Multi-criteria suitability analysis for neglected and underutilised crop species in South Africa.

Several neglected and underutilised species (NUS) provide solutions to climate change and creating a Zero Hunger world, the Sustainable Development Goal 2. Several NUS are drought and heat stress-tolerant, making them ideal for improving marginalised cropping systems in drought-prone areas. However, owing to their status as NUS, current crop suitability maps do not include them as part of the crop choices. This study aimed to develop land suitability maps for selected NUS [sorghum, (Sorghum bicolor), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), amaranth and taro (Colocasia esculenta)] using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in ArcGIS. Multidisciplinary factors from climatic, soil and landscape, socio-economic and technical indicators overlaid using Weighted Overlay Analysis. Validation was done through field visits, and area under the curve (AUC) was used to measure AHP model performance. The results indicated that sorghum was highly suitable (S1) = 2%, moderately suitable (S2) = 61%, marginally suitable (S3) = 33%, and unsuitable (N1) = 4%, cowpea S1 = 3%, S2 = 56%, S3 = 39%, N1 = 2%, amaranth S1 = 8%, S2 = 81%, S3 = 11%, and taro S1 = 0.4%, S2 = 28%, S3 = 64%, N1 = 7%, of calculated arable land of SA (12 655 859 ha). Overall, the validation showed that the mapping exercises exhibited a high degree of accuracies (i.e. sorghum AUC = 0.87, cowpea AUC = 0.88, amaranth AUC = 0.95 and taro AUC = 0.82). Rainfall was the most critical variable and criteria with the highest impact on land suitability of the NUS. Results of this study suggest that South Africa has a huge potential for NUS production. The maps developed can contribute to evidence-based and site-specific recommendations for NUS and their mainstreaming. Also, the maps can be used to design appropriate production guidelines and to support existing policy frameworks which advocate for sustainable intensification of marginalised cropping systems through increased crop diversity and the use of stress-tolerant food crops.

Environmental behavior of paclobutrazol in soil and its toxicity on potato and taro plants.

The environmental behavior of paclobutrazol in soil and its toxicity were studied by field investigation and an outdoor pot experiment, and the residue of paclobutrazol was detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Field investigation has found that the residual paclobutrazol in the former succession crop could severely inhibit the growth of succeeding crops of potato; with migration and transformation of residual paclobutrazol in the soil, the stems of potato were thickened with residual amount of 1.23 mg kg-1, the growth was slow, and the height of potato in soil with residual amount of 1.34 mg kg-1 and the control was significantly different. The degradation dynamics of paclobutrazol fits with the first-order degradation kinetics, although T1/2 of paclobutrazol of the taro planting soil was 30.14-46.21 days and the residual paclobutrazol remained detectable even on day 120 after application. Taro leaves were sensitive to the stress of paclobutrazol pollution; the taro leaf thickness increased, the leaf area decreased, the chlorophyll content per area unit of taro leaf showed an obvious increased trend, and SOD and CAT activities and MDA and proline content increased significantly. Paclobutrazol promoted the tillering of taro, and the taro seedlings were dwarfed by 58.01, 63.27, and 75.88% at different concentrations. It indicated that taro had strong stress response ability under paclobutrazol pollution.

Metal Accumulation Strategies of Emergent Plants in Natural Wetland Ecosystems Contaminated with Coke-Oven Effluent.

The release of industrial effluents into natural wetlands is a ubiquitous problem worldwide, and phytoremediation could be a viable option for treatment. The present study assessed metal accumulation strategies of three dominant emergent plants [Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, Scirpus grossus (L.) f., and Typha latifolia L.] growing in a wetland contaminated with coke-oven effluent. Metals concentration (mg kg-1) in wetland sediment followed the order Mn (408) > Cu (97) > Co (14.2) > Cr (14) > Cd (2.7). Plant tissues (root and shoot) showed metal-specific accumulation at different extents due to plant response against metal utility or toxicity. Bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) of metals in plants revealed Cd and Mn pollution could be remediated through phytoextraction (BCF > 1 and TF > 1); however, Co, Cu, and Cr pollution could be remediated through phytostabilization (BCF > 1 and TF < 1).

Municipal wastewater treatment potential and metal accumulation strategies of Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott and Typha latifolia L. in a constructed wetland.

