Tender Shoots Research Articles

Identification and Analysis of Genes Involved in Auxin, Abscisic Acid, Gibberellin, and Brassinosteroid Metabolisms Under Drought Stress in Tender Shoots of Tea Plants.

Endogenous phytohormones auxin (indole-3-acetic acid [IAA]), abscisic acid (ABA), gibberellin (GA3), and brassinosteroid (BR) play a role in responses to drought stress in higher plants. Tea plant is one of the major economic corps worldwide. The tender shoots of tea plants are the main source for tea production. The effects of drought stress on endogenous IAA, ABA, GA3, and BR metabolisms in tender shoots of tea plants need to be illustrated. In this study, a total of 17 IAA-related genes, 17 ABA-related genes, 18 GA3-related genes, and 8 BR-related genes were identified under drought stress in tender shoots of tea plants, respectively. By using a combination of phytohormone determination, phylogenetic tree construction and sequence analysis, gene expression profiles, functional classification, Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment, and distribution of genes analysis, we have demonstrated that IAA, ABA, GA3, and BR metabolisms might participate in the regulation of the response to drought stress in tender shoots of tea plants. The expression level of CsLYCE negatively correlated with ABA accumulation under drought stress. Our findings could shed new light on the effects of drought stress on the IAA, ABA, GA3, and BR metabolisms in tender shoots of tea plants.

Analysis of nutrient composition and antioxidant characteristics in the tender shoots of Chinese toon picked under different conditions

Chinese toon is a woody plant whose shoots are a seasonal vegetable, and the nutritional and sensory quality of Chinese toon products could be greatly impacted by picking conditions. To address this problem, a rational picking strategy of Chinese toon was established by the comparison analysis of different picking conditions. The results indicated that the contents of total protein, total amino acids and essential amino acids was higher at earlier picking times and shorter lengths. The highest contents of K, Ca, Mg and highest K/Na ratio were found in group I-A, while the lowest contents of Na and the highest contents of Fe were observed in group II-A and III-A, respectively. Obvious rising tendencies of the crude fat and fiber content were observed with the prolonging of the picking time and shoot lengths. Moreover, the content of total phenols showed a stronger correlation with antioxidant activity than total flavonoids at each picking condition. Specifically, gallic acid and methyl gallate might play the key role in the high antioxidant activity of Chinese toon shoots at each picking condition. Taken together, these findings provide a guidance for the harvesting and deep processing of Chinese toon.

Assessment of the contents of a selected macro, micro and toxic elements in ripen bael fruits and tender shoots of water spinach and sweet potato using XRF and ICP-MS methods

Macro and micro elemental nutrient profiles and compositions of toxic heavy metals in food items are important attributes in culinary and nutrition sciences. We selected ripen bael fruits of elite accessions selected for large-scale cultivation in Sri Lanka, Kankong, a green leafy vegetable prone to bioaccumulation of toxic heavy metals (market and commercially available samples) and shoot-tops of sweet potato, an underutilized leafy vegetable to detect the elemental compositions using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometric (ICP-MS) methods. Bael pulp was extracted from ripe fruits and, Kankong and sweet potato shoot-tops were collected. The presence and absence of elements were assessed using XRF. The elemental contents were measured using ICP-MS, and statistically analyzed. Bael and SP samples did not contain toxic heavy metals As and Pb whereas Kankong samples collected from a municipal wastewater drain contained all these toxic elements in large quantities. Kankong samples purchased from open market contained Hg, Cd, As and Cr. It is also noted that Pb separately correlated with Cr, Fe, Co, Zn, Ni and Hg contents in Kankong implying that they are under a common absorption mechanism or coming from a common source in the polluted habitat. The present study concludes that Kankong in Sri Lanka is unsafe for consumption and SP is an alternative to replace Kankong.

