Spider Plant Research Articles

Spider plant (Cleome gynandra) breeding priorities and preferences among landraces in Zimbabwe

Background: Participatory approaches such as participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and participatory variety selection (PVS) methods empower farmers to play a greater role in the decision-making process and in shaping the future improvement of crops. However, few studies have established breeding priorities and assessed variety preferences for spider plant, a nutrient-rich and medicinal crop mainly grown as landraces by farmers.Aim: This study aims to set spider plant breeding priorities and select preferred varieties.Setting: This study was conducted at seven farmer field schools (FFSs) located in various districts of Zimbabwe during the 2021–2022 summer season.Methods: Landrace genotypes were planted in a variety of demonstration plots where farmers met, learned and discussed important breeding traits, ultimately ranking the landrace genotypes. Important traits of spider plant were identified and prioritised to establish breeding priorities. The final ranking was conducted at the end of the season, and the data were analysed for significance.Results: The top six most important breeding priorities across the FFS can be ranked as follows: size of leaves number of branches taste late maturity germination early leaf growth. Preferences for different genotypes varied among FFSs. CGGUR, CGMRGP-Marondera and CGUZG1 were preferred for higher branching habits. Landraces with larger leaf sizes, were CGNPGRC356, CGMRGP-Marondera.Conclusion: The preferred genotypes were as follows: Tsholotsho = CGGUR, Rushinga = CGKENYA, Chiredzi = CGMRG1, Mudzi = CGMRGP-Marondera, Horticulture Research Institution – Research community (HRI-R) = CGMRG1 and CGKENYA, and M-Chiota = CGZIM and CGUZG1. Across FFSs, significantly (p 0.001) higher preference ranks were in the following order: CGMRGP-Marondera CGMRG1 CGNPGRC355 CGKENYA.Contribution: These genotypes can be utilised for future genetic improvement, seed production and variety release.

Insight into physiological and biochemical markers against formaldehyde stress in spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum L.).

Formaldehyde is a prominent volatile organic compound and also considered as an indoor air pollutant. Chlorophytum comosum, an indoor plant, has been reported to metabolize indoor formaldehyde. But the phytotoxic effects of formaldehyde, being a pollutant, on C. comosum are not well explored. Furthermore, C. comosum responses that can be considered as markers at the physiological and biochemical level against formaldehyde stress are not yet investigated. Therefore, the current research study was aimed to evaluate such potential markers against formaldehyde in C. comosum. Briefly, C. comosum was exposed to 5-, 10-, and 20-ppm formaldehyde doses in an airtight glass chamber. Plant samples were then taken to analyze morpho-anatomical, physiological, and biochemical responses after short (2, 4, and 6h), medium (12 and 24h), and extended durations (48 and 96h) for each tested dose. Application of 10 and 20ppm formaldehyde doses leads to a significant incline in enzymatic antioxidants. Formaldehyde concentration of 10ppm leads to a maximum increase in catalase (30.30 U/mg of protein), guaiacol peroxidase (135.64 U/mg of protein), and superoxide dismutase (44.76 U/mg of protein) compared to their respective controls. A significant change is also observed in non-enzymatic parameters, including total phenolic content, which ranged from 3.62mg GAE/g (control) to 10.51mg GAE/g, total antioxidants vary from 27.37% (control) to 85.05% in 20ppm formaldehyde, respectively. However, formaldehyde application negatively affected the physiological responses of C. comosum by reducing its photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance. Additionally, extended exposure of C. comosum to 10- and 20-ppm formaldehyde doses leads to visible leaf damage. Principal component analysis indicated that enzymatic parameters including SOD, CAT, and GPX and non-enzymatic parameters including MDA, TPC, TFC, TAOs, carotenoids, TSS, and intercellular CO2 contributed the most to the total variance. Thus, these parameters have potential to serve as physiological and biochemical markers in C. comosum against formaldehyde stress.

