Research Articles (Plant Production and Soil Science)
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Item Drought tolerance assessment of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc) accessions based on morphological and physiological traits(Elsevier, 2025-09) Kunene, Sithembile; Gerrano, Abe Shegro; Odindo, Alfred O.Understanding the adaptive responses of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea L. Verdc) under water-limited conditions is vital for improving resilience of this crop in semi-arid agriculture. This study evaluated the growth, yield, physiological, and photochemical responses of 24 Bambara groundnut accessions under drought stress and non-stress conditions. Significant variation (p < 0.05) was observed among accessions for key morphological traits such as leaf length, plant height, and petiole number. Drought stress markedly reduced biomass and seed yield, with Acc 97 and Acc 100 demonstrating superior yield under stress. Physiological responses showed significant declines in photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters under drought. However, accessions such as Acc 25, Acc 61, and Acc 87 maintained relatively higher water-use efficiency and photochemical stability, indicating better drought adaptation. Drought indices highlighted Acc 200, Acc 190, and Acc 175 as promising genotypes, combining high yield potential and stress tolerance. Principal component analysis revealed that photosynthetic efficiency and biomass traits predominantly contributed to phenotypic variation under stress. Overall, this study identified genetically diverse and drought-resilient Bambara groundnut accessions with potential for targeted breeding programs aimed at enhancing drought tolerance and securing food production in marginal environments.Item South African medicinal plants traditionally used to treat gonorrhoea : a comprehensive review(Elsevier, 2025-10) Tshikalange, Thilivhali Emmanuel; Lawal, Fatimah; Mabuza, J. Mcebisi; Bapela, Mahwahwatse JohannaGonorrhoea is the second most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) and a major health issue in South Africa. This review provides a detailed list of South African medicinal plants used to treat gonorrhoea. The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Researchers used databases like Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science. Search terms included “medicinal” plants, “traditional use,” “gonorrhoea,” “venereal diseases,” “sexually transmitted infections,” and “South Africa.” Plant species were verified through the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and the New Plants of Southern Africa (NEWPOSA) online databases. A total of 28 plant species from 21 families were identified in South Africa for treating gonorrhoea. The Fabaceae and Maliaceae families, with three plant species each, were the most commonly used for this purpose. However, only 44 % of these species have undergone pharmacological testing against Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The remaining 56 % have not been evaluated for gonococcal activity. Although some phytoconstituents have been isolated, few antigonococcal compounds have been documented. Cytotoxicity tests have mostly been conducted in vitro, with limited evidence from in vivo studies. In vivo evaluations are essential for accurately determining the clinical safety of crude extracts and isolated compounds. Future research should focus on validating the antigonococcal properties of South African medicinal plants, isolating phytoconstituents, and conducting in vivo safety assessments.Item Assessment of the genetic diversity of the critically endangered aloe peglerae Schonland (Asphodelaceae) by means of inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers(Elsevier, 2025-11) Schmidt, Xander; Barker, Nigel; Frisby, Arnold Walter; nigel.barker@up.ac.zaAloe peglerae Schönland, commonly known as the Red-hot Poker Aloe or Magaliesberg Aloe, is listed as Critically Endangered on the Red List of endangered plant species of South Africa. It is a slow growing succulent, endemic to the Magaliesberg, with a disjunct population near Krugersdorp, within the Gauteng and North West provinces of South Africa. Sharp population declines due to poaching and habitat loss have prompted both reintroduction programmes and associated studies on the genetic variability of the species across its distribution range, all in an attempt to better inform future conservation efforts. This study sampled 12 A. peglerae localities from which the genetic diversity was assessed using Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) DNA “fingerprinting”, coupled with automated fragment detection. Three fluorescently labelled ISSR primers were used to amplify ISSR profiles from the 174 samples obtained from the 12 localities. Following rigorous data quality assessment, a final data set of 145 samples was obtained. The use of automated detection of ISSR fragments was extremely sensitive and the data set comprised over 2500 bands obtained from just three primers. Analysis of genetic variation was conducted using four different methods: STRUCTURE analysis, Networks, Phenetic analyses (using both UPGMA and Neighbour Joining (NJ)), and