harvesting practices and offtakes of S. africana.

Phytochemical Profiling of Some Important Indigenous Plants

The aim of the present study was to investigate the phytochemical constituents present in some of the indigenous plants of Hyderabad, Telangana region. The plants included- Clitoriaternatea, Costusigneus, Menispermumcandenese, Moringaoleifera, Nycanthes arbortristis, Ocimum sanctum, Cymbopogoncitratus and Phyllanthusniruri. Leaf extracts were prepared from these plants employing water and methanol as solvents for analysing the presence of various phytochemicals. The results showed presence of a wide range of phytochemicals like flavonoids, saponins, quinones, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, phenols, tannins and steroids in various aqueous and methanolic test plant extracts.

Ethnobotanical study of important medicinal plants in Hisar District of Haryana, India

India is one of the world's largest mega-biodiversity hotspots, with a wide range of ethno-medicinal vegetation, which are being used in treatment of minor to major health problems by local people. In the present ethnobotanical study, in the district of Hisar, Haryana, data were recorded in the form of botanical names, local names, families, and plant parts used with their medicinal characteristics of 41 medicinally important indigenous plant species belonging to 27 families. For it, nine villages were selected randomly of district Hisar and documentation of ethno-medicinal plant species was done through direct and indirect approach. In direct approach; Ayurvedic Doctors, Vaidyas, Hakims, Herbal Healers, Ojhas and related Ethnic Groups of the selected rural areas of the region were interviewed to get reliable knowledge regarding medicinal uses of indigenous plants. Ethno-medicinal information were correlated with available ancient literature and published research articles. The majority of medicinal plants, according to reports, belong to Cucurbitaceae, Liliaceae, Fabaceae, Amaranthaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae, Solanaceae and Lamiaceae families. Leaves in most of the plants have got the maximum ethno-medicinal values. Information generally transmits from one generation to next generation in oral manner in rural ethnic groups and several valuable information are lost without proper documentation.

ISSR-assisted analysis of clonal fidelity supported with SEM and histology using in vitro propagated plants of Moringa peregrina (Forssk.) Fiori— An endangered desert tree

Moringa peregrina is an important indigenous plant found in United Arab Emirates (UAE). It is an endangered species with important nutritive and medicinal properties. Environmental restrictions, urban expansion and unmanaged grazing endanger the plants. In this study, in vitro propagation of M. peregrina was carried out using different explants cultured in various combinations of plant growth regulators. Callus induction was successfully achieved by culturing shoot tip explants in medium containing either 2,4-D alone or in combination with thidiazuron [TDZ], 6-benzylaminopurine [BA] and kinetin [Kin]. The optimal callus induction was recorded in medium supplemented with 2,4-D (2mg/L) and TDZ (0.1mg/L) compared to other combinations. Callus regeneration was successfully achieved through culture in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing BA and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Direct shoot organogenesis was achieved from nodal explants using MS medium supplemented with TDZ (0.2mg/L). Histological and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses confirmed the regeneration potential of the friable callus, which exhibited embryogenic spherical cells possessing densely stained meristematic zones amenable to differentiation into shoot primordia. The total number of roots was significantly higher in medium containing NAA when compared to medium containing indole-3-butyric acid [IBA]. The clonal fidelity of the in vitro plantlets developed through direct organogenesis was assessed using ISSR-DNA marker. The similarity indices between the parental plants and their progenies were above 98.2% and indicated that the progenies were highly similar to the mother plant. This technique allows mass multiplication of M. peregrina, hence providing a promising method of conserving the genetic resources for this plant.

Management of Sclerotium rolfssi through Methanolic Leaf Extract of Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. and Azadirachta indica L.

Sclerotium rolfsii is a polyphagous soil borne fungus infecting more than 500 plant species across the world that is causing vast losses. Although the fungus is soil and seed borne, soil borne inoculum is most vital in infection-causing and syndrome development. Treating soil borne pathogens with fungicides is not reasonable due to very high costs. Environmental hazards are also involved. Therefore, integrated management of pathogens using biological controlling agents is the paramount alternative. Extracts of higher plants have demonstrated a wide range of activity against plant pathogenic organisms. The present research work was carried out to manage the pathogen and disease in vitro by using plant extracts. The antifungal activity of the methanolic leaf extract of two medicinally important indigenous plants, Alstonia scholaris and Azadirachta indica, against the fungal pathogen S. rolfsii was evaluated. In vitro antifungal bioassay was conducted against the S. rolfsii using different concentrations (0, 1, 2 and 5) of the methanolic leaf extract of A. scholaris and A. indica using malt extract (ME) broth as a culture medium. Different concentrations of A. indica leaf extract appreciably reduced the fungal biomass growth up to 76% as compared to the control. In the same manner, various concentrations of the leaf extract of A. scholaris significantly decreased fungal biomass up to 70% as compared to the control. Higher fungal growth was reduced by a 2% concentration of both plants. The present study concludes that the methanolic extract of A. indica has more active antifungal components and can be effectively used to manage phyto-pathogens.