Expression of Concern: Effect of farmyard manure, elemental sulphur and EDTA on growth and phytoextraction of cadmium by spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum L.) under Cd stress (Chemosphere, Volume 313, February 2023, 137385)

Expression of Concern: Effect of farmyard manure, elemental sulphur and EDTA on growth and phytoextraction of cadmium by spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum L.) under Cd stress (Chemosphere, Volume 313, February 2023, 137385)

Spider–Plant Interaction: The Role of Extrafloral Nectaries in Spider Attraction and Their Influence on Plant Herbivory and Reproduction

Spiders, abundant and diverse arthropods which occur in vegetation, have received little attention in studies investigating spider–plant interactions, especially in plants which have extrafloral nectaries (EFNs). This study examines whether spiders attracted to EFNs on the plant Heteropterys pteropetala (Malpighiaceae) function as biological protectors, mitigating leaf herbivory and positively impacting plant fitness, through manipulative experiments. Spiders are attracted to EFNs because, in addition to consuming the resource offered by these structures, they also consume the herbivores that are attracted by the nectar. At the same time, we documented the reproductive phenology of the plant studied and the abundance of spiders over time. Our results revealed that the plant’s reproductive period begins in December with the emergence of flower buds and ends in April with the production of samarids, fruits which are morphologically adapted for wind dispersal, aligning with the peak abundance of spiders. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that spiders are attracted to plants that exude EFNs, resulting in a positive impact on reducing leaf area loss but with a neutral effect on protecting reproductive structures. By revealing the protective function of spiders’ vegetative structures on plants, this research highlights the ecological importance of elucidating the dynamics between spiders and plants, contributing to a deeper understanding of ecosystems.

Seasonality of associations between production of indigenous foods and food security status of mother-child dyads in Kisumu County, Kenya

BackgroundFood insecurity is a major predicament for rural populations, especially mothers and children, whose livelihoods are often dependent on rain-fed agriculture. Indigenous foods have the potential of mitigating food insecurity as they can thrive in poor agro-ecological conditions. However, the associations between indigenous food production and food security status of mothers and children drawn from rural contexts has not been expansively assessed. Food insecurity evident by high food poverty rates remain high in Kisumu County due to over-reliance on food imports from other counties. The objective of the study was to assess seasonality in associations between production of selected indigenous foods (kidney beans, soya beans, millet, cassava, sweet potatoes, groundnuts, green grams, cow peas, amaranth leaves, spider plant leaves, black night shade leaves, mangoes, guavas, lime, and tamarind) and food security status of mothers and children during planting and harvesting seasons.MethodsWe used a longitudinal study design adopting both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A structured questionnaire assessed production of selected indigenous foods in the sampled households, Household Food Insecurity Access Scale for mother’s food security status and Prevalence of Underweight for children’s food security status. Ordinal logistic regression was used to derive odds ratio (OR), which assessed strength of associations between dependent variables (mother’s and children’s food security status) and independent variables (production of selected indigenous foods). Significance was determined at α ≤ 0.05.ResultsResults demonstrated that during planting season, production of kidney beans decreased the odds of mothers being severely food insecure by 53% (OR = 0.469, 95% CI = 0.228–0.964, p = 0.039). In the same season, sorghum production demonstrated 3.5 times increase in odds of children being severely food insecure (OR = 3.498, 95% CI = 1.454–8.418, p = 0.005). During harvesting season, production of kidney beans was associated with a 62% reduction in the odds of children being severely food insecure (OR = 0.379, 95% CI = 0.190–0.754, p = 0.006).ConclusionsProduction of some of the selected indigenous foods demonstrated significant odds of predicting mother’s and children’s food security status across both study seasons. An intervention-based study approach that would best establish causal associations of indigenous food production and food security status is recommended.

Fluoride toxicity and impact on Spider Plant leaves

Fluoride toxicity and impact on Spider Plant leaves

1H NMR-Based Metabolomics Profile of Green and Red Amaranthus Grown in Open Field versus Greenhouse Cultivation System.