AMOVA. Results from these analyses indicate a gradual genetic transition between eastern and western localities along the Magaliesberg mountain range, representing one large population, as well as a completely distinct population from the Krugersdorp area. While samples from different localities usually possess enough differentiation to be generally identified as separate groups, those in close geographical proximity share sufficient similarities to suggest that conservation translocations can utilise propagules from neighbouring localities to augment and/or reintroduce depleted populations. Both in-situ and ex-situ conservation of the Krugersdorp population is urgently required, and translocations into this habitat should be done using propagules from within this population alone. This study highlights the advantages of using automated detection of ISSR fragments to provide many more data points than conventional agarose gel visualisation. As such, this approach is cost-effective and is recommended for studies assessing the genetic diversity of rare and endangered plant taxa.Item Plant pathogen name game : Cross Kingdom Review for the naming of biotic agents associated with plants(Annual Reviews, 2025-09) Bull, Carolee T.; Salgado-Salazar, Catalina; Romberg, Megan K.; Allen, Cavan; Kantor, Mihail; Handoo, Zafar; Aboughanem-Sabanadzovic, Nina; Sabanadzovic, Sead; Coutinho, Teresa A.To communicate across scientific disciplines, regulatory bodies, and the agricultural community, the naming of plant pathogens assigned to specific taxa is critical. Here, we provide an overview of the nomenclatural systems governing the naming of plant-pathogenic nematodes, fungi, oomycetes, prokaryotes, and viruses. Although we focus on the nature of the nomenclatural codes, we briefly discuss fundamental principles of taxonomy, including classification and identification. Key elements of the codes of nomenclature that ensure stability and clarity when naming species of pathogens are defined. When comparing the practice of nomenclature across different kingdoms, the classification and nomenclatural systems differ, and thus unique challenges are faced. We provide guidance from the codes and current practice for naming novel species. When there are nomenclatural conflicts, international committees play a critical role in their resolution. They also play a role in updating the codes to reflect new advancements in science. With this review, we aim to assist plant pathologists, journal editors, and those in related fields by providing an entrée to the legalistic requirements of the codes. Authors must consult and follow the rules of the appropriate code for any proposal of new or new combinations of names. To those interested in naming new species (or renaming the current ones), we recommend collaborations with experts in the field of taxonomy to ensure that rules for accurate and consistent naming practices and procedures are followed and to increase the likelihood that the proposed nomenclature is correct and acceptable.Item Warming has limited effects on plant growth through nutrient release : evidence from sub-Antarctic Marion Island(Oxford University Press, 2025-09) Pallett, Nita C.M.; Ripley, Brad S.; Greve, Michelle; Cramer, Michael D.Please read abstract in the article.Item Diversity and ethnobotanical use-value of trees outside forests on the agricultural landscape of the Mongala Province, Democratic Republic of Congo(Springer, 2025-09) Azenge, Jean Pierre; Wassila, Ibrahim Seidou; Kassi, Justin N'Dja; Chirwa, Paxie W.Trees outside forests on agricultural land (TOF-AL) are essential for the livelihoods of rural communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, yet their diversity, use, and management are poorly documented, particularly in Mongala province. This study aimed to characterize the diversity of TOF-AL species, quantify their ethnobotanical use values, and analyze the management strategies of local communities. We conducted ethnobotanical surveys and tree inventories in 900 agricultural plots across 45 villages in the three territories of Mongala province. The data were analyzed using diversity indices, the total ethnobotanical use value (TUVs) index, and hierarchical clustering analysis to classify species based on their use values. We identified 136 TOF-AL species on agricultural land in Mongala, with a Shannon diversity index of 3.544. The results show that more than 62% of the total abundance is concentrated in ten most common species. The clustering analysis revealed three distinct clusters of 23 privileged species: Cluster 1 (high value for energy and construction), Cluster 2 (high value for commerce and crafts), and Cluster 3 (multifunctional species with high value for food, medicine, and commerce). The high abundance of Cluster 3 species and the rarity of Cluster 2 species indicate that use value directly influences the conservation status of the species. Our results show that the diversity and abundance of TOF-AL are the result of specific management choices guided by local ethnobotanical knowledge. Species that provide continuous and non-destructive benefits are actively conserved by farmers, while those with high commercial value are threatened by intense harvesting