This paper elucidates phytoremediation potential of two wetland plants (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott and Typha latifolia L.) for municipal wastewater treatment using constructed wetland (CW) mesocosms. The concentrations (mg L-1) of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), Cu, Cd, Cr, Zn, and Pb in municipal wastewater were higher than permissible Indian standards for inland surface water disposal; however, Mn and Ni were within the permissible limits. The pollutant removal efficiencies of planted CWs varied as electrical conductivity (EC) 67.8-71.4%; COD 70.7-71.1%; TKN 63.8-72.3%; Cu 75.3-83.4%; Cd 73.9-83.1%; Mn 74.1-74.5%; Cr 64.8-73.6%; Co 82.2-84.2%; Zn 63.3-66.1%; Pb 71.4-77.9%; and Ni 76-80%. Mass balance analysis revealed that the loss of metals from wastewater was equivalent to net accumulation in plants and natural degradation of metals. Metal accumulation strategies of plants were investigated using bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation factor (TF) of metals which indicated that both plants could be employed for phytostabilization (BCF > 1 and TF < 1) of Cu, Cd, Co, Pb, and Ni and phytoextraction (BCF > 1 and TF > 1) of Mn and Zn. The study demonstrated that a reduction of pollutants (except Pb) was observed within permissible levels (BIS) and suggested disposal of municipal wastewater into the inland surface water bodies after 20 days of treatment. The study concluded that both the plants could potentially be used for an efficient municipal wastewater treatment using constructed wetlands.

The genetic differentiation of Colocasia esculenta growing in gold mining areas with arsenic contamination.

Arsenic is a heavy metal found in contaminated gold mining areas and which can affect plant and animal species. This study aims to determine the concentration of As in the aquatic plant Colocasia esculenta as well as this plant's genetic variability. Sediment and C. esculenta samples were collected from three studied sites at the edge of a stream around a gold mine. The arsenic concentrations in sediment and C. esculenta samples were analyzed using induction coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Genetic differentiations were studied by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) with dendrogram construction and analysis of genetic similarity (S). The results showed that the arsenic concentrations in sediment and C. esculenta samples ranged from 4.547 ± 0.318 to 229.964 ± 0.978 and 0.108 ± 0.046 to 0.406 ± 0.174 mg kg(-1), respectively. To compare the samples studied to the reference site, RAPD fingerprints from 26 primers successfully produced 2301 total bands used for dendrogram construction and S value analysis. The dendrogram construction separates C. esculenta into four clusters corresponding to their sampling sites. The S values of the studied sample sites compared to the reference site are 0.676-0.779, 0.739-0.791, and 0.743-0.783 for sites 1, 2, and 3, respectively, whereas the values of the individuals within each site are as high as 0.980. These results suggest that As accumulation in aquatic plant species should be of concern because of the potential effects of As on aquatic plants as well as humans.

Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott).

Genetic engineering of taro is an effective method to improve taro quality and the resistance to various diseases of taro. Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of taro is more efficient than the particle bombardment transformation method based on current research. The development of a regeneration system starting from taro shoot tip explants could produce dasheen mosaic virus (DsMV)-free plantlets. Highly regenerative calluses could be developed from DsMV-free, in vitro plantlets on the Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 2 mg/L BA and 1 mg/L NAA (M5 medium). The Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation method is reported in this chapter. The highly regenerative calluses were selected and cocultivated with the Agrobacterium strain EHA105 harboring the binary vector PBI121 with either a rice chitinase gene chi11 or a wheat oxalate oxidase gene gf2.8. After cocultivation for 3-4 days, these calluses were transferred to selection medium (M5 medium) containing 50 mg/L Geneticin G418 and grown for 3 months in the dark. Transgenic shoot lines could be induced and selected on the MS medium containing 4 mg/L BA (M15 medium) and 50 mg/L Geneticin G418 for 3 months further in the light. Molecular analyses are used to confirm the stable transformation and expression of the disease resistance gene chi11 or gf2.8. Pathologic bioassays could be used to demonstrate whether the transgenic plants had increased disease resistance to taro pathogens Sclerotium rolfsii or Phytophthora colocasiae.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Managing the Papuana uninodis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) Taro Beetle in Fiji.

