-
Article
Open AccessStress-related physiological responses and ultrastructural changes in Hypoxis hemerocallidea leaves exposed to cadmium and aluminium
Hypoxis hemerocallidea is a medicinal plant containing hypoxoside (a pharmacologically active phytosterol diglucoside). This study evaluated the elemental composition in leaves of H. hemerocallidea treated with c...
-
Article
Open AccessEndophyte Inoculation Enhances Growth, Secondary Metabolites and Biological Activity of Endostemon obtusifolius Grown Under Drought Stress
There is a need to cultivate medicinal plants to meet the growing demand. Their cultivation is hampered by extreme environmental conditions such as drought that affect plant growth and its pharmacological pote...
-
Article
Effects of Botanicals on Growth and Phytochemistry of the Nematode-Infected Pelargonium sidoides and GC–MS Profiling of Cucurbita maxima Seeds
Pelargonium sidoides (African geranium) is recognised by South African traditional healers and the pharmaceutical industry for its medicinal properties. Nonetheless, this medicinal herb is highly susceptible to r...
-
Article
Vermicompost leachate, seaweed extract and smoke-water alleviate drought stress in cowpea by influencing phytochemicals, compatible solutes and photosynthetic pigments
Drought is a major constraint for agricultural production worldwide and is likely to become aggravated by global warming. It can induce land degradation, exorbitant food prices and menace livelihoods. Approach...
-
Article
Smoke-derived cues in the regulation of seed germination: are Ca2+-dependent signals involved?
Seed dormancy and germination are two distinct physiological processes in the life cycle of plants. Dormancy alleviation and the attendant transition to seed germination are critical developmental events that ...
-
Article
Influence of different cytokinins on the phenolic acids and antioxidant activity of two Brachystelma species
The genus Brachystelma morphologically ranges from slender climbers to geophytes that mainly occur in Australia, Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. These species are well-known for their nutrition and medicin...
-
Article
In vitro and ex vivo vegetative propagation and cytokinin profiles of Sceletium tortuosum (L.) N. E. Br.: a South African medicinal plant
Sceletium tortuosum is a South African protected species with tremendous value in traditional and modern medicine. The plants’ mesembrine-type alkaloids are potential therapeutics for a plethora of psychological...
-
Article
The effect of biostimulants and light wavelengths on the physiology of Cleome gynandra seeds
Cleome gynandra L. is used as a vegetable that forms a significant part of the local diet in South Africa and other tropical and subtropical parts of the world. Cleome gynandra seeds are negatively photoblastic (...
-
Article
Elucidating the role of Kelpak® on the growth, phytohormone composition, and phenolic acids in macronutrient-stressed Ceratotheca triloba
We evaluated the role of Kelpak® on growth, nutritional content, phytohormones, and phenolic acids in the angiosperm Ceratotheca triloba (Bernh.) Hook.f. grown under macronutrient-deficient conditions. Seeds were...
-
Article
How Do Different Watering Regimes Affect the Growth, Chlorophyll Fluorescence, Phytohormone, and Phenolic Acid Content of Greenhouse-Grown Ceratotheca triloba?
We evaluated the effect of different watering regimes on the growth, chlorophyll fluorescence, phytohormones, and phenolic acids in Ceratotheca triloba (Bernh.) Hook.f., a commonly consumed African indigenous lea...
-
Article
Differential responses to isoprenoid, N 6-substituted aromatic cytokinins and indole-3-butyric acid in direct plant regeneration of Eriocephalus africanus
Eriocephalus africanus is a medicinal and aromatic plant species that is part of South Africa’s remarkable diversity. As a result of illegal and over-harvesting, most plant communities ha...
-
Article
Effect of vermicompost leachate in Ceratotheca triloba under nutrient deficiency
Ceratotheca triloba (Bernh.) Hook.f. commonly known as an African foxglove is an indigenous plant which occurs in most parts of South Africa. The species is commonly consumed as a leafy v...
-
Article
Growth and phytochemical levels in micropropagated Eucomis autumnalis subspecies autumnalis using different gelling agents, explant source, and plant growth regulators
The therapeutic value of Eucomis species is well recognized in African traditional medicine. As a potential approach to improve growth and phytochemical content in Eucomis autumnalis subspecies autumnalis, the ef...
-
Article
Plant growth regulator induced phytochemical and antioxidant variations in micropropagated and acclimatized Eucomis autumnalis subspecies autumnalis (Asparagaceae)
Eucomis species is a valuable plant with both medicinal and horticultural potential. The current study evaluated the role of plant growth regulator (PGR) on growth, phytochemicals, and an...
-
Article
How does exogenously applied cytokinin type affect growth and endogenous cytokinins in micropropagated Merwilla plumbea?
Merwilla plumbea (Lindl.) Speta is a popular and highly sought after South African medicinal plant with diverse therapeutic values. Using Ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC), t...
-
Article
Open AccessScreening for adulticidal activity against Anopheles arabiensis in ten plants used as mosquito repellent in South Africa
Due to the development of resistance to synthetic insecticides, adverse effects to human health, non-target organisms and the environment, there is an urgent need to develop new insecticides, which are effecti...
-
Article
Physiological responses and endogenous cytokinin profiles of tissue-cultured ‘Williams’ bananas in relation to roscovitine and an inhibitor of cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (INCYDE) treatments
The effect of supplementing either meta-topolin (mT) or N 6-benzyladenine (BA) requiring cultures with roscovitine (6-benzylamino-2-[1(R)-(hydroxymethyl)propyl]amino-9-isopropylpurine), a cyclin-d...
-
Article
Shoot and root proliferation in ‘Williams’ banana: are the topolins better cytokinins?
The effects of five topolins (meta-Topolin = mT; meta-Topolin riboside = mTR; meta-Methoxy topolin = MemT; meta-Methoxy topolin riboside = MemTR and meta-Methoxy topolin 9-tetrahydropyran-2-yl = MemTTHP) on shoot...
-
Article
Assessment of the role of meta-topolins on in vitro produced phenolics and acclimatization competence of micropropagated ‘Williams’ banana
The effects of five topolins (meta-Topolin, mT; meta-Topolin riboside, mTR; meta-Methoxy topolin, MemT; meta-Methoxy topolin riboside, MemTR and meta-Methoxy topolin 9-tetrahydropyran-2-yl, MemTTHP) on the phenol...
-
Article
Topolins in Pelargonium sidoides micropropagation: do the new brooms really sweep cleaner?
Pelargonium sidoides DC is a geophytic species with high demand in the pharmaceutical, aromatherapy, perfumery and cosmetic industries as a result of its unique phytochemistry. Th...