pressure. This study calls for the adoption of differentiated management strategies to ensure the sustainability of resources. It suggests targeted reforestation programs and economic incentives for threatened species (Cluster 2) and the strengthening of existing management practices for abundant species (Clusters 1 and 3), underscoring the importance of integrating traditional knowledge into agroforestry conservation.Item Consensus classifications are crucial for conservation : how CITES utilizes checklists(Wiley, 2025-08) Klopper, Ronell RenettThe Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an end-user of the consensus classifications and checklists produced by global initiatives such as the World Flora Online (WFO). This paper provides a brief background on CITES and the impact of classification and nomenclature changes on the CITES processes and enforcement of CITES regulations, with a focus on plants. The importance of global consensus classifications for CITES-listed plants is highlighted and the ways in which CITES utilizes checklists are illustrated. The WFO and especially the Taxonomic Expert Networks can, and already do, make huge contributions towards the production of checklists for CITES.Item Native plant species screening for phytogeochemical exploration in the Zambian Copperbelt(Elsevier, 2026-01) Mukube, Pumulo; Syampungani, Stephen; Machogo-Phao, Lerato; Hitzman, Murray W.Trace element analysis of plant tissues can aid mineral exploration for sediment hosted Cu-Co deposits in the Zambian Copperbelt (ZCB). This study was conducted at the Mitumba prospect, an area in the ZCB known to have copper minerals but no historical mining activities, to identify native plant species and their tissues that are most indicative of mineralized zones. Field inventory and ecological analysis identified 22 native plant species from 12 different families, of which Fabaceae (36.4%) was dominant. At species level and based on the coating index, we identified several predominant species, among them, Haumaniastrum katangense (Lamiaceae), Aframomum angustifolium (Zingiberaceae), Brachystegia boehmii (Fabaceae), and Diplorynchus condilocarpon (Apocynaceae). Sampling was undertaken of soils and plant organs above the known mineralized zone and at control points outside of the mineralized area. Most species translocated Cu from the roots to the aboveground biomass as indicated by translocation factors (TF) > 1 but only three species, namely, Haumaniastrum katangense, Aframomum angustifolium and Diplorynchus condilocarpon can both translocate and bioconcentrate (BCF > 1) bioavailable Cu from the rhizosphere, making them ideal candidates for phytogeochemical exploration. Only Haumaniastrum katangense and Aframomum angustifolium accumulated Co. Plant roots and leaves demonstrate significant Cu anomalism and show a wider population of anomalous values compared to the soils. Statistical and machine learning techniques both indicate significant relationships between soil Cu concentration and the content of Cu in plant roots and leaves highlighting soil pH, organic matter and clay content as the major physicochemical variables influencing metal bioavailability in soil-plant systems. HIGHLIGHTS • Trace element analysis of plant tissues can aid locating orebodies. • Haumaniastrum katangense, Aframomum angustifolium and Diploryhncus condilocarpon are copper indicators. • Haumanastrum katangense and Aframomum angustifolium also accumulate cobalt. • Machine learning algorithms effectively elucidate soil-plant relationships. • Soil pH, organic matter and clay content influences metal bioavailability.Item Phylogenomics and the rise of the angiosperms(Nature Research, 2024-05) Zuntini, Alexandre R.; Carruthers, Tom; Maurin, Olivier; Bailey, Paul C.; Leempoel, Kevin; Brewer, Grace E.; Epitawalage, Niroshini; Françoso, Elaine; Gallego-Paramo, Berta; McGinnie, Catherine; Negrão, Raquel; Roy, Shyamali R.; Simpson, Lalita; Romero, Eduardo Toledo; Barber, Vanessa M.A.; Botigué, Laura; Clarkson, James J.; Cowan, Robyn S.; Dodsworth, Steven; Johnson, Matthew G.; Kim, Jan T.; Pokorny, Lisa; Wickett, Norman J.; Antar, Guilherme M.; DeBolt, Lucinda; Gutierrez, Karime; Hendriks, Kasper P.; Hoewener, Alina; Hu, Ai-Qun; Joyce, Elizabeth M.; Kikuchi, Izai A.B.S.; Larridon, Isabel; Larson, Drew A.; De Lírio, Elton John; Liu, Jing-Xia; Malakasi, Panagiota; Przelomska, Natalia A.S.; Shah, Toral; Viruel, Juan; Allnutt, Theodore R.; Ameka, Gabriel K.; Andrew, Rose L.; Appelhans, Marc S.; Arista, Montserrat; Ariza, María Jesús; Arroyo, Juan; Arthan, Watchara; Bachelier, Julien B.; Bailey, C. Donovan; Barnes, Helen F.; Barrett, Matthew D.; Barrett, Russell L.; Bayer, Randall J.; Bayly, Michael J.; Biffin, Ed; Biggs, Nicky; Birch, Joanne L.; Bogarín, Diego; Borosova, Renata; Bowles, Alexander M.C.; Boyce, Peter C.; Bramley, Gemma L.C.; Briggs, Marie; Broadhurst, Linda; Brown, Gillian K.; Bruhl, Jeremy J.; Bruneau, Anne; Buerki, Sven; Burns, Edie; Byrne, Margaret; Cable, Stuart; Calladine, Ainsley; Callmande, Martin W.; Cano, Ángela; Cantrill, David J.; Cardinal-McTeague, Warren M.; Carlsen, Mónica M.; Carruthers, Abigail J.A.; Castro Mateo, Alejandra de; Chase, Mark W.; Chatrou, Lars W.; Cheek, Martin; Chen, Shilin; Christenhusz, Maarten