3 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
- 2019| German Society for Q...Lead (Pb) can enter the food chain through the consumption of contaminated plants and can cause serious health issues. However, research on how Pb accumulation affects morphology of leafy vegetables in South Africa is minimal. This study tested the effect of lead accumulation on vegetative and reproductive traits of Corchorus olitorius. Plants were grown under varying Pb concentrations, and studied for their variation in vegetative and reproductive traits as well as Pb accumulation in leaves, stems and roots. Plants grown within allowable soil concentrations of 150 mg kg–1 Pb accumulated toxic (≥ 10 mg kg–1) Pb in all plant parts without causing any morphological defect, except for a decrease in chlorophyll content. Minor reductions in growth and yield were evident only at 900-1000 mg kg–1 concentration. Pb accumulation increased as its concentration increased in the soil, with a higher accumulation in roots in comparison to aerial parts. In conclusion, C. olitorius can grow and reproduce under toxic Pb levels (≥ 300 mg kg–1) and accumulate toxic amounts of Pb (≥ 10 mg kg–1) without visible morphological defects. Therefore, it is suitable for phytoremediation but unsafe for consumption when it is collected from sites prone to Pb contamination.
- 1
- 2
- 0
- 2020| Society for Indonesi...Mncwango NC, Mavengahama S, Ntuli NR, van Jaarsveld CM. 2020. Diversity, consumption dynamics and ethnomedical claims of traditional leafy vegetables consumed by a rural community in the KwaMbonambi area, northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Biodiversitas 21: 1201-1207. Traditional leafy vegetables (TLVs) are mostly wild and informally-domesticated edible plant species. Their nutritious leaves, shoot tips, flowers and fruits are consumed as vegetables, particularly by rural communities in Africa. However, their consumption and cultivation are still marginal. This study aimed to identify the most preferred TLVs, as well as factors that affect the consumption and cultivation of these species. A questionnaire was administered among 100 respondents to record the preferred TLVs; the reason (s) for preference; consumption frequency; and constraints towards consumption of these vegetable species. This study recorded a total of 18 TLVs that belong to 14 genera and 11 families. Among these, Amaranthus hybridus, A. spinosus, A. thunbergii, Bidens biternata and Corchorus olitorius were the most preferred species. Vegetables were preferred primarily based on the taste; where most people ate them once a week when they are available. The major TLV consumption constraints were seasonal availability and low shelf life. A decline in the availability of TLVs was primarily caused by drought. Regardless of the observed decline, only 23% of respondents practiced informal cultivation of Amaranthus species. Bidens pilosa, Momordica balsamina, and Corchorus olitorius vegetable species were also known to possess some medicinal values. Future research on improving taste, increasing edible plant parts and elongating shelf life for preferred TLVs, is a necessity.
- 1
- 15
- 0
- 2020| MDPICorchorus olitorius, a leafy vegetable with high nutrient content, is normally collected from the wild, in areas that are prone to cadmium (Cd) toxicity. However, studies on how Cd accumulation affects vegetative and reproductive traits of leafy vegetables in South Africa are limited. Therefore, this study tested the effect of Cd accumulation on C. olitorius morphological traits. Plants were grown under various Cd concentrations and studied for variation in vegetative and reproductive traits as well as accumulation in roots and shoots. Plants exposed to 5 mg/kg Cd had longer roots with higher moisture content, heavier fresh and dried stems, as well as dried leaves, which indicated a hormetic effect in C. olitorius after exposure to low Cd concentration in the soil. Again, plants treated with 5–10 mg/kg Cd, accumulated toxic (>10 mg/kg dry weight) Cd within shoots and roots, with minor morphological alterations. Plants could survive, with some morphological defects, Cd toxicity up to 20 mg/kg in soil. Only plants exposed to 5 mg/kg could reproduce. Cd accumulation increased with an increase in the soil, with higher accumulation in shoots. The translocation factor was high (>1) in all Cd concentrations. In conclusion, C. olitorius can accumulate toxic Cd, and yet grow and reproduce either normally or better than the control. The proposed dose of Cd that induces hormesis in C. olitorius is 5 mg/kg in the soil. Therefore, C. olitorius is suitable for phytoremediation of Cd contaminated soils, but unsafe for consumption when it grows in such areas.
- 1
- 13
- 0