Taro (Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) plays a prominent role in the economies and cultures of Pacific Island countries such as Fiji. Unfortunately, taro is highly susceptible to invasion from taro beetles, which burrow into the corms and weaken the plants, rendering them unmarkable and prone to rot. Papuana uninodis Prell, an invasive alien species that is native to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, was first reported on Viti Levu (Fiji's largest island) in 1984. Since that time, taro production on Viti Levu has fallen substantially. In this paper, we employ data from surveys of households and communities to document the impacts of P. uninodis on Viti Levu. We then identify three management approaches-chemical controls, cultural controls, and switching from taro to another staple crop-and conduct a cost-benefit analysis of each. We find strong arguments for pursuing chemical control, which derives a net present value of monetised benefits of about FJ$139,500 per hectare over 50 yr, or >FJ$21 for each FJ$1 spent. Still, any of the three management options is more efficient than no management, even without any attempt to quantify the benefits to biodiversity or forest protection, underscoring the value of actively managing this invasive alien species.

Influence of taro (Colocasia esculenta L. Shott) growth conditions on the phenolic composition and biological properties.

Colocasia esculenta (L.) Shott, commonly known as taro, is an essential food for millions of people. The leaves are consumed in sauces, purees, stews, and soups, being also used in wound healing treatment. Nowadays, the consumers' demand for bioactive compounds from the diet led to the development of new agricultural strategies for the production of health-promoting constituents in vegetables. In this work, two strategies (variety choice and irrigation conditions) were considered in the cultivation of C. esculenta. The effect on the phenolic composition of the leaves was evaluated. Furthermore, a correlation between the biological activity of the different varieties and their chemical composition was established. Qualitative and quantitative differences in the phenolic composition were observed between varieties; furthermore, the irrigation conditions also influenced the composition. C. esculenta varieties were able to scavenge several oxidant species and to inhibit hyaluronidase, but data suggest that metabolites other than phenolics are involved. The results show that cultivation strategies can effectively modulate the accumulation of these types of bioactive compounds. Furthermore C. esculenta wound healing potential can be attributed, at least in part, to the protection of the wound site against oxidative/nitrosative damage and prevention of hyaluronic acid degradation.

Agro-economic yield of taro clones in Brazil, propagated with different types of cuttings, in three crop seasons.

The experimental studies were conducted in 2007-2008, 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 crop seasons, in order to know the agro-economic yield of 'Chinês' and "Macaquinho" taro clones, propagated using huge, extra, large, medium, small and tiny cormels. The harvest was done on average on 202 days after planting, in three crop seasons. Based on the joint analysis of variance carried out, it was observed that taro clones showed significant differences in the yield of fresh and dry weight of leaves, cormels, and commercial and non-commercial comels; besides, there were significant differences in yield of a crop season to another and the size of the cuttings induced significant differences in yield. In the conditions that the experiments were conducted, and considering the highest average yield of fresh weight of commercial cormels (28.69 t.ha-1) and highest net income (US $14,741.14) correspondent to the three crop seasons, it is recommended to cultivate 'Macaquinho' clone using small cuttings in propagation.

Characteristics of taro (Colocasia esculenta) starches planted in different seasons and their relations to the molecular structure of starch.

Physico-chemical properties and molecular structure of starches from three cultivars (Dog hoof, Mein, and KS01) of taro tubers planted in summer, winter, and spring were investigated. The effects of the planting season on the physico-chemical properties and the molecular structure of starch were determined, and the relations between the physico-chemical properties and the molecular structure of starch are discussed. Results indicate that taro starches from tubers planted in summer had the largest granule size, a low uniformity of gelatinization, and a high tendency to swell and collapse when heated in water. Taro starch planted in summer also showed an elasticity during gelatinization that was higher than that of starches planted in the other seasons. In addition to the planting season and the variety, rheological and pasting properties of taro starches studied are influenced not only by the amylose content but also by the chain-length distribution of amylopectin, whereas swelling power and solubility only depend on the amylose content of starch. Taro starch with relatively high amylose content, high short-to-long-chain ratio, and long average chain length of long-chain fraction of amylopectin displayed high elasticity and strong gel during heating.

Soil streptomycetes with in vitro activity against the yam pathogens Curvularia eragrostides and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

Yam (Dioscorea cayennensis Lam), an important crop in the Northeastern region of Brazil, is susceptible to the attack of several phytopathogenic fungi, such