Influence of the Foraging Activity of the Anthophilous Insects on Talinum triangulare (Waterleaf) fructification in Bafut (North West - Cameroon)

Talinum triangulare is an herbaceous succulent plant eaten as a vegetable throughout the tropics including many countries in West and Central Africa and are an essential ingredient in traditional dishes. Experiments were made on the plant to examine the influence of foraging behavior of flowering insect on pollination and yields of this plant species in 2018 and 2019 at Bafut. Observations were made on 1615 to 4055 flowers per treatment. The treatments included unlimited floral access by visitors and bagged flowers to deny all visits. The study focused on the foraging behavior of flowering insects and their pollination activity (fruiting rate). The results show that 14 insect species visited waterleaf flowers and Camponotus flavomarginatus was the most frequent (33.20%). Insects foraged throughout the day light period. Their activity was highest between 10 am and 12 pm. Insect species foraged the flowers for pollen and nectar. The fructification rate of unrestricted floral access was significantly high than that of protected flowers to deny all visits. The maintenance of insect nest close to T. triangulare field is recommended to improve it fruits production.

Occurring the paraquat residues in various Nigerian

Because pesticides are ubiquitous and focused on the food chain, they are a substantial source of possible environmental danger to humans and animals. The highest extremely hazardous herbicides to be launched in 60 years ago is paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bipyridylium dichloride). Although most nations have prohibited or severely limited the use of paraquat (PQ), it is still used in others, particularly in Nigeria. As a result, the present study used a spectrophotometric method to look for PQ in some vegetables, crops, and fruits in Abeokuta that are commonly consumed. The presence and amounts of PQ residues were assessed in 150 samples of various vegetables, crops, and fruits (harvested at Fadama field of the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta). PQ residues were detected in Talinum triangulare, Corchorus olitorius, Amaranthus caudatus, Cratylia argentea, Capsicum frutescens, Lycopersicum esculentum, Raphanus sativus, Zea may, and Dioscorea alata at 0.130.02, 0.27+0.02, 0.06+0.01, 0.10+0.03, 0.15+0.03, 0. Using this technique, no paraquat residues were found in M. paradisicica or C. papaya. At 0.05-1.0 ppm fortification level, the technique yields a mean recovery of over 80% and is reproducible with a total coefficient of variation of 8.0 percent (n=10). All residual levels found were under the PQ tolerance or pesticide maximum limits.

Comparative Assessment of Nutrient Values and Heavy Metals Content of Talinum triangulare Collected from Farm Land (Post Service) and Dumpsite (Oko Fili) in Lagos, Nigeria

Introduction: Talinum triangulare is a nutritious vegetable whose consumption is popular in Nigeria. Therefore, the necessity to consume a very quality and hygienic T. triangulare cannot be over emphasized. Aims: To investigate the nutrient contents and level of heavy metals in T. triangulare collected from dumpsite and farmland. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Botany, Lagos State University, (Oko fili in Alimosho Local Government Area) and farmland (Post Service in Ojo Local Government Area) between January to March, 2021. Methodology: The data were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20 and a standard procedure was used for t-test analysis. Results: All the amino acids detected in T. triangulare from both dumpsite and farmland had no significant differences (p>0.05). There are no significant difference (p>0.05) between lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr) and selenium (Se) in samples examined across the two sampling sites, while arsenic (except in the soil from dumpsite) and nickel (except in plant from both sites) were not detected. However, the concentrations of heavy metals such as calcium(Ca), iron(Fe), potassium(K), magnesium(Mg), sodium(Na), phosphorus(P), and zinc (Zn) in both the soil and T. triangulare samples from the dumpsite are significantly(p<0.05) higher than that from the farmland. The respective values of these metals (mg/100g) in the plant at dumpsite and farmland are: Ca (343.400±206.475), Fe (82.000±29.839), K(90.900±10.748), Mg(1595.250±149.553), Na(2217.050), P(502.250±140.077) and Zn(60.620±8.739) respectively. Conclusion: Therefore, T. triangulare examined in this study is safe for consumption, however its excess K, Na, and Mg content can be recommended for people with deficiency in those nutrients.

