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Endophytic entomopathogens have growth promoting, nutrient fortifying, and anti-insect properties that could improve the yield and quality of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Lactuca sativa is a vegetable crop with high demand; however, it is susceptible to aphid infestations. This study’s objectives were to assess the pathogenicity of Beauveria bassiana (strain: SM3) (Bals.) Vuil. (Hypocreales) against Myzus persicae Sulzer, tissue colonization of lettuce by conidia of B. bassiana, as well as the effects of fungal inoculation on growth, tissue nutrient content, and proximate composition of the lettuce plants. Furthermore, the involvement of tissue nutrients in mediating the influence of endophytic fungus on the plant traits was examined. Insects and plants were exposed to four fungal conidial concentrations: 0, 1 × 106, 1 × 107 and 1 × 108 conidia mL−1 in an anti-insect bioassay and a greenhouse experiment, respectively. The B. bassiana strain was pathogenic against M. persicae, inducing mean insect mortality of 78% at the highest concentration (1 × 108 conidia mL−1). The B. bassiana endophytically colonized up to 76% of plants exposed to 1 × 108 conidia mL−1. Crown size and plant height varied significantly among treatments. However, the plant fresh and dry weights and nutrient elements N, P, K, Ca, and Mg did not vary significantly among treatments. Among the plant macronutrients assessed, only tissue carbon content was significantly (p< 0.01) affected by conidial treatments. The tissue C and Cu contents significantly correlated with the antioxidant capacity of the lettuce plants. Most of the micronutrients, viz. Mn, Fe, Cu, and B were remarkably higher (p< 0.05) in the fungus-treated plants than in the control plants. The antioxidant capacity (FRAP and TEAC) of plant extracts varied significantly (p< 0.001) among treatments, with the highest conidial treatment yielding the most increased antioxidant activity. In conclusion, the B. bassiana strain was endophytic to lettuce, pathogenic against M. persicae, and induced increased micro-nutrient tissue contents and antioxidant activities. This study demonstrated that B. bassiana could be potentially used in the biofortification of nutritive and medicinal qualities of plants.
Neo Macuphe; Oluwafemi Oguntibeju; Felix Nchu. Evaluating the Endophytic Activities of Beauveria bassiana on the Physiology, Growth, and Antioxidant Activities of Extracts of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Plants 2021, 10, 1178 .
AMA StyleNeo Macuphe, Oluwafemi Oguntibeju, Felix Nchu. Evaluating the Endophytic Activities of Beauveria bassiana on the Physiology, Growth, and Antioxidant Activities of Extracts of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). Plants. 2021; 10 (6):1178.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNeo Macuphe; Oluwafemi Oguntibeju; Felix Nchu. 2021. "Evaluating the Endophytic Activities of Beauveria bassiana on the Physiology, Growth, and Antioxidant Activities of Extracts of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.)." Plants 10, no. 6: 1178.
A consortium of microbial community was used for the treatment of acid mine drainage wastewater laden with sulphate and heavy metals. The wastewater was treated in an anaerobic continuously stirred tank bioreactor. The microbial community activity increased the pH from 5.6 to 6.5, and improved sulphate removal up to 85% from an initial sulphate concentration of 8080 mg /L in a continuous mode, following enrichment for 21 d. The maximum heavy metal removal percentage was observed for Cd (98%), Al (97%), Mn (95%), Pb (94%), Sr (94%) and Cu (91%). The microbial community showed synergy between strictly anaerobic and facultative Firmicutes sp., which were responsible for the bioreactor performance. The biochemical reaction indicated the microbial community has a wider range of substrates dominated by metallo-aminopeptidases.
Enoch A. Akinpelu; Seteno K.O. Ntwampe; Elvis Fosso-Kankeu; Felix Nchu; Justine O. Angadam. Performance of microbial community dominated by Bacillus spp. in acid mine drainage remediation systems: A focus on the high removal efficiency of SO42-, Al3+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Pb2+, and Sr2+. Heliyon 2021, 7, e07241 .
AMA StyleEnoch A. Akinpelu, Seteno K.O. Ntwampe, Elvis Fosso-Kankeu, Felix Nchu, Justine O. Angadam. Performance of microbial community dominated by Bacillus spp. in acid mine drainage remediation systems: A focus on the high removal efficiency of SO42-, Al3+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Pb2+, and Sr2+. Heliyon. 2021; 7 (6):e07241.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEnoch A. Akinpelu; Seteno K.O. Ntwampe; Elvis Fosso-Kankeu; Felix Nchu; Justine O. Angadam. 2021. "Performance of microbial community dominated by Bacillus spp. in acid mine drainage remediation systems: A focus on the high removal efficiency of SO42-, Al3+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Pb2+, and Sr2+." Heliyon 7, no. 6: e07241.