Morphological variation and heritability studies of Lagenaria siceraria landraces from northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract: Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family. Its nutritious tender shoots, fruits, and seeds are widely consumed in rural communities as leafy vegetables. However, studies on variation and heritability of its agronomic traits are lacking. This study aimed to characterise variability and heritability among L. siceraria genotypes with various fruit and seed morphology from different origins. Seedling, vegetative and reproductive traits were compared among landraces. Landraces varied significantly in their seedling, vegetative and reproductive traits. Significant positive correlations were mainly recorded among reproductive traits. The first five informative principal components had a total variability of 74.393%. Biplot and dendrogram grouped landraces mainly according to fruit and seed morphology and then their origin. In a biplot, Cluster-I grouped landraces with pear-shaped (KSP, RSP, RRP) and curvilinear-shaped (NqRC) fruits. Cluster-II mainly associated landraces with smooth and curvilinear-shaped fruits (KSC, NqSC, NSRC, NSC, MSC and DSI) from different origins. Cluster- III associated landraces with rough textured fruits from the same origin (NRB and NRC). High heritability estimate was recorded among fruit and seed traits. This was the first comprehensive variability and heritability study in the country and therefore it formed basis for available L. siceraria germplasm essential for future breeding programs.

Transcriptomic analyses identify albino-associated genes of a novel albino tea germplasm \u2018Huabai 1\u2019

Albinism in shoots of tea plants is a common phenotypic expression which gives the tea infusion a pleasant umami taste. A novel natural albino mutant tea germplasm containing high amino acids content was found and named as ‘Huabai 1’. ‘Huabai 1’ has white jade tender shoots under low temperature and turns green with increased temperature. In order to understand the molecular mechanism of color change in leaf of ‘Huabai 1’, transcriptome analysis was performed to identify albino-associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A total of 483 DEGs were identified from white shoots of ‘Huabai 1’ compared to its green shoots. There were 15 DEGs identified to be involved in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, which account for the majority of characterized DEGs. The metabolites related to phenylpropanoid biosynthesis revealed similar expression pattern of DEGs. Furthermore, metabolic pathways such as ubiquonone, tyrosine, and flavonoid biosynthesis associated with phenylpropanoid biosynthesis could also contribute to the color change in ‘Huabai 1’ tender shoots. Protein–protein interaction analysis revealed a hub protein NEDD8 (CSA009575) which interacted with many regulated genes in spliceosome, nitrogen metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and other pathways. In conclusion, the findings in this study indicate that the color change of ‘Huabai 1’ tender shoots is a combined effect of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis pathway and other metabolic pathways including flavonoid biosynthesis in tea plants. Chlorophyll biosynthesis-related genes LHCII and SGR may also play some roles in color change of ‘Huabai 1’.

The genetic locus underlying red foliage and fruit skin traits is mapped to the same location in the two pear bud mutants \u2018Red Zaosu\u2019 and \u2018Max Red Bartlett\u2019

BackgroundRed-skinned pears are attractive to consumers because of their aesthetic appeal and the antioxidant-associated health benefits provided by the anthocyanins in their red skin. In China, the ‘Red Zaosu’ (RZS) red bud mutation of the Zaosu (ZS) pear has been used as a parent in Asian pear breeding to generate new cultivars with crispy red fruit and red tender shoots resembling those of the ‘Max Red Bartlett’ (MRB) pears.ResultsIn this study, a segregation ratio of 1:1 was observed between plants with red or green shoots in four families with RZS as the only red shoot gene donor parent, suggesting that the red shoot trait of RZS is associated with a dominant gene. Three markers, In1400–1, In1579–1 and In1579–3, were chosen from 22 pairs of indel primers targeting regions in the vicinity of the previously identified red fruit skin locus of MRB and were able to effectively distinguish the eight red shoot plants from the eight green shoot plants. Linkage analysis indicated that the genetic distance between the two marker loci (In1579–1 and In1579–3) and the red shoot locus of RZS were both 1.4 cM, while the genetic distance between the In1400–1 marker and the red shoot locus was 2.1 cM. The physical position of the red locus in RZS should be in the 368.6 kb candidate interval at the bottom of LG4.ConclusionsThe genetic locus responsible for the red tender shoots of RZS was located in the same interval of the red fruit skin gene of MRB, meaning that the bud mutation loci of RZS and MRB may be the same or adjacent to each other, and the red shoot trait and the red fruit skin trait in RZS may be controlled by the same, or a closely linked locus. As a result, breeders could use red shoots as a morphological marker to select for the red-skinned hybrids from RZS families.