J.M.; Christin, Pascal-Antoine; Clements, Mark A.; Coffey, Skye C.; Conran, John G.; Cornejo, Xavier; Couvreur, Thomas L.P.; Cowie, Ian D.; Csiba, Laszlo; Darbyshire, Iain; Davidse, Gerrit; Davies, Nina M.J.; Davis, Aaron P.; Dijk, Kor-jent van; Downie, Stephen R.; Duretto, Marco F.; Duvall, Melvin R.; Edwards, Sara L.; Eggli, Urs; Erkens, Roy H.J.; Escudero, Marcial; Fabriani, Federico; Fay, Michael F.; Ferreira, Paola de L.; Ficinski, Sarah Z.; Fowler, Rachael M.; Frisby, Sue; Fu, Lin; Fulcher, Tim; Galbany-Casals, Mercè; Gardner, Elliot M.; German, Dmitry A.; Giaretta, Augusto; Gibernau, Marc; Gillespie, Lynn J.; González, Cynthia C.; Goyder, David J.; Graham, Sean W.; Grall, Aurélie; Green, Laura; Gunn, Bee F.; Gutiérrez, Diego G.; Hackel, Jan; Haevermans, Thomas; Haigh, Anna; Hall, Jocelyn C.; Hall, Tony; Harrison, Melissa J.; Hatt, Sebastian A.; Hidalgo, Oriane; Hodkinson, Trevor R.; Holmes, Gareth D.; Hopkins, Helen C.F.; Jackson, Christopher J.; James, Shelley A.; Jobson, Richard W.; Kadereit, Gudrun; Kahandawala, Imalka M.; Kainulainen, Kent; Kato, Masahiro; Kellogg, Elizabeth A.; King, Graham J.; Klejevskaja, Beata; Klitgaard, Bente B.; Klopper, Ronell Renett; Knapp, Sandra; Koch, Marcus A.; Leebens-Mack, James H.; Lens, Frederic; Leon, Christine J.; Léveillé-Bourret, Étienne; Lewis, Gwilym P.; Li, De-Zhu; Li, Lan; Liede-Schumann, Sigrid; Livshultz, Tatyana; Lorence, David; Lu, Meng; Lu-Irving, Patricia; Luber, Jaquelini; Lucas, Eve J.; Luján, Manuel; Lum, Mabel; Macfarlane, Terry D.; Mansano, Vidal F.; Masters, Lizo E.; Mayo, Simon J.; McColl, Kristina; McDonnell, Angela J.; McDougall, Andrew E.; McLay, Todd G.B.; McPherson, Hannah; Meneses, Rosa I.; Merckx, Vincent S.F.T.; Michelangeli, Fabián A.; Mitchell, John D.; Monro, Alexandre K.; Moore, Michael J.; Mueller, Taryn L.; Mummenhoff, Klaus; Munzinger, Jérôme; Muriel, Priscilla; Murphy, Daniel J.; Nargar, Katharina; Nauheimer, Lars; Nge, Francis J.; Nyffeler, Reto; Orejuela, Andrés; Ortiz, Edgardo M.; Palazzesi, Luis; Peixoto, Ariane Luna; Pell, Susan K.; Pellicer, Jaume; Penneys, Darin S.; Perez-Escobar, Oscar A.; Persson, Claes; Pignal, Marc; Pillon, Yohan; Pirani, José R.; Plunkett, Gregory M. Plunkett; Powell, Robyn F.; Prance, Ghillean T.; Puglisi, Carmen; Qin, Ming; Rabeler, Richard K.; Rees, Paul E.J.; Renner, Matthew; Roalson, Eric H. Roalson; Rodda, Michele; Rogers, Zachary S.; Rokni, Saba; Rutishauser, Rolf; Salas, Miguel F. de; Schaefer, Hanno; Schley, Rowan J.; Schmidt-Lebuhn, Alexander; Shapcott, Alison; Al-Shehbaz, Ihsan; Shepherd, Kelly A.; Simmons, Mark P.; Simões, Andre O.; Simões, Ana Rita G.; Siros, Michelle; Smidt, Eric C.; Smith, James F.; Snow, Neil; Soltis, Douglas E.; Soltis, Pamela S.; Soreng, Robert J.; Sothers, Cynthia A.; Starr, Julian R.; Stevens, Peter F.; Straub, Shannon C.K.; Struwe, Lena; Taylor, Jennifer M.; Telford, Ian R.; Thornhill, Andrew H.; Tooth, Ifeanna; Trias-Blasi, Anna; Udovicic, Frank; Utteridge, Timothy M.A.; Valle, Jose C. Del; Verboom, G. Anthony; Vonow, Helen P.; Vorontsova, Maria S.; Vos, Jurriaan M. de; Al-Wattar, Noor; Waycott31,52, 130; Welker, Cassiano A.D.; White, Adam J.; Wieringa, Jan J.; Williamson, Luis T.; Wilson, Trevor C.; Wong, Sin Yeng; Woods, Lisa A.; Woods, Roseina; Worboys, Stuart; Xanthos, Martin; Yang, Ya; Zhang, Yu-Xiao; Zhou, Meng-Yuan; Zmarzty, Sue; Zuloaga, Fernando O.; Antonelli, Alexandre; Bellot, Sidonie; Crayn, Darren M.; Grace, Olwen M.; Kersey, Paul J.; Leltch, Illa J.; Sauquet, Hervé; Smith, Stephen A. Smith; Elserhardt, Wolf L.; Forest, Félix; Baker, William J.Angiosperms are the cornerstone of most terrestrial ecosystems and human livelihoods. A robust understanding of angiosperm evolution is required to explain their rise to ecological dominance. So far, the angiosperm tree of life has been determined primarily by means of analyses of the plastid genome. Many studies have drawn on this foundational work, such as classification and first insights into angiosperm diversification since their Mesozoic origins. However, the limited and biased sampling of both taxa and genomes undermines confidence in the tree and its implications. Here, we build the tree of life for almost 8,000 (about 60%) angiosperm genera using a standardized set of 353 nuclear genes. This 15-fold increase in genus-level sampling relative to comparable nuclear studies provides a critical test of earlier results and brings notable change to key groups, especially in rosids, while substantiating many previously predicted relationships. Scaling this tree to time using 200 fossils, we discovered that early angiosperm evolution was characterized by high gene tree conflict and explosive diversification, giving rise to more than 80% of extant angiosperm orders. Steady diversification ensued through the remaining Mesozoic Era until rates resurged in the Cenozoic Era, concurrent with decreasing global temperatures and tightly linked with gene tree conflict. Taken together, our extensive sampling combined with advanced phylogenomic methods shows the deep history and full complexity in the evolution of a megadiverse clade.Item Patterns of mature woody plant species encroachment on vegetation structure, density, and diversity of the understory layer across the