Globally, fungal inocula are being explored as agents for the optimization of composting processes. This research primarily evaluates the effects of inoculating organic vegetable heaps with the entomopathogenic fungus Clonostachys rosea f. catenula (Hypocreales) on the biophysicochemical properties of the end-product of composting. Six heaps of fresh cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) waste were inoculated with C. rosea f. catenula conidia and another six were not exposed to the fungus. The composted materials from the fungus- and control-treated heaps were subsequently used as a medium to cultivate tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum). The biophysicochemical characteristics of the composted materials were also assessed after composting. In addition, the protective effect of the fungal inoculum against red spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) infestations in the tomatoes was evaluated through the determination of conidial colonization of the plant tissue and the number of plants infested by the insect. Furthermore, phytotoxicity tests were carried out post experiment. There were few significant variations (p< 0.05) in heap temperature or moisture level between treatments based on the weekly data. We found no significant differences in the levels of compost macronutrient and micronutrient constituents. Remarkably, the composted materials, when incorporated into a growth medium from fungus-treated heaps, induced a 100% endophytic tissue colonization in cultivated tomato plants. While fewer red spider mite infestations were observed in tomato plants grown in composted materials from fungus-treated heaps, the difference was not significant (χ2 = 0.96 and p = 0.32). The fungal treatment yielded composted materials that significantly (p< 0.05) enhanced tomato seed germination, and based on the phytotoxicity test, the composted samples from the heaps exposed to the C. rosea f. catenula inoculum were not toxic to tomato seeds and seedlings. In conclusion, this study showed that C. rosea f. catenula improved the quality of composted materials in terms of fungal endophytism and seed germination.
Nomfusi Ntsobi; Morris Fanadzo; Marilize Le Roes-Hill; Felix Nchu. Effects of Clonostachys rosea f. catenula Inoculum on the Composting of Cabbage Wastes and the Endophytic Activities of the Composted Material on Tomatoes and Red Spider Mite Infestation. Microorganisms 2021, 9, 1184 .
AMA StyleNomfusi Ntsobi, Morris Fanadzo, Marilize Le Roes-Hill, Felix Nchu. Effects of Clonostachys rosea f. catenula Inoculum on the Composting of Cabbage Wastes and the Endophytic Activities of the Composted Material on Tomatoes and Red Spider Mite Infestation. Microorganisms. 2021; 9 (6):1184.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNomfusi Ntsobi; Morris Fanadzo; Marilize Le Roes-Hill; Felix Nchu. 2021. "Effects of Clonostachys rosea f. catenula Inoculum on the Composting of Cabbage Wastes and the Endophytic Activities of the Composted Material on Tomatoes and Red Spider Mite Infestation." Microorganisms 9, no. 6: 1184.
Diabetes is one of the most dangerous metabolic disorders, with high rates of mortality worldwide. Since ancient times, medicinal plants have been used in traditional medicine to treat many diseases, including diabetes and its related complications. Plants are widely accepted, affordable, and perceived to have minimal adverse side effects. The Lamiaceae family is a potential source of therapeutic agents for the management of metabolic disorders, including diabetes. Hence, this review paper summarizes the antidiabetic use of Lamiaceae species in folk medicine globally. Furthermore, we present the antidiabetic activities and phytochemical constituents of twenty-three (23) Lamiaceae species and the antidiabetic activity of some notable chemical constituents isolated from some of these Lamiaceae species.
Ninon Etsassala; Ahmed Hussein; Felix Nchu. Potential Application of Some Lamiaceae Species in the Management of Diabetes. Plants 2021, 10, 279 .
AMA StyleNinon Etsassala, Ahmed Hussein, Felix Nchu. Potential Application of Some Lamiaceae Species in the Management of Diabetes. Plants. 2021; 10 (2):279.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNinon Etsassala; Ahmed Hussein; Felix Nchu. 2021. "Potential Application of Some Lamiaceae Species in the Management of Diabetes." Plants 10, no. 2: 279.
Yonela Matanzima; Charles P. Laubscher; Wilfred T. Mabusela; Felix Nchu. Effects of varying levels of nitrogen on plant growth, anti-Fusarium oxysporum activity and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid concentration of extracts from hydroponically cultivated Helichrysum cymosum (L.). MEDICINAL PLANTS - INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOMEDICINES AND RELATED INDUSTRIES 2021, 13, 45 -55.
AMA StyleYonela Matanzima, Charles P. Laubscher, Wilfred T. Mabusela, Felix Nchu. Effects of varying levels of nitrogen on plant growth, anti-Fusarium oxysporum activity and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid concentration of extracts from hydroponically cultivated Helichrysum cymosum (L.). MEDICINAL PLANTS - INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOMEDICINES AND RELATED INDUSTRIES. 2021; 13 (1):45-55.