Potential for Value-Added Utilization of Bamboo Shoot Processing Waste—Recommendations for a Biorefinery Approach

Bamboo shoot processing produces substantial quantities of wastes in China and other parts of the world, with estimates of up to 70% of the harvested bamboo shoots being discarded as waste biomass. The solid waste residues that are generated as processing by-products consist of the outer sheath and basal section of the bamboo shoot, and wastewater is also produced, all of which pose a significant environmental burden. In comparison to the edible bamboo shoot tips, data on the composition of bamboo shoot processing residue (BSPR) are comparatively scarce. The tender shoots are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds that are associated with health benefits against many chronic and degenerative diseases, and there is potential for these compounds to also be present in BSPR. Therefore, this paper reviews the current literature available on BSPR composition from both English and Chinese journals, for comparison with the tender bamboo shoot. From this information, the potential of using BSPR as a cheap source of valuable nutrients and bioactive compounds for value-added products (e.g., food additives, functional foods, and pharmaceuticals) is discussed. To maximize the value from BSPR and reduce its environmental impact as a waste, a systematic biorefinery approach for waste valorization is recommended.

The wild taxa utilized as vegetables in Sicily (Italy): a traditional component of the Mediterranean diet

BackgroundWild vegetables in the Mediterranean Basin are still often consumed as a part of the diet and, in particular, there is a great tradition regarding their use in Sicily.In this study, an ethnobotanical field investigation was carried out to (a) identify the wild native taxa traditionally gathered and consumed as vegetables in Sicily, comparing the collected ethnobotanical data with those of other countries that have nominated the Mediterranean diet for inclusion in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and (b) highlight new culinary uses of these plants.MethodsInterviews were carried out in 187 towns and villages in Sicily between 2005 and 2015. A total of 980 people over the age of 50 were interviewed (mainly farmers, shepherds, and experts on local traditions).Plants recorded were usually collected in collaboration with the informants to confirm the correct identification of the plants. The frequencies of citation were calculated.ResultsTwo hundred fifty-three taxa (specific and intraspecific) belonging to 39 families, and 128 genera were recorded (26 were cited for the first time). The most represented families were Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Apiaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Malvaceae, and Polygonaceae. Only 14 taxa were cited by 75% of the people interviewed.The aerial parts of wild plants, including leaves, tender shoots, and basal rosettes, are the main portions collected, while the subterranean parts are used to a lesser extent. For some vegetables, more parts are utilized. Most of the reported vegetables are consumed cooked.In addition to the widely known vegetables (Borago officinalis, Beta spp., Cichorium spp., Brassica spp., Carduus spp., etc.), the so-called ancient vegetables are included (Onopordum illyricum, Centaurea calcitrapa, Nasturtium officinale, Scolymus spp., Smyrnium rotundifolium), and some unique uses were described.Comparing the Sicilian findings to those from other countries, a very high number of vegetable taxa were detected, 72 of which are eaten only in Sicily, while 12 are consumed in all the Mediterranean countries examined.ConclusionsThe research shows a high level of Sicilian knowledge about using wild plants as a traditional food source. Wild vegetables are healthy and authentic ingredients for local and ancient recipes, which are fundamental to the revitalization of quality food strictly connected to traditional agroecosystems.

The preference choices of Conopomorpha sinensis Bradley (Lepidoptera: Gracilariidae) for litchi based on its host surface characteristics and volatiles

Conopomorpha sinensis Bradley is a host-specific pest of Litchi chinensis and Euphoria longan. Here, we demonstrated that C. sinensis has evolved special physical and chemical mechanisms for host plant location that enable it to survive and reproduce. Females favored laying their eggs on the convex surface of litchi fruit that had particular volatile characteristics. Experiments using a H-type olfactometer showed that female C. sinensis were attracted to litchi flowers, tender shoots, immature fruits, and mature fruits, with the highest attraction rate to mature fruits (74.67 ± 2.31%). There were no significant differences in the attraction of male C. sinensis to different litchi tissues. Further oviposition preference tests using the pericarp, pulp, and seeds of mature litchi fruits revealed that female C. sinensis prefer to lay their eggs on the pericarp. Litchi volatiles were found to be important in attracting C. sinensis to fruits for oviposition. Analysis of volatiles from different litchi tissues by HS-SPME-GC-MS revealed 31 similar volatiles, some of which may be important in the oviposition preference choices of C. sinensis on litchi fruit.