Therapeutic potentials and pharmacological properties of Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Willd. in the treatment and management of diabetes mellitus and other conditions

There is a growing interest in the use of medicinal plants. Previously, the assumption was that the use of medicinal plants is peculiar to developing and poor nations. However, due to advances in technology, innovative and scientific research on medicinal plants, the trend has changed. The number of people using medicinal plants for various reasons has increased significantly in developed countries. Research studies have shown that several plants display antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anticancer and antiulcer activities and that these plants and their bioactive molecules play important role in retarding the progression of acute and chronic disease conditions such as bacterial infections, diabetes, hypertension and cancer. These and other factors have stimulated interest in documenting and investigating medicinal plants for their nutritional and therapeutic benefits. In addition, vegetables such as Talinum triangulare (Jacq.) Willd. are cheap and affordable sources of protein, vital amino acids, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. Used as supplements, vegetables provide tangible and correct proportions of nutrients and therapeutic ingredients. As part of the documentation of medicinal plants in Africa and contributing to the pool of knowledge in the field, this review examines the various potentials of T. triangulare. It is envisaged that it would stimulate further interest and research in the plant and medicinal plants in general.

Propagação vegetativa de Talinum triangulare em função de diferentes épocas de coleta, tipos de estacas e substratos

A espécie Talinum triangulare propaga-se principalmente por sementes, no entanto, estacas retiradas dos ramos da planta têm potencial para enraizamento. Objetivou-se neste trabalho avaliar a influência da época de coleta, os tipos de estaca e substratos no enraizamento e brotação das estacas de T. triangulare. O delineamento utilizado foi o inteiramente casualizado em esquema de parcelas subdivididas no tempo, composto por quatro tipos de estacas (raiz, basal, mediana e apical), três substratos (comercial Vivatto®, areia lavada e esterilizada e vermiculita expandida fina) e quatro épocas de coleta das estacas (verão, outono, inverno e primavera). A avaliação do pegamento das estacas foi realizada aos 40 dias após o plantio, quando se observou a estabilização no número de brotações. Os melhores resultados para todas as variáveis analisadas foram obtidos em estacas de raiz, seguida das estacas basais. No outono foram observados os maiores percentuais de enraizamento das estacas. O substrato comercial proporcionou mudas mais vigorosas, no entanto a areia e a vermiculita foram eficazes na sobrevivência das estacas.

NEMATODE PARASITES OF WATERLEAF (Talinum triangulare) IN OBIO-AKPOR AND IKWERRE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS OF RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Waterleaf, Talinum triangulare is cultivated in home gardens and fields to improve nutritional quality for the family and a source of livelihood for farmers. However, the role of T. triangulare is often counteracted by plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs). Effective management of PPNs will depend on the identification and determination of their population and distribution. A survey was conducted in two Local Government Areas (LGAs), Ikwerre and Obio-Akpor of Rivers State to identify plant-parasitic nematodes associated with waterleaf. Multistage random sampling technique was employed in the collection of 60 bulked soil and root samples across six waterleaf monoculture farming communities. The nematodes were extracted, identified and their population determined using standard procedures. Occurrences, relative importance values (RIV) and diversity indices were determined. Other data were analysed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. Six plant-parasitic nematodes genera were encountered in this study, Helicotylenchus, Pratylenchus, Paratylenchus, Meloidogyne, Scutellonema and Tylenchulus. Pratylenchus and Helicotylenchus were the most frequently occurring nematode pest genera with equal relative frequency of occurrence of 38.89%. Pratylenchus species with RIV of 61.34% was the most important nematode pest associated with waterleaf across the six farm communities. The dominance index of 0.71 for the nematode genera showed that some nematode species dominated others. Alakahia farms had the highest population of plant-parasitic nematodes (2,780) across the six farm communities, whereas Omagwa farms had the lowest (250). The study showed that nematode pests are associated with waterleaf and could be contributing to yield losses in this crop