Chicago/Turabian StyleYonela Matanzima; Charles P. Laubscher; Wilfred T. Mabusela; Felix Nchu. 2021. "Effects of varying levels of nitrogen on plant growth, anti-Fusarium oxysporum activity and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid concentration of extracts from hydroponically cultivated Helichrysum cymosum (L.)." MEDICINAL PLANTS - INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOMEDICINES AND RELATED INDUSTRIES 13, no. 1: 45-55.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most dangerous metabolic diseases with a high rate of mortality worldwide. It is well known that insulin resistance and deficiency in insulin production from pancreatic β-cells are the main characteristics of DM. Due to the detrimental side effects of the current treatment, there is a considerable need to develop new effective antidiabetic drugs, especially alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitors with lesser adverse effects. These inhibitors are known to be directly involved in the delay of carbohydrate digestion, resulting in a reduction of glucose absorption rate and, consequently, reducing the postprandial rise of plasma glucose, which can reduce the risk of long-term diabetes complications. Furthermore, natural products are well-known sources for the discovery of new bioactive compounds that can serve as scaffolds for drug discovery, including that of new antidiabetic drugs. The phytochemical investigation of Salvia aurita collected from Hogobach Pass, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa (SA), yielded four known abietane diterpenes namely carnosol (1), rosmanol (2), 7-methoxyrosmanol (3), 12-methoxycarnosic acid (4), and one flavonoid named 4,7-dimethylapigenin (5). Structural characterization of these isolated compounds was conducted using 1 and 2D NMR, in comparison with reported spectroscopic data. These compounds are reported for the first time from S. aurita. The biological evaluation of the isolated compound against alpha-glucosidase exhibited strong inhibitory activities for 3 and 2 with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 4.2 ± 0.7 and 16.4 ± 1.1 µg/mL respectively, while 4 and 1 demonstrated strong alpha-amylase inhibitory activity amongst the isolated compounds with IC50 values of 16.2 ± 0.3 and 19.8 ± 1.4 µg/mL. Molecular docking analysis confirms the strong inhibitory activity of 3 against alpha-glucosidase. Additionally, excellent antioxidant capacities were displayed by 2, 1, and 3, respectively, with oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) (25.79 ± 0.01; 23.96 ± 0.01; 23.94 ± 0.02) mM Trolox equivalent (TE)/g; 1 and 2 as ferric-ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) (3.92 ± 0.002; 1.52 ± 0.002) mM ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE)/g; 5 and 2 as Trolox equivalent absorbance capacity (TEAC) (3.19 ± 0.003; 2.06 ± 0.003) mM TE/g. The methanolic extract of S. aurita is a rich source of abietane diterpenes with excellent antioxidant and antidiabetic activities that can be useful to modulate oxidative stress and might possibly be excellent candidates for the management of diabetes. This is the first scientific report on the phytochemical isolation and biological evaluation of the alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities of Salvia aurita.
Ninon G. E. R. Etsassala; Jelili A. Badmus; Jeanine L. Marnewick; Emmanuel I. Iwuoha; Felix Nchu; Ahmed A. Hussein. Alpha-Glucosidase and Alpha-Amylase Inhibitory Activities, Molecular Docking, and Antioxidant Capacities of Salvia aurita Constituents. Antioxidants 2020, 9, 1149 .
AMA StyleNinon G. E. R. Etsassala, Jelili A. Badmus, Jeanine L. Marnewick, Emmanuel I. Iwuoha, Felix Nchu, Ahmed A. Hussein. Alpha-Glucosidase and Alpha-Amylase Inhibitory Activities, Molecular Docking, and Antioxidant Capacities of Salvia aurita Constituents. Antioxidants. 2020; 9 (11):1149.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNinon G. E. R. Etsassala; Jelili A. Badmus; Jeanine L. Marnewick; Emmanuel I. Iwuoha; Felix Nchu; Ahmed A. Hussein. 2020. "Alpha-Glucosidase and Alpha-Amylase Inhibitory Activities, Molecular Docking, and Antioxidant Capacities of Salvia aurita Constituents." Antioxidants 9, no. 11: 1149.
This study investigated the use of brewing wastewater (BW) as the primary carbon source in the Postgate medium for the optimisation of sulphate reduction in acid mine drainage (AMD). The results showed that the sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) consortium was able to utilise BW for sulphate reduction. The response surface methodology (RSM)/Box–Behnken design optimum conditions found for sulphate reduction were a pH of 6.99, COD/SO42− of 2.87, and BW concentration of 200.24 mg/L with predicted sulphate reduction of 91.58%. Furthermore, by using an artificial neural network (ANN), a multilayer full feedforward (MFFF) connection with an incremental backpropagation network and hyperbolic tangent as the transfer function gave the best predictive model for sulphate reduction. The ANN optimum conditions were a pH of 6.99, COD/SO42− of 0.50, and BW concentration of 200.31 mg/L with predicted sulphate reduction of 89.56%. The coefficient of determination (R2) and absolute average deviation (AAD) were estimated as 0.97 and 0.046, respectively, for RSM and 0.99 and 0.011, respectively, for ANN. Consequently, ANN was a better predictor than RSM. This study revealed that the exclusive use of BW without supplementation with refined carbon sources in the Postgate medium is feasible and could ensure the economic sustainability of biological sulphate reduction in the South African environment, or in any semi-arid country with significant brewing activity and AMD challenges.
Enoch A. Akinpelu; Seteno K. O. Ntwampe; Abiola E. Taiwo; Felix Nchu; Felix Nchu. Optimising Brewery-Wastewater-Supported Acid Mine Drainage Treatment vis-à-vis Response Surface Methodology and Artificial Neural Network. Processes 2020, 8, 1485 .
AMA StyleEnoch A. Akinpelu, Seteno K. O. Ntwampe, Abiola E. Taiwo, Felix Nchu, Felix Nchu. Optimising Brewery-Wastewater-Supported Acid Mine Drainage Treatment vis-à-vis Response Surface Methodology and Artificial Neural Network. Processes. 2020; 8 (11):1485.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEnoch A. Akinpelu; Seteno K. O. Ntwampe; Abiola E. Taiwo; Felix Nchu; Felix Nchu. 2020. "Optimising Brewery-Wastewater-Supported Acid Mine Drainage Treatment vis-à-vis Response Surface Methodology and Artificial Neural Network." Processes 8, no. 11: 1485.