Comparative proteomics reveals the physiological differences between winter tender shoots and spring tender shoots of a novel tea (Camellia sinensis L.) cultivar evergrowing in winter

BackgroundA recently discovered tea [Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze] cultivar can generate tender shoots in winter. We performed comparative proteomics to analyze the differentially accumulated proteins between winter and spring tender shoots of this clonal cultivar to reveal the physiological basis of its evergrowing character during winter.ResultsWe extracted proteins from the winter and spring tender shoots (newly formed two leaves and a bud) of the evergrowing tea cultivar “Dongcha11” respectively. Thirty-three differentially accumulated high-confidence proteins were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF / TOF MS). Among these, 24 proteins had increased abundance while nine showed were decreased abundance in winter tender shoots as compared with the spring tender shoots. We categorized the differentially accumulated proteins into eight critical biological processes based on protein function annotation including photosynthesis, cell structure, protein synthesis & destination, transporters, metabolism of sugars and polysaccharides, secondary metabolism, disease/defense and proteins with unknown functions. Proteins with increased abundance in winter tender shoots were mainly related to the processes of photosynthesis, cytoskeleton and protein synthesis, whereas those with decreased abundance were correlated to metabolism and the secondary metabolism of polyphenolic flavonoids. Biochemical analysis showed that the total contents of soluble sugar and amino acid were higher in winter tender shoots while tea polyphenols were lower as compared with spring tender shoots.ConclusionsOur study suggested that the simultaneous increase in the abundance of photosynthesis-related proteins rubisco, plastocyanin, and ATP synthase delta chain, metabolism-related proteins eIF4 and protease subunits, and the cytoskeleton-structure associated proteins phosphatidylinositol transfer protein and profilin may be because of the adaptation of the evergrowing tea cultivar “Dongcha11” to low temperature and light conditions. Histone H4, Histone H2A.1, putative In2.1 protein and protein lin-28 homologs may also regulate the development of winter shoots and their response to adverse conditions.

Soil nutrient concentration and distribution at riverbanks undergoing different land management practices: Implications for riverbank management

Riverbanks are important boundaries for the nutrient cycling between lands and freshwaters. This research aimed to explore effects of different land management methods on the soil nutrient concentration and distribution at riverbanks. Soils from the reed-covered riverbanks of middle Yangtze River were studied, including the soils respectively undergoing systematic agriculture (gathering young tender shoots, reaping reed straws, and burning residual straws), fires and no disturbances. Results showed that the agricultural activities sharply decreased the contents of soil organic matter (SOM), N, P and K in subsurface soils but less decreased the surface SOM, N and K contents, whereas phosphorus were evidently decreased at both surface and subsurface layers. In contrast, the single application of fires caused a marked increase of SOM, N, P and K contents in both surface and subsurface soils but had little impacts on soil nutrient distributions. Soils under all the three conditions showed a relative increase of soil nutrients at riverbank foot. This comparative study indicated that the different or even contrary effects of riverbank management practices on soil nutrient statuses should be carefully taken into account when assessing the ecological effects of management practices.

First record of Aphis citricola van der Goot (Homoptera: Aphididae) on citrus in Southern Greece

