Efficacy of plant extracts and effect of seed soaking duration on treatment of sorghum seed naturally infected by Colletotrichum graminicola and Phoma sorghina

The study was undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of the aqueous extracts ofBalanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del., Cymbopogon citratus D. C. Stapf, Cassia occidentalis L. and Portulaca oleracea L. different durations of extracts maceration (6, 12, 24 and 48 h) and different durations of soaking seed in plant extracts (6, 12 and 24 h). All the plant extracts tested significantly reduced the infection rate by C. graminicola and P. sorghina except for the extract of C.occidentalis which was not efficient against P. sorghina. Extract of C. citratus and P. oleracea were more efficient on the reduction of the infection rate by C.graminicola. Those of B. aegyptiaca and C. citratus were the most efficient in reducing infection by P. sorghina. Long period of soaking and macerate were favourable in increasing of the antifungal efficiency of the extract.     

Evaluation of the weed flora of Egypt from Predynastic to Graeco-Roman times

Macrofossils of weeds retrieved from archaeological sediments in Egypt are discussed in terms of their presence, preservation and representation significance. The study reveals 112 field weeds from 61 archaeological sites dating from Predynastic times (4500 B.C.) up to the Graeco-Roman period (A.D. 395). Most of the remains were preserved by desiccation. The 112 listed species include 24 taxa from Predynastic Hierakonpolis (3800–3500 B.C.) identified for the first time. This study is based on a selection of 97 species from the entire list. Interpretation of field weed finds from the archaeological contexts is discussed. The highest number of species, 63, is recorded from the Pharaonic period. The Predynastic era is represented by 46 species and the Graeco-Roman period by 34. The intensive archaeological excavation of Pharaonic settlements may explain the rich flora of that period compared with the two others. Floristic analysis shows that 57 species were introduced in association with crops from the Middle East and 40 may belong to the native vegetation of the Nile valley.     

The flavonoids ofBalanites aegyptiaca (Balanitaceae) from Egypt

Six flavonoid glycosides: quercetin 3-glucoside, quercetin-3-rutinoside; 3-glucoside, 3-rutinoside, 3-7-diglucoside and 3-rhamnogalactoside of isorhamnetin were extracted and identified from the leaves and branches of Egyptian material ofBalanites aegyptiaca. Only isorhamnetin: 3-rutinoside and 3-rhamnogalactoside were recorded from the fruits of the same plant.—Phytochemical aspects ofBalanites aegyptiaca and some genera ofZygophylaceae s. l. viz.Nitraria, Fagonia, Zygophyllum, Seetzenia andTribulus support its affinities with that family.     

Metabolite profiling of saponins in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Balanites</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">aegyptiaca</Emphasis> plant tissues using LC (RI)-ESI/MS and MALDI-TOF/MS

Saponins are a major family of secondary metabolites which consist of a sugar moiety glycosidically linked to a hydrophobic aglycone (sapogenin). In recent years the interest in saponins has increased significantly because of their diverse properties as natural detergents and foaming agents, their cardiac, immunostimulating, and anti-cancer activity, as well as other health promoting functions. This study deals with metabolitic analysis of saponins from methanolic extracts of fruit mesocarp (ME), seed kernel (KE) and root (RE) of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. (desert date) plant grown in Israel using LC (RI)-ESI/MS and MALDI-TOF/MS. The structural assignment was carried out by fragmentation experiments of LC (RI)-ESI/MS and literature data. The study has revealed that, all together, twenty-four furostanol saponins were found in ME, KE and RE. Of these, four saponins are found only in ME, five only in KE and six only in RE. Diosgenin was found to be the sole aglycone in all the saponins. The smallest saponin (MW 740 Da) was found with two sugar units (glucose) and the largest saponin (MW 1678 Da) was found with eight sugar units (5 glucose, 2 rhamnose and 1 xylose) attached to diosgenin. The results suggest that MALDI-TOF/MS with positive ion mode is particularly effective for determining the metabolites of saponins in B. aegyptiaca plant tissues. MALDI-TOF/MS not only verified the results of the LC (RI)-ESI/MS, but also identified additional saponins that are now systematically organized in a database of B. aegyptiaca saponins. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

