Guizotia Abyssinica Research Articles

Induced Genetic variability in Niger (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f) Cass.) under the effect of induced mutagenesis

Induced Genetic variability in Niger (Guizotia abyssinica (L.f) Cass.) under the effect of induced mutagenesis

Fatty acid composition, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activity of Niger seed (Guizotia abyssinica) accessions collected from major producer areas of Ethiopia

Background Oils from various sources are vital nutritional components with a variety of roles in our body. Niger seed (Guzoita abyssinica) is endemic to Ethiopia and is among the major oil seed crops grown in the country. The fatty acid composition and the concentration of other bioactive phytochemicals in it vary with species type, geographical origin, cultivation season, and varietal types. The present work investigated the fatty acid profile and the total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activity (AA) of Niger seed samples obtained from five different zones in the Amhara and Oromia regions of Ethiopia. using internationally accepted standard methods. Results In all the samples, its main unsaturated acids were linoleic acid, ranging between 67.30 and 74.67% with respect to the relative percentage comprising 179 to 234 mg/g in terms of concentration; oleic acid constitutes between 5.43 and 11.02% of the total fatty acid or 1.03 and 1.60 mg/g of dry matter. Among saturated acids, it was the most abundant palmitic acid, ranging between 10.32 and 10.66% of the entire fatty acids comprising 24.80 to 37.10 mg/g. Amongst the zones, the seed from Amhara region, specifically from North Gondar has been the richest regarding a total of 347.74 mg/g. In addition, the total phenolic content ranged between 10.89 and 11.78 mg GAE/g, whereas the content of total flavonoids ranged from 5.42 to 6.67 mg CE/g. Aqueous methanol (80%) extracted more phenolic content than absolute methanol. On a regional basis, the Amhara region, represented by the North Gondar and East Gojjam zones of the study area, had relatively higher TPC and TFC than other regions. The DPPH scavenging assay IC50 value (μg/mL) ranged between 133–188 μg/mL and poorly correlated with TPC. Conclusion Among the different fatty acids obtained, four of them, linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, are the major ones, followed by a significant amount of phenolic compounds irrespective of the variety of the studied samples and sampling of locations. The study also confirmed that TPC and TFC are not the only phytochemicals responsible for the antioxidant activity of the niger sees, as was reflected by the poor correlation between TPC and AA activity. Hence these findings indicate that the seeds of Niger could be an important source of essential fatty acids and medicinally important phytochemicals important for nutritional health improvement and agricultural development in Ethiopia.

Structural quality of a Latosol cultivated with oilseed in succession to soybean

Understanding the changes in soil structure that develop from oilseed crop successions is vital for successful production. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different oleaginous crop successions on the least limiting water range and load-bearing capacity of a clayey Rhodic Hapludox. The following oilseed crops were cultivated under a no-tillage system in autumn-winter: sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), canola (Brassica napus L. and Brassica rapa), safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.), crambe (Crambe abyssinica Hochst.) and niger seed (Guizotia abyssinica). They were sown after soybean and soybean/corn (summer/fall-winter). When the autumn-winter crops flowered, soil samples with structure intact were collected at the 0.0–0.5 m and 0.5–0.10 m depths in metal cylinders. It was observed that in terms of water interval, the poorest soil structural quality in the 0.0–0.5 m layer was provided by the corn/safflower and corn/crambe successions. In terms of soil water content, the optimal time for soil management practices varied for the different oilseeds succeeding soybean. Soil load capacity varies inversely with water content and directly with soil density. Niger grown during autumn-winter in succession to soybean improved Rhodic Hapludox structure more than the other crop successions.

Evaluation of Various Bee Attractants on the Foraging Behavior of Indian Honey Bee (Apis cerana indica) and their Impact on the Seed Yield of Niger [Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass

Experiment was done at the PC Unit Sesame and Niger Experimental Farm, College of Agriculture, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. The study took place in during Kharif 2022. A total of nine treatments with three replications were arranged for the experiment using Randomized Block Design to check whether there was a result of bee attractants regarding attraction by Apis cerana indica and their effects on seed production of niger crops. The number of Apis cerana indica visits was found the highest at both the 10% and 50% blooming stages at which Madhuca longifolia flower extract 10% and rose water were 10% (16.50 Apis cerana indica/m2/5min), with 17.50 and 12.17 Apis cerana indica/m2/5min, respectively. This was followed by rose water 10% with 16.50 and (sugar solution 50%) 10.08 Apis cerana indica/m2/5min, respectively. The population of Apis cerana indica was received from controlled condition 5.67 and 2.92 Apis cerana indica/m2/5min at 10% and 50% flowering stage, respectively. This was followed by water spray (7.08 and 4.42 Apis cerana indica/m2/5min) at 10% and 50% flowering stage, respectively. The foliar spray of flower extract of Madhuca longifolia, sugar solution 10% and rose water 10% were found significantly superior over others in respect to record higher seed yield and recorded 6.90 q and 6.70 q/ha seed yield, respectively.

