Crotalaria Species Research Articles

Copper, lead, and zinc tolerance and accumulation in the Australian rattle pods Crotalaria novae‐hollandiae, C. medicaginea, and C. mitchellii

AbstractCrotalaria is a genus of ~600 species of legumes predominantly found in (sub)tropical regions of Africa and Australia. Crotalaria novae‐hollandiae from Australia is a polymetallic zinc (Zn)‐cadmium(Cd)‐copper(Cu) hyperaccumulator, but only when growing in metalliferous soils. This study aimed to test metal tolerance in Australian Crotalaria species to establish whether metal tolerance is a trait shared between Crotalaria species not known to occur on metalliferous soils. The hyperaccumulator Crotalaria novae‐hollandiae and two non‐metallophytes, Crotalaria mitchellii and Crotalaria medicaginea, were exposed to different treatments containing Cu‐lead(Pb)‐Zn in the form of spiked soils. Foliar samples were analyzed for total elemental concentrations and spectrophotometric analysis was undertaken to assess photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a + b and carotenoids) as indicators of stress and polyphenols as an indicator of tolerance. No significant differences in metal accumulation were found in the Crotalaria species, and all exhibited a high level of tolerance toward Zn. However, C. novae‐hollandiae exhibited the greatest tolerance toward Zn but had low tolerance toward Cu, while none accumulated foliar Pb. Tolerance to Zn appears to be a trait shared between the Crotalaria species tested. None of the tested Crotalaria species exhibited tolerance toward Cu, and none accumulated Pb.

Molecular, morphological, and morphometric evidence reveal a new, critically endangered rattlepod (Crotalaria, Fabaceae/Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) from tropical China.

Here, we describe a new species of Crotalaria L. discovered in Mengla County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan, China. The new species, Crotalariamenglaensis S.A.Rather, was confirmed by identifying diagnostic morphological characteristics, performing principal component analyses of phenotypic traits, and phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear ITS and plastid matK sequences. Phylogenetic analyses recovered the two accessions of the new species to be sister to C.bracteata Roxb. ex DC. In turn, these two species formed the sister clade to the two accessions of C.incana L. The morphometric analyses revealed that all three species were distinct, while the analyses of distinctive characters enabled unambiguous distinction of the new species by its growth habit, leaflets, flower structure and pod morphology. In contrast to the two related species, the new species is currently known only from ca. 100 mature individuals. Thus, this species is considered to be critically endangered.

Medicinal Properties of Crotalaria burhia: A Review

Background: Natural products have a crucial role in the discovery and development of drug molecules. The secondary metabolites derived from the plant have potential therapeutic value and reveal many pharmacological effects. Crotalaria burhia Buchham, a Leguminaceae herb, is mostly present in arid parts of India, Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan. Shinio, Bhip, Bhata, Ghugato, and Ban Sutra are just a few of the names it goes by. It is used to cure gout, eczema, hydrophobia, and inflammation. Plant root porridge is used for typhoid, wounds and cuts, rheumatism, flatulence, earaches, nasal bleeding, and stone problems. The powder form of the plant is used for digestive disorders. The plant has potent pharmacological activity and is also carcinogenic and anticarcinogenic in nature. Various phytoconstituents are present, like tannins, amino acids, alkaloids, steroids, triterpenoids, mucilage, flavonoids, gum, polyphenols, anthraquinones, carbohydrates, glycosides, and saponins. Croburhine is a novel pyrrolizidine alkaloid obtained from it. This review focuses on the existing knowledge of the phytochemistry and pharmacological action of C. burhia, which will provide broad information for a proper assessment of the plant as a medicinal agent. Methods: The experimental analysis and data reported on the species of Crotalaria were reviewed from 2005 to 2022. Various databases were used as article sources, like Medline and Pubmed, and a literature review was done using the keywords Crotalaria burhia, habitat, species, pharmacological action, and traditional uses. Result: On the basis of our perception, we have stated that the species Crotalaria burhia is a golden herb that possesses potent pharmacological activities. It is widely used as a conventional drug for the cure of various diseases, but its active constituents need to be evaluated more for future drug development and pharmacological action. Conclusion: There were a total of 21 research articles about the phytochemical screening of herbs, which showed the presence of different active constituents like alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, glycosides, mucilage, gum, polyphenols, carbohydrates, terpenoids, etc., which are responsible for different pharmacological activities like antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antihypertensive, antitumor, and analgesic activity.