Toxicity Of Some Plant Powder Against Life Stages Of Rhizopertha Dominica (F.)

Toxicity of some important indigenous plant powder (Nigella sativa Linn.,Murrayapaniculata Linn., Jatrophacurcas Linn., Eucalyptus camaldulensisDehn., DaturametelLinn., and Vitexnegundo Linn.) were used against different life stages of lesser grainborer, Rhizoperthadominica (Fabricius). Among them seed powder of N. sativa provedto be the most effective as toxicant. The results revealed to reduce the egg mortality,larval mortality and adult mortality of R. dominica significantly (P<0.001). The toxicityof botanicals were in the order of N. sativa> M. paniculata> J. curcas> E.camaldulensis> D. metel> V. negundo. All the plant powders were found to be effectivefor controlling stored product insect pests especially R. dominica and eco-friendlybiopesticides.
 Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 41(1): 115-122, June 2015

Medico-floristic evaluation of medicinal plants at Meja, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh

The present study deals with the enumeration of 52 medicinally important indigenous plants belonging to 31 families frequently used by local communities of Meja tehsil of Allahabad district, Uttar Pradesh for the treatment of various diseases like skin diseases, diabetes, weakness, cold and cough, poison bites, diarrhea, asthma, fever, rheumatic pain, oral diseases, fracture, jaundice and tuberculosis etc. During the study, 98 persons (55 male and 43 females) were contacted to know about the indigenous plants used for medicinal purposes. This information need to be tested and validated for further bioprospecting and commercial activities.

The Influence of Certain Taxonomic and Environmental Parameters on Biomass Production and Triterpenoid Content in the Leaves of Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. from Madagascar

Centella asiatica (Apiaceae family; Talapetraka in Malagasy) is a tropical and subtropical plant with leaves containing glycotriterpenoids (asiaticosides) used in traditional and modern medicine. C. asiatica is collected exclusively in natural stands. It is Madagascar's second most important indigenous plant export. The objective in this study is to provide data which will make it possible to optimize the harvest and thus effectively develop this resource. Two foliar morphotypes were identified: morphotype A with small reniform leaves (leaf area ca. 4.5 cm(2) ), found in the east of Madagascar, and morphotype B with large round leaves (up to 7.5 cm(2) ) found in the west, with sympatric zones in the central part of the island. Morphotype A produces a higher biomass, and is twice as rich in asiaticosides as morphotype B. Significant variations in biomass yield and asiaticoside content are observed depending on the date of collection: higher during the rainy season (December to April) and lower during the dry season (June to August). Inter-annual variations are also observed. Populations located at around 800-1400 m altitude on the eastern side of Madagascar, in a sub-humid climate, appeared to be more productive. These results provide more precise information to the economic sector, which confirms the empirical choices made by collectors. They represent the first elements towards sustainable management of the resource, and maybe even domestication.

Sapindus emarginatus: Phytochemistry & Various Biological Activities

Sapindus emarginatus is important indigenous plant with lots of traditional importance belongs to family sapindaceae. It is commonly called as Soap nut tree which is found in most of the hilly regions of India. Each and every part of the plant is used traditionally in various ailments. Trees of genus Sapindus are cultivated in many parts of India. The secondary metabolites present in Sapindus emarginatus were found to be alkaloids, carbohydrates, phenols, flavonoids, saponins fixed oils & fats. It possesses various activities such as surfactant, mild detergent, anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, antihyperlipidemic, antimicrobial, CNS, emetic, hair tonic, nasal insufflations. Therefore the aim of the present review is to summarize the taxonomy, chemical constituents and various studies on the biological activities of the plant Sapindus emarginatus. © 2011 IGJPS. All rights reserved.

