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C₄ photosynthesis outperforms the ancestral C₃ state in a wide range of natural and agro-ecosystems by affording higher water-use and nitrogen-use efficiencies. It therefore represents a prime target for engineering novel, high-yielding crops by introducing the trait into C₃ backgrounds. However, the genetic architecture of C₄ photosynthesis remains largely unknown. To define the divergence in gene expression modules between C₃ and C₄ photosynthesis during leaf ontogeny, we generated comprehensive transcriptome atlases of two Cleomaceae species, Gynandropsis gynandra (C₄) and Tarenaya hassleriana (C₃), by RNA sequencing. Overall, the gene expression profiles appear remarkably similar between the C₃ and C₄ species. We found that known C₄ genes were recruited to photosynthesis from different expression domains in C₃, including typical housekeeping gene expression patterns in various tissues as well as individual heterotrophic tissues. Furthermore, we identified a structure-related module recruited from the C₃ root. Comparison of gene expression patterns with anatomy during leaf ontogeny provided insight into genetic features of Kranz anatomy. Altered expression of developmental factors and cell cycle genes is associated with a higher degree of endoreduplication in enlarged C₄ bundle sheath cells. A delay in mesophyll differentiation apparent both in the leaf anatomy and the transcriptome allows for extended vein formation in the C₄ leaf.

The presence of nutritional and health-benefiting compounds has increased awareness of orphan leafy vegetables such as Cleome gynandra (CG), whose phytochemicals vary among accessions and organs during growth. This study investigated the polyphenol accumulation and antioxidant activities (AOA) of eight CG accessions from the vegetative stage to the seed set stage. Plants were separated into leaves and stem (LS), flowers, and silique organs, and extracts were analyzed for total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), rutin and astragalin content, and AOA using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS). There were significant interaction effects of growth stages and accessions that contributed to changes in compounds content and AOA. TPC accumulated in plant generative parts, whereas flavonoids accumulated in young plant organs. HPLC profiling revealed that rutin was the most abundant compound in all organs, with flowers having the highest levels, while astragalin was only found in flowers. Silique extracts, particularly accession KF-14, recorded the highest TPC, which corresponded to the strongest radical scavenging activity in ABTS and DPPH assays and a strong linear correlation. The germplasm contained accessions with significantly different and varying levels of bioactive compounds and AOA. These findings potentiate the exploitation of CG organs such as siliques for AOA, flowers for rutin and astragalin, and young shoots for flavonoids. Moreover, the significant accumulation of the compounds in particular accessions of the germplasms suggest that such superior accessions may be useful candidates in genetic breeding programs to improve CG vegetable.

Background Globalisation, urbanisation, and modernisation all influence traditional knowledge. More specifically, the introduction of exotic plants, historical policies, stigma attached to consuming wild edible plants (WEPs), changes in lifestyles, and environmental factors are reshaping peoples’ uses and knowledge of WEPs. This study assessed the relationship between ethnobotanical knowledge and consumption of WEPs in rural villages in the Polokwane and Aganang local municipalities, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods This study was conducted in four villages in the Limpopo Province, South Africa, between May 2018 and June 2019. Data about WEPs were collected using a household survey questionnaire administered to a total of 120 participants stratified by age and gender. Additionally, a free list of WEP species known by participants was collected as well as data on the traditional uses of each species. Results We found that WEPs are generally well-known in the area, as participants listed an average of 17.7 ± 5.0 (8.4 ± 2.4 wild fruit species) and (9.3 ± 2.6 wild vegetable species). There was a significant difference between the number of species listed by age group, with the elderly listing a higher mean number of species (9.3 ± 2.6) compared to adults (8.1 ± 2.5) and the youth (7.8 ± 1.7). Vangueria infausta, Sclerocarya birrea subsp. caffra, Ximenia caffra, Amaranthus retroflexus, Citrullus lanatus, and Cleome gynandra were among the most listed species. There was a positive correlation between knowledge of WEPs and consumption rates. Most of the knowledge about WEPs was learnt from a family member (89%), own observation (86%), and a village elder (75%). This knowledge was mostly acquired from childhood through oral tradition (63%), through participation (21%), and consumption (12%). Conclusions Future preservation of WEPs knowledge could be encouraged by formalising indigenous knowledge in the education system and promoting WEPs in the media.