An approach to funerary rituals in the Roman provinces: plant remains from a Gallo-Roman cemetery at Faulquemont (Moselle, France)

Archaeobotanical studies of funerary offerings allow important insights into beliefs in the afterlife and rituals in the past. Although the number of such investigations has increased in recent years, there are still only a very few systematic investigations of Gallo-Roman cremation graves, especially in northern France. The archaeobotanical study presented here concerns the cemetery (necropolis) of Faulquemont, located in the Département of Moselle. 70 cremation graves, dated from the 1st up to the beginning of the 3rd century A.D. have been sampled for the study of the botanical remains. The graveyard belongs to a rural site. The structures, mainly pits, contained secondary deposits of cremations, characterised by ashy fillings, broken archaeological burned material, bones and carbonised plant remains. 18 plant species have been identified including cereals, pulses, tubers and fruits plus bread/pastry. The most important ones were Triticum (hulled wheat), Hordeum (hulled barley), Lens (lentil) and Pisum (pea). There were also more “exotic” finds like Olea (olive), Phoenix (date) and Lupinus (lupin). The preservation of the cereals suggests possible cooking before cremation, or a long exposure to the fire. Some other plants like hazelnut and olive were maybe consumed as a component of funerary meals. In addition, there were also complete fruits burned as funerary offerings. Only the wealthy deceased received luxurious products such as date. Altogether, the spectrum of Faulquemont fits very well with the known picture of plant offerings during Gallo-Roman times. Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at     

Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae)Chicha production in the Central Andes

The authors located and experimentally reproduced an alcoholic beverage using Schinus molle L. drupes to explain the presence of large quantities of S. molle seeds in archaeological contexts associated with the Middle Horizon (550–1000 C.E.) site of Cerro Baúl, Moquegua, Perú. They discuss the production ofchicha de molle in the context of the archaeological site, the ecology of the plant, and the ethnobotany associated withS. molle in the Andes. Overall, S. molle was and is used today in a variety of ways regionally, and through both ethnobotanical and archaeological fieldwork, they establish a long-standing tradition of human-plant interactions withS. molle.     

Plant tempering of Predynastic pisé at Adaïma in Upper Egypt: building material and taphonomy

Macroscopic plant remains found in pisé material (clay or mud used in building), used as lining in pits at the Upper Egyptian Predynastic site of Adaïma were investigated. Comparison with assemblages from the sediment fills of these pits and with assemblages from other contexts in the same site demonstrated the taphonomical importance of pisé as a building material for the formation of the sites archaeological sediment. In particular, the influence of the pisé plant temper on the composition of plant assemblages in the sediment fills of the pits was brought to the fore. The choice of specific plant materials for their use as temper in pisé or mud bricks is shown, in particular that of barley (Hordeum vulgare) threshing remains. The importance of cereal processing by-products as construction material is also assessed in a wider economic context and compared with later Egyptian mud brick plant contents.     

Antifungal activity of plant extracts against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.) the causative agent of yam anthracnose disease

Yam anthracnose disease is a major constraint to yam production world-wide. The hazardous effects of synthetic fungicides on both humans and the environment have necessitated the use of alternative environmentally friendly fungicides for the control of the disease. This study tested the efficacy of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Azadiratcha indica, Balanites aegyptiaca, Jatropha curcas, and Khaya senegalensis seeds, Icacina oliviformis leaves and Capsicum annuum (Legon 18 variety) fruit against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.), the causative agent of yam anthracnose. The antifungal activity of each plant extract was assessed in vitro on potato dextrose agar using the food poison technique. Each extract inhibited significantly (p?≤?.05) the mycelia growth and spore germination of C. gloeosporioides. Qualitative phytochemical tests detected alkaloids, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phlobatinnins, saponins, steroids, tannins and terpenoids. The potential antifungal activity exhibited by these plant material makes them suitable candidates for the control of anthracnose disease of yam.     

