Invasive alien plants negatively impact ecosystems, but recovery of native vegetation may fail following standard methods of alien species removal alone. Alternative management actions may thus be required. Cape Flats Sand Fynbos is a critically endangered vegetation type in the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa which is threatened by Acacia saligna invasion, but standard clearing methods have

Heavy metals like cadmium (Cd) are a serious threat for living organisms due to increased global environmental pollution. Aloe ferox Mill. is a very important species of the genus Aloe, especially from a medical point of view, because it is a source of biologically active substances and it is often used in the traditional medicine. Since the knowledge about the effect of heavy metals, like Cd on growth

The potato cyst nematodes are the most wilful and difficult to manage pests of potato crop. Due to the regulatory considerations and potential risk involved in environmental and health hazards, the options for controlling this nematode are becoming increasingly limited. Among the available management options, trap and antagonistic crops offer viable alternative for controlling PCN species. Therefore

An efficient micropropagation protocol was developed for C. asiatica, a commercially important herb having high medicinal and cosmetic properties. Shoot induction was observed on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium fortified with various combinations of benzyladenine (BA) (2.22 - 22.2 µM) and naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) (1.34 - 8.06 µM). The maximum number of shoots (11.30 ± 0.68) per explant was initiated

Selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) are known for their nutritional importance in biological systems. In plants, exogenous supply of these nutrients has beneficial effects on growth and development particularly under environmental stress conditions. The present study examined the effects of Zn and Se seed priming on germination and seedling growth of maize (Zea mays cv. P1574) under drought stress. The seeds

Mountain Zebra National Park has been extended over a number of years. To develop a scientifically sound management programme for the Park it was essential that an inventory of its natural resources was instituted. As a result various phytosociological studies were undertaken on the newly acquired farms to identify the different plant communities present on each. These detailed maps and descriptions

Thesium L. is in need of revision and has been identified as a high priority for taxonomic research in South Africa. As part of an ongoing effort to revise the genus, a group of nine morphologically similar taxa from Subgenus Frisea is revised, including three taxa classified by the IUCN as data deficient due to taxonomic problems and one species new to science (T. atratum N.Lombard & M.M.le Roux)

Raphia hookeri G. Mann & H. Wendl (Arecaceae), commonly known as ‘Raffia Palm’ is an underutilized plant native to Africa. Like other palms, it is a good source of medicine with diverse ethnomedicinal and industrial applications. Despite these discernible therapeutic and economic benefits of R. hookeri, the plant remains underutilized, albeit some achievement has been made in this area. Hence, this

Stachys cretica L. subsp. kutahyensis is a Turkish endemic plant specie and used in flock medicine against many diseases. To our knowledge, no data are available on the chemical composition and the biological activities of this plant. In this study, the phytochemical composition, the enzyme inhibition and antioxidant activity of this specie were assessed. The Liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem

Croton gratissimus Burch. is widely used in traditional medicine to treat a range of conditions including malaria, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, urinary tract infections, gonorrhoea and impotence. The young branches and leaves are pleasantly aromatic, and it is recorded that various ethnic groups in South Africa used the leaves as a perfume. The chemistry of the non-volatile constituents has been

Polhillia is a small, but poorly known genus of legumes endemic to the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR) of South Africa. The genus was described three decades ago to accommodate species erroneously placed in Argyrolobium and other Cape legume genera. Polhillia is the third most threatened plant genus in South Africa, hence priority for taxonomic study and current knowledge on distribution patterns

Onchocerciasis is a filarial disease caused by Onchocerca volvulus and transmitted through the bite of a blackfly of the genus Simulium. The microfilaricidal drug ivermectin has long been relied on to treat onchocerciasis. Nowadays, the focus is on the complete elimination of the disease through the development of macro-filaricidal drugs. In this study, a hydro-alcoholic extract from Annona senegalensis

This study aims to assess the effect of five endophytic bacteria on the growth promotion of tomato plants under salt stress conditions. Twenty-five endophytic bacteria were isolated from roots of the native halophyte Stipa tenacissima L. collected from Djelfa (Algeria) and were evaluated for their halotolerant potential. Seven strong halotolerant isolates were selected and characterized for in vitro

Citron watermelon (Citrullus lanatus var. citroides) is a multi-purpose cucurbit crop serving the food, feed and the pharmaceutical sectors. The fresh and dried young leaves, fruit and seed are sources of vital human nutrients, and unique phytochemical compounds with pharmacological and therapeutic values. Citron watermelon is indigenous to Africa but commercial products are not widely developed and

The aim of the present study was focused on experimental analysis for medicinal use of Micromeria biflora Benth. The plant was collected and subjected to extraction and fractionation; the chloroform fraction resulted in the isolation of a new constituent salicylalazine, using preparative HPLC. The Chemical structure of salicylalazine was confirmed through NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Polyploidy affects the ecological and evolutionary success of plants through altering phenotypes and physiological traits, which could enable polyploids to respond more easily to environmental changes. Here, we used two plant taxa (Rhodohypoxis baurii var. baurii and R. baurii var. platypetala; Hypoxidaceae) to compare leaf functional traits between diploid and polyploid individuals. We also tested

Hyphaene coriacea and Phoenix reclinata are two abundant palm species in the Maputaland coastal plains of southern Mozambique. They provide an array of subsistence and commercial non- timber forest products. This research characterizes the ethnobotanical knowledge and uses of these species. Using structured interviews we assessed the knowledge, past and current uses, cultural importance and the determinants

The genus Salvia is regarded as an important medicinal plant and also as spice worldwide. Current report might be counted as one of the first investigations to reveal the enzyme inhibitory and antiglycation activities, together with phenolic and antioxidant profiles of 80% methanolic extract prepared from the aerial parts of S.virgata (SVM). Furthermore, the bioavailability parameters of major phenolic

Cassia angustifolia Vhal (Senna) and Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) (Guar) being economically important and stress tolerant crops, provide a scope to be used in rehabilitation of mine spoil. A pot experiment was conducted to evaluate their potential and to compare the effects of Azotobacter chroococcum, Azospirillum brasilense and Glomus mosseae (AMF) on the growth, enzyme activities and nutrient uptake

Centaurea depressa, a medicinal herb used in traditional Ladakhi medicine is classified as vulnerable under the IUCN Red data book. Reports on its in vitro micropropagation for conservation of this species is however lacking. This study showed that nodal explants multiplied (11.75 shoot buds/node) when BA (2.22 µM) was used while in KN lesser number of multiple shoots were induced. NAA even at the

Continual water loss through transpiration and evaporation as a result of drought leads to stomatal closure and subsequently the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) which causes oxidative stress in plants. A set of biochemical mechanisms are concurrently triggered to set in motion a defence line, which, among others, involves the synthesis of antioxidant and osmoprotectants compounds. These

Stress treatment of microspore embryogenesis leads to the reprogramming of male gametophyte development pathways, which generates haploid green plants. However, low green plant production efficiency is a major hindrance in the adoption of double haploid (DH) production platform for wheat breeding. The aim of the current study was to induce the expression of microspore embryogenesis associated genes

α-glucosidase is a primary carbohydrate digestive enzyme, present in the brush border of the small intestine that acts on the 1–4 associated α-glucose residues and could play an effective role in overall glycemic control. Barberis lyceum and Fagonia cretica extracts are traditionally being used as antidiabetic. In the present study, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of B. lyceum and F. cretica were

The growing interest in commercial cultivation of bamboos (Poaceae subfamily Bambusoideae) has led to the introduction of new alien species into South Africa. The rate at which bamboos are being planted in South Africa is a cause for concern because of the impacts of bamboo invasions in other parts of the world. To understand the risks associated with new introductions and new plantings, we assess

The study aimed to assess the phytochemical composition and enzyme inhibitory potential of methanol, n-hexane, chloroform, and n-butanol extracts/fractions of Indigofera argentea Berm. f. (whole plant), a medicinal plant from Pakistan. Chemical profiling of I. argentea crude methanol extract was done via ultra-high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) in both the positive

Lathyrus species are economically important as food, fodder, and folk medicine. The antioxidant properties (radical scavenging effectiveness, reducing power potentials, metal chelating ability, phosphomolydenum capacity) phytochemical characterization (phenolic composition), and enzyme inhibition abilities of the water and ethyl acetate extracts of Lathyrus czeczottianus (LC) were tested. The phenolic

This study intended to develop an efficient in vitro micropropagation technique for the critically endangered ornamental cactus Mammillaria herrerae Werdermaan and to assess the phytochemical profile, antioxidant, and enzyme inhibitory activities of callus and shoot cultures. The greatest shoot induction (99.2 ± 0.8%), with more multiple shoots (15.4 ± 2.1), and maximum shoot length (0.83 ± 0.12) were

Urease is a metallo-protein in which two nickel (Ni) atoms are present at the active site. It is found in all the organisms such as, bacteria, fungi, plants, and in algae. Urease enzymes are also involved in catalyzing the hydrolysis of urea into CO2 and NH3. Urease is a virulence factor found in various pathogenic bacteria. It is essential in colonization of a host organism and in maintenance of bacterial

Stachys species have traditionally been used by the people for thousands of years to treat various diseases. In this study, the chemical composition and enzyme inhibitory activities of the various extracts of Stachys germanica subsp. heldreichii (Boiss.) Hayek (Lamiaceae), which were isolated using solvents with different polarities, were investigated. Antioxidant activities of the extracts were analyzed

In vitro propagation can be explored to overcome the constraint of limited planting material in plum. Although it ensures the production of plants in large number, but there are chances of somaclonal variations using this technology. Thus, clonal fidelity of in vitro raised plants should be checked to obtain true to type planting material prior to transplantation in the field. Genetic fidelity of in

The genus Aloe is widely used for medicinal purposes throughout its predominantly African distribution, but detailed knowledge of the contemporary value of aloes is patchy. The main aim of this study was to determine the value of Aloe in the Highlands of Ethiopia, a region of rich Aloe diversity, by documenting local uses and perceptions of the sustainability of the species used. Amhara and Tigray

Organic compounds from the compost of agricultural waste have been increasingly used in the formulation of substrates for fruit seedlings production. Microorganisms can enhance the beneficial effects of fertilizers on the plant, but reports on the use of endophytic strains to promote banana plant growth are rare. The goal of this study was to investigate the ideal mixture of soil and organic compound

Seagrasses, one of the most threatened yet overlooked ecosystems on Earth, are the only flowering plants to recolonising the seabed. Apart from their critical ecological prominence on the life of many marine organisms, seagrasses are also used as an alternative or complementary medicine to manage an array of pathological disorders such as muscle aches, wounds, abdominal pain, indigestion, hangover

Exposure to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a major contributing factor to the increasing number of skin cancer cases. Interest has grown to use plant extracts as natural ingredients in cosmetic formulations due to their photoprotective effect, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, as well as other biological activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological activity of two

Temporary depression wetlands are often overlooked from a conservation and research perspective, despite recent evidence suggesting that their cumulative contribution to biodiversity at the landscape level is substantial. Here, we present observations aimed at understanding the significance of macrophyte cover in relation to the lower trophic levels, more particularly microalgae, within these highly

Childhood diseases represent a sizeable proportion of mortality burden that could potentially be alleviated when effectively managed. In South Africa, the use of medicinal plants against different diseases and for the general well-being in children is enriched in the culture of different ethnic groups. However, the potential associated with this aspect of traditional medicine remain understudied and

The wound healing properties of Teucrium polium L., a plant used in the Algerian traditional medicine for the treatment of wounds, have been investigated using an excision wound model in rabbits. An ointment was prepared with two concentrations (5 and 10%) of a methanolic extract of the aerial parts. Both preparations showed significant effect on the wound contraction when compared to the control and

The present study was aimed to reveal the phytochemical composition and bio potentials of Bolbitis appendiculata (Willd.)K. Iwats. The qualitative and quantitative profiles viz., total phenolic, tannin, flavonoid, terpenoids, sterols content of B. appendiculata were determined. To reveal the bioactivity of B. appendiculata extracts, RBC Membrane stabilization heat induced haemolysis, In-vitro alpha-amylase

Stem bark of Sterculia setigera Delile, family Sterculiaceae, is used in traditional medicine in Sudan and other African countries to treat various diseases. This study aimed to investigate the chemical constituents, antioxidant, enzyme inhibition and antiproliferative activities of stem bark extracts and an isolated compound. Compounds were extracted using hexane and dichloromethane: ethanol (DE)

Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. or “Patchouli” is a prized medicinal herb used in various ethno-medicinal preparations and perfume industry. However due to over-collection and nematode infections in the roots of P. cablin, the wild populations are facing a steady decline and are at risk. In the present research, we report a fast clonally stable regeneration protocol for P. cablin with the utilization

Studies on Moringa oleifera have traditionally been applied to medicinal uses and water treatment using its seeds and leaves; their constituents are characterized, and the effects of these compounds against various diseases are investigated. However, the composition of the leaves and seeds has several other applications. Because of this, the complex matrix of compounds present in plants can favor cost

The study investigated the possibility of growth-promoting rhizobacteria to enhance plant growth capacities of Amaranthus hybridus and A. viridis in ferruginous ultisols comparative to humus. The experimental setup was divided into two groups; the first comprised of 2 weeks old plants that were inoculated using the rhizobacteria – Pseudomonas putida, P. fluorescence and a combination of both in the

Mushrooms have been used as a primary source of medicines since ancient times due to the presence of bioactive compounds. Enzyme inhibition is an important field of pharmaceutical research that provides insight into the discovery of a large variety of drugs that are useful in treating many diseases. The inhibitory activities of the hexane and methanol extracts of twenty-four medicinal mushrooms on

Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) has long been regarded as a medicinal and aromatic plant. The analysis of phenolic and terpenic compounds contained in the leaf extracts of three Myrtle genotypes showed their richness in monoterpene hydrocarbons (48, 32%, 83.77%), flavonols, and hydrolysable tannins. Phenolic profiles and volatile compounds varied significantly among genotypes. All leaves extracts revealed

Animal-mediated pollination is an essential ecosystem service on which over a third of the world's agricultural crops depend. Blueberry fruit production is highly dependent on animal pollination and although visited by a range of bee species in their native range and agricultural settings, bumble bees are thought to be their primary native pollinators. Demand for blueberries has increased in recent

This micromorphological, chemical and ultrastructural study is a continuation of research conducted on fly-pollinated species. The aim of proposed project is to examine the features of floral secretory tissue of stapeliads (Eudicots, Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae) and compare them with previously published Bulbophyllum species (Monocots, Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae). The Echidnopsis cereiformis and

Glucose (Glc), a monosaccharide, accumulates in plants as a minor product of photosynthesis as well as a breakdown product of sucrose. Glucose regulates various physiological processes in plants; therefore, the present experiment was carried out to assess its role in mustard plants. Seeds of Brassica juncea were sown into pots filled with soil and farmyard manure. Glc treatments were provided as a

Ageing induces modifications capable of compromising seed vigour and viability. This study investigated the effects of exogenous application of five antioxidants: ascorbic acid (AA), gallic acid (GA), reduced glutathione (GSH), trolox and glycerol, on physical and biochemical lesions induced by controlled deterioration (CD) in Brassica oleracea (cabbage) and Lactuca sativa (lettuce) seeds. The antioxidants

Atractylodes macrocephala (A. macrocephala), a famous medicinal herb in China, is widely cultivated and consumed in China with various beneficial effects. Numerous studies have shown that selenium (Se) plays an important role in promoting plant growth, although Se has not been considered an essential element for higher plants. The objectives of this research were to determine the effects of foliar

Helichrysum petiolare and Helichrysum odoratissimum, collectively known as ‘Imphepho’, are popular medicinal herbs that are indigenous to South Africa. The species are used interchangeably to relieve gastrointestinal and respiratory conditions, fever and urinary tract infections, implying that they produce antibacterial compounds. Although these herbs are sold in informal markets, they have not been