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 (light-induced dormancy) and fail to germinate when planted immediately after harvest. To enhance better cultivation practices, seed germination of C. gynandra using different light wavelengths (red, far-red, green and blue light) with and without organic biostimulants [smoke–water (SW), karrikinolide (KAR1), Kelpak® (KEL) and eckol (ECK)] was tested. Among all the tested biostimulants, the best germination percentage (40%) was observed in seeds treated with SW in the dark. However, the biostimulants did not show any significant effect with the light treatments. In this study, blue light generally promoted (≤ 35%) and red light inhibited (≤ 8%) germination. Furthermore, the effect of different biostimulants (under blue and red light) on biochemical content and enzyme activities was tested in seeds of C. gynandra. Seeds treated with biostimulants in blue light showed an overall increase in protein and total carbohydrate content in comparison to seeds subjected to biostimulants in red light. The α-amylase activity in the seeds was highest in KEL-treated seeds in blue light. Superoxide dismutase and catalase activity was generally higher in blue-light treatment, while peroxidase activity was highest in red light. Enhanced germination under blue light and inhibitory effects with red light is an intriguing phenomenon for C. gynandra seeds, which needs more detailed investigation. The study also indicates the potential application of organic biostimulants (particularly SW) for better seed germination and growth of C. gynandra which can be explored by farmers in the field.

Background The inhabitants of western Sudan use traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments due to lack of medical doctors and unaffordable prices of pharmaceutical products. The present study is the first documentation of the traditional plant knowledge on medicinal uses of plants by healers in Algoz (South Kordofan), Sudan. Method Ethnobotanical data were collected over a period from March to November 2015 using semi-structured interviews with 30 healers (24 male and 6 female) living in the investigated area. Quantitative indices such as use categories, use value (UV) and informant consensus factor (ICF) were intended to evaluate the importance of medicinal plant species. Results A total of 94 medicinal plants, which belong to 45 families and 81 genera, were recorded in the study area. The most represented families are Leguminosae with 20 species followed by Combretaceae (6 species), Rubiaceae (5 species) and Asteraceae (4 species). The reported species were belonging to herbs (43%), trees (28%), shrubs (22%), climbers (4%) and parasites (3%). Root and stem (21% each) were the most plant parts used. A majority of remedies are administered orally (67%) where infusion (36%) and maceration (32%) are the most used methods. The highest ICF (0.87) was reported for poisonous animal bites followed by urinary system diseases (0.89), blood system disorders (0.88) and gynaecological diseases (0.87). Anastatica hierochuntica , Ctenolepis cerasiformis , Echinops longifolius , Cleome gynandra , Maerua pseudopetalosa , Martynia annua , Oldenlandia uniflora , Opuntia ficus-indica , Solanum dubium , Sonchus cornutus , Tribulus terrestris and Drimia maritima were reported for the first time in this study. Conclusion The number of medicinal plants reported in this paper reflects evidence that Algoz area had a high diversity of medicinal plants which will continue to play an important role in the healthcare system in the study area.