The green citrus aphid, Aphis citricola van der Goot, known also as spiraea aphid, Aphis spiraecola Patch, was first noticed in an orange grove, cv Washington Navel, in Korinthia southern Greece during spring 1986. It was collected from tender shoots as early as about mid March and was also found in large numbers in samples taken during April and May and in lesser numbers in October and November of the same year. It was also collected from clementine trees during May. During 1987 this species was also present in samples taken from another orange grove, cv Washington navel, located in the Co. Korinthia as well. It was found later in the season, in May, as compared with the previous year. That was due to the snow and the extremely cold weather that occurred during March, which resulted in the destruction of young growth and hence in the delay of the aphid appearance. A. citricola has been previously recorded in Greece on Matricaria chamomilla L., Crataegus pyracantha Pers. and Solanum tuberosum L., on Zinnia elegans.Jacq. and on Prunus armeniaca L. and Pimpinella anisum L. A. citricola is a small aphid with 1.2-2.2 min length and body yellowish green to apple green. Siphunculi and cauda are dark brown and the head is brown in apterac. It is very similar to Aphis pomi De Geer and is often confused with it in the literature, especially on Rosaceae. A. pomi has lateral tubercles on abdominal segments 2-4, rarely fewer than 14 hairs on cauda and length of the last rostral segment more than 130µm. A. citricola has no lateral tubercles on abdominal segments 2-4, usually fewer than 12 hairs on cauda, and last rostra] segment less than 120µm in length. One more difference concerns the shape of the cauda which is more elongate and visibly notched at base in A. citricola than in A. poini. A. citricola causes curling and distortion of the leaves, especially of those near apices of tender shoots of the host plants. This is very characteristic in certain citrus such as orange and clementine trees. It is a highly polyphagus species that occurs on hosts belonging to more than 20 families, including Amaranthaccae, Caprifoliaccae, Compositae, Euphorbiaccac, Rosaccae, Rubiaccae, Rutaceae, Urticaceae and Verbenaceac but is of particular importance on citrus. A. citricola is considered the most harmful aphid species for orange, mandarins and clementine trees in Italy and in other citrus growing countries of the Mediterranean basin. This species was known in North America at least since 1907 and was introduced to the Mediterranean region in about 1931. A. citricola appeared in citrus groves in Mediterranean countries almost 20 years ago, while it was first recorded in Israel in 1970 and became a major pest in citrus groves in 1973. It is a vector of citrus tristeza virus but its ability for transmitting this virus is much lower than that of Toxoptera citricidus (Kirkaldy). A. citricola may reproduce either anholocyclically or holocyclically. Anholocyclic reproduction occurs in many parts of the world and is considered as more frequent. Nevertheless, holocyclic reproduction also occurs, and in this case, the genus Spiraea of Rosaccae is the primary host, although oviposition may take place on the same citrus trees in Japan. The intrinsic rate of natural increase of the aphid attained its maximum at a constant temperature near 27°C. The numbers of A. citricola found in the samples from cv Washington navel were large and higher than those of Toxoptera aurantii (Boyer de Fonscolombe), when the latter species was present. With the assumption that such large numbers occur also in other areas of the country, A. citricola should be the dominant and most harmful aphid species on citrus in Greece, as this is the case in other Mediterranean countries.

Microbial Fermentation by Traditional Process using Intrinsic Microflora Reduces the Cyanide Content of Bamboo Shoots

Ethnic people living in the North-East India, Nepal and Bhutan prepare and consume a variety of domesticated and wild bamboo tender shoots. Fermented bamboo shoots are consumed as a component of regular delicacies. However, presence of potentially toxic compounds called cyanogenic glycosides has been a matter of concern in its consumption. In this study, several bamboo shoot samples (fermented and unfermented-succulent bamboo shoots) were collected from different sites of Manipur. The cyanide content of fermented bamboo shoot samples were analyzed and compared with succulent bamboo-shoots, boiled bamboo-shoots, soaked in saline water or without overnightsoaking. The pHs of all the fermented samples were found to be around 4.0 while that of unfermented bamboo shoot was recorded to be of pH 6.Bacterial counts of samples were determined and colony forming unit (CFU)ranges 3×107 – 724×107per gram. The nutritional parameters were also recorded. Protein content of succulent bamboo shoot and fermented bamboo shoot ranged between 500mg- 800mg/100g. The reducing sugar content ranged between 100 – 1200mg/100g. Unfermented – succulent bamboo shoot had high cyanide content (approx. 43.55 mg/g) as compared to the fermented samples (8.78-17.89mg/g). It was observed that boiling the succulent bamboo shoots as well as fermented bamboo shoots removed all the cyanide content from the samples.