Bee diversity (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) visiting Broad Bean (Vicia faba L.) flowers in Egypt

Different bee flower visitors were observed during the flowering seasons of Broad Bean in Ismailia, eastern Egypt, the Nile Delta and Alexandria, western Egypt. Eight major bee visitors were observed: Andrena ovatula (Kirby, 1802), Andrena sp. (Andrenidae), Chalicodoma siculum (Rossi, 1792) (Megachilidae), Colletes lacunatus Dours, 1872 (Colletidae), Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758, Anthophora hispanica (Fabricius, 1787), A. aegyptiaca (Dalla Torre and Friese, 1895) and Xylocopa pubescens (Spinola, 1838) (Apidae). Anthophora hispanica and A. aegyptiaca as well as Chalicodoma siculum had their peak flying period in the middle of the flowering season of the Broad Bean, while Xylocopa pubescens and Andrena sp. had their peak period in the second half of the flowering period.     

The use of Balanites kernel cake in a diet for fattening sheep

Balanites kernel cake (BKC) is produced from the fruit of Balanites aegyptiaca, a tree which is widely and densely distributed along the tropical belt of the African continent. The cake is characterized by high protein (36.8%) and low crude fibre (5.9%) contents. In this work the value of BKC as a source of crude protein in ruminant diets was compared with cotton seed cake (CSC), a conventional source of protein. Two groups of 10 and 11 lambs having an average liveweight of 20.5 ± 0.9 kg were used. For a 3-week preliminary period animals of both groups were fed ad libitum on a diet containing 30% CSC as a major source of protein. During the following 13 weeks the group of 10 lambs continued on the same diet, whereas the other group was fed ad libitum on a Balanites cake diet (20% BKC). All lambs were slaughtered at about 40 kg liveweight. No significant differences were detected between the two groups of lambs in feedlot performance or carcass analysis.It is concluded that BKC is non toxic to sheep and its addition at the rate of 20%, together with 10% straw, can replace 30% CSC in the diet. The Balanites cake diet was also found to be substantially cheaper.     

New evidence for the use of root foods in pre-agrarian subsistence recovered from the late Mesolithic site at Halsskov, Denmark

Roots and tubers, together with other plant storage organs such as rhizomes, bulbs, corms, etc. are known to be a source of human food. Until very recently, however, remains of root foods were rarely identified from archaeological contexts in temperate Europe. New evidence for the use of root foods has been recently recovered from the early Erteb?lle settlement at Halsskov in Denmark. Remains included charred bulbs of Allium cf. ursinum and tubers of Conopodium majus. They were accompanied by charred remains of parenchymatous tissues derived from underground parts of other plants. All parenchymatous remains were recovered from features that could be interpreted as pit-cooking depressions. A minimum of two periods of root food gathering can be assumed, spring to early summer and autumn. The presence of charred seeds of Nuphar pumilum suggests that either the seeds or rhizomes (or both) were use as food. Received September 4, 2001 / Accepted February 27, 2002     

A Rapid In Vitro Morphogenesis and Acclimatization Protocol for Balanites aegyptiaca (L) Del — a Medicinally Important Xerophytic Tree

The callus mediated regeneration system for Balanites aegyptiaca (L) Del is reported here. Different explants like apical buds, young thorns and cotyledon pieces from mature tree and root segments from in vitro raised seedlings were used for callus induction on MS medium supplemented with 2.23 μM 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Seven to eight weeks old calli were transferred on hormone free MS medium in order to get regeneration. Shoot morphogenesis was achieved only from cotyledon-derived callus. The shoots so produced rooted well, when cultured on B5 medium supplemented with 9.84 μM Indole-3-butyric acid. Plantlets have been transferred to the field after two-phase hardening and are performing well.     

