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Classification of plant communities along a granite catena in the Kruger National Park
Abstracts
Classification of plant communities along a granite catena in the Kruger National Park E.J. Theron, P.J. Du Preez Department of Plant Sciences, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa Relief has an important influence on the local climate, vegetation and drainage of a landscape. Normally, in undulating landscapes, on permeable materials, the soils at or near the top of a slope tend to be freely drained with the water table at considerable depth, whereas at the valley bottom the soils are poorly drained, with the water table near or at the soil surface. The succession of soils forming under different drainage conditions on relatively uniform parent material comprises a hydrological sequence. Such a sequence of soils on a slope is an example of a catena. Along these catenas, various soil factor gradients play a major influence on plant species distribution. Strong correlations exist between plant species distribution and soil factor gradients such as soil nutrient content, texture, pH, and moisture. A Combretum apiculatum–Terminalia sericea dominated savannah is restricted to the well-drained, nutrient-poor, acidic, sandy soils of the crests and upper-slopes of these granite domes. Scattered through this savannah are termitaria which form “islands of fertility” in savannah landscapes. Sodic sites are common along the foot slopes of these granite domes. Sodic sites have nutrient-rich, basic clayey soils which are dominated by Sporobolus nitens– Dactyloctenium aegyptium dominated grassland. The bottom of the slopes is dominated by Euclea divinorum shrubs. The riparian vegetation, along the seasonal streams, is characterised by tall trees such as Diospyros mespiliformis and Spirostachys africana. Hill–slope water movement is a structuring force that creates habitat heterogeneity in granite savannah ecosystems which determines soil formation and plant species distribution which eventually influences invertebrate and vertebrate species distribution in granite savannah ecosystems. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2016.02.177
Analytical studies of medicinal plants from the Eastern Cape Province used for beauty and healthcare V.S. Thibanea,b, H.A. Abdelgadira, J.F. Finnieb, A.R. Ndhlalaa, J. Van Stadenb a Agricultural Research Council, Vegetable and Ornamental Plants (VOP), Private Bag X293, Pretoria 0001, South Africa b Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa A perfectly smooth face with no blemishes, a fair complexion and a face free of skin-related diseases makes up a list of some of the attributes that contribute to beauty and health. Beauty is a quality that is desired by many people and to some extent worth pursuing. With this in mind, the aims of our study were to survey medicinal plants used for beauty and healthcare by Xhosa communities in Eastern Cape and test their bioactivity. Plant extracts were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria and Candida albicans. Methanolic extracts of the plants were evaluated for their antioxidant activity. Ethanol extracts (80%) and aqueous extracts (69%) showed good activity against Escherichia coli when compared to Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values from 0.098 to 0.39 mg/ml. Dichloromethane extracts of Bulbine abyssinica showed good activity against all tested bacteria with MIC values from 0.098 to 0.39 mg/ml. Interestingly, all extracts of Arctotis arctotoides exhibited
351
good activity against all tested bacteria with MIC values from 0.098 to 0.78 mg/ml. Methanolic extracts of the plants showed good antioxidant activity. Extracts with high antioxidant activity are important in beauty and healthcare. Furthermore, the observed antimicrobial activities are of importance since the tested microorganisms are known to cause skinrelated diseases. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2016.02.178
Reproductive biology towards the conservation of Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen. in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa A.P. Tiawoun Makuete, M.H. Ligavha-Mbelengwa, M.P. Tshisikhawe Department of Botany, School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa Securidaca longepedunculata (Polygalaceae) is a threatened high value medicinal tree, priced by the population for its various uses. The several medicinal properties especially the antimicrobial properties extracted from the root bark have increased its risk of extinction. Despite its over-exploitation coupled with poor reproduction, and its economic and ecological importance, almost all research has focused on its medicinal aspects. There are very few investigations in the field of seed germination and vegetative propagation of this tree. The objective of the study was to investigate the sexual and asexual reproduction of S. longepedunculata under field, laboratory and greenhouse conditions to evaluate seedlings growth. Different pre-treatment protocols, namely coat removal; sulfuric acid (10, 20, 40, 60 min); gibberellic acid (50, 100, 200, 400 mg/l); boiled water (1, 5, 10, 15 min); cold water for 48 h and untreated seeds (control) were tested for their efficacy to break the hard seed coat of this tree. Another trial was conducted to assess the reproduction via branch layering and root suckering. The results showed that, pre-treatments of seeds have positive effect on the germination percentage and seedling growth. The highest germination percentage was obtained in greenhouse by coat removal pretreatment (90%), whereas boiled water did not give any positive results. Root-cutting also stimulates the development of suckers. Based on the results, some pre-treatment methods have improved the germination and early seedling growth, which could help introducing this species into agroecosystem whereas root-cutting technique is a promising way of multiplying this tree in situ. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2016.02.179
A survey of medicinal plants used in Aganang Local Municipality, Limpopo Province D.M. Tlaamela, S.M. Mahlo University of Limpopo, School of Molecular and Life Science, Department of Biodiversity, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa Traditional medical knowledge of medicinal plants and their use by traditional healers is beneficial for conservation of cultural traditions, community healthcare and also advantageous for future drug development. The current study report the ethnobotanical survey on medicinal usage of indigenous plant species in Aganang Local Municipality of Capricorn District. Ethnobotanical survey was conducted to distinguish species used for the treatment of various ailments in five selected villages. A questionnaire was designed to gather information on the common names, plant part used, preparation, administration and illnesses treated were recorded for