Medicinal plants used to treat human ailments in Wadla District, Northern Ethiopia: An ethnobotanical approach

IntroductionThe global population started using traditional medicine before the advent of allopathic or modern medicine to manage several diseases. Nearly 887 plant species have been documented to heal different health problems. Documenting the traditional use of medicinal plants is a vital step in obtaining information on bioactive chemicals, preserving indigenous knowledge and ultimately interesting, medicinal plant species. This study aimed to document medicinal plants and the associated indigenous knowledge used to treat human ailments. MethodsThe data were collected using a combination of sampling techniques, including strict random sampling, stratified random sampling, (for general informants) and snowball sampling, purposive and random sampling (for key informants). Semistructured interviews, group discussions, guided field walks, and field observations were used to collect the data. We analysed the data using descriptive statistics, including direct matrix rankings, preference rankings, informant consensus factors, and fidelity levels. ResultsA total of 200 informants (68 % males and 32 % females) living in 10 kebeles were selected. A total of 107 plant species belonging to 51 families and 71 genera were identified by local people to address human ailments. The Solanaceae family represented the greatest number of species (7 species). Leaves were the most dominant plant parts used for remedy preparation (47 %). The most common routes of administration were oral (47 %). The categories with the highest ICF values were diseases of the nervous system (0.96). Datura stramonium was the most preferred species for treating wounds. The highest fidelity level (93.3 %) was recorded for Guizotia abyssinica. Eucalyptus globulus was ranked first in a direct matrix ranking exercise of multipurpose medicinal plants. ConclusionThis study revealed that the study area has a considerable number of traditional medicinal plants that are used to address a wide range of health problems. Although community members rely on medicinal plant species to manage various health problems, they threaten medicinal plants in the country, and indigenous knowledge is rapidly vanishing from communities; thus, conservation measures should be taken to protect these plants in their natural sites, agricultural areas and villages.

Pollen trapping as Honeybees pollination management and identification of dominant pollinators of Guizotia abyssinica (L.f).

Pollination is one of the most fascinating aspects of insect-plant interactions. Pollen is the male reproductive element of flowering plants, gathered by foraging Honeybees from the male parts of flowering plants called the anther. Guizotia abyssinica (L.f) is an important oilseed crop cultivated in Ethiopia and India, which belongs to the family Asteraceae. Although self-incompatibility is found in Guizotia abyssinica, a higher seed set is experienced in places with an active Honeybees population. Agricultural practices usually focus on inputs such as fertilizer application to improve seed yield of Guizotia abyssinica. However, these practices have little effect on yield if the availability of insect pollination is too low. To fill this gap, an experiment was carried out at Dandi district, West Shao zone, Oromia, Ethiopia to see the effect of Honeybees pollination management as an agronomic input. Pollination management of Honeybees was tested under feeding and non-feeding of colonies management. Pollen was trapped with and without sugar syrup feeding. The results discovered that Honeybees fed sugar syrup collected much more pollen than colonies not fed sugar syrup. The proportion of Guizotia abyssinica pollen collected through sugar syrup feeding of the colony was greater (62.2%), compared to the proportion of Guizotia abyssinica pollen trapped without sugar syrup feeding (37.8%). This indicates that sugar syrup feeding enhances the collection of pollen and probably enhances the pollination efficiency of Honeybees since they visit frequently to fulfill their daily protein requirement of pollen. Therefore, Honeybees pollination services should be included as one of the agronomic inputs with sugar syrup feeding as pollination management that might increase the yield of Guizotia abyssinica since it increases visiting frequency.

Impact of different row spacing and nutrient management practices on growth, yield attributes and yield of rabi Niger (Guizotia abyssinica)

Impact of different row spacing and nutrient management practices on growth, yield attributes and yield of rabi Niger (Guizotia abyssinica)

Allelopathic potential of invasive alien plant species, Xanthium strumarium L., water and methanol extracts on germination and seedling growth of Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass., and Linum usitatissimum L.