Traditionally, indigenous African leafy vegetables such as Amaranthus, blackjack, jute mallow, cleome monophyla, and spider plants have been conventionally and organically grown as weeds in open fields. However, the lack of land space due to the increase in population has resulted in unconventional, modern, and advanced agricultural farming. The introduction of a greenhouse has recently become the second most popular growing system alongside shade net and glasshouse to increase productivity and meet consumers' demand. Several studies on Amaranthus species have solely focused on physiological parameters and nutritional composition, leaving a huge gap on their metabolomic profile of the leaves which is crucial to comprehend when growing Amaranthus species in different cropping systems. Therefore, the study aimed to determine the influence of different cropping systems on the release of metabolites of two commonly consumed Amaranthus species in South Africa. H1 -Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) tool was used to profile the untargeted metabolites of green (Amaranthus graecizans L.) and red (Amaranthus cruentus L.) species. A total of 12 metabolites-trehalose, betaine, glutamine, choline, sucrose, caprate, adenosine, asparagine, carnitine, caffeine, aspartate, and alanine-were detected in green amaranth grown in open fields. Except for caffeine, aspartate, and caprate, which were found in the green amaranth grown in open fields, all the other metabolites were detected in the greenhouse grown once. Interestingly, allantoin, which serves as an allelochemical, was the sole distinct metabolite detected in greenhouse cultivated green amaranth. On the contrary, seven similar metabolites were quantified in red amaranth grown in both open fields and greenhouses, apart from caffeine, which was only detected in greenhouse-cultivated red amaranth.

Morpho-physiological and biochemical characterization of African spider plant (Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq.) genotypes under drought and non-drought conditions.

The African spider plant (Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq.) is a nutrient-dense, climate-resilient indigenous vegetable with a C4 carbon fixation pathway. Understanding African spider plant drought tolerance mechanisms is essential for improving its performance in water-stressed areas. The objective of this study was to evaluate the stress tolerance potential of African spider plant accessions based on thirteen morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits under three different water treatment regimes. Eighteen accessions were evaluated over two growing seasons in the greenhouse using a split-split plot design with four replications and three water treatment-regimes namely optimum (100% field capacity), intermediate drought (50% field capacity) and, severe drought (30% field capacity). The results revealed that water regime had a significant effect (P< 0.01) on the accessions for the traits studied. A significant reduction across most of the studied traits was observed under drought conditions. However, proline content in all the accessions significantly rose under drought conditions. The principal component analysis revealed a considerable difference in the performance of the 18 African spider plant accessions under optimum and drought stress conditions. Several morphological and physiological parameters, including days to 50% flowering (r = 0.80), leaf length (r = 0.72), net photosynthesis (r = 0.76) and number of leaves per plant (r = 0.79), were positively associated with leaf yield under drought conditions. Cluster analysis categorized the 18 accessions and 13 measured parameters into 4 clusters, with cluster-1 exhibiting greater drought tolerance for most of the studied traits, and cluster-4 having the most drought-sensitive accessions. Among the accessions tested, accessions L3 and L5 demonstrated excellent drought tolerance and yield performance under both conditions. As a result, these accessions were selected as candidates for African spider plant drought tolerance breeding programs. These findings will serve as the foundation for future studies and will aid in improving food and nutrition security in the face of drought.

Effect of lactic acid bacteria fermentation on nutrients and anti-nutrients of African black nightshade and African spider plant

African black nightshade is a leafy vegetable consumed in many parts of Africa. African spider plant is also a very important indigenous leafy vegetable consumed all around Africa. Both the African black nightshade and African spider plant are popular despite their tedious preparation techniques which involve boiling and discarding the first water or a lengthy boiling duration to remove bitterness. However, this preparation technique reduces heat-labile and water-soluble nutrients. Fermentation can be a better alternative processing technique since it has been observed that fermented products have better nutritional content and increased safety. However, there is still limited literature on the effect of fermentation on the nutrients and anti-nutrients content of these vegetables. This study aimed to ferment African black nightshade and African spider plant using Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactococcus lactis cultures and determined the effect of the fermentation on their nutrients and anti-nutrients content. Both vegetables were submerged in a 3% sugar and 3% salt brine solution. Total ash, crude proteins and crude fibres significantly increased in starter culture inoculated vegetables. However, both β-carotene and ascorbic acid were slightly reduced in all fermented batches. Anti-nutrients were significantly reduced in all fermented batches. In conclusion, lactic acid fermentation of these vegetables demonstrated the ability to maintain or increase nutrients while reducing of anti-nutrients.