Heteranthery and Its Comparative Imputation in Two Wild Species of Crotalaria L.

Heteranthery and Its Comparative Imputation in Two Wild Species of Crotalaria L.

Monocrotaline presence in the Crotalaria (Fabaceae) plant genus and its influence on arthropods in agroecosystems.

Crotalaria (Fabaceae) occurs abundantly in tropical and subtropical regions and has about 600 known species. These plants are widely used in agriculture, mainly as cover plants and green manures, in addition to their use in the management of phytonematodes. A striking feature of these species is the production of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), secondary allelochemicals involved in plant defense against herbivores. In Crotalaria species, monocrotaline is the predominant PA, which has many biological activities reported, including cytotoxicity, tumorigenicity, hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity, with a wide range of ecological interactions. Thus, studies have sought to elucidate the effects of this compound to promote an increase in flora and fauna (mainly insects and nematodes) associated with agroecosystems, favoring the natural biological control. This review summarizes information about the monocrotaline, showing such effects in these environments, both above and below ground, and their potential use in pest management programs.

Plant growth and metabolism of exotic and native Crotalaria species for mine land rehabilitation in the Amazon

Plant growth and metabolism of exotic and native Crotalaria species for mine land rehabilitation in the Amazon

Overcoming Tegumentary Numbness in Seeds of Crotalaria spectabilis and Crotalaria paulinea

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of dormancy breaking methods in seeds of C. paulinea and C. Spectabilis. Theoretical reference: Species of crotalaria, such as C. paulinea and C. spectabilis, found in the Brazilian territory, are used as green manure in large crops and vegetable productions. However, the presence of tegumentary hardness in their seeds can result in failures in soil cover, which favor the emergence of weeds. Method/design/approach: The research was carried out at the Laboratório de Análise de Sementes of the Departamento de Agronomia, at the Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Minas Gerais. Twenty treatments were applied to the seeds to break dormancy, using mechanical scarification with 120 grit sandpaper, hot water in an oven at 90 °C for five and seven minutes, and immersion in sodium hypochlorite at four concentrations, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8%, for four times, two, four, six and eight hours. Results and conclusion: The most efficient treatments for breaking this dormancy in both species of crotalaria were scarification with sandpaper and immersion in water at 90±3 °C for seven minutes. Treatments using sodium hypochlorite were not effective in reducing the number of hard seeds. Originality/value: Feasibility of the methods applied to break dormancy in seeds of C. paulinea and C. Spectabilis, since they are used for green manure, and control of Aedes aegypti, among other purposes.

Nuclear Phenotype and Heterochromatin Percentages in Somatic Cells on Five Species of Crotalaria L.

Crotalaria L. is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae (subfamily Faboideae). Mitotic index is proportionately relevant to cell division rate; mitotic index was found higher (10.38±1.08%) in C. spectabilis and lower (9.43±0.304%) in C. juncea. The nuclear organizations were observed chromocentric in all examined species. The interphase chromosome volume was highest in C. juncea (0.596±0.27 µ³ in meristematic cell and 0.408±0.21 µ³ in differentiated cell) and lowest in C. saltiana (0.205±0.31 µ³ in meristematic cell and 0.16±0.25 µ³ in differentiated cell) which do not correlated with the somatic chromosome number but may be related with environmental condition. The largest cell size was found in C. juncea (20.47±0.49 µm2 in meristematic cell and 106.47±0.63 µm2 in differentiated cell) and the smallest in C. saltiana (14.43±0.39 µm2 in meristematic cell and 45.86±0.21 µm2 in differentiated cell). It was also observed that, the mean value of cell size was larger in differentiated cell compared to meristematic cell in all the studied species of Crotalaria. Chromocenter numbers were found highest (13.66±0.14) in C. saltiana and lowest (9.50±0.32) in C. juncea which are considered as more primitive and more advance in nature, respectively. Percentages of heterochromatin per nuclear area were found highest (14.75±0.71) in C. saltiana and lowest (9.67±0.71) in C. juncea which are considered as more primitive and more advance in nature, respectively. J. Bio-Sci. 30(2): 79-88, 2022