The objective of this study was to investigate the allelopathic impact of Xanthium strumarium on the seedling growth and germination of Guizotia abyssinica and Linum usitatissimum. Plant specimens and samples of Xanthium strumarium were collected from the Minjar-Shenkora district in Ethiopia. In the laboratory, a series of dilutions of extracts from the leaves and roots of Xanthium strumarium were prepared using distilled water and methanol (99.85%) as solvents. Twenty-five grams of root and leaf samples were soaked separately in 250 mL of the specified solvent to create the stock solution. The experiment was carried out using Petri dishes in a completely random manner, with three replications repeated twice. Various concentrations of the extracts (25, 50, 75, and 100%) were applied as treatments, while distilled water served as the control. Each petri dish contained 25 seeds of each test crop and 5 mL of the corresponding extract. The number of Linum usitatissimum and Guizotia abyssinica seeds germinating was recorded every 24 hours until 12 and 14 days, respectively. Both descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted. When Guizotia abyssinica and Linum usitatissimum seeds were treated with 100% concentrations of water extract from leaf samples, germination percentages were inhibited by 72 and 77.4%, respectively. In methanol extracts, the entire inhibition of germination was observed in both test plant species at ≥ 50% and ≥ 75% concentrations of leaf and root samples, respectively. Therefore, the inhibitory effect of water and methanol extracts showed a concentration-dependent pattern, with increasing concentrations resulting in greater inhibition. The inhibitory effect of leaf extracts was more pronounced compared to root extracts, suggesting the presence of herbicidal activities. Further phytochemical and molecular studies are recommended to identify the active compounds in Xanthium strumarium. Additionally, utilizing isolated allelopathic substances as a means of controlling invasive alien species is suggested.

Microwave pre-treatment of niger (Guizotia abyssinica) seeds: Impact on stability, physicochemical characteristics, bioactive and fatty acid profiles of extracted oil

The study explored the impact of microwave pre-treatment (MPT) at different powers (360, 540 and 720 W) and exposure times (2, 4, 6 and 8 min) on the qualitative characteristics of niger seed oil (NgO). The changes in physicochemical characteristics, oxidative stability index (OSI), phenolic constituents, Maillard products, tocopherols, pigments and phytosterols in NgO were elucidated after MPT of seeds. The NgO yield increased from 33.19 % to 38.76 % and OSI augmented from 2.69 to 3.93 h upon MPT at 540 W and 720 W for 8 min, respectively. The tocopherols and phytosterols levels augmented upon MPT at 540 W for 4 and 6 min, respectively while declined by further elevating power (720 W) and exposure time (8 min). The total hydroxycinnamic (27.41 mg/kg) and hydroxybenzoic (1.48 mg/kg) acids and total flavonoids (115.83 mg/kg) were highest upon MPT at 720 W for 6 min while viscosity (56.71 mPa.s), chlorophylls (0.12 mg/kg), carotenoids (0.85 mg/kg) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (1.38 mg/kg) were highest upon MPT at 720 W for 8 min. In conclusion, the MPT promoted the release of bioactive compounds and lowered the generation of harmful oxidative by-products. The results highlight the potential of MPT in enhancing quality attributes of NgO for use in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.

Determining the Optimal Harvesting Moment of Green Forage from Guizotia abyssinica Cultivated as a Catch Crop on Silage and Its Quality Form, Fresh or Wilted Green Material, in the Two Following Years.

Guizotia abyssinica is currently being used for soil improvement; however, owing to its rapid growth and high productivity, it may have value as feed for ruminants, although this has not been well studied. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the silage quality of Guizotia abyssinica grown during the short season (July-October) as a catch crop in northern Europe when harvested 58, 68, and 90 days after sowing (DAS) over two production years. Ensiled material was analyzed to compare silage quality for the three different DAS. Two factors were analyzed factorially in the experiment: the silage preparation year (2018 or 2019) and the form of the ensiled material (fresh or wilted). We used 36 replications, 18 for each variant of the experimental factor. Harvesting at 58 DAS resulted in unsatisfactory forage fermentability, even after wilting. At 68 DAS, silage quality was satisfactory, but the dry matter content before ensiling was below 20% for both fresh and wilted forage, indicating limitations for silage use without additional wilting for that DAS harvest time. Dry matter content and water-soluble carbohydrates consistently increased as harvest was delayed. Thus, the highest silage quality was obtained from forage harvested 90 DAS regardless of differences in dry matter content. Therefore, it is possible to prepare silage at lower temperatures when the wilting process is limited by environmental conditions.