Spider Plant (Cleome gynandra L.): An Emerging Weed in the Sweet Corn–Brassica Cropping System

Spider plant (Cleome gynandra L.) is an emerging noxious weed, affecting cultivated vegetables in Queensland, Australia. It is a prolific seed producer, forming large seedbanks with variable seedling emergence. A study was carried out to investigate the seed biology of spider plant, focusing on its seed germination ecology, viz., influence of temperatures, illumination conditions, medium salinity, pH, substrate moisture, burial depth, and after-ripening. Freshly harvested seeds were negatively photoblastic and had combinational dormancy. Improved germination was obtained by physical scarification followed by soaking for 16 h, by dry storage for over 6 months, and by the imbibition of gibberellic acid. Maximum germination percentages of 70 to 80% were recorded under constant darkness at alternating day/night temperatures of 20/30 °C, or with 18 to 27 °C constant temperatures. Spider plant showed a broad tolerance to pH but only moderate salt and moisture stress tolerance, since only 42 and 26% germination were observed with 60 mM NaCl and at −0.40 MPa, respectively. Seeds placed on the soil surface did not germinate, however, at a burial depth of 1.0 to 1.5 cm, which resulted in ca. 80% seedling emergence. These findings will assist land managers to predict seasonal emergence and will aid in deploying management approaches to control this weed.

Does intervention in African indigenous vegetables value chain improve production and welfare outcomes? Evidence from western Kenya

African Indigenous Vegetables (AIVs) are increasingly recognized as essential for sustainable dietary diversification in the predominantly cereal-based staple diets. The AIVs also provide employment opportunities and generate income for the rural populations. Many initiatives by researchers and development agencies have promoted the AIVs value chains in Kenya. However, little evidence exists on impact of the initiatives on farm households. Several studies have examined impact of agricultural interventions based on observational data. The findings from such studies are likely to be influenced by unobserved attributes, resulting in a biased estimation of causal relationships between interventions and impacts. We conducted a clusterrandomized controlled trial to estimate the unbiased impacts of a multifaceted intervention that focused on production, consumption nutrition behavior change communication, and linking farmers to markets in selected AIV value chains (cowpea, spider plant, amaranth, nightshade, and slender leaf) in western Kenya. Using two waves of household panel data (2018 and 2021), we evaluated the impacts of the intervention on land area allocation to AIVs, total leaf production, AIVs income, and household dietary diversity Score (HDDS). The empirical estimation using descriptive statistics and analysis of covariance revealed that households that were exposed to the intervention significantly increased land area under AIVs by 38% (p &lt; 0.01) and total leaf production by 46% (p &lt; 0.05). At end line, the spider plant had the highest percentage increase (60%) in land area compared to the control group. However, there is no evidence of whether or not the intervention had an impact on AIVs income and HDDS. The study concludes that the hypothesis that the intervention was to have significant impact on AIV production, nutrition security and income had mixed results. We recommend that similar interventions include components to integrate the capacity of households to adapt to risks such as the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change. Further cost-benefit analysis is required for informed resource allocation. Designing and implementing policies that promote household access to input and output markets are likely to improve the performance of the AIV value chains and contribute to income and nutrition.