A workshop on ticks and tick-borne diseases (T&TBDs) was held on June 25 and 26, 2019, at the Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Division of Livestock and Human Diseases Vector Control, Arusha, Tanzania. The objectives of the workshop were to discuss the current situation and to formulate actionable strategies to improve surveillance and control of T&TBDs in Africa. The workshop was funded by the National Research Foundation and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and attended by livestock health providers, farmers, and researchers from East, West, and Southern African countries. During the workshop, experts presented recent surveillance data focused on T&TBDs; participants discussed research opportunities and community engagement. The primary outcome of the workshop was the creation of a new research consortium known as The African Consortium for T&TBDs. The consortium is intended to function as a community for researchers, students, farmers, policymakers, extension workers, and community members who are interested in the advancement of T&TBD control. The consortium will engage in research activities that focus on comprehensive surveillance of T&TBDs, developing tick acaricide resistance, alternative tick control programs, and policy development and education. These areas were identified as top priorities to be developed to improve T&TBD control on the continent.
Felix Nchu; Nkululeko Nyangiwe; Dennis Muhanguzi; Jahashi Nzalawahe; Yakob Petro Nagagi; George Msalya; Natala Audu Joseph; Esther Gwae Kimaro; Margaret Mollel; Violet Temba; Difo Voukang Harouna. Development of a practical framework for sustainable surveillance and control of ticks and tick-borne diseases in Africa. Veterinary World 2020, 13, 1910 -1921.
AMA StyleFelix Nchu, Nkululeko Nyangiwe, Dennis Muhanguzi, Jahashi Nzalawahe, Yakob Petro Nagagi, George Msalya, Natala Audu Joseph, Esther Gwae Kimaro, Margaret Mollel, Violet Temba, Difo Voukang Harouna. Development of a practical framework for sustainable surveillance and control of ticks and tick-borne diseases in Africa. Veterinary World. 2020; 13 (9):1910-1921.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFelix Nchu; Nkululeko Nyangiwe; Dennis Muhanguzi; Jahashi Nzalawahe; Yakob Petro Nagagi; George Msalya; Natala Audu Joseph; Esther Gwae Kimaro; Margaret Mollel; Violet Temba; Difo Voukang Harouna. 2020. "Development of a practical framework for sustainable surveillance and control of ticks and tick-borne diseases in Africa." Veterinary World 13, no. 9: 1910-1921.
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most dangerous metabolic diseases with high rate of mortality worldwide. It is well known that insulin resistance and deficiency in insulin production from pancreatic β-cells are the main characteristic of DM. Due to the detrimental side effects of the current treatment, there is a considerable need to develop new effective antidiabetic drugs, especially alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitors with lesser adverse effects. These inhibitors are known to be directly involved in the delay of carbohydrate digestion, resulting in a reduction of glucose absorption rate and consequently reduce the post-prandial raise of plasma glucose, which can reduce the risk of long-term diabetes complications. Hence, natural products are well-known sources for the discovery of new scaffold for drugs discovery, including new antidiabetic drugs. The phytochemical investigation of Salvia aurita collected from Hogobach pass, Eastern Cape, South Africa (SA), yielded four known abietane diterpenes namely carnosol (1), rosmanol (2), 7-methoxyrosmanol (3), 12-methoxycarnosic acid (4) and one flavonoid named 4,7-dimethylapigenin (5). Structural characterization of these isolated compounds was conducted using 1 and 2D NMR, in comparison with reported spectroscopic data. These compounds are reported for the first time from S. aurita. The biological evaluation of the isolated compound against alpha-glucosidase exhibited strong inhibitory activities for 3 and 2 with IC50 values of 4.2 ± 0.7 and 16.4 ± 1.1 µg/mL respectively, while 4 and 1 demonstrated strong alpha-amylase inhibitory activity amongst the isolated compounds with IC50 of 16.2 ± 0.3 and 19.8 ± 1.4 µg/mL. Molecular docking analysis confirms strong inhibitory activity of 3 against alpha-glucosidase. Additionally, excellent antioxidant capacities were displayed by 2, 1 and 3 respectively as ORAC (25789.9 ± 10.5; 23961.8 ± 14.1; 23939.3 ± 2.4) µM TE/g; 1 and 2 as FRAP (3917.8 ± 2.1; 1522.3 ± 0.9) µM AAE/g; 5 and 2 as TEAC (3190.4 ± 2.8; 2055.0 ± 2.6) µM TE/g. The methanolic extract of S. aurita is a rich source of abietane diterpenes with excellent antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities that can be useful to modulate oxidative stress, and might possibly be excellent candidates for the management of diabetes. This is the first scientific report on the phytochemical isolation and biological evaluation of alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities of Salvia aurita.
Ninon G.E.R Etsassala; Jelili A. Badmus; Jeanine L. Marnewick; Felix Nchu; Ahmed A. Hussein. Alpha-glucosidase and Alpha-amylase Inhibitory Activities, Molecular Docking and Antioxidant Capacities of Salvia Aurita Constituents. 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleNinon G.E.R Etsassala, Jelili A. Badmus, Jeanine L. Marnewick, Felix Nchu, Ahmed A. Hussein. Alpha-glucosidase and Alpha-amylase Inhibitory Activities, Molecular Docking and Antioxidant Capacities of Salvia Aurita Constituents. . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNinon G.E.R Etsassala; Jelili A. Badmus; Jeanine L. Marnewick; Felix Nchu; Ahmed A. Hussein. 2020. "Alpha-glucosidase and Alpha-amylase Inhibitory Activities, Molecular Docking and Antioxidant Capacities of Salvia Aurita Constituents." , no. : 1.
