Anatomical Characteristics of African Cherry (Prunus Africana) Medicinal Plant for its Accurate Taxonomic Identification

Background: The genus Prunus (Family Rosaceae) comprises over 400 plant species and exhibits vast biodiversity worldwide. Due to its wide distribution, its taxonomic classification is important. Anatomical characters are conserved and stable and thus can be used as an important tool in plant taxonomic characterization. Thus, this study aimed at examining and documenting P. africana leaf, stem, and seed anatomy using micrographs and photographs for possible use in identification, quality control, and phylogenetic studies of the species.Methods: P. africana leaves, stems, and seeds were fixed, dehydrated in ascending ethanol series (50–100 %), embedded in Technovit resin, and sectioned using a microtome for mounting histological slides for anatomical observation under a microscope and subsequent description.Results: The anatomical sections of a young stem revealed a cortex consisting of isodiametric parenchyma cells, druse crystals, primary vascular bundles, and pith. The mature stem bark consisted majorly of rhytidome with periderm densely arranged in multiple layers, a cluster of stone cells, and sclerenchyma. The sections of the leaf were hypostomatic with stomata size ranging between 18.90– (22.34)–26.90 × 15.41– (18.40)–21.22 μm. The leaf sections showed the presence of characteristic druse crystals, vascular bundles, and mesophyll layers. The pericarp showed the presence of epicarp, mesocarp, and endocarp with a thickness of approximately 350–400, 300–350, and 30–50 μm, respectively and a seed testa with a thickness of approximately 50–60 μm. Conclusion: The characteristic morphological and anatomical features observed in P. africana leaves, stems, and seeds in this study could provide useful data in taxonomical identification of this species.

Morphological study of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. fruit and seed in different growth stages

Qualitative and quantitative morphological characterization in different growth stages of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. fruits and seeds were investigated. Capsules are compressed, two celled, green, cordate to round or elliptical with one flattened seed in each half. Both LM and SEM study were conducted to gather micromorphological features of matured epicarp and seed testa. Non-glandular, uniseriate, slender trichome and anomocytic stomata were found on epicarp, whereas same was absent on seeds. Some crystalline substance was noticed on both epicarp cells and seed testa. The fruiting stages were divided into 0 to V stages starting from first day of fruit appearing and total required days needed for maturity. Remarkable differences such as fruit and seed size, weight and colour were varied in each stage. Significance of surface micromorphology of matured epicarp and seed testa of N. arbor-tristis is also discussed here. Single-factor ANOVA analysis and Regression were performed to test the significance level of the studied parameters and their relationship.

Seed testa sculpture of species of Allium L. (Amaryllidaceae) and its taxonomic implications

We investigated the seed testa sculpture of twenty-four species belonging to thirteen sections and five subgenera of Allium from the herbarium materials or collected from plants in living collections. Seed testa sculpture of 21 species were described for the first time in this study. According to our results, the straight anticlinal wall and one large verruca or dense granules periclinal wall were found among the species in subgenus Amerallium, Cepa, Polyprason and Reticulatobulbosa. Only A. ochroleucum (sect. Daghestanica, subg. Polyprason) has U-type undulation anticlinal wall, which is similar to species of subg. Allium. The U- to Omega-type undulation anticlinal walls and several big verrucae with marginal verrucae periclinal wall were found in subg. Allium. Our results suggest that seed testa sculpture is important character of species and sections level of the genus Allium.

Performance characteristics of goats fed supplemental cocoa seed testa-based diet