Variance Components, Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis of Morpho-Physiological and Yield Related Traits in Spider Plant (Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq.) under Water-Stress Conditions

Drought is the most complex abiotic stress for crop production at the global level. Therefore, developing new African spider plant genotypes tolerant to drought stress is one of the best approaches to achieving and optimizing high yield potential with water use efficiency. Advances in the selection of this crop can be determined by an understanding of genetic variability, heritability, and the associations that exist among different traits. The aim of this study was to gather information that will aid in the breeding of African spider plant cultivars with improved drought tolerance. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) experiment with eighteen genotypes and four replications was carried out across three water regimes: severe drought (30% field capacity), intermediate drought (50% field capacity), and well-watered (100% field capacity), in two seasons. Data on twelve morpho-physiological traits were recorded. The analysis of variance showed significant differences among genotypes (p &lt; 0.05) in leaf yield and yield-related traits. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was greater than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all 12 traits evaluated. High to moderate heritability estimates combined with a high to moderate genetic advance were observed for number of leaves, leaf width, plant height and stem diameter under drought stress conditions, indicating that these traits are controlled by additive gene action. Because of their predominant additive gene effects, correlation with leaf yield and favorable direct and indirect effects via the other yield-attributing traits, number of leaves per plant, plant height, days to 50% flowering, relative water content, net photosynthesis and leaf length could be used as target traits to improve spider plant leaf yield under drought-stressed conditions.

SPIDER, the Negative Ion Source Prototype for ITER: Overview of Operations and Cesium Injection

An overview of the recent operations and the main results of cesium injection in the Source for the Production of Ions of Deuterium Extracted from Rf plasma (SPIDER) negative ion source are described in this contribution. In experiments without cesium injection, all SPIDER plants were tested to verify the basic expectations on the operational parameters (e.g., electron cooling effectiveness of magnetic filter field) and to determine its operational region. For beam properties, it was shown that the current density varies across the beam in the vertical direction. In preliminary cesium experiments, the expected increase of negative ion current and simultaneous decrease of co-extracted electrons were found, along with the influence of the control parameters (polarization of the plasma electrodes, magnetic filter field) on the SPIDER beam uniformity in the horizontal and vertical directions. It was shown that non-Gaussian tails can be identified in the angular distribution on the plane perpendicular to the beam propagation direction. Stray particles, nonhomogeneous beam and large divergence might result in unexpected heat and particle loads over ITER neutral beam injector (NBI) accelerator grids; it is the goal of SPIDER to assess and possibly to identify suitable methods for controlling these beam features. A major shutdown, planned for late 2021, to solve the issues identified during the operation and to carry out scheduled modifications, is outlined. Such improvements are expected to allow SPIDER to pursue the ITER requirements in terms of negative ion current, electron-to-ion ratio, and beam duration.

Gamma-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Producing Probiotic Lactiplantibacillus Pentosus Isolated from Fermented Spider Plant (Pak Sian Dong) in Thailand

Psychobiotics are defined as the organisms that can provide the mental health benefit. The possible mechanism of psychobiotics is manipulation of neurotransmitter production and neurotransmitter production by the microbes. The lactobacillus group has been reported for the potential of neurotransmitter production, especially g-aminobutyric acid (GABA) which is an important inhibitory neurotransmitter. Therefore, GABA can be used for relaxation and applied in various psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was determination of lactic acid bacterial isolates from Pak Sian Dong in Thailand for GABA producing ability. The results found that there were 3 isolates, SF66, SF80 and SF82, which revealed the ability to produce glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) enzyme. The GABA were detected by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the bacterial culture containing 3% monosodium glutamate. The survival in gastrointestinal synthetic condition found that only SF66 isolate showed the authentic percentage of survival then this isolate was selected. From the identification, the isolate was identified as Lactiplantibacillus pentosus and was designated as L. pentosus SF66 which exhibited with the potential for further investigation and development to be psychobiotics.