Crotalaria heteromorpha (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae), a new species of the trifoliolate crotalarias group from the state of Guerrero, Mexico

Crotalaria heteromorpha, a new species from the state of Guerrero, Mexico, is described and illustrated on the basis of vegetative and floral features, and compared to related species. It seems to have a close affinity with C. filifolia. The new species differs from C. filifolia by having variation in the shape of the leaflets, the leaflet margins frequently reddish-brown, with variable pubescence on the upper side, longer stipules, shorter pedicels, comparatively smaller and reflexed wings, a narrower keel with a slightly larger and narrower beak and darker seeds, which are rough-grained in texture. With the proposal of C. heteromorpha as a new species, there are now 10 endemic trifoliolate species of Crotalaria recognized in México.

De novo transcriptome of a bast fibre crop Crotalaria juncea reveals T2 ribonuclease genes to investigate late-acting self-rejection of pollens

The biology of gametophytic late-acting self-rejection of pollen in pre-zygotic ovules is relatively unknown in the Fabaceae family of plants. Our understanding of the genetic basis of late-acting self-incompatibility (LSI) is limited due to a lack of sequence data and candidate genes. Crotalaria juncea, a Fabaceae family member that produces commercially important phloem fiber, possesses LSI. Due to a lack of selfed seeds, it is difficult to maintain genetic purity in germplasm and develop breeding lines for improved fiber quality and yield. To investigate candidate genes for LSI in C. juncea, a high-quality de novo transcriptome was generated. It facilitated the identification of genes from the self-incompatibility-related ribonuclease (RNase) family, specifically a Class III T2/RNase gene with sequence properties similar to S-RNase proteins. Based on conserved amino acid motifs, histidine residues, and a high isoelectric point (pI ≥9.0), Cjun_RNS3.1 was identified as an S-RNase homologue (non-S-RNase) or relic S-RNase gene. Unlike typical S-RNases found in known SI plant systems, evolutionary analysis of the Cjun_RNS3.1 protein revealed its ancestral origin. The expression of Cjun_RNS3.1 and other T2/RNase genes revealed differential expression patterns in the pistils of LSI and self-compatible Crotalaria species. The upregulation of the Cjun_RNS3.1 gene during the different stages of pollen tube development indicates that it may be involved in the LSI. In summary, the sunn hemp transcriptome is the first genomic resource reported from a Fabaceae family plant with the LSI trait. A non-S-RNase gene with an ancestral evolutionary origin and a diverse function was found, which could be related to gametophytic LSI. This could be used as a model system to investigate the molecular basis of LSI in the Fabaceae family and help develop C. juncea breeding lines for fibre improvement.

Use of vegetation cover in the control of different species of the genus Amaranthus

Soil cover has a physical, chemical, and biological effect on weed suppression. Although it depends on factors such as location and weed pressure, vegetation cover can even eliminate the need for herbicide application. Considering that the weeds popularly known as pigweed (Amaranthus sp.) have been expanding in agricultural areas and the use of only one form of management is not recommended for their control, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of using cover crop phytomass to control species of the genus Amaranthus. Soil vegetation cover at different percentage levels was evaluated in the control of the following weed species: Amaranthus hybridus, Amaranthus deflexus, and Amaranthus viridis, previously sown. The experimental design was completely randomized in a factorial scheme (9x4), with four replications. The treatments resulted from the combination of nine cover crops with Crotalaria species (Crotalaria juncea, Crotalaria breviflora, and Crotalaria spectabilis), black oats (Avena strigosa), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis), pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan), lablab bean (Dolichos lablab), and pencilflower (Stylosanthes macrocephala), and four percentage levels of phytomass (control – no phytomass; 50%, 100%, and 200% of the total mean production, identified as CONTROL, T50%, T100%, and T200%, respectively), with four replications. Black oats, pencilflower, and jack bean showed higher potential for controlling Amaranthus hybridus and Amaranthus deflexus, while sorghum and jack bean were more efficient in controlling Amaranthus viridis. Regarding the amount of green mass, the amounts T100% and T200% were the most promising in suppressing weeds.