Aim: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales) inoculum on plant growth, volatile constituents, and tick repellency of the extracts of Tulbaghia violacea (Amaryllidaceae). Materials and Methods: Eight-week-old potted seedlings of T. violacea were each inoculated with conidia of B. bassiana (strain SM3) suspended at a concentration of 1×106 conidia mL–1. Tissue colonization by fungal conidia was assessed after 3 weeks. Plant growth, volatile constituents, and tick repellency were assessed after 12 weeks post-treatment. Results: B. bassiana conidia successfully colonized leaf and root tissues of T. violacea. The growth of fungal hyphae out of the leaf and root sections occurred in 75% and 91.6% of plants, respectively. Inoculation of the plants with B. bassiana significantly (p
Pumla Staffa; Nkululeko Nyangiwe; George Msalya; Yakob Petro Nagagi; Felix Nchu. The effect of Beauveria bassiana inoculation on plant growth, volatile constituents, and tick (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus) repellency of acetone extracts of Tulbaghia violacea. Veterinary World 2020, 13, 1159 -1166.
AMA StylePumla Staffa, Nkululeko Nyangiwe, George Msalya, Yakob Petro Nagagi, Felix Nchu. The effect of Beauveria bassiana inoculation on plant growth, volatile constituents, and tick (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus) repellency of acetone extracts of Tulbaghia violacea. Veterinary World. 2020; 13 (6):1159-1166.
Chicago/Turabian StylePumla Staffa; Nkululeko Nyangiwe; George Msalya; Yakob Petro Nagagi; Felix Nchu. 2020. "The effect of Beauveria bassiana inoculation on plant growth, volatile constituents, and tick (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus) repellency of acetone extracts of Tulbaghia violacea." Veterinary World 13, no. 6: 1159-1166.
Optimization of the quality and quantity of medicinal materials during cultivation could improve the value of medicinal plants. Light intensity and water availability affect physiological processes and growth of plants. Tulbaghia violacea L. (Alliaceae) bulbs and leaves are widely used traditionally in southern Africa for treatments of many ailments. The interactive effects of light intensity and watering regime on plant growth, nutrient uptake and antifungal activity of T. violacea were evaluated in the current study. Seedlings of T. violacea were grown hydroponically under two shading levels (0% and 40%) while being exposed simultaneously to one of three watering intervals: 5-day, 14-day and 21-day. Different growth parameters (plant height, plant fresh and dry weights) and tissue nutrient contents were evaluated at the end of the experiment. The antifungal activity of acetone extracts on Fusarium oxysporum were evaluated in a microdilution bioassay. Generally, significantly higher concentrations of macronutrients were recorded in the tissue of plants exposed to shorter watering interval. The results showed that different watering frequencies and light intensities significantly (p < 0.05) influenced plant growth parameters (height, and dry and fresh weights). Moreover, there were strong interactive effects of watering frequency and light intensity on most of the plant growth parameters. Remarkably, plants that were simultaneously exposed to the extended watering interval (21-day) and low light intensity showed the best anti-F. oxysporum activity. Key findings of this study revealed that shading alleviated the negative effects of water-deficit stress on plant growth and improved antifungal activity.
Wanga Ncise; Chris W. Daniels; Felix Nchu. Effects of light intensities and varying watering intervals on growth, tissue nutrient content and antifungal activity of hydroponic cultivated Tulbaghia violacea L. under greenhouse conditions. Heliyon 2020, 6, e03906 .
AMA StyleWanga Ncise, Chris W. Daniels, Felix Nchu. Effects of light intensities and varying watering intervals on growth, tissue nutrient content and antifungal activity of hydroponic cultivated Tulbaghia violacea L. under greenhouse conditions. Heliyon. 2020; 6 (5):e03906.
Chicago/Turabian StyleWanga Ncise; Chris W. Daniels; Felix Nchu. 2020. "Effects of light intensities and varying watering intervals on growth, tissue nutrient content and antifungal activity of hydroponic cultivated Tulbaghia violacea L. under greenhouse conditions." Heliyon 6, no. 5: e03906.
Global demand for environmentally friendly grapevine cultivation and pest control has necessitated an improved understanding of the relationship between soil properties and beneficial, naturally occurring antagonists such as entomopathogenic fungi (EPF). Sixty six soil samples were collected from 22 vineyards in the Western Cape, South Africa. The association between soil nutrient status and EPF prevalence was examined. Fungi were isolated with methods of insect baiting and selective media. In addition, fungal isolates were tested against a key grapevine pest, Planococcus ficus (Signoret) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae). Pathogenicity of fungal strains against P. ficus was assessed with an immersion bioassay at a concentration of 1 × 108 conidia ml–1. Twenty-three fungal strains were isolated and correspondence analysis of data indicated a positive association between EPF (Metarhizium robertsii (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) and Clonostachys rosea f. catenulata [Hypocreales: Bionectriaceae]) occurrence and optimum to high levels of soil-based macronutrients (C, N and Ca). Logistic regression revealed that K was positively correlated with M. robertsii (estimate = 0.03 ± 0.01; P < 0.05; odds ratio = 1.03). Strains of Beauvaria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) caused the highest mortalities (77.0 ± 2.0% to 87.0 ± 3.0%). This study showed that some soil nutrient properties corresponded to greater occurrence of EPF in grapevine soils.