Host Plant Specificity in Web-Building Spiders

Spiders are ubiquitous generalist predators playing an important role in regulating insect populations in many ecosystems. Traditionally they have not been thought to have strong influences on, or interactions with plants. However, this is slowly changing as several species of cursorial spiders have been reported engaging in either herbivory or inhabiting only one, or a handful of related plant species. In this review paper, we focus on web-building spiders on which very little information is available. We only find well-documented evidence from studies of host plant specificity in orb spiders in the genus Eustala, which are associated with specific species of swollen thorn acacias. We review what little is known of this group in the context of spider-plant interactions generally, and focus on how these interactions are established and maintained while providing suggestions on how spiders may locate and identify specific species of plants. Finally, we suggest ideas for future fruitful research aimed at understanding how web-building spiders find and utilise specific plant hosts.

Effect of Lactic Acid Fermentation on Phytochemical Content, Antioxidant Capacity, Sensory Acceptability and Microbial Safety of African Black Nightshade and African Spider Plant Vegetables

Traditional preparation of African indigenous vegetables (AIVs) such as African black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) and African spiderplant (Cleome gynandra) involves either boiling and discarding the first water or lengthy boiling. Fermentation is considered a better alternative processing technique due to the enhanced retention of phytochemical contents and sensory properties. However, little is known about the impact of lactic acid fermentation on the phytochemical content, antioxidant capacity, sensory acceptability and microbial safety of the African black nightshade and African spiderplant. This study aimed to ferment AIVs using combined starter cultures (Lactobacillus fermentum and Lactococcus lactis) and further determine their effect on the phytochemical content (phenolic compounds and flavonoids), antioxidant capacity, sensory acceptability and microbial safety of the vegetables. There was a marked increase in phenol and flavonoid contents in all fermented vegetables (p &lt; 0.05). The highest phenol content was 228.8 mg/g GAE (gallic acid equivalent) in the starter-culture-inoculated African black nightshade, while flavonoid content was 10.6 mg/g QE (quercetin equivalent) in the same. Starter-culture-inoculated AIVs presented significantly higher antioxidant capacity with a 60–80% radical scavenging activity compared to levels in uninoculated batches (p &lt; 0.05). Fermented vegetables were more liked than the boiled vegetables and were microbiologically safe. In conclusion, lactic fermentation of AIVs increased phytochemical contents (phenolic compounds and flavonoids), maintained antioxidant capacity and improved product safety and sensory acceptability. Therefore, fermentation and consumption of the African indigenous vegetables are to be encouraged.

Overexpression of CcFALDH from spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) enhances the formaldehyde removing capacity of transgenic gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa)1

Formaldehyde can cause leukemia and nasopharyngeal cancer in humans, and is a major indoor air pollutant. In this study, to improve the ability of flowering plants to purify formaldehyde, we cloned the CcFALDH gene encoding formaldehyde dehydrogenase (FALDH) from the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum), which encodes 379 amino acids with the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) structural domain, and used it to transform the flowering plant gloxinia (Sinningia speciosa). The FALDH activity of transgenic gloxinia was 1.8–2.7 times that of wild-type (WT) with a considerable increase in formaldehyde stress tolerance. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes SOD, POD, and CAT of transgenic gloxinia were 1.5–2.0 times those of the WT under formaldehyde stress; H2O2, O2−, and MDA contents were markedly lower than those in WT. Liquid formaldehyde and gaseous formaldehyde were metabolized at 2.1–2.8 and 2.1–2.7 times higher rates in transgenic gloxinia than in WT. Our findings indicate that overexpression of CcFALDH can enhance the capacity of flowering plants to metabolize formaldehyde, which provides a new strategy to tackle the indoor formaldehyde pollution problem.

New Insight into Short Time Exogenous Formaldehyde Application Mediated Changes in Chlorophytum comosum L. (Spider Plant) Cellular Metabolism.