Effect of Package Film on the Quality of Postharvest Chinese Toon Tender Shoots Storage

The young leaves and shoots of the Toona sinensis (A. Juss.) Roem. tree, called Chinese toon, are commonly eaten as a vegetable in China. This study was conducted to develop a modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) system for Chinese toon tender shoots and to evaluate the effect of film oxygen transmission rate (OTR) on package atmospheres and consequent product quality changes during storage. Fresh precooled Chinese toon tender shoots (25±0.5 g each) were packaged in sealed 10 cm × 15 cm polyethylene bags prepared with films of OTRs of 8.0, 11.6, 16.6, 21.4, or 29.5 pmol s−1 m−2 Pa−1 and stored at 4±0.5°C for 25 days. Evaluations included package atmospheres, tissue electrolyte leakage, color, and sensory attributes (overall visual quality, off-odor, texture, and marketability). Results indicated that the OTR of the package film significantly (P<0.05) affected package headspace gas composition, a⁎, hue angles, product quality, and shelf-life, under the tested package configurations and storage conditions. Packages with film OTR of 21.4 pmol s−1 m−2 Pa−1 attained stable O2 (8.4–10.0 kPa) and CO2 (2.2–3.0 kPa) levels by day 10, which were maintained through the end of storage; products stored in these packages maintained freshness with high overall quality scores.

Nutritional Characteristics of Normal, Apolygus lucorum-Damaged, and Mechanically Damaged Tender Shoots of Tea (Camellia sinensis)

Apolygus lucorum is currently a major pest of tea plantations, affecting the normal growth of tea shoots and reducing yield and quality. This study measured the effect of damage by A. lucorum alongside mechanical damage using UV spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography. We found that the nutritional characteristics of tea varied with the level of bug damage, which influenced levels of caffeine, theanine, and tea polyphenols. As damage increased, caffeine content gradually increased. In contrast, theanine levels in highly damaged leaves were reduced compared to other levels of damage. The polyphenol level, like caffeine, increased with increasing damage. The levels of five other substances–Epigallocatechin, Catechin, Epigallocatechin gallate, Epicatechin, and Epicatechin gallate were all higher in tea with higher damage. Damage from A. lucorum changed the chemical profile of the tea, caused tea water turbidity, taste bitterness and decreased freshness, leading to the tea quality decline.

Bio-ecology and seasonal incidence of thrips Scirtothrips dorsalis Hood in rose

In rose. Scirtothrips dorsalis is the dominant insect species causing damage to tender shoots, leaves, buds, flowers and growing tips of rose plants in field and polyhouse. Rose thrips prevailed throughout the flowering period and attained peak during May. Thrips followed an annual pattern in distribution over time. Thrips numbers were more in polyhouse than in open field. Cumulative mean numbers of thrips was more in polyhouse than open fields. Temperature and sunshine hours were found to have positive effect on thrips density. Relative humidity, rainfall and wind velocity had negative effect. Temperature and relative humidity largely influenced seasonal incidence of thrips. In general, the biology was short in field compared to laboratory. Newly emerged adults were yellow with rectangular head. Eyes were very prominent and pink. Total fecundity ranged from 6 to 11 per female. Adult female longevity ranged from 4 to 8 days.

Controlling powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca mors-uvae) of gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa) with potassium bicarbonate and risk of phytotoxicity

Powdery mildew (Sphaerotheca mors-uvae) severely infects young shoots, stems and fruits of gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa). Environmental friendly and biological control measures are being sought throughout the world. Especially in organic currant growing effective control measures are needed, because powdery mildew infections may result in a total loss of the crop. In organic currant growing the number of adequate control methods is very limited. Sulphur as a fungicide against powdery mildew in e.g., gooseberry or table grape growing is not recommendable due to possible bleaching of berries and scorching of tender shoots. Various bicarbonate salts are suggested as a good option to control powdery mildew. In a series of experiments the effect of potassium bicarbonate (formulated and unformulated products) on powdery mildew of gooseberry was evaluated. In the trials different strategies were tested; i.e., preventive and curative strategies. The percent of infected berries, shoots and disease severity were assessed. Very high disease incidences were observed in the untreated control. All potassium bicarbonate treatments significantly reduced the powdery mildew severity in leaves and fruits compared to the untreated controls. The preventive strategies were very successful. However, the number of spray applications was high. Frequently, a severe phytotoxicity caused by potassium bicarbonate was observed. Several experiments were performed with different dosages, timing of sprayings and spray intervals. The potential and limitations of potassium bicarbonate used to control powdery mildew in the field are discussed.