Root foraging in the leguminous zinc hyperaccumulator Crotalaria novae-hollandiae from Queensland, Australia

Context Root foraging by hyperaccumulator plants in response to patchily distributed metals has been observed in several obligate hyperaccumulators, but it is not known whether facultative hyperaccumulators respond similarly. Aims This study investigated the root-growth behaviour in the leguminous zinc (Zn) hyperaccumulator Crotalaria novae-hollandiae compared with the non-accumulating Crotalaria cunninghamii in response to localised soil Zn enrichment in the soil to observe foraging versus avoidance responses. Methods We conducted rhizotron experiments in which we exposed the Crotalaria species pair to juxtaposed treatments, which were either homogenous (each half of the treatments containing same Zn concentrations) or heterogenous (different Zn concentrations in each half of the treatments). The Zn concentrations were 0 μg Zn g−1 (control), 2000 μg Zn g−1 and 5000 μg Zn g−1 in the form of zinc carbonate). Key results We found that none of the treatments had significantly different rooting density and root biomass, regardless of the Crotalaria species. This finding contrasts with increased root proliferation in Zn-rich patches found for other obligate hyperaccumulator species. Conclusions and implications The no-preference root response towards Zn in Crotalaria may partly explain the facultative hyperaccumulation mechanism displayed by these species. This root response towards Zn may ultimately affect Zn phytoextraction efficacy when utilising Crotalaria species in a heterogenous Zn soil substrate. These findings highlight the need for rhizosphere investigations prior to field phytoextraction applications.

MIXTURES OF PHOSPHORUS SOURCES OF DIFFERENT SOLUBILITIES AND THE EFFICIENCY OF USE BY CORN IN INTERCROPPING WITH COVER CROPS

Tropical soils have chemical characteristics that promote a fixation of the P element, making the phosphate fertilizers in these soils have low efficiency. The present work aimed to evaluate the efficiency of phosphate fertilization in the corn crop in different crop systems, different sources of P and mixture between these sources. It was adopted a completely randomized design with subdivided plots. The plots were formed by three treatments (system cultivation of corn): single corn, corn intercropped with Crotalaria juncea, and corn intercropped pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan). The subplots formed by five treatments, created by two P sources and three mixtures between them. The consortium with pigeon pea and crotalaria species reduced productivity regardless of the source or mix of sources used. In consortium cultivation, greater use is made of the applied fertilizer, which means that consortium cultivation can be a tool for improving levels of P use in Brazilian agriculture.

Genetic diversity and population structure of wild and cultivated Crotalaria species based on genotyping-by-sequencing.

Crotalaria is a plant genus that is found all over the world, with over 700 species of herbs and shrubs. The species are potential alternative food and industrial crops due to their adaptability to different environments. Currently, information on the genetic diversity and population structure of these species is scanty. Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) is a cost-effective high-throughput technique in diversity evaluation of plant species that have not been fully sequenced. In the current study, de novo GBS was used to characterize 80 Crotalaria accessions from five geographical regions in Kenya. A total of 9820 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers were obtained after thinning and filtering, which were then used for the analysis of genetic diversity and population structure in Crotalaria. The proportion of SNPs with a minor allele frequency (maf) > = 0.05 was 45.08%, while the Guanine-Cytosine (GC) content was 0.45, from an average sequence depth of 455,909 reads per base. The transition vs transversion ratio was 1.81 and Heterozygosity (He) ranged between 0.01-0.07 in all the sites and 0.04 to 0.52 in the segregating sites. The mean Tajima's D value for the population was -0.094, suggesting an excess of rare alleles. The fixation index (Fst) between the different populations based on the Wright Fst (1943) ranged from 0.0119 to 0.066 for the Eastern-Western and Nairobi-Western populations. Model based techniques of population structure analysis including structure, k-means and cross-entropy depicted eight clusters in the study accessions. Non-model based techniques especially DAPC depicted poor population stratification. Correspondence Analysis (CA), Principal coordinate analyses (PCoA) and phylogenetic analysis identified a moderate level of population stratification. Results from this study will help conservationists and breeders understand the genetic diversity of Crotalaria. The study also provides valuable information for genetic improvement of domesticated species.