An increase in goat production in the tropics have led to continuous competition with humans for food as most protein given conventional feedstuff (Groundnut cake, Palm kernel cake, Soybean) among others are becoming scarce and expensive, thus, there is need to find non conventional feeding material which can considerably substitute the conventional feed stuff without negative consequences on the animal. This research work therefore, was aimed at the performance characteristics of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats fed cocoa seed testa(CST) as a replacement for palm kernel cake concentrate supplement to a basal grass diet. Twelve West Africa dwarf goat of 15-16 months with an average weight of 16.5 kg were used for the experiment. They were randomly allocated to three concentrates diets such that 0%, 50%, 100% were for group A, B and C, respectively of palm kernel cake (PKC) were replaced with cocoa seed testa (CST). Each of the three groups was reared on any of the concentrate supplements fed to a basal diet of the grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis). The experiment lasted for six weeks, in which two weeks were used to acclimatize the animals to the cages. Result of the experiment showed a significant difference (P<0.05) in mean overall feed intake, weight gained and feed conversion ratio among the treatments. The average daily weight gain and overall weight gain among the treatment groups were significantly difference (P<0.05). Goats fed diet B utilized the feed better with weight gain of 2539.96 g followed by those of diet C with weight gain of 1969.94 g. Inclusion of cocoa seed testa from 50 % to 100 % replacement for palm kernel cake enhance the growth of West African dwarf goat. Une augmentation de la production des chevres dans les zones tropicales a conduit à une concurrence continue avec les humains pour la nourriture car la plupart des protéines étant donné les aliments conventionnels (gâteau à l'arachide, gâteau palmiste, soja) entre autres sont de plus en plus rares et coûteux, il est donc nécessaire de trouver du matériel d'alimentation non conventionnel qui peut remplacer considérablement les aliments conventionnels sans conséquences négatives sur l'animal. Ce travail de recherche visait donc les caractéristiques de performance des chèvres naines d'Afrique de l'Ouest (le 'WAD') nourries de grainesde testaà base de cacao (le 'CST') en remplacement du supplément de concentré de gâteau au palmiste à un régime basal d'herbe. Douze chèvres naines d'Afrique de l'Ouest de 15 à 16 mois avec un poids moyen de 16.5 kg ont été utilisées pour l'expérience. Ils ont été attribués au hasard à trois régimes concentrés de telle sorte que 0%, 50%, 100% étaient pour le groupe A, B et C, respectivement du gâteau de palmiste (le 'PKC') ont été remplacés par des testicules de graines de cacao (le 'CST'). Chacun des trois groupes a été élevé sur l'un des suppléments de concentré alimentés à un régime basal de l'herbe (Cynodonnlemfuensis). L'expérience a duré six semaines, au cours de laquelle deux semaines ont été utilisées pour acclimatiser les animaux aux cages. Le résultat de l'expérience a montré une différence significative (P<0.05) dans l'apport alimentaire global moyen, le poids gagné et le ratio de conversion des aliments pour animaux parmi les traitements. Le gain de poids quotidien moyen et le gain de poids global parmi les groupes de traitement étaient significativement différence (P<0.05). Les chèvres nourries de régime B utilisé l'alimentation mieux avec un gain de poids de 2539.96 g suivie par ceux de l'alimentation C avec gain de poids de 1969.94 g. L'inclusion de graines de testa à base de cacao de 50 % à 100 % de remplacement pour le gâteau au palmiste améliore la croissance de la chèvre naine d'Afrique de l'Ouest.

Mineral and fibre intake of West African dwarf sheep fed boiled cocoa seed testa and sorghum malt dust in cassava root meal based diets

The study was carried out to investigate the mineral and fibre intake of Sheep fed Cocoa Seed Testa (CST) and Sorghum Malt Dust (SMD) in cassava root meal based diets. The feeding trial was conducted on the feed intake response of West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep in a completely randomized experimental design using boiled CST and SMD based-diets. A total of twenty-eight sheep were randomly allocated to 11 – 13 months of age of CST at 10, 20 and 30% levels, SMD at 10, 20 and 30% levels and a control. The experiment lasted 90 days. Data generated were computed and subjected to a one-way analysis of variance. In the trial, the Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), Acid Detergent Fibre (ADF), Acid Detergent Lignin (4DL), Cellulose and Hemicellulose intake increase as the level of CST increased in the diet except for animals in treatment 3 (30% inclusion of CST). Also, NDF, ADF, ADL, Cellulose and Hemicellulose increased as the level of inclusion of SMD increased in the diet except treatment 6 (30% inclusion of SMD). The NDF intake from forage decreased as the level of SMD in the diets. The mineral intake Phosphorus, Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc and Sulphur also followed the same pattern. The mineral intake increased as the level of inclusion of ČST and SMD increased in the diet except in treatment 3 (30% inclusion of CST) and treatment 6 (30% inclusion of SMD) where the value obtained dropped. It was concluded that minerals available in the diets containing boiled Cocoa Seed Testa and Sorghum Malt Dust were significantly (p<0.05) better in their utilization by sheep that consumed boiled Sorghum Malt Dust based diets.