Folate content of cultivated and wild traditional leafy vegetables found in Nigeria

Folate is an important micronutrient in the prevention of neural tube defects and cardiovascular disease. Given its importance, it is necessary to establish accurately the folate content of food that could contribute significantly to dietary intake. The aim of the study was to quantify the folate content in raw and cooked traditional leafy and non‐leafy vegetables because there is a dearth of information on the folate content leafy vegetables found in Nigeria. The vegetables included: Corchorus olitorius, Adansonia digitata, Abelmoscus esculentus (fruit), Abelmoscus esculentus (leaves), Amaranthus hybridus, Launaea taraxacifolia, Solanum macrocarpon, and Crassocephalum crepidioides. They were further cooked in boiling water, until assessed as cooked according to Nigerian eating habits.Folate is found in foods mainly as polyglutamate. The analysis of folate in the raw and cooked vegetable samples followed the process of extraction, deconjugation (using chicken pancreas deconjugase), derivatisation (a series of chemical reactions to convert all folate present in the deconjugated sample extracts, to 5‐methyltetrahydrofolic acid (THF‐5CH3) monosodium glutamate and / or diglutamate), purification by affinity chromatography with Folate Binding Protein and quantification by HPLC equipped with fluorimetric detection.Folate content in the raw samples ranged from 183.4 μg/100g (FW) in Corchorus olitorius to 21.5 μg/100g (FW) in Solanum macrocarpon leaves; and in the boiled samples from 48.6 μg/100g (FW) in Launaea taraxacifolia to 8.5 μg/100g (FW) in Solanum macrocarpon. Loss of folate in the boiled vegetables varied from 46.6% in Launaea taraxacifolia to 88.4% in Adansonia digitata.Traditional green leafy vegetables are good sources of folate. However cooking of the vegetables caused a considerable decrease in the folate content of the vegetables. Considering that most leafy vegetables are consumed in their cooked form in Nigeria, preparation methods of traditional leafy vegetables that would allow for optimal retention of folate are necessary.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by an Agropolis Foundation grant for the internship of SIE and FWMD at Institut National de la Recherch Agronomique (INRA), Avignon, France. AWARD Fellowship provided the platform and opportunity of a 6‐month research attachment/ Advanced science training in INRA to conduct this research; University of Ibadan granted the permission to participate in the Advanced Science training during which this study was carried out. Labex Agro also supported this work. Uncultivated/wild and cultivated traditional green leafy vegetables studied Scientific name Family English name Local/common name Status Amaranthus hybridus L. Amaranthaceae Pig weed Efo tete/ green Cultivated Abelmoscus manihot (L.) Medikus (leaves and tender shoots) Malvaceae Okro leaves Ilasa Adansonia digitatad Malvaceae Baobab leaves Luru / kuka Uncultivated Corchorus olitorius L. Malvaceae Jute mallow Ewedu Cultivated Crassocephalum crepidioides (Benth.) S. Moore Asteraceae Ebolo Uncultivated Launaea taraxacifolia (Wild.) Amin, ex C. Jeffrey Asteraceae African lettuce/wild lettuce Yanrin Uncultivated Solanum macrocarpon L. Solanaceae Efo igbagba Cultivated/wild Folate content of vegetables: RESULTS – Folate content of traditional green leafy vegetables Vegetable Condition Moisture Folic acid Loss Local/common name Scientific name % μg/100g % Ewedu Corchorus olitorius Fresh 82.59 183.36±12.9 74.2 Boiled 95.13 47.31 ±3.7 Luru / kuka Adansonia digitata Dried ‐ 149.64±13.9 88.4 Boiled 90.11 17.36±2.1 Okro/ ila Abelmoscus esculentus fruit Fresh 87.09 106.00±15.6 66.3 Boiled 95.77 35.69±8.49 Ilasa Abelmoscus manihot Fresh 77.05 46.75±9.49 n/a Efo tete/ green Amaranthus hybridus Fresh 84.34 62.15±13.7 48.2 Boiled 91.58 32.19±4.9 Yanrin Launaea taraxacifolia Fresh 88.12 91.13±11.2 46.6 Boiled 92.16 48.63±8.4 Efo igbagba Solanum macrocarpon Fresh 84.82 21.54±3.1 60.6 Boiled 89.55 8.48±1.2 Ebolo Crassocephalum crepidioides Fresh 89.07 70.98±4.9 75.8 Boiled 94.1 17.18±1.7