Classification of plant communities along a granite catena in the Kruger National Park E.J. Theron, P.J. Du Preez Department of Plant Sciences, University of the Free State, PO Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa Relief has an important influence on the local climate, vegetation and drainage of a landscape. Normally, in undulating landscapes, on permeable materials, the soils at or near the top of a slope tend to be freely drained with the water table at considerable depth, whereas at the valley bottom the soils are poorly drained, with the water table near or at the soil surface. The succession of soils forming under different drainage conditions on relatively uniform parent material comprises a hydrological sequence. Such a sequence of soils on a slope is an example of a catena. Along these catenas, various soil factor gradients play a major influence on plant species distribution. Strong correlations exist between plant species distribution and soil factor gradients such as soil nutrient content, texture, pH, and moisture. A Combretum apiculatum–Terminalia sericea dominated savannah is restricted to the well-drained, nutrient-poor, acidic, sandy soils of the crests and upper-slopes of these granite domes. Scattered through this savannah are termitaria which form “islands of fertility” in savannah landscapes. Sodic sites are common along the foot slopes of these granite domes. Sodic sites have nutrient-rich, basic clayey soils which are dominated by Sporobolus nitens– Dactyloctenium aegyptium dominated grassland. The bottom of the slopes is dominated by Euclea divinorum shrubs. The riparian vegetation, along the seasonal streams, is characterised by tall trees such as Diospyros mespiliformis and Spirostachys africana. Hill–slope water movement is a structuring force that creates habitat heterogeneity in granite savannah ecosystems which determines soil formation and plant species distribution which eventually influences invertebrate and vertebrate species distribution in granite savannah ecosystems. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2016.02.177
Analytical studies of medicinal plants from the Eastern Cape Province used for beauty and healthcare V.S. Thibanea,b, H.A. Abdelgadira, J.F. Finnieb, A.R. Ndhlalaa, J. Van Stadenb a Agricultural Research Council, Vegetable and Ornamental Plants (VOP), Private Bag X293, Pretoria 0001, South Africa b Research Centre for Plant Growth and Development, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, Scottsville 3209, South Africa A perfectly smooth face with no blemishes, a fair complexion and a face free of skin-related diseases makes up a list of some of the attributes that contribute to beauty and health. Beauty is a quality that is desired by many people and to some extent worth pursuing. With this in mind, the aims of our study were to survey medicinal plants used for beauty and healthcare by Xhosa communities in Eastern Cape and test their bioactivity. Plant extracts were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria and Candida albicans. Methanolic extracts of the plants were evaluated for their antioxidant activity. Ethanol extracts (80%) and aqueous extracts (69%) showed good activity against Escherichia coli when compared to Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values from 0.098 to 0.39 mg/ml. Dichloromethane extracts of Bulbine abyssinica showed good activity against all tested bacteria with MIC values from 0.098 to 0.39 mg/ml. Interestingly, all extracts of Arctotis arctotoides exhibited
351
good activity against all tested bacteria with MIC values from 0.098 to 0.78 mg/ml. Methanolic extracts of the plants showed good antioxidant activity. Extracts with high antioxidant activity are important in beauty and healthcare. Furthermore, the observed antimicrobial activities are of importance since the tested microorganisms are known to cause skinrelated diseases. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2016.02.178
Reproductive biology towards the conservation of Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen. in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa A.P. Tiawoun Makuete, M.H. Ligavha-Mbelengwa, M.P. Tshisikhawe Department of Botany, School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa Securidaca longepedunculata (Polygalaceae) is a threatened high value medicinal tree, priced by the population for its various uses. The several medicinal properties especially the antimicrobial properties extracted from the root bark have increased its risk of extinction. Despite its over-exploitation coupled with poor reproduction, and its economic and ecological importance, almost all research has focused on its medicinal aspects. There are very few investigations in the field of seed germination and vegetative propagation of this tree. The objective of the study was to investigate the sexual and asexual reproduction of S. longepedunculata under field, laboratory and greenhouse conditions to evaluate seedlings growth. Different pre-treatment protocols, namely coat removal; sulfuric acid (10, 20, 40, 60 min); gibberellic acid (50, 100, 200, 400 mg/l); boiled water (1, 5, 10, 15 min); cold water for 48 h and untreated seeds (control) were tested for their efficacy to break the hard seed coat of this tree. Another trial was conducted to assess the reproduction via branch layering and root suckering. The results showed that, pre-treatments of seeds have positive effect on the germination percentage and seedling growth. The highest germination percentage was obtained in greenhouse by coat removal pretreatment (90%), whereas boiled water did not give any positive results. Root-cutting also stimulates the development of suckers. Based on the results, some pre-treatment methods have improved the germination and early seedling growth, which could help introducing this species into agroecosystem whereas root-cutting technique is a promising way of multiplying this tree in situ. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2016.02.179
A survey of medicinal plants used in Aganang Local Municipality, Limpopo Province D.M. Tlaamela, S.M. Mahlo University of Limpopo, School of Molecular and Life Science, Department of Biodiversity, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South Africa Traditional medical knowledge of medicinal plants and their use by traditional healers is beneficial for conservation of cultural traditions, community healthcare and also advantageous for future drug development. The current study report the ethnobotanical survey on medicinal usage of indigenous plant species in Aganang Local Municipality of Capricorn District. Ethnobotanical survey was conducted to distinguish species used for the treatment of various ailments in five selected villages. A questionnaire was designed to gather information on the common names, plant part used, preparation, administration and illnesses treated were recorded for