Intake And Nutrient Digestibilities Of All-concentrate Diet From Forage And Some Crop Wastes By Sheep And Goats

A total of 20 animals comprising 10 ranis and 10 bucks were involved in a digestibility study to assess the nutritive value of a combination of yam peel, cocoa-seed testa and Leucaena leaf in an all-concentrate diet for the sheep and goat. Parameters for assessment were dry matter intakes, dry matter and nutrient digestibilities, total digestible nutrients and nutritive ratio. The dry matter intakes in the all-concentrate diet by the sheep and goat ( > 4% of body weight) were higher (p<0.05) than obtained for the conventional diet of grass hay and supplemental concentrates of dry matter, crude protein and energy were lower (P<0.05) while those of crude protein and ether extract were higher and significant when compared to the conventional diet. The nature of the crude fibre of all-concentrate feed could influence the dry matter and energy digestibilities, and the digestible energy. The nutritive ratio of the all-concentrate feed was narrow (P<0.05) and indicated a high nutritive value.

Nitrogen utilization by male WAD sheep fed graded levels of boiled CST and SMD based diets

The study was carried out to investigate the nitrogen utilization by male West African Dwarf (WAD) sheep fed boiled Cocoa Seed Testa (CST) and Sorghum Malt Dust (SMD)-based diets. Twenty-eight male animals were divided into seven groups with similar average initial live weight in a completely randomized design. Each group contained four animals. The trial consisted of seven dietary treatments which comprised CST at 10, 20 and 30% levels, SMD at 10, 20 and 30% levels and a control. The trial lasted for 90 days. Data generated were subjected to a one-way analysis of variance. Apparent nitrogen intake (19.41g/d) and retention (9.67g/d) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in the treatment with 20% SMD. Generally, dietary inclusion of CST and SMD improved the nitrogen intake by male WAD sheep with the best result from sheep fed 20% sorghum malt dust based diets.

Halophila Balfourii Solereder (Hydrocharitaceae)—An Overlooked Seagrass Species

Halophila balfourii Solereder has long been treated as a synonym of Halophila stipulacea (Forrsk.) Asch., although it was named more than a century ago. Microscopic (optical microscope and scanning electron microscope) studies on all available herbarium materials of these two species have reconfirmed that the unique papillose leaf epidermis is only presented in H. balfourii but not in H. stipulacea. The pattern of seed testa reticulate is significantly different between these two species. Furthermore, H. balfourii is predominately restricted to the Rodriguez and Mauritius Islands while membranous leafed H. stipulacea is widely distributed in the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea as well as East Africa coasts. Based on distinctive characteristics of the leaf and seed coat, and its geographic distribution, it is recommended to reinstate H. balfourii as an independent species and not as a synonym of H. stipulacea.

Seed Morphology of Allium L. (Amaryllidaceae) from Central Asian Countries and Its Taxonomic Implications

We studied seed macro- and micro-morphological characteristics of 48 Allium species (51 accessions) belonging to 24 sections and 7 subgenera. Our taxonomic sampling focused on the central Asian regions of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia. The seed length ranged between 1.74 ± 0.16–4.47 ± 0.43 mm and width ranged between 1.06 ± 0.08–3.44 ± 0.23 mm, showing various shapes. The irregular and elongated polygonal testa cells occurred in all investigated species. Seed testa sculptures showed high variation in their anticlinal walls associated with different shapes: straight to with U-, S- or Omega-type undulations among the species. The moderately flat to convex periclinal walls with various sized verrucae or granules were found in all investigated taxa. Based on our research, we conclude that seed characteristics such as size, shape, and the seed testa features show their significant variability, revealing key characteristics to support taxonomic relationships and major clades recovered in the molecular phylogeny of the genus Allium. Especially, the anticlinal wall characteristics were highly variable and decisive at the both section and species levels. In addition, widely varied shapes and sizes of the seeds were remarkably effective to distinguish Allium species.

Taxonomic remarks on Genista salzmannii group (Fabaceae) in Sardinia and Corsica

A revision of the taxa belonging to the Genista salzmannii group of sect. Erinacoides (Cytiseae, Fabaceae) occurring in Sardinia and Corsica is carried out. The study, based on literature, herbarium materials and field investigations, allowed the recognition of several taxa, such as G. desoleana Valsecchi subsp. desoleana and subsp. martellii subsp. nov., Genista nuragica sp. nov., G. pichisermolliana Valsecchi, G. salzmannii Candolle de subsp. salzmannii, subsp. lobelioides (Gamisans) comb. et stat. nov. and subsp. limbarae subsp. nov. Taxonomical, nomenclatural, karyological, ecological and chorological remarks are provided for each taxa, as well as a detailed iconographies and SEM micrographs of seed testa. An analytical key of all examined taxa is also provided.