Antifungal activity of plant extracts against Colletotrichum musae, the post harvest anthracnose pathogen of banana cv. Martaman

Purpose – The purpose of this paper was to determine the antifungal activities of different solvent extracts of common plants in vitro and in vivo against banana anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum musae (Berk & M.A. Curtis) Arx, and to investigate its effects on the pathogen and identify the bio active component(s). Design/methodology/approach – Extracts were obtained from leaves, tender shoots, rhizomes, bulbs, seeds and fruits of 42 naturally growing plant species following hot sequential extraction. Preliminary screening of the solvent extracts was done based on the inhibition of radial mycelial growth of C. musae following poison food technique and conidial germination inhibition by cavity slide technique. The selected extracts were assessed for their effect on harvested banana in reducing anthracnose during storage. The active components in the bio-active fractions of plant extract were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Findings – Methanol extracted a larger quantity of material (between 6.9 and 12.5 per cent) than hexane or chloroform, and all its extracts were active against the test pathogen with mycelial growth inhibition ranging from 13.70 to 88.89 per cent. Zingiber officinale rhizome extract as well as Polyalthia longifolia and Clerodendrum inerme leaf extracts exhibited more than 80 per cent inhibition of mycelial growth. Total inhibition of spore germination of C. musae was recorded in Z. officinale and P. longifolia extracts at 0.3 per cent w/v and 0.5 per cent w/v concentration, respectively, while only 68 per cent spore inhibition was recorded in C. inerme at 0.5 per cent w/v concentration. Of the three plant species, Z. officinale had the best antifungal activity (18.0 per cent disease incidence; 2.2 disease severity scale) when banana fruits were dipped in the extract at a concentration of 0.5 per cent w/v at 5 days of storage in ambient condition (80-82 per cent R.H., 27 ± 1°C). The bio-active compounds in the extract of Z. officinale were identified as alpha-curcumene and zingerone. Originality/value – Based on the antifungal activity, plant extract of Z. officinale can be used as an effective alternative to chemicals in controlling anthracnose pathogen in harvested banana.

Calamus leptospadix Griff. a high saponin yielding plant with antimicrobial property

There are many scientifically unrevealed plant species in the Sub-Himalayan region, which have been used by the local tribes for their day-to-day use. Calamus leptospadix Griff. is a non-climbing palm predominantly found in North-East India. The objective of this study is to isolate and identify saponin extracted from tender shoots of C. leptospadix and the determination of its antimicrobial activity. In the present investigation, the total saponin content was found to be 9.5% when the tender shoots were extracted in methanol followed by n-butanol. Saponin isolated from C. leptospadix was further characterized by HPLC, FT-IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR which confirm the presence of only one type of ursolic acid (3-beta-3-hydroxy-urs-12-ene-28-oic-acid) which is a triterpenoid saponin with olefinic carbon at C-12 and C-13. Antimicrobial properties of the isolated saponin were tested by disc diffusion method and by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Lowest MIC was found to be 60μg/ml for Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) for E. coli and C. albicans were recorded at 140μg/ml and 120μg/ml respectively. Highest MIC of 160μg/ml was recorded for Staphylococcus aureus. This study showed that shoots of C. leptospadix contains a significant amount of saponin, which was confirmed as ursolic acid type of triterpenoid saponin with antimicrobial properties.