Size structure and dynamics of some woody perennials along elevation gradient in Wadi Gimal, Red Sea coast of Egypt

The population structure of 10 common woody perennials was investigated in terms of size distribution, height, diameter and density in Wadi Gimal along the Red Sea coast of Egypt. It was attempted to assess the effect of elevation on the size, distribution and density of the studied species. These species are: five trees (Acacia tortilis subsp. raddiana, Acacia tortilis subsp. tortilis, Balanites aegyptiaca, Tamarix aphylla, and Tamarix nilotica), two shrubs (Leptadenia pyrotechnica and Nitraria retusa) and three shrublets (Pulicaria undulata, Zilla spinosa, and Zygophyllum coccineum). The size estimations were then used to classify population into six size classes: 20-80 cm for shrublets, 100-500 cm for shrubs, and 2-10 m for trees. The absolute and relative frequency of individuals and mean height, diameter and height to diameter ratio per individual in each size class were determined. Density of occurrence of most species, except B. aegyptiaca, decreased as elevation increased. The height-to-diameter ratio was less than unity for most of the recorded species except T. nilotica. Several forms - including, positively and negatively skewed, inverse J-shaped, bell shaped and more or less J-shaped distributions - were recognized along the different elevations. The size structure of some species was positively related with soil variables, such as T. nilotica with sulphate, while some others were negatively significant related to the substrate characteristics, such as Z. spinosa with salinity.     

Selective Foraging Behavior in Nest-Provisioning Females of Parastrachia japonensis (Hemiptera: Cydnidae): Cues for Preferred Food

Females of Parastrachia japonensis (Hemiptera: Cydnidae) provision nymph-containing nests with drupes of the single host tree, Schoepfia jasminodora (Rosidae: Santales). P. japonensis feeds on the endosperm of these drupes. Foraging females approached and accepted only a few selected drupes for transport to their nests from among the hundreds of drupes scattered on the ground. The characteristics of the drupes that elicited an acceptance response under field conditions were examined. Females estimated the degree of endosperm development using volatile and nonvolatile chemicals in the outer skin as cues and selected only those drupes which had a well-developed endosperm. Although the cues that prompted approach and inspection of a drupe are in the fleshy outer skin, females presented with various substitute drupes coated with outer skin juices of acceptable drupes selected only those they could recognize as a solid mass, suggesting that they used volatile chemicals in the outer skin as cues for approaching and inspecting a drupe and then taste and tactile stimuli as cues for acceptance. Thus, this bug possesses a complex, ecologically sensitive cognitive system that enables it to recognize valuable food items by using reliable cues. The importance of selective foraging by P. japonensis females and the evolutionary significance of this behavior are discussed.     

Neolithic cultivated plants from Albania

Macroremains of late Neolithic cultivated plants are reported from the archaeological site of Maliq, Korça District, south-eastern Albania. The material comprises einkorn (Triticum monococcum L.), emmer (Triticum dicoccon Schrank), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) and bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd.). These are the first remains of cultivated plants described from an archaeological site in Albania.     

Root and tuber phytoliths and starch grains document manioc (Manihot esculenta) arrowroot (Maranta arundinacea) and llerén (Calathea sp.) at the real alto site Ecuador

Although roots and tubers are dietary staples in many parts of the world, their use is difficult to document archaeo logically because their organic remains are often poorly preserved in archaeological sedi ments. Here we describe the first diagnostic phytoliths from the underground storage organs of the important New World agricultural crops manioc or yuca(Manihot esculenta Crantz), arrowroot(Maranta arundinacea L.), and llerén(Calathea allouia [Aubl.] Lindl.) and demonstrate their usefulness for identifying prehistoric root and tuber processing with a study of stone artifacts from a Valdivia 3 (2800–2400 B.C., calibrated) household at Real Alto, Ecuador. Gelatinized starch (heat-altered) and unaltered starch from maize (Zea mays L.), arrowroot, and manioc were also found on these stone tools. Our data document early evidence for manioc in Ecuador’s coastal lowlands. In combination, these phytoliths and starch residues provide evidence that both raw and cooked foods were processed in this early mixed agricultural economy.     