Marikana Thornveld(Frontiers Media, 2025-05) Mangwane, Mziwanda; Madakadze, Ignacio Casper; Tjelele, Tlou Julius; Ramoelo, Abel; u14387027@tuks.co.zaINTRODUCTION : Bush encroachment has a negative impact on the vegetation structure, ecosystem functions, and services of savanna rangelands. Woody plant encroachment creates an imbalance in the grass-to-tree ratio, leading to a decline in ecosystem services, including grazing capacity and soil nutrients. METHODS : This study aimed to evaluate the vegetation structure, diversity, and relationships of tree species across four different growth stages in the Marikana Thornveld. Three sites were identified at the Roodelpaat experimental farm, where six 1-hectare plots were established. In each plot, nine 10 m × 10 m subplots were set up to identify mature woody plants, shrubs, and saplings. Seedlings were identified within three 1.69 m² quadrats nested within each subplot. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION : The study identified a total of 9,028 individual woody plants, including 158 seedling species, 161 saplings, 159 shrubs, and 154 mature woody plant species. The regression line plotted seedling density against the densities of mature trees, shrubs, and saplings, with b values significantly less than 1, indicating a negative impact of mature trees, shrubs, and saplings on the seedling layer. Seedling abundance displayed a non-linear relationship with mature trees, indicating a 4.75% representation of seedling abundance within the mature tree layer. Woody seedling species exhibited the highest abundance across four growth stages. Overall, across all woody plant species at different growth stages, there was a general decline in the woody density class, resulting in a J-shaped curve pattern. Seedlings and mature trees exhibited the highest diameter at breast height (dbh) proportions among individual woody plants from the first to the third DBH size classes, followed by a decline. CONCLUSION : Generally, these results highlight a weak relationship between mature woody plant species and the understory layer, including shrubs, saplings, and seedlings. Consequently, mature woody plants cannot predict the establishment of understory woody plants or the recruitment of seedlings as a cause of bush encroachment.Item Research progress on climate change adaptation strategies to control invasive crop pest in sub-Saharan Africa : a bibliometric and systematic review(Frontiers Media, 2025-02) Assede, Emeline Sessi Pelagie; Othoo, Calvince Ouko; Ly, Ahmadou; Bayisa, Gobena; Tarkegn, Temesgen Gashaw; Zohoun, Megnisse; N'goran, Anje-JokebedThis bibliometric and systematic review assesses research progress and climate change adaptation strategies to control invasive crop pests in sub-Saharan Africa. Scientific publications on crop pest management in sub-Saharan Africa in a context of climate change adaptation were extracted from papers published between 1991 and 2024. A literature search was conducted on Scopus, dimension, and google scholar, followed by screening and data extraction in compliance with ROSES standards. Findings indicated that pests such as armyworms, fruit flies and coffee berry borer cause huge losses. Communities are adopting integrated pest management, water harvesting, drip irrigation, resistant varieties, and improving production efficiency. Agro-ecological practices reduce pest invasions while preserving the environment. Meanwhile, chemical insecticide use remains an emergency solution as its effects on pest control would be more efficient. However, promising approaches emerge around biocontrol, agroforestry integrating pest management, and gender-tailored strategies. Nevertheless, regional disparities persist in scientific output. In conclusion, while invasive pests represent a major plant health crisis in sub-Saharan Africa, this review highlights innovative adaptation strategies. Their development will require coordinated mobilization to catalyze the sustainable agro-ecological transition that sub-Saharan Africa needs to address these multidimensional challenges. Future research should assess farmer’s perception on the effectiveness of the existing pest management practices for invasive crop pests.Item Comparative analysis of five African traditional multipurpose crops using a food systems approach(Taylor and Francis, 2025) Munialo, Sussy; Madzorera, Isabel; Lartey, Anna; Abdallah Noor, Ramadhani; Thiam, Aboubacry; Covic, Namukolo; Amos, Laar; Adelheid, Onyango; Baye, Kaleab; Nikiema, Laetitia Ouedraogo; Wafaie, Fawzi; Sibanda, Lindiwe Majele; sussy.munialo@up.ac.zaDiversifying food systems with traditional multi-purpose crops like sorghum, cassava, and amaranth is key to improving food security and nutrition. However, studies focusing on a variety of nutrient-dense crops, addressing research, policy, and practice, are missing. Most research focuses on cereals like sorghum, overlooking other crops such as vegetables, root crops, legumes, and nuts, limiting nutrient diversity in food system. A review of five traditional crops—sorghum, amaranth, cassava, cowpea, and cashew nuts—assessed research, policy, and practice, aiming to enhance food systems. The review found that existing initiatives on traditional crops are