Amino Acids and Minerals in a Tropical Nut, Hyphaene coriacea (The Turkana Doum Palm)

The Turkana doum palm is an important indigenous plant from an economic standpoint in the Turkana District of Kenya. The various parts of the tree are used for a variety of social, cultural and domestic uses with the nut being an important indigenous wild fruit. However, despite the central place it occupies in the diets of those living along the banks of the major rivers, its nutritional profile is lacking in literature. This study was therefore conducted to document its nutritive composition. In this regard, the protein content of ngapocho and lookot, and the nonessential and essential amino acids in ngapocho were determined. Al so, six minerals were determined in the mesocarp products (apinet and ngapocho) of the nut of the Turkana doum palm, Hyphaene coriacea . The results showed that ngapocho and lookot contained 1.8 and 4.7% protein, respectively. The mesocarp of the nut contains substantial amounts of both the nonessential and essential amino acids and has a chemical score of 66. Threonine is the limiting amino acid. Unlike most plant foods, the nut is an excellent source of the sulphur amino acids methio nine and cystine; it is a good source of isoleucine, leucine, histidine, phenylalanine and tyrosine, and a fair source of tryptophan, lysine, valine and threonine. Ngapocho/lookot contained 17.0/17.4 mg Ca, 4.8/4.2 mg Mg, 0.2/0.2 mg K, 0.5/0.1 mg Na, 13.9/29.8 mg Fe, and 3.4/4.3 mg Zn/100 g. The nut of the Turkana doum palm is quantitatively an excellent dietary source of iron, a good source of zinc, but is a poor source of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. The addition of bovine blood to apinet to make lookot raises the protein, iron and zinc content by more than 160, 100 and 25%, respectively, thus enhancing the nutritional quality of the lookot. Knowledge of the nutrient composition of indigenous food plants such as the Turkana doum palm is important for the purpose of educating the public on the nutritional value of indigenous food plants available in their immediate environments and for conservation efforts.

Effects of Cutting Frequency and Nitrogen from Fertilizer and Cattle Manure on Growth and Yield of Leaf Amaranth (Amaranthus hybridus) in a South African Semi-Arid Environment

ABSTRACT Leaf amaranth (Amaranthus hybridus) is an important indigenous plant especially for rural households in South Africa. Amaranth is one of the oldest food crops. It is now receiving attention and has generated demand for information on production and management practices under local smallholder conditions. This study investigated the effects of nitrogen fertilization and cutting frequency on growth and yield of the crop. Edible leaves of plants were harvested weekly, every 2 weeks, every 3 weeks and once only at the end of the growing period. Soil fertilization regimes were 40 kg N ha−1 supplied by chemical fertilizer or cattle manure, and soil only as a control. Plants were grown in pots in a glasshouse during both summer and winter seasons of 2002. The addition of nitrogen either as chemical fertilizer or manure significantly (p < 0.05) improved the growth and yields of amaranth. Shorter cutting intervals enhanced regrowth, but very frequent (weekly) cutting reduced the total dry matter of edible leaves. The results suggest that amaranth has the potential for production as a green leaf vegetable and that nutrient input from both organic and inorganic fertilizers are essential for high productivity. The study concluded that there is a need to cut the leaves of amaranth frequently. Since bi-weekly cutting increased the number of leaves, fresh weight and leaf dry matter produced per plant, a cutting interval of 2 weeks is recommended.

Important indigenous plants used in the Transkei as food supplements

Despite the fact that there is a tendency to rely more and more on foods which can be purchased at stores, the indigenous edible plants or veld foods play a significant role in the diet of the people living in the rural areas of the Transkei. Although more work is required to gather and prepare veld foods, they can be an important and inexpensive source of macronutrients — carbohydrates, fats and protein — and also micronutrients such as minerals and vitamins. Some of the more commonly-used plants such as Sonchus asper, Chenopodium album, Centella coriacea, Galinsoga parviflora, Urtica urens and Solanum nigrum are discussed and nutrient composition given. The names of a few plants which should rather be avoided, are also given. Many of these edible plants are also regarded as weeds and. instead of eradicating them, their cultivation should perhaps be encouraged.

The decline of the redwood Trochetiopsis erythroxylon on St Helena

Redwood Trochetiopsis erythroxylon was still a common tree when the English East India Company colonised St Helena in 1659. It was, however, the most important indigenous plant to the settlers as its bark is suitable for tanning leather, and it provided the best timber. Within 50 years it was very scarce but was saved from extinction by being planted in island gardens from the early 18th century onwards. By the end of the 19th century only two wild trees remained even though the pressure of exploitation had by then been removed by the introduction of new timber trees and the importation of timber. It still fails to regenerate in St Helena and only through an exact knowledge of its requirements can vigorous trees be re-established there.