Siphokazi Moloinyane; Pia Addison; Kwaku A. Achiano; Felix Nchu. Association between chemical properties of vineyard soils and occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi causing different levels of mortality in Planococcus ficus. BioControl 2020, 65, 197 -209.
AMA StyleSiphokazi Moloinyane, Pia Addison, Kwaku A. Achiano, Felix Nchu. Association between chemical properties of vineyard soils and occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi causing different levels of mortality in Planococcus ficus. BioControl. 2020; 65 (2):197-209.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSiphokazi Moloinyane; Pia Addison; Kwaku A. Achiano; Felix Nchu. 2020. "Association between chemical properties of vineyard soils and occurrence of entomopathogenic fungi causing different levels of mortality in Planococcus ficus." BioControl 65, no. 2: 197-209.
This study is one of few detailed analyses of plant diversity and vegetation patterns in African dry forests. We established permanent plots to characterize plant diversity, above-ground biomass, and vegetation patterns in a tropical dry forest in Kimbi-Fungom National Park, Cameroon. Our results contribute to long-term monitoring, predictions, and management of dry forest ecosystems, which are often vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures. Considerable consensus exists regarding the importance of dry forests in species diversity and carbon storage; however, the relationship between dry forest tree species composition, species richness, and carbon stock is not well established. Also, simple baseline data on plant diversity are scarce for many dry forest ecosystems. This study seeks to characterize floristic diversity, vegetation patterns, and tree diversity in permanent plots in a tropical dry forest in Northwestern Cameroon (Kimbi-Fungom National Park) for the first time. We studied associations between above-ground biomass and species composition, and how different vegetation types vary in terms of species composition, diversity, and carbon storage, in a dry forest in Kimbi-Fungom National Park, Cameroon. Vegetation was inventoried in 17 permanent 1-ha plots. Allometric equations were used to calculate above-ground biomass and carbon. We found an average of 269.8 tree stems ha-1 and 43.1 species ha-1. Five vegetation types: semi-deciduous, gallery, mixed vegetation, secondary and the grassland/woody savanna forest were classified using TWINSPAN analysis. The five vegetation types had an average above-ground biomass of 149.2 t ha-1 and 74.6 tC ha-1 of carbon in the 17 ha analyzed. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed the importance of semi-deciduous forest over grassland/woody savanna forest. This study demonstrated that the forest of the Kimbi-Fungom National Park is poor in plant diversity, biomass, and carbon, highlighting the need to implement efficient management practices. Fine-scale inventory data of species obtained in this study could be useful in developing predictive models for efficient management of tropical dry forests.
Moses N. Sainge; Felix Nchu; A. Townsend Peterson. Diversity, above-ground biomass, and vegetation patterns in a tropical dry forest in Kimbi-Fungom National Park, Cameroon. Heliyon 2020, 6, e03290 .
AMA StyleMoses N. Sainge, Felix Nchu, A. Townsend Peterson. Diversity, above-ground biomass, and vegetation patterns in a tropical dry forest in Kimbi-Fungom National Park, Cameroon. Heliyon. 2020; 6 (1):e03290.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMoses N. Sainge; Felix Nchu; A. Townsend Peterson. 2020. "Diversity, above-ground biomass, and vegetation patterns in a tropical dry forest in Kimbi-Fungom National Park, Cameroon." Heliyon 6, no. 1: e03290.
The endophytic plant-fungi symbiotic relationship can be explored to improve cultivation of targeted medicinal plant species. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of the cultivation of chive (Allium schoenoprasum) in plant growth medium inoculated with the entomopathogenic fungus, Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales). Twelve replicates of chive seedlings were exposed to B. bassiana inoculum formulated at concentrations of 0, 1 × 105, 1 × 104 and 1 × 103 conidia mL−1 in a completely randomized design. We assessed plant growth parameters, such as leaf number and plant height weekly and root length, leaf and root fresh and dry weights and secondary metabolites three weeks post-fungal inoculation. The fungus was re-isolated from some of the leaves and roots of the treated plants suggesting that the fungus successfully colonized the plant tissue. Generally, the results indicated that the fungal inoculation had minimal effect on most of the growth parameters assessed in relation to the control. Remarkably, plants exposed to the fungus recorded greater (p < 0.05) total alkaloid, ranging from 2.98 – 3.76 mg atropine equivalent (AE)/g dry weight (DW) compared to the control plants (1.96 mg AE/g DW) for the leaves. This study demonstrated that endophytic fungi could be used to improve the yield of active chemical constituents in cultivated medicinal plants.
Friederike Espinoza; Stefan Vidal; Fanie Rautenbach; Francis Lewu; Felix Nchu. Effects of Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales) on plant growth and secondary metabolites of extracts of hydroponically cultivated chive (Allium schoenoprasum L. [Amaryllidaceae]). Heliyon 2019, 5, e03038 .
AMA StyleFriederike Espinoza, Stefan Vidal, Fanie Rautenbach, Francis Lewu, Felix Nchu. Effects of Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales) on plant growth and secondary metabolites of extracts of hydroponically cultivated chive (Allium schoenoprasum L. [Amaryllidaceae]). Heliyon. 2019; 5 (12):e03038.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFriederike Espinoza; Stefan Vidal; Fanie Rautenbach; Francis Lewu; Felix Nchu. 2019. "Effects of Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales) on plant growth and secondary metabolites of extracts of hydroponically cultivated chive (Allium schoenoprasum L. [Amaryllidaceae])." Heliyon 5, no. 12: e03038.