mainly production-focused and region-specific, with gaps in processing, value addition, marketing, nutrition, consumption, and transport. Limited policies and stakeholder involvement has hindered commercialization. Key recommendations should be implemented across research, practice, and policy along the food systems. Research actions include improving taxonomic classification, developing modern breeding programs, researching yield gaps, and enhancing understanding of transport and logistics. Practical strategies involve improving field management through training, integrating informal and formal seed systems, and promoting commercial use. Policies should address all food system aspects including processing, consumption, marketing, and transportation. Increased stakeholder engagement across the value chain is essential for unlocking the potential of traditional crops.Item Drivers of woody dominance across global drylands(American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2024-10-11) Biancari, Lucio; Aguiar, Martín R.; Eldridge, David J.; Oñatibia, Gastón R.; Le Bagousse-Pinguet, Yoann; Saiz, Hugo; Gross, Nicolas; Austin, Amy T.; Ochoa, Victoria; Gozalo, Beatriz; Asensio, Sergio; Guirado, Emilio; Valencia, Enrique; Berdugo, Miguel; Plaza, César; Martínez-Valderrama, Jaime; Mendoza, Betty J.; García-Gómez, Miguel; Abedi, Mehdi; Ahumada, Rodrigo J.; Alcántara, Julio M.; Amghar, Fateh; Anadón, José D.; Aramayo, Valeria; Arredondo, Tulio; Bader, Maaike Y.; Bahalkeh, Khadijeh; Salem, Farah Ben; Blaum, Niels; Boldgiv, Bazartseren; Bowker, Matthew; Branquinho, Cristina; Bu, Chongfeng; Byambatsogt, Batbold; Calvo, Dianela A.; Monroy, Andrea P. Castillo; Castro, Helena; Castro-Quezada, Patricio; Chibani, Roukaya; Conceição, Abel A.; Currier, Courtney M.; Donoso, David A.; Dougill, Andrew; Ejtehadi, Hamid; Espinosa, Carlos I.; Fajardo, Alex; Farzam, Mohammad; Ferrante, Daniela; Fraser, Lauchlan H.; Gaitán, Juan J.; Gherardi, Laureano A.; Gusmán-Montalván, Elizabeth; Hernández-Hernández, Rosa M.; Hölzel, Norbert; Huber-Sannwald, Elisabeth; Hughes, Frederic M.; Jadán, Oswaldo; Jeltsch, Florian; Jentsch, Anke; Ju, Mengchen; Kaseke, Kudzai F.; Kindermann, Liana; Köbel, Melanie; Le Roux, Peter Christiaan; Liancourt, Pierre; Linstädter, Anja; Liu, Jushan; Louw, Michelle A.; Maggs-Kölling, Gillian; Issa, Oumarou Malam; Marais, Eugene; Margerie, Pierre; Messeder, João Vitor S.; Mora, Juan P.; Moreno, Gerardo; Munson, Seth M.; Oliva, Gabriel; Pueyo, Yolanda; Quiroga, R. Emiliano; Reed, Sasha C.; Rey, Pedro J.; Rodríguez, Alexandra; Rodríguez, Laura B.; Rolo, Víctor; Ruppert, Jan C.; Sala, Osvaldo; Salah, Ayman; Stavi, Ilan; Stephens, Colton R.A.; Swemmer, Anthony M.; Teixido, Alberto L.; Thomas, Andrew D.; Throop, Heather L.; Tielbörger, Katja; Travers, Samantha K.; Van den Brink, Liesbeth; Wagner, Viktoria; Wamiti, Wanyoike; Wang, Deli; Wang, Lixin; Wolff, Peter; Yahdjian, Laura; Zaady, Eli; Maestre, Fernando T.Increases in the abundance of woody species have been reported to affect the provisioning of ecosystem services in drylands worldwide. However, it is virtually unknown how multiple biotic and abiotic drivers, such as climate, grazing, and fire, interact to determine woody dominance across global drylands. We conducted a standardized field survey in 304 plots across 25 countries to assess how climatic features, soil properties, grazing, and fire affect woody dominance in dryland rangelands. Precipitation, temperature, and grazing were key determinants of tree and shrub dominance. The effects of grazing were determined not solely by grazing pressure but also by the dominant livestock species. Interactions between soil, climate, and grazing and differences in responses to these factors between trees and shrubs were key to understanding changes in woody dominance. Our findings suggest that projected changes in climate and grazing pressure may increase woody dominance in drylands, altering their structure and functioning.Item Phytoindication and phytoremediation of water quality using the local duckweed plant Lemna aequinoctialis(Wiley, 2025-03) Munaro, Allen Takudzwa; Tsamba, Joshua; Siziba, NqobizithaEnvironmental pollution exacerbates global freshwater scarcity. In Harare, sewage pollution drives freshwater pollution, compromising its quality and security. Here, we uniquely explored the dual role of Lemna aequinoctialis as a phytoindicator and phytoremediator of freshwater quality. Using a purposive sampling strategy targeting common household freshwater abstraction sites in selected communities of Harare (Tafara and Manyame), 12 water samples and an L. aequinoctialis culture were collected from the field and incubated in the laboratory. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), electrical conductivity (EC), and potential hydrogen (pH) were determined by probes, while total suspended solids (TSS) and turbidity were analyzed by UV-Vis Spectrometry. Chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrates (NOˉ₃), nitrites (NOˉ2), and orthophosphates were analyzed by colorimetric techniques. An analytical balance measured the plant fresh weights and root lengths were measured via microscopy. Akin to +raw sewage, River B (Tafara) exhibited the highest initial pollutant load; BOD (3.8 mg/L), COD (38 mg/L), TSS (96 mg/L), NOˉ₃ (0.134 mg/L), NOˉ2 (0.058 mg/L), orthophosphates (0.524 mg/L), turbidity (87 FTU), with notably reduced mean fresh biomass (2.9 g) and root length (7.3 mm) which were moderately and negatively correlated with NOˉ2 and orthophosphates, respectively. Only EC failed to improve after L. aequinoctialis incubation significantly. Despite spatial-temporal limitations, we present limited evidence suggesting a potential real-time, dual utility role that can help track, redress pollution, and suppress algal blooms enhancing public health and transcending the typical role of duckweeds. Long-term applicability of this phytotechnology requires further attention for sustainable freshwater management in resource-limited regions like Zimbabwe.Item Pathogenicity of Pythium myriotylum on Acacia crassicarpa and Acacia mangium x Acacia auriculiformis clones in Indonesia(Taylor and Francis, 2025) Tarigan, Marthin; Wingfield, Michael J.; Jami, Fahimeh; Oliveira, Leonardo S.S.; Saha, Muhammad A.; Duran, Alvaro; Pham, Nam Q.; nam.pham@fabi.up.ac.zaThe oomycete Pythium myriotylum is an important pathogen of several crops, causing wilt and damping-off during nursery propagation. The pathogen was recently reported as the causal agent of wilt and damping-off on Acacia crassicarpa plants in nurseries located in Riau, Indonesia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relative pathogenicity of P. myriotylum on different clones of A. crassicarpa and Acacia mangium × Acacia auriculiformis hybrids. Based on the results, greater tolerance was found on the A. mangium × A. auriculiformis hybrid clones than on those of pure A. crassicarpa. The different Acacia clones also displayed different levels of tolerance of infection. Overall the results showed that screening for tolerance to infection by P. myriotylum will be important in the Acacia breeding programme and make it possible to produce sufficient nursery stock for plantation establishment.Item Coleus serracafemaensis (Lamiaceae), a New Succulent Species from Southwest Angola(Cactus and Succulent Society of America, Inc., 2024-02) Van Jaarsveld, Ernst J.; Swanepoel, Wessel; Paton, Alan; Becker, Rolf; De Cauwer, Vera; Gomez, AmandioColeus serracafemaensis, an ascending sparingly branched shrub with tuberous roots and sky-blue flowers is described here as a new species. It has a restricted range and is only known from Serra Cafema Mountain in southern Angola (within the Kaokoveld Centre of Endemism, southwestern Angola and northwestern Namibia). It grows on granite derived soil among granite boulders in a steep south facing boulder strewn kloof. Diagnostic characters for Coleus serracafemaensis include the large, tuberous rootstock, photosynthesizing stems with peeling bark, distinctly petiolate, broadly ovate to trullate leaves and its large sparingly branched panicles and accrescent sub-equally 5-lobed calyces, each lobe ending in a spine. Coleus serracafemaensis belongs to a group of species previously recognized as belonging to the genus Holostylon which includes 4 species with virgate ascending stems from a perennial base, persistent pedicels breaking near the base of the deciduous fruiting calyx, single flowered cymes and minutely lobed, almost entire style apices. A comparison of some of the more prominent morphological features to differentiate between Coleus serracafemaensis and its possible nearest relative, Coleus gracilipedicellatum, is provided. Based on IUCN Red List categories and criteria, a conservation assessment of Vulnerable (VU D2) is recommended for the new species.Item Aboveground physiological response and yield prediction of Chloris gayana and Digitaria eriantha grown in rehabilitated coal mined soils using random forest algorithm(Wiley, 2025-09) Abraha, Amanuel Bokhre; Tesfamariam, Eyob Habte; Truter, Wayne Frederick; Abutaleb, Khaled; Newete, Solomon W.A recent study demonstrated that a blend of amendments improved both the physical and hydraulic properties of reclaimed mine soils more effectively than standard mine treatments, suggesting further research on its impact on plant growth. Additionally, there is currently no published research that has examined the potential of the random forest (RF) algorithm for predicting the aboveground yield of Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass) and Digitaria eriantha (Smutsfinger grass) grown in reclaimed mine soils. To address this, a field trial of 36 bins consisting of nine treatments and four replications each was conducted in a randomized block design at the experimental farm of the University of Pretoria. The results showed that the dry matter yield, leaf area index, and leaf water potential were all significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the treatment. The blend of amendments increased aboveground dry matter yield by 70%–150% and leaf area index by 60%–95%. These improvements significantly enhanced productivity and, consequently, the carrying capacity of the rehabilitated land compared to the standard mine treatment of liming and fertilization. The most important wavelengths for predicting aboveground yield were located in the visible (400–700 nm) region of the electromagnetic spectrum, yielding