Vegetables are good sources of essential mineral elements that promote good health and immunity. Information on the nutritional contents of indigenous vegetables is scarce. Therefore, this study sought to ascertain the concentrations of magnesium, manganese, chrome, zinc, copper, and iron in Solanum nigrum and Gynandropsis gynandra indigenous vegetables from two agroecological zones (upper midland and lower highland) of Kisii County, Kenya, using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP‒OES). For Gnandropsis gynandra , the most abundant erythrocytic synthesis element was Fe (1856.67 ± 15.28 mg/kg DW) for plants harvested from Nyanchwa (UM), and the least was Cu (8.90 ± 0.44 mg/kg DW) in plants harvested from Kari (LH). In addition, Mg was the hypoglycemic element with the highest concentration (5975.00 ± 10.00 mg/kg DW), and Cr lowest (3.16 ± 0.45 mg/kg DW) in samples harvested from Matongo (UM). For Solanum nigrum , the most erythrocytic synthesis element was Fe (1280.00 ± 10.00 mg/kg DW for samples collected from Kiamabundu (UM), and the least was Cu (9.08 ± 0.15 mg/kg DW) in the samples from Nyanchwa (UM), whereas Mg in samples from Nyabioto (UM) was the hypoglycemic element with the highest concentration (4920.00 ± 10.00 mg/kg DW) and Cr in samples from Mariba (LH had the lowest concentration) (3.95 ± 1.63 mg/kg DW). The concentrations of elements in the two indigenous vegetables from the UM agroecological zone were slightly greater than those in the LH agroecological zone. Nonetheless, the variations observed were not statistically significant ( P  < 0.05). Enzymatically bio accessed concentrations of iron, zinc, chromium, magnesium, manganese, and copper were higher than those obtained aquatically. The indigenous vegetable bio avails substantial amounts of iron and copper to enable them be used in the management pernicious anaemia; on the other hand, the substantial bio availed levels of zinc, manganese, magnesium, and chromium enables the vegetable to be used in the management of diabetes.

Background Spider plant [ Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq.], an economically promising African leafy vegetable, characterized for leaf yield components and nutritive quality, exhibits poor seed germination that hinders a wider expansion of the crop in urban and periurban horticultural systems. So far, there is little information pertaining to seed morphological traits and mineral elements content that may be associated with higher seed germination. This research investigated the hypothesis that spider plants from different geographical areas exhibited differences in seed mineral composition, morphological traits, and germination capacity. To this end, twenty-nine accessions of Gynandropsis gynandra from West and East-Southern Africa, and Asia were screened for variation in seed size (area, perimeter, length, width), 10-seed weight, mean germination time, germination percentage and mineral content variations. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), light microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) solution were used to study seed morphology and mineral composition. Results We show for the first time the external and internal structure of the seeds of Gynandropsis gynandra and measured eight mineral elements, including carbon (C), oxygen (O), magnesium (Mg), aluminium (Al), phosphorus (P), sulphur (S), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca). The accessions differed significantly ( p  < 0.001) with respect to seed size (area, perimeter, length, width), 10-seed weight, mean germination time and germination percentage. The hierarchical cluster analysis based on fourteen variables grouped the accessions into three distinct clusters, partially dependent on their geographical origin. Asian accessions exhibited smaller seeds and recorded higher values in terms of germination percentage. West African accessions had bigger seeds but with lower germination percentage. Variation in minerals such as potassium, carbon, and calcium content showed different patterns according to geographical origins. Conclusion Smaller seeds in G. gynandra exhibited better germination capacity. The Asian germplasm is a potential source of cultivars with a higher germination percentage for improving seed quality in the species.

We examined the variation in carotenoids, tocopherols and ascorbic acid as well as morphological traits in a worldwide germplasm of 76 accessions of the orphan leafy vegetable Gynandropsis gynandra (Cleomaceae) using greenhouse experiments and high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. The levels of carotenoids and tocopherols accumulating in the leaves varied significantly across accessions and were linked with the geographical origin and morphological variation. The main carotenoids included lutein, β-carotene, a-carotene and violaxanthin. A twofold to threefold variation was observed for these compounds. The main tocopherols detected were a-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol with a 20-fold variation. A ninefold variation in vitamin C concentration and independent of geographical origin was observed. Overall, the accessions were grouped into three clusters based on variation in nutrient content and morphology. West African accessions were short plants with small leaves and with high tocopherol contents and relatively low carotenoid contents, Asian accessions were short plants with broad leaves and with relatively low carotenoid and high tocopherol contents, while East–Southern African plants were tall with high contents of both carotenoids and chlorophylls and low tocopherol contents. Carotenoids were positively correlated with plant height as well as foliar and floral traits but negatively correlated with tocopherols. The absence of a significant correlation between vitamin C and other traits indicated that breeding for high carotenoids or tocopherols content may be coupled with improved leaf yield and vitamin C content. Our study provides baseline information on the natural variation available for traits of interest for breeding for enhanced crop yield and nutrient content in Gynandropsis gynandra.