Endophytic entomopathogenic fungi are being explored for the management of phytophagous insect pests. The effects of Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales) inoculation of grape plants on the infestation level of P. ficus, tissue nutrient contents, and growth and volatile constituents of potted grape plants were assessed. Grapevine plants were individually inoculated with a suspension of 1 × 108 conidia mL−1 of B. bassiana by drenching before experimentally infesting each of them with thirty adult females of P. ficus. At four weeks post-treatment, the fungus was re-isolated from leaves of 50% of the fungus-exposed plants. However, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed in all the plant growth parameters measured in the fungus-treated and control plants. Plant tissue analysis revealed markedly higher contents of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in the leaf tissue of plants exposed to the B. bassiana relative to the control. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analyses showed that a significantly (X2 = 5.1; p < 0.02) higher number of known anti-insect volatile compounds (nine) were present among fungus treated plants compared to the control plants (five). Naphthalene, which is toxic to insects and humans, was detected only in the volatiles of the fungus-exposed plants. B. bassiana did not have any significant effect on total polyphenol, alkaloid, and flavonoids. Overall, treatment with fungus did not inhibit the infestation by P. ficus. In conclusion, these findings shed light on some of the mechanisms involved in endophytic fungus-plant-insect interactions.
Siphokazi Moloinyane; Felix Nchu. The Effects of Endophytic Beauveria bassiana Inoculation on Infestation Level of Planococcus ficus, Growth and Volatile Constituents of Potted Greenhouse Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). Toxins 2019, 11, 72 .
AMA StyleSiphokazi Moloinyane, Felix Nchu. The Effects of Endophytic Beauveria bassiana Inoculation on Infestation Level of Planococcus ficus, Growth and Volatile Constituents of Potted Greenhouse Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.). Toxins. 2019; 11 (2):72.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSiphokazi Moloinyane; Felix Nchu. 2019. "The Effects of Endophytic Beauveria bassiana Inoculation on Infestation Level of Planococcus ficus, Growth and Volatile Constituents of Potted Greenhouse Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.)." Toxins 11, no. 2: 72.
Background: The Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve (RHFR) is a montane forest area in south-western Cameroon. Although RHFR is presumed to be rich in biodiversity and vegetation types, little information exists regarding its floristic composition and vegetation patterns.Objectives: Our goal was to characterise vegetation patterns in the reserve and to understand how elevation influences distributions and diversity of species. We aimed to provide a first detailed plant species inventory for this important forest area, as well as basic information on forest structure.Method: We characterised floristic composition and vegetation patterns of the reserve in 25 1-ha plots along an elevational gradient from 50 m to 1778 m. In each plot, trees and lianas of diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥ 10 cm were measured; shrubs 10 cm were measured in nested plots of 0.01 ha.Results: In all, 16 761 trees, shrubs and lianas with dbh ≥ 1 cm were censused, representing 71 families, 279 genera and 617 morphospecies. Floristic composition ranged from 94 to 132 species, with a mean of 117.5 species per hectare in lowland forest (50 m – 200 m) and 36–41 species, with a mean of 38.5 species per hectare in montane cloud forest (1600 m – 1778 m) near the summit of Mount Rata. Two-way indicator species analysis classified the 25 plots into six vegetation types corresponding to lowland evergreen rainforest, lowland evergreen rainforest on basalt rocks, middle-elevation evergreen forest, submontane forest, transitional submontane forest and montane cloud forest. In all, 0.006% of the reserve was included in our sample plots. Detrended correspondence analysis highlighted the importance of elevation in shaping vegetation patterns.Conclusion: The RHFR is composed of different vegetation types, which show impressive variation in terms of structure, species composition and diversity. The detailed, fine-scale inventory data obtained in this study could be useful in planning efficient management of this and other montane tropical forests.
Moses N. Sainge; Ngoh M. Lyonga; Gildas P.T. Mbatchou; David Kenfack; Felix Nchu; Andrew T. Peterson. Vegetation, floristic composition and structure of a tropical montane forest in Cameroon. Bothalia, African Biodiversity & Conservation 2019, 49, 12 .
AMA StyleMoses N. Sainge, Ngoh M. Lyonga, Gildas P.T. Mbatchou, David Kenfack, Felix Nchu, Andrew T. Peterson. Vegetation, floristic composition and structure of a tropical montane forest in Cameroon. Bothalia, African Biodiversity & Conservation. 2019; 49 (1):12.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMoses N. Sainge; Ngoh M. Lyonga; Gildas P.T. Mbatchou; David Kenfack; Felix Nchu; Andrew T. Peterson. 2019. "Vegetation, floristic composition and structure of a tropical montane forest in Cameroon." Bothalia, African Biodiversity & Conservation 49, no. 1: 12.
Enoch Akinbiyi Akinpelu; Adewole Tomiwa Adetunji; Seteno Karabo Obed Ntwampe; Felix Nchu; Lukhanyo Mekuto. Performance of Fusarium oxysporum EKT01/02 isolate in cyanide biodegradation system. Environmental Engineering Research 2018, 23, 223 -227.