an r2 of 0.90, mean absolute error of 0.183 t ha−1 and root mean square error of 0.255 t ha−1. These findings demonstrate that a blend of amendments can enhance the production potential of these grasses by improving soil nutrient availability. However, the longevity of these effects needs to be verified through long-term studies. The results also indicate that RF algorithm can accurately predict aboveground yield of C. gayana and D. eriantha accurately based on changes in the plant canopy spectral signature.Item Does wind affect the orientation of vegetation stripes? A copula-based mixture model for axial and circular data(Wiley, 2025-07) Mingione, Marco; Lagona, Francesco; Nagar, Priyanka; Von Holtzhausen, Francois Victor; Bekker, Andriette, 1958-; Schoombie, Janine; Le Roux, Peter ChristiaanMotivated by a case study of vegetation patterns, we introduce a mixture model with concomitant variables to examine the association between the orientation of vegetation stripes and wind direction. The proposal relies on a novel copula-based bivariate distribution for mixed axial and circular observations and provides a parsimonious and computationally tractable approach to examine the dependence of two environmental variables observed in a complex manifold. The findings suggest that dominant winds shape the orientation of vegetation stripes through a mechanism of neighboring plants providing wind shelter to downwind individuals.Item High genetic diversity and limited regional population differentiation in populations of Calonectria pseudoreteaudii from Eucalyptus plantations(American Phytopathological Society, 2025-01) Li, WenWen; Liu, Feifei; Chen, ShuaiFei; Wingfield, Michael J.; Duong, Tuan A.Calonectria pseudoreteaudii causes a serious and widespread disease known as Calonectria leaf blight in Eucalyptus plantations of southern China. Little is known regarding the population biology or reproductive biology of this pathogen in the affected areas. The aims of this study were to investigate the genetic diversity, population structure, and reproductive mode of C. pseudoreteaudii from affected Eucalyptus plantations of southern China. Ten polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers were developed for the species and were used to genotype 311 isolates from eight populations. The mating types of all isolates were identified using the MAT gene primers. The results revealed a high level of genetic diversity of the pathogen in all investigated populations. Of the 90 multilocus genotypes detected, 10 were shared between at least two populations. With the exception of one population from HuiZhou, GuangDong (7HZ), the most dominant genotype was shared in the seven remaining populations. Discriminant analysis of principal components and population differentiation analyses showed that the 7HZ population was well differentiated from the others and that there was no significant differentiation between the remaining populations. Analysis of molecular variance suggested that most molecular variation was within populations (86%). Index of association analysis was consistent with a predominantly asexual life cycle for C. pseudoreteaudii in the studied regions. Although both mating types were detected in seven of the eight populations, the MAT1-1/MAT1-2 ratios in these populations deviated significantly from the 1:1 ratio expected in a randomly mating population.Item Navigating power dynamics in food safety governance : the case of South Africa's compulsory specification for processed meat products(Institute for Social Development, University of the Western Cape, 2025-06) Mkhwanazi, Ntombizethu Simphiwe; Adelle, Camilla; Korsten, LiseThe 2017–2018 listeriosis outbreak in South Africa had a severe impact on the processed meat industry, prompting significant regulatory changes including the development of the Compulsory Specification for Processed Meat Products (VC 9100). This regulation aimed to improve food safety standards by mandating the implementation of a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points system across all processed meat production facilities. Drafting of the VC 9100 was initiated in 2013 following concerns that existing voluntary standards were inadequate for protecting public health. However, progress was hindered by strong resistance from industry stakeholders who argued that compliance would be financially burdensome, particularly regarding the costs and levies associated with its enforcement. The listeriosis outbreak, which resulted in over 219 deaths, dramatically shifted the regulatory landscape. The crisis brought food safety to the forefront of the national agenda, compelling the government to accelerate the development and implementation of VC 9100. Despite the urgency, industry resistance persisted, with stakeholders lobbying for reduced levies and delaying the regulation's full enforcement. This case study highlights the complex interplay between public health priorities and industry interest in food safety governance. It also demonstrates how crises can serve as catalysts for regulatory change, with the listeriosis outbreak playing a pivotal role in overcoming industry resistance and advancing the implementation of essential food safety measures.