The study aimed to document the usage of exotic plant species in Bargarh district, Western Odisha, India. It was based on both bibliographic sources and the survey to the documentation of exotic plants in Bargarh district, western Odisha, India. Periodic field surveys were carried out as interviews with 46 well-known inhabitants, the local villagers and practitioners involved in herbal medicines from Binjhal tribes. Seventy four species belonging to 65 genera and 33 families are reported. Asteraceae family contributed the highest number of species (11), six species were from both Amaranthaceae and Fabaceae , five from Poaceae ; four species of Euphobiaceae ; three species each from four families viz. Convolvulaceae, Malvaceae, Onagraceae, and Verbenaceae ; two species each from six families i.e. Arecaceae, Asclepiadaceae, Capparaceae, Lamiaceae, Portulacaceae, Solanaceae ; one species each from rest 18 families. Out of 74 species, a total of 41 species are native to Tropical America; five species are native to Mexico; each of three species to America; each of two species to Africa, Brazil, Europe, the Mediterranean, and South America; each of one species to Australia, Central America, China, Madagascar, Malaysia, North America, Pantropic, Peru, South America (1824), South America (17th cent.), Tropical West Asia, Tropical Africa, Tropical America (Bf1824), Tropical South America, and West Indies. The uses of exotic plants for various purposes indicated by the native peoples are discussed here. The present study gives complete and efficient documentation of exotic plants in the Bargarh district of Western Odisha that will provide a tool for maintaining the local biodiversity. Some plant species, such as Alternanthera sessilis, Borassus flabellifer, Cassia tora, Cleome gynandra, Datura metel, Gomphressa globosa, Sida acuta, Zinnia elegans , etc. may have potential as medicinal plants.

Background Food taboos and cultural beliefs among pregnant and breast-feeding women influence their food consumption patterns and hence the health of women and unborn children. Cognizant of their neglect in programs aimed to ameliorate hidden hunger among pregnant and breast-feeding women in Buyende and other resource-poor communities in sub-Saharan Africa, we opted for a study to unravel them to inform program design. Methods We documented food taboos and beliefs amongst pregnant and breast-feeding women from six sub-counties of Buyende district in Eastern Uganda. A mixed-methods approach was used, which was comprised of questionnaire interviews with 462 women, eight focus group discussions with 6–10 participants in each and a total of 15 key informant interviews. Results The present study revealed that 129 (27.9%) of the respondents practice food taboos and adhere to cultural beliefs related to their dietary habits during pregnancy and breast-feeding that are fuelling the prevalence of hidden hunger. The most tabooed foods during pregnancy were sugarcane (17.8%), fishes which included lung fish, catfish and the Lake Victoria sardine ( Rastrineobola argentea ) (15.2%), oranges (6.6%), pineapples (5.9%), eggs (3.3%), chicken (3.3%) and cassava, mangoes and Cleome gynandra (each at 3%). Most foods were avoided for reasons associated with pregnancy and labour complications and undesirable effects on the baby. Most women learnt of the taboos and beliefs from the elders, their own mother, grandparents or mother-in-law, but there was also knowledge transmission in social groups within the community. Conclusions The taboos and cultural beliefs in the study area render pregnant and breast-feeding women prone to micronutrient deficiency since they are denied consumption of a diversity of nutritious foods. There is a need to educate such women about consumption of nutrient-rich foods like fish, eggs, fruits and vegetables in order to improve their health, that of the unborn and children being breast fed. Additionally, culturally appropriate nutrition education may be a good strategy to eliminate inappropriate food taboos and beliefs with negative impact on the health of pregnant and breast-feeding women.