Extended distribution of two endemic <I>Crotalaria</I> species to Telangana state, India

Two endemic Crotalaria species viz., Crotalaria sandoorensis Bedd. ex Gamble and Crotalaria vestita Baker of the family Fabaceae have been reported first time from the Telangana state. Nomenclatural citation, detailed description and phenological data along with distribution map, pictorial data and herbarium voucher numbers have been provided here to facilitate easy identification and future references.

DO CROTALARIA PLANT HEIGHT AND MAIZE INTER-ROW SPACING AFFECT INTERCROPPED MAIZE YIELD?

Intercropping with Crotalaria species may reduce maize yield; thus, evaluations must understand and explain competition in an intercropped system. The aim was to evaluate the effects of Crotalaria species and inter-row maize spacing on the growth and yield of intercropped maize. A randomized block design in a split-plot scheme was used. Plots comprised maize inter-row spacings of 0.45 and 0.90 m. Subplots consisted of four cropping systems: maize monoculture and three systems of maize intercropped with C. juncea, C. spectabilis, and C. ochroleuca. Plant heights of maize and Crotalaria species throughout the cycle, maize yield, and Crotalaria dry mass were evaluated. The critical plant height of Crotalaria that reduced maize yield ranged from 0.32 to 0.75 m, that is, the more advanced the maize cycle, the greater the critical plant height of Crotalaria. Intercropping with C. juncea was the only one that reduced maize yield (21%) compared to its monoculture, and inter-row maize spacing did not affect the variables. These results were due to the greater plant height (more than 100% higher) and final dry mass (more than 80% higher) of C. juncea compared to the other Crotalaria species, promoting competition with maize for water, light, and nutrients. The choice of Crotalaria species is essential for management in maize intercropped systems, associating the ecosystem benefits of the intercropping without reducing the cereal yield.

Phenology of the Genus Crotalaria L. (Fabaceae-Papilionoideae) of Holalkere, Hosadurga and Chitradurga Thaluks of Chitradurga District, Karnataka, India

The present study describes detailed distribution of the genus Crotalaria L. in a natural habitat. This research is carried out by extensive field survey and observation across all the 3 thaluks of Chitradurga, area is botanized for Crotalaria species in all seasons and critically analysed the phenological features of all the documented species during the study period 2018-2021. We have recorded 11 species of Crotalaria, Crotalaria calycina Schrank., Crotalaria globosa Wight & Arn, Crotalaria goreensis Guill. & Perr., Crotalaria hebecarpa (DC.) Rudd. Crotalaria juncea L., Crotalaria orixensis Willd., Crotalaria pallida Aiton., Crotalaria prostrata Willd., Crotalaria pusilla DC., Crotalaria retusa L., and Crotalaria varicosa Polhill. Data obtained through this research is the basis for the study of further characterisation of Crotalaria species; this research describes the importance of phenology in taxonomy and the behaviour biology of the Crotalaria species, as they are economically important group.