Chlorophytum comosum L. plants are known to effectively absorb air pollutants, including formaldehyde (HCHO). Since the metabolic and defense responses of C. comosum to HCHO are poorly understood, in the present study, biochemical changes in C. comosum leaves induced by 48 h exposure to exogenous HCHO, applied as 20 mg m-3, were analyzed. The observed changes showed that HCHO treatment caused no visible harmful effects on C. comosum leaves and seemed to be effectively metabolized by this plant. HCHO application caused no changes in total chlorophyll (Chl) and Chl a content, increased Chl a/b ratio, and decreased Chl b and carotenoid content. HCHO treatment affected sugar metabolism, towards the utilization of sucrose and synthesis or accumulation of glucose, and decreased activities of aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, suggesting that these enzymes do not play any pivotal role in amino acid transformations during HCHO assimilation. The total phenolic content in leaf tissues did not change in comparison to the untreated plants. The obtained results suggest that HCHO affects nitrogen and carbohydrate metabolism, effectively influencing photosynthesis, shortly after plant exposure to this volatile compound. It may be suggested that the observed changes are related to early HCHO stress symptoms or an early step of the adaptation of cells to HCHO treatment. The presented results confirm for the first time the direct influence of short time HCHO exposure on the studied parameters in the C. comosum plant leaf tissues.

Essential trace elements in the African spider plant (Cleome gynandra). A case study in Molo Ward, Nakuru, Kenya

AbstractIn Kenya, cases of malnutrition and nutritionally related ailments have been on the rise. This calls for the search for food crops with vital trace elements. The aim of the current study was to use energy dispersive X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRF) to determine the concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu, and Mn in the stems and leaves of the African spider plant (Cleome gynandra) in the context of nutrition. Stems and leaves of the African spider plant grown in the highland and in the lowland of Molo Ward, Nakuru, Kenya, were found to contain total available Zn in the range of 140 ± 50 to 230 ± 60 mg/kg, Fe in the range of 2200 ± 700 to 3900 ± 1700 mg/kg, Cu at 13 ± 3 to 16 ± 5 mg/kg, and Mn at 380 ± 120 to 400 ± 140 mg/kg. There was no significant difference in the average concentrations of the trace elements in the leaves and stems of the African spider plant from the lowland and highland regions of Molo Ward (p &gt; 0.05). The concentrations of Zn, Fe, Cu, and Mn in the African spider plants is high enough to make it a nutritious traditional vegetable. Therefore, farmers should be encouraged and empowered to grow more vegetables.

Effect of farmyard manure, elemental sulphur and EDTA on growth and phytoextraction of cadmium by spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum L.) under Cd stress

Cadmium (Cd) contamination is considered as a widespread concern at global scale which is serious threats to human health. Phytoremediation is an eco-friendly approach which can remove or immobilize Cd from the soil. Different organic and inorganic amendments can potentially enhance Cd phytoremediation efficiency but the comparison of farmyard manure (FM), elemental sulphur (S) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for Cd phytoremediation through spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum L.) remained unanswered. The present study evaluated the efficiency of S (0.1 and 0.2%), EDTA (0.1 and 0.2%, represented as EDTA-0.1 and EDTA-0.2) and FM (0.5 and 1%, represented as FM-0.5 and FM-1) for remediation of Cd contaminated soils (50 and 100 mg kg-1, represented as Cd-50 and Cd-100) through spider plants. Results depicted that the highest shoots and roots dry biomass was found in FM treated plants followed by S, EDTA and control except in EDTA-0.2 treatment in which the lowest values of these parameters were observed. Application of FM-1 significantly increased the shoot dry weight (120%), root dry weight (99%), as well as photosynthetic attributes in Cd-50 as compared to control. Application of EDTA-0.2 increased the bioavailable fraction of Cd than control and the maximum increase was observed in Cd-100. The highest Cd concentrations in shoot and roots were found in EDTA treated plants followed by S, control and FM irrespective of Cd and amendment levels. Maximum Cd in roots (109%) and shoots (156%) was recorded in plants grown in Cd-100 with EDTA-0.2 than control. The maximum bioaccumulation factor, translocation index, harvest index and root to shoot translocation were observed with EDTA than control and other treatments. EDTA along with spider plants may enhance the uptake of Cd but lower biomass production in the highest dose of EDTA may questioned the efficiency of EDTA.