Glycosyl part identified within Balanites aegyptiaca fruit protease

The many milk-clotting proteases from plant are glycosylated; attachment of monosaccharides to enzyme is an advantage for its activity and stability. In this study, gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry-electrospray ionization was used to identify glycans bond to proteases purified from Balanites aegyptiaca fruits pulp through cation exchange chromatography. Carbohydrates were identified according to the retention time and the ion at m/z after derivation by heptafluorobutyric acid. The chromatograms obtained from monosaccharides analysis revealed the presence of galactose, mannose, arabinose, xylose, rhamnose and glucuronic acid. The mass spectrometry-electrospray ionization spectra corroborated these findings.     

Relationships of stable carbon isotopes, plant water potential and growth: an approach to asses water use efficiency and growth strategies of dry land agroforestry species

The relationships between annual wood stable carbon isotope composition (δ¹³C), dry season midday plant water potential, and annual growth rate were investigated to asses the ability of agroforestry species to adapt to climate changes. 6–8 stem disks from four co-occurring species (Acacia senegal, A. seyal, A. tortilis and Balanites aegyptiaca) were collected for radial growth measurements using tree-ring analysis spanning 1930–2003. Annual δ¹³C was measured on three tree disks per species for the period 1970–2002. Midday plant water potential was measured during the dry season. Annual radial growth and midday plant water potential ranged from 0.27 to 9.12 mm and −1.0 to −5.0 MPa, respectively, with statistically significant differences. After correcting annual wood δ¹³C for atmospheric changes in δ¹³C, carbon isotopic composition ranged from −22.22 to −26.58‰. Relationships between δ¹³C, radial growth and plant water potentials revealed the interaction of water availability, stomatal conductance, δ¹³C values and growth. Two contrasting water use strategies and competitive advantages can be distinguished. Species with lower mean δ¹³C values (A. senegal and A. seyal) show high plant water potential and, hence, better growth during moist years. Thus, they indicate low water use efficiency (WUE) and opportunistic water use strategy. On the other hand, species with lower water potentials (A. tortilis and B. aegyptiaca) showed relative better growth performance and less increase in δ¹³C in drought years, reflecting their high WUE and conservative water use strategy. These results suggest that δ¹³C in tree rings can be useful in estimating historic changes in plant WUE and hence in screening drought tolerant species in the face of expected climate changes, as well as for assessing the functional diversity and risk reduction in mixed vegetation.     

Die Perikarpentwicklung geflügelter Klausen aus demParacaryum-Verwandtschaftskreis (Cynoglosseae,Boraginaceae)

The anatomy and development of mericarps in four representatives ofBoraginaceae-Cynoglosseae has been investigated. In each case, the nutlets grow from a six-layered carpel. While the mesocarp becomes multilayered and thick in correlation with epizoochory inCynoglossum, it remains six-layered inMattiastrum, Paracaryum, andRindera. The wings are formed by both exo- and mesocarp and later on the inflated rim becomes hollow. Development of wings and reduction of glochids are discussed as adaptations to anemochory.

     

Changes of the Protein Synthesis System during the Maturation of Potato Tubers

Respiratory activity, RNA contents and protein synthesis capacity of isolated ribosomes of tubers of Solanum tuberosum, cv. Tonda di Berlino, at progressive stages of development have been determined. In the immature, still growing tubers, respiration steadily decreases with the increase of fresh weight. The entering into dormancy of the tubers collected when immature corresponds to a rapid drop of respiration to the values characteristic of mature tubers. The RNA contents per tuber increase progressively during maturation. A decrease of the RNA contents per tuber (ca. 50 %) is observed in the period between the moment of harvesting and the end of dormancy. The endogenous capacity of isolated ribosomes to carry on amino acid polymerization strongly decreases during tuber development, while the activity supported by polyuridilic acid remains almost unchanged when measured at optimum Mg²⁺ concentrations, and becomes larger for the more mature tubers at superoptimum Mg²⁺ concentrations. These changes of the protein synthesis system during tuber development are compared with those occurring during seed maturation.