AMA StyleEnoch Akinbiyi Akinpelu, Adewole Tomiwa Adetunji, Seteno Karabo Obed Ntwampe, Felix Nchu, Lukhanyo Mekuto. Performance of Fusarium oxysporum EKT01/02 isolate in cyanide biodegradation system. Environmental Engineering Research. 2018; 23 (2):223-227.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEnoch Akinbiyi Akinpelu; Adewole Tomiwa Adetunji; Seteno Karabo Obed Ntwampe; Felix Nchu; Lukhanyo Mekuto. 2018. "Performance of Fusarium oxysporum EKT01/02 isolate in cyanide biodegradation system." Environmental Engineering Research 23, no. 2: 223-227.
High global demand for plant-derived medicines is threatening the existence of many wild indigenous plant species. However, the high demand of medicinal plants has also created huge business opportunities in commercial farming of medicinal plants. Large-scale production of secondary metabolites by plants and medicinal materials will be crucial in the medicinal plant industry. As commercial cultivation of medicinal plants gains traction among farmers, N fertilizers will be increasingly used to enhance plant growth and yield. Therefore, the implementation of better nitrogen use efficiency is critically important. Excessive use of N can lead to many problems; it is costly, it can cause environmental pollution and its high levels in plant tissues can be toxic to plants, herbivores and humans. This chapter discusses the potential risks, opportunities and setbacks associated with the use of N in cultivation of medicinal plants.
Felix Nchu; Yonela Matanzima; Charles Laubscher. Prospects of N Fertilization in Medicinal Plants Cultivation. Nitrogen in Agriculture - Updates 2018, 1 .
AMA StyleFelix Nchu, Yonela Matanzima, Charles Laubscher. Prospects of N Fertilization in Medicinal Plants Cultivation. Nitrogen in Agriculture - Updates. 2018; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFelix Nchu; Yonela Matanzima; Charles Laubscher. 2018. "Prospects of N Fertilization in Medicinal Plants Cultivation." Nitrogen in Agriculture - Updates , no. : 1.
With the emergence of a new field, biodiversity informatics, an important task has been to evaluate completeness of biodiversity information that is existing and available for various countries and regions. This paper offers a first and very basic assessment of sampling gaps and inventory completeness across the Cameroon Mountains. Because digital accessible knowledge is severely limited for the region, we relied on qualitative evaluations of inventory completeness, supplemented by large amounts of data from the National Herbarium of Cameroon (YA) database. Detailed botanical inventories have been developed for Mt Cameroon, the Kupe-Mwanenguba Mountains, Mt Oku, and the Mambila Plateau, leaving substantial geographic and environmental coverage gaps corresponding to Rumpi Hills, Mt Nlonako, Kimbi Fungom National Park, Bali and Bafut Ngemba, Mt Bamboutos, Kagwene, and Tchabal Mbabo. This paper provides a roadmap for a comprehensive botanical survey for this region. Completing this survey plan, the resulting data will allow researchers to track changes in biodiversity and identify priority areas for conservation on the various mountain ranges that make up this important biodiversity hotspot.
Moses Nsanyi Sainge; Jean-Michel Onana; Felix Nchu; David Kenfack; A. Townsend Peterson. Botanical Sampling Gaps Across the Cameroon Mountains. Biodiversity Informatics 2017, 12, 1 .
AMA StyleMoses Nsanyi Sainge, Jean-Michel Onana, Felix Nchu, David Kenfack, A. Townsend Peterson. Botanical Sampling Gaps Across the Cameroon Mountains. Biodiversity Informatics. 2017; 12 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMoses Nsanyi Sainge; Jean-Michel Onana; Felix Nchu; David Kenfack; A. Townsend Peterson. 2017. "Botanical Sampling Gaps Across the Cameroon Mountains." Biodiversity Informatics 12, no. : 1.
Sustainability of nutrient requirements for microbial proliferation on a large scale is a challenge in bioremediation processes. This article presents data on biochemical properties of a free cyanide resistant and total nitrogen assimilating fungal isolate from the rhizosphere of Zea mays (maize) growing in soil contaminated with a cyanide-based pesticide. DNA extracted from this isolate were PCR amplified using universal primers; TEF1-α and ITS. The raw sequence files are available on the NCBI database. Characterisation using biochemical data was obtained using colorimetric reagents analysed with VITEK® 2 software version 7.01. The data will be informative in selection of biocatalyst for environmental engineering application.
Enoch A. Akinpelu; Adewole Tomiwa Adetunji; Seteno K.O. Ntwampe; Felix Nchu; Lukhanyo Mekuto. Biochemical characteristics of a free cyanide and total nitrogen assimilating Fusarium oxysporum EKT01/02 isolate from cyanide contaminated soil. Data in Brief 2017, 14, 84 -87.
AMA StyleEnoch A. Akinpelu, Adewole Tomiwa Adetunji, Seteno K.O. Ntwampe, Felix Nchu, Lukhanyo Mekuto. Biochemical characteristics of a free cyanide and total nitrogen assimilating Fusarium oxysporum EKT01/02 isolate from cyanide contaminated soil. Data in Brief. 2017; 14 ():84-87.
Chicago/Turabian StyleEnoch A. Akinpelu; Adewole Tomiwa Adetunji; Seteno K.O. Ntwampe; Felix Nchu; Lukhanyo Mekuto. 2017. "Biochemical characteristics of a free cyanide and total nitrogen assimilating Fusarium oxysporum EKT01/02 isolate from cyanide contaminated soil." Data in Brief 14, no. : 84-87.