Analysis of the Differentially Expressed Proteins and Metabolic Pathways of Honeybush () in Response to Water Deficit Stress.

Honeybush ( spp.) is a rich source of antioxidant properties and phenolic compounds. Water availability plays a crucial role in plant metabolic processes, and it contributes to overall quality.

Enzyme Activities in Reduction of Heavy Metal Pollution from Alice Landfill Site in Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Heavy metals are unbreakable, and most of them are poisonous to animals and people. Metals are particularly concerning among environmental contaminants since they are less apparent, have extensive effects on ecosystems, are poisonous, and bioaccumulate in ecosystems, biological tissues, and organs. Therefore, there is a need to use biological agents and phytoremediation processes such as enzymes because they have a high potential for effectively transforming and detoxifying polluting substances.

An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used by traditional healers for the treatment of cancer in Hammanskraal and Winterveld, Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa.

Background: Knowledge of medicinal plants used by the traditional healers are mostly confined among the locals and the adherents, hence, proper enquiry and documentation can help the ever dynamic scientific world to find permanent cure to the menace of such deadly diseases such as cancer. This study aimed at (1) specifically recording medicinal plants traditionally used for the treatment of cancer in Hammanskraal and Winterveld, South Africa, and (2) documenting the different methods of preparation and administration of those medicinal plants as recorded during the study.

Method: An open-ended semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 90 willing traditional healers in Hammanskraal and Winterveld area, Tshwane Municipality, South Africa to document plants used for cancer treatments.

Entomopathogenic nematodes associated with organic honeybush ( spp.) cultivation in South Africa.

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) of the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis have demonstrated great potential as useful bio-control agents in the management of certain important soil-inhabiting insect pests of agricultural crops. In a survey of nematodes associated with organic honeybush cultivation, soil samples were obtained from nine organic honeybush plots, which are located in the Bredasdorp area of the Western Cape province of South Africa. The EPNs were isolated from soil by baiting with larvae of Galleria mellonella (greater wax moth) and identified by the amplification of the internal transcribed spacer region using the primer set TW81 and AB28.

Diversity and population distribution of nematodes associated with honeybush ( spp.) and rooibos () in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

Nematodes are important soil organisms that constitute a key component of the soil ecosystem. A plant-parasitic survey was conducted to identify the diversity of nematodes associated with two endemic tea plants, honeybush ( spp.) and rooibos () in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

Soil pH, nitrogen, phosphatase and urease activities in response to cover crop species, termination stage and termination method.

The best management options for cover cropping are largely unknown, including the growth patterns of cover crop (CC) species, optimum termination stages and termination methods. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to explore the following: (i) Effect of two termination stages (vegetative and flowering) on the chemical composition (N and C:N) of four CCs; (ii) Short-term impacts of living CCs and residues on soil pH, total N, urease and phosphatase activities at the two termination stages, and under two termination methods (slash and spray). Species tested as CCs were, vetch ( L.

The Effects of Physicochemical Parameters on Analysed Soil Enzyme Activity from Alice Landfill Site.

The soil pollution as a product of xenobiotics, industrial action, agricultural chemicals, or inappropriate disposal of waste can change the natural environment of soil indices and trigger life-threatening situations. Soil enzyme activity is the suitable bio-indicator or parameter for monitoring soil pollution due to their sensitivity that quickly responds to any soil disturbances. Also, they are known to play an essential role in maintaining soil health and a quality environment.

Nutrients and antinutrient constituents of L. Cultivated on different soils.

This study investigated variations in the concentration of nutrients, antinutrients and mineral content of harvested from different soil types at various stages of maturity. Four out the five soils namely; sandy clay loam, silty clay loam, clayey loam and loam were experimentally formulated from primary particles of silt, clay and sand in line with the United State Department of Agriculture's (USDA) soil triangle protocol. The unfractionated soil was used as the control.

Toxicity and Antimicrobial Activities of L. (Amaranthaceae) Harvested From Formulated Soils at Different Growth Stages.

This study examined the toxicity and antimicrobial effects of ethanol and aqueous extracts from grown on soils formulated from parent particles of silt, sand and clay in a glasshouse. Four different soils namely; sandy clay loam, loam, clayey loam and silty clay loam from were formulated were used for cultivation with the unfractionated soil which was the control. Crude extracts obtained from the plant shoots harvested at different growth stages were tested on some certain gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and some fungi via agar dilution assay.

Antioxidant and phytochemical activities of Amaranthus caudatus L. harvested from different soils at various growth stages.

This study aimed at profiling the biological activities of Amaranthus caudatus cultivated on different soils in a glasshouse experiment. Five soil types namely; sandy clay loam, silty clay loam, clayey loam, loam and control (unfractionated soil) were experimentally formulated from primary particles of clay, sand and silt following the United State Department of Agriculture's (USDA) soil triangle technique. After harvesting at pre-flowering (61 days after planting), flowering (71 days after planting) and post-flowering (91 days after planting) stages, crude extracts were obtained with water and ethanol.

Phyotoxicity of diesel soil contamination on the germination of Lactuca sativa and Ipomoea batatas.

Phytotoxic effect of diesel contaminated soil on germination rate of Lactuca sativa and Ipomoea batatas, at two concentrations ranges (0-6ml and 0-30ml), were investigated and compared. Diesel soil contamination was simulated and soil samples were taken from contaminated soil at 1, 5,10, 15, 25, 50, 75 and 100 days should be after planting. The result showed that in both plant species, diesel inhibited germination in a concentration dependent manner, Also, the influence of diesel contamination diminished with increased time duration; suggesting possible reduction in diesel toxicity over time.

ammonium transporter gene (): Some bioinformatics insights.

Ammonium transporters (AMTs) play a role in the uptake of ammonium, the form in which nitrogen is preferentially absorbed by plants. (VsAMT1) and (StAMT1) AMT1s were characterized using molecular biology and bioinformatics methods. AMT1-specific primers were designed and used to amplify the AMT1 internal regions.

Completely green synthesis of dextrose reduced silver nanoparticles, its antimicrobial and sensing properties.

We herein report the green synthesis of highly monodispersed, water soluble, stable and smaller sized dextrose reduced gelatin capped-silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) via an eco-friendly, completely green method. The synthesis involves the use of silver nitrate, gelatin, dextrose and water as the silver precursor, stabilizing agent, reducing agent and solvent respectively. By varying the reaction time, the temporal evolution of the growth, optical, antimicrobial and sensing properties of the as-synthesised Ag-NPs were investigated.