A highly complex stingless bee propolis: Composition and influence of the period of collection

AbstractBackgroundStingless bees or meliponines (family Apidae, subfamily Meliponinae, tribe Meliponini) are eusocial bees from tropical and subtropical regions. Propolis of Scaptotrigona aff. postica (Latreille, 1807) is used in the state of Maranhão (Northeast Brazil) in ointments to treat tumors and wounds. Samples of propolis of S. aff. postica (Apidae, Meliponini) were collected monthly from an apiary located in Barra do Corda (state of Maranhão, Northeast Brazil). Extracts of the 12 samples were obtained with 80% ethanol. Constituents of the samples were characterized by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array detector and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry analysis, amounting to 100 substances.ResultsRepresentatives of several classes of secondary metabolites were characterized, including benzoic and cinnamic acids, flavonoids (chalcones, flavone‐C‐glycosides, flavonol aglycones, and glycosides), alkyl and alkenyl resorcinols, xanthones, diterpenes, cycloartane‐type triterpenoids, pentacyclic triterpenoids, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, and hydroxycinnamic acid amides (HCAAs). Considerable qualitative differences in chemical composition among samples were observed, depending on the year period of collection. Principal Coordinate Analysis recognized three distinct year periods (Jan–Mar, April–Sep, Oct–Dec) according to the corresponding chemical profiles.ConclusionCompared with previous studies, the present work indicates that considerable differences in chemical composition occur also from year to year. Contrary to most propolis types reported so far, which derive exclusively or mostly from a single botanical source, the propolis from Barra do Corda seemingly depends on several resin sources. It is suggested that chalcones and flavonols stem from Mimosa tenuiflora (Mimosoideae); resorcinols, xanthones, and cycloartane‐type triterpenoids, from fruits of Mangifera indica (Anacardiaceae); pyrrolizidine alkaloids, possibly from some Crotalaria species (Faboideae); HCAAs probably originate from pollen contaminating the propolis samples. The propolis of S. aff. postica poses challenges and possibilities of study for apicultural researchers, chemists, and pharmacologists.

Ecological trade‐offs in development and defence in a specialist moth when feeding on four congeneric host plants

AbstractHerbivore diet breadth has been hypothesised to be driven by plant quality (physiological efficiency hypothesis) or natural enemies (enemy‐free space hypothesis). These hypotheses on their own are now known to be insufficient explanations for the range of herbivore diet breadths and more integrative approaches consider how trade‐offs and ecological contingencies shape host plant use by herbivores. I carried out laboratory experiments to test whether physiological efficiency and defence against natural enemies trade off when larvae of the ornate bella moth, Utetheisa ornatrix (L.) (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), a genus‐specialist pod‐boring herbivore, feeds on leaves and pods of four Crotalaria species (Fabaceae). Different components of U. ornatrix physiological efficiency traded off amongst each other and with defence against adult predation by the spider Lycosa erythrognatha Lucas (Araneae: Lycosidae). Crotalaria micans Link provided the highest survival and fast development but low pupal weight and defence. Crotalaria ochroleuca G. Don provided poor survival, slow development, and low defence, but high pupal weight. Crotalaria pallida Aiton provided slow development and intermediate survival and pupal weight, but the best defence. Crotalaria vitellina Ker Gawl. provided high survival, fast development, and efficient defence, but low pupal weight. Compared to leaves, feeding on green seeds provided greater defence against predation, and developmental benefits, independent of host plant species, but there was a large cost in boring into the pod to reach the seeds. I therefore provide evidence that the trade‐offs among physiological efficiency components and between physiological efficiency and defence could maintain multiple host plant use in specialist herbivores. I also show that feeding on green seeds incurs a cost through pod‐boring but gives the moth benefits in adult defence. Therefore, the evolution of host plant use and pod‐boring in insect herbivores could be driven by defence as much as by physiological efficiency.

Impacto de plantas de cobertura e da distribuição de chuvas sobre Scaptocoris castanea (Hemiptera: Cydnidae)

Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the population dynamics of the burrower bug (Scaptocoris castanea) in an area with cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) cultivated after cover crops. The insects were counted in soil samples collected at 0-40 cm depth. Insect incidence was documented in 18 cover crops, alone or intercropped, in each plant stage. Rainfall distribution was compared with fluctuations in the burrower bug population. Crotalaria species have a suppressive effect on the insect population, whereas some grass species favor its increase. Rainfall distribution directly influences the insect population.