Asian Journal of Research in Botany

Seedling Morphology of Four Acacia Mill. (Fabaceae) Species and Its Significance in Plant Taxonomy

2021-06-22T09:59:08+00:00

Acacia species commonly identify by their reproductive characters such as indefinite number of stamens (more than 10) that are free or united only at the base and a calyx that is in valvate aestivation, pods, etc. In India Acacia species are found in all climatic regions but they are found to play a major role in arid and semi-arid areas and effect the environment and communities. The seedling is the very juvenile stage of a plant after germination. Seedling investigation give a good data for identify a particular species at juvenile stage or germination phase. In seedling taxonomy we do focus on wide range of characters such as root, hypocotyl, cotyledon, epicotyl, stem, phyllotaxy, eophyll, heteroblastic development of leaves etc. In Acacia seedlings, the number of leaflets, spines, and the shoot height are also important characters. Seedling taxonomy as a tool gives a very significant knowledge about the process of establishment of stable adult traits in mature plants from transition to juvenile stage. Acacia species seeds covered by thick seed coat that inhibit the germination of seeds so to reduce the dormancy period various pre-germination treatment methods are used such as soaking in boiling water, mechanical and chemical scarification of the seed coat. After germination we observe seedling characters and make a dichotomous identification key to distinguish them. As mature Acacia are usually identify and distinguished from other plants by inflorescence and pod's characteristics. So there is a need for their distinction at earlier stages where these reproductive characteristics are absent.

Control of Yam Rot using Leaf Extracts of Utazi Gongronema latifolia and Moringa oleifera

2021-06-24T05:55:07+00:00

Dioscorecea rotundata are among the most important tropical root crop. Yams are a staple crop in many parts of Africa and Southeast Asia. Besides their importance as food source, yams also play a significant role in the socio-cultural lives of some producing regions like the celebrated new yam festival in West Africa, a practice that has also extended to overseas where there is a significant population of the tribes that observe it. This research was carried out on the antimicrobial effect of the leaf extracts of Gongronema latifolia and Moringa oleifera for the control of Dioscorecea rotundata tuber rot caused by Fusarium oxysporum, Penicilium oxalicum, Fusarium solani, Botryodiploidia theobromae, Rhizopus spp, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. The highest percentage occurring organisms were P. oxalicum, Rhizopus sp, F. oxysporum, and A. niger. Qualitative phytochemical screening of the extracts was conducted which revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, sterols and phenols. The zone of inhibition of the leaf extracts of G. latifolia and M. oleifera revealed that M. oleifera gave higher inhibition of F. oxysporum (at all concentrations), A. niger and A. flavus. However, G. latifolia gave higher inhibition of A. niger and A. flavus at different concentrations. The study revealed that A. flavus was the most susceptible organism to the effect of the leaf extracts of G. latifolia and M. oleifera while F. oxysporum and A. niger were the most resistant organisms against these leaf extracts. There was significant difference in the inhibitory activity of the leaf extracts of G. latifolia and M. oleifera against F. oxysporum, A. niger and A. flavus at different concentrations. Hence, G. latifolia and M. oleifera leaves could be the best alternative ways of reducing and controlling rot by farmers these extract can be easily prepared by farmers.

Nutritional Assesment of the Healthy and Unhealthy Watermelon Fruit in Uli, Anambra State, Nigeria

2021-06-29T09:01:35+00:00

Fruits are excellent source of nutrition and should be consumed in moderation as part of a healthy diet. Just like vegetables, fruits are great source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and water. In the fruit group, several fruits are considered to be super foods. A study on the nutritional value of healthy and unhealthy watermelon fruit was carried out using standard laboratory procedures by using the method described by Association of Official Analytical Chemist. The proximate analysis of the healthy and unhealthy watermelon fruit studied showed that the highest carbohydrate (43.30±0.028), protein (8.82±0.025), crude fat (3.38±0.030) and crude fibre (30.25±0.28) contents were that of healthy watermelon fruit whereas the lowest [carbohydrate(30.58±0.028), protein (3.28±0.017), crude fat (1.36±0.028) and crude fibre (10.10±0.011)] were observed to be that of the unhealthy watermelon. However, in the case of the moisture content , the unhealthy watermelon fruit had the highest with 20.14±0.003 against the 9.89±0.028 of the healthy one. Analysis of the mineral content was found in the healthy and unhealthy watermelon fruit indicated high phosphorus (230±0.030) and potassium (122.4±0.028) content in the healthy fruit and the lowest (216±0.028 and 118±0.02 of P and K respectively) in the unhealthy one. The calcium content (146.5±0.001) of the unhealthy watermelon fruit on the contrary was the highest while that of the healthy one was the least with 120.0±0.003. Thus it can be concluded that nutrients found in the fruits are in variable concentrations. Therefore the consumption of healthy watermelon on daily basis is recommended for normal body function and healthy life.