Characterization, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity of melanin extracted from nigerseed hulls

This study aims to characterize and explore the biological effects of melanin derived from nigerseed (Guizotia abyssinica) hulls, which are inedible. Extracted melanin was selectively soluble in alkali and DMSO. The melanin extract demonstrated robust antioxidant and DPPH radical scavenging activities. It exhibited strong antibacterial effects against foodborne pathogens, as indicated by the zone of inhibition (in mm); Salmonella enterica (40.00 ± 0.00), Staphylococcus aureus (37.33 ± 1.15), Micrococcus luteus (31.67 ± 0.58), Klebsiella oxytoca (31.33 ± 1.15), Escherichia coli (30.33 ± 0.58), and Bacillus cereus (28.33 ± 1.15). For antifungal activity, melanin displayed selectivity, suggesting its potential as a targeted antifungal agent. This research highlights nigerseed byproducts as a cost-effective and promising source for melanin production, showcasing its potential in the pharmaceutical sector as a natural alternative to chemically derived drugs.

Isolation, purification, and physio-chemical characterization of melanin pigment from nigerseed hulls (Guizotia abyssinica)

Plant melanin, a natural pigment, has gained significant attention recently due to its potential therapeutic and industrial applications. In this study, melanin pigments were extracted from Nigerseed hulls (NH) via alkali and acid extraction methods, followed by acid hydrolysis, organic solvent treatment, and repeated precipitation. The solubility of NH melanin was assessed, revealing solubility in alkali and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) but insolubility in other common organic solvents. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was employed to measure the purity of NH melanin in comparison to standard melanin, while elemental analysis indicated a similarity between melanin extracted from nigerseed hulls and the standard counterpart. LC-MS data revealed a molecular weight of NH melanin. Furthermore, the stability of melanin was evaluated under varying conditions including temperature, oxidants, reducing agents, light exposure, and metal ion presence. Results demonstrated significant effects of Mg2+, Cu2+, and Fe2+ metal ions on melanin stability, with a minor effect observed for Ca2+, while sodium hyposulfite was found to destabilize the pigments. Our findings suggest that nigerseed hulls hold promise as a novel source for efficient melanin production, with potential applications in the food sector, food packaging, and biomedical fields.

Serotonin application to Guizotia abyssinica improves growth, physiological functions, antioxidant system and alleviates the deleterious effects induced by salt stress

Serotonin is a well-known animal hormone and ubiquitous monoamine. In recent years, its presence in plants has attracted the attention of many researchers. In plants, serotonin as signaling hormone plays a pivotal role in hormonal crosstalk, regulating antioxidant metabolism and developmental processes under abiotic stresses. Among abiotic stresses, salt stress considerably influences Guizotia abyssinica growth and physio-chemical functions. The effect of exogenous serotonin was assessed to ameliorate the harmful effect of salinity stress at different levels. All the growth parameters, chlorophyll pigments, gas exchange indicators, and nitrate reductase activity were decreased under all salinity levels while 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), proline, and antioxidant activities were increased. Serotonin improved the length of roots and shoots, basal diameter, leaf number, area, width and length, root dry matter, stem dry matter, leaves dry matter, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll fluorescence, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance, photosynthetic rate, relative water content, water use efficiency, and nitrate reductase under salt stress condition. Moreover, the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes evoked by the salt stress was further enhanced. Taken together, salt stress inhibited the growth and performance of G. abyssinica, however, exogenous application of serotonin fortified its tolerance by mitigating membrane damage and improving assimilatory functions, plant water status and plant defense metabolism, thereby lowering the adverse effects of salt stress on various plant growth performance and physio-biochemical functions.

Optimizing dry-air preheating conditions for enhancing bioactive constituents, stability, and physiochemical attributes of niger [Guizotia abyssinica (Lf) Cass.] seed oil

The study employed dry-air preheating (DAP) at different temperatures (140 °C, 160 °C, and 180 °C) and exposure times (5, 10, and 15 min) to improve niger seed oil (NiO) qualitative attributes. The changes in physicochemical characteristics, tocopherols, pigments, phytosterols, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and Maillard products in NiO were explored after DAP of niger seeds. The structural changes induced by DAP promoted the release of beneficial components and restrained the development of harmful oxidative products. The NiO yield and oxidative stability index increased from 32.94 to 41.64 % and 2.71 to 5.17 h upon DAP at 160 °C and 180 °C for 10 min, respectively. The total flavonoids (140.58 mg/kg), hydroxycinnamic (36.39 mg/kg), and hydroxybenzoic (2.724 mg/kg) acids were highest upon DAP at 180 °C for 10 min, while the browning index (0.130), 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (3.089 mg/kg), carotenoids (1.023 mg/kg), and viscosity (61.33 mPa·s) were highest upon DAP at 180 °C for 15 min. The tocopherols and phytosterols were augmented in NiO upon DAP at 140 °C for 10 min, while they were declined by further elevating temperature (180 °C) and exposure time (15 min). The results suggest the potential industrial application of DAP for enhancing NiO quality characteristics.

Study on the Effect of Bee Attractants on the Giant Honey Bee, Apis dorsata and their Effect on Niger [Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass] Seed Yield

Study on the Effect of Bee Attractants on the Giant Honey Bee, Apis dorsata and their Effect on Niger [Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass] Seed Yield

Influence of row density and foliar humic acid application on growth parameters, yield and yield components of Niger (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.) in Erbil

Influence of row density and foliar humic acid application on growth parameters, yield and yield components of Niger (Guizotia abyssinica Cass.) in Erbil

Physicochemical properties and yield of Guizotia abyssinica seed oil grown in South Wollo of Ethiopia

Niger (Guizotia abyssinica) plants are cultivated in various parts of Ethiopia. However, there are no investigation on physical properties of oil extracted from niger and its yield. The current work investigated the yield and physicochemical analysis of oil extracted from it. The extracted oil amount (40%) is good when compared to the reported Ethiopian Niger seed oil yields. The physicochemical analyses of the oil were determined according to the standard procedures. Among the determined properties of the seed oil were moisture content (9.5 ± 0.40%), specific gravity at 250, (0.90 ± 0.02), acid value (1.20 ± 0.50 mg KOH/g oil), saponification value (175.0 ± 0.60 mg KOH/g oil), free fatty acid content (0.60 ± 0.25%), and ester content (173.8 ± 0.10 mg KOH/g oil). In conclusion, on the basis of investigated physicochemical properties it indicates that the oil extracted from seeds of G. abyssinica is a good quality of oil and have dietary recommendations. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 59(2), 67-72, 2024

Yield Stability and GEI by AMMI Model in Niger (Guizotia abyssinica L.)

Yield Stability and GEI by AMMI Model in Niger (Guizotia abyssinica L.)

Studies on genetic variability, character association and path analysis in Niger {Guizotia abyssinica Lf. (Cass)} genotypes

Studies on genetic variability, character association and path analysis in Niger {Guizotia abyssinica Lf. (Cass)} genotypes

Effect of Bee Attractants on the Attraction of Apis dorsata and their Impact on Seed Yield of Niger Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass Crop

The study was conducted at the experimental farm of the PC Unit Sesame and Niger, College of Agriculture, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (JNKVV), located in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, during the Kharif season of 2021. The primary objective of the experiment was to assess the influence of bee attractants on the attraction of Apis dorsata (giant honey bees) and their subsequent impact on the seed yield of niger crop. The experiment was designed using a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with nine treatments and three replications. This experimental setup allows for systematic testing of the effects of different bee attractants on both bee behavior and crop yield while controlling for potential sources of variation. By utilizing this design, researchers can obtain reliable data on the efficacy of various bee attractants in enhancing pollination and improving seed yield in niger crops. The results showed that the both at 10% and 50% flowering stage Apis dorsata visit was numerically the highest with flower extract of Madhuca longifolia 10% with 20.42 and 19.25 Apis dorsata/m2/5min, respectively. This was followed by rose water spray with 19.25 and 15.33 Apis dorsata/m2/5min, respectively. The population of Apis dorsata was received from the controlled condition 4.08 and 6.08 Apis dorsata/m2/5min at 10% and 50% flowering stage, respectively. This was followed by water spray 5.75 and 8.58 Apis dorsata/m2/5min at 10% and 50% flowering stage, respectively. The foliar spray of mahua flower extract and rose water 10% were found significantly superior over others in respect to record higher seed yield and recorded 6.90 q and 6.70 q/ha seed yield, respectively.