От плантаций на востоке Эфиопии до международных рынков: кат под контролем

Статья основана на полевых исследованиях автора, проводившихся в городах Дыре-Дауа, Аводай и Харар на востоке Эфиопии с ноября 2012 по июнь 2013 г., в феврале 2014 и апреле 2015 гг. Она посвящена тому, каким образом длинные маршруты распространения по миру растения кат (catha edulis) и препятствия на этих путях влияют на сектор его производства и сбыта. В центре нашего анализа – вопрос о социальных трансформациях, порождаемых глобализацией, в ходе которой этот вечнозеленый кустарник оказался связующим звеном между локальным и глобальным уровнями, между плантациями и прилавками. Кроме того, нам важно понять, какое влияние его выращивание и оборот оказывают на осуществление государственной власти на восточных окраинах страны. This article is based on the author’s fieldwork in Dire Dawa, Awaday, and Harar in eastern Ethiopia from November 2012 through June 2013, in February 2014, and April 2015. It focuses on the effects of the extensive global distribution network of the khat (catha edulis) plant and the obstacles encountered along these routes on the sector in which khat is produced and sold. At the center of our analysis is the question of social transformations, generated by globalization, over the course of which this evergreen shrub came to be a link between local and global levels, between plantations and retailers. We must also understand what impact its cultivation and circulation have on the exercise of state power in the eastern margins of the country.

Buchholzia coriacea: AN OFTEN NEGLECTED AFRICAN PLANT WITH MULTIFARIOUS ETHNOPHARMACOTHERAPEUTIC POTENTIALS

The evergreen shrub Buchholzia coriacea (Wonderful cola), which belongs to the Capparidaceae family, is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Congo, Angola, Nigeria, and Ghana, among other places. Diarrhea, malaria, rheumatism, ulcers, worm infestation, asthma and cough, diabetes, hypertension, mental problems, and impotence were among the conditions for which traditional medicine believed it to be a useful alternative treatment. Some of its ethnomedicinal knowledge had been ethnopharmacologically verified and published in scientific publications. As a result, the emphasis of this study is on a current evaluation of its verified ethnomedicinal activities, which will serve as a research horizon for current and future academics.

Eriobotrya japonica (loquat).

E. japonica is an evergreen shrub or small tree indigenous to southern China and traditionally cultivated there and in Japan. It is planted throughout the subtropics and tropics as an ornamental and for its sweet-tasting fruit. Propagation is conventional and straight-forward. It is planted for commercial use in the Mediterranean, Australia, South Africa, South America, USA and India (Verheij and Coronel, 1991). In South-East Asia it is primarily planted in home-gardens. Its flowers and leaves have medicinal value and relieve flu symptoms.

Calotropis procera (apple of sodom).

C. procera is a fleshy evergreen shrub about 1.8-5.5 m tall, with a diameter at breast height of 15-20 cm (von Maydell, 1986). The flowers are pale green to white, with purple tips. A fibre obtained from the bark is used to make lines, bow-strings and twine; it can also be spun with cotton, or used to stuff mattresses and pillows. The fibre is strengthened by soaking in water for 1-2 days, but extensive soaking may reduce durability. The wood is of small dimensions and is too light for most uses. C. procera produces a distinctive white latex, which contains cardiotoxins and hydrocarbons with many medicinal and pesticidal properties. C. procera has been widely planted for fibre production and has become naturalized on the American and Australian continents. It is often abundant on degraded areas and is an indicator of overgrazing. C. procera is a widespread pioneer in semi-desert grassland and bushland (e.g. in Africa), and it also colonizes shifting sand-dunes such as in Rajasthan, India. However, due to its properties as a pioneer, there is a risk that this species may become a weed. More research is needed on C. procera to maximize production and marketing of its many potential products.

Pruning intensity and amino acids tryptophan and glycine on growth and flowering of Jasminum sambac

Jasmine (Jasminum sambac L.) is an evergreen shrub and very fragrant, which has a very importance in the perfume industry and its flowers are used in different religious and ceremonies. Training the shrubs for more yields of flowers and essential oil with horticultural improvement effects of pruning and amino acids may help gardeners to achieve more benefits. This study aimed to investigate the effects of pruning intensity (without pruning, 40, 60 or 75 cm above ground level) and foliar application of amino acids (without amino acids, tryptophan or glycine) on jasmine shrubs for promoting growth and reproductive growth and the content of essential oil. The results showed that plants with light pruning (75 cm) and foliar application of amino acids especially glycine had the best growth and yield, which means that plants were affected by the interactions of pruning level and application of amino acids.

Pachystachys coccinea (Cardinal's guard).

Pachystachys coccinea is a perennial evergreen shrub cultivated as an ornamental and garden plant for its red flowers on flashy terminal spikes. It has escaped from cultivation and is often found naturalized in damp thickets and at forest edges. Presently, P. coccinea is only listed as invasive in Cuba and as a "common" alien species in Trinidad and Tobago.

Eranthemum pulchellum (blue-sage).

Eranthemum pulchellum is an evergreen shrub with a native range across South and South-East Asia. It has been introduced as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical countries. It is widely cultivated in the tropics and will occasionally escape from cultivation. It is naturalized in Queensland, Australia, but there is no clear evidence of naturalization elsewhere. There is no evidence of any impacts it its introduced range and it is not considered to be an invasive species.

Ixora coccinea (flame-of-the-woods).

Ixora coccinea is a dense, multi-branched evergreen shrub native to India and Sri Lanka. It is found worldwide in tropical and subtropical climates and has naturalized in Puerto Rico, presumably dispersed by birds. I. coccinea has been occasionally persisting around former habitations and waste areas in Florida. There is no evidence to suggest or imply that I. coccinea is an invasive species.

Obtaining new Ruscus products using Gamma radiation

Ruscus is an evergreen shrub that offers dark-green glossy foliage used as green additions to bouquets and flower arrangements. One of the most significant ways to obtain new varieties of crop and ornamental plants is to induce mutations by radiation. Gamma radiation is most commonly used to obtain mutants in commercial food as well as feed crops and ornamental plants. In this study, we developed tissue culture methods for Ruscus proliferation from rhizomes to obtain rhizomes clusters. These clusters were subsequently irradiated with Gamma rays to obtain unique phenotypes, such as: elongated narrow phylloclades modified stem symmetry and dwarfed growth habit. Such Ruscus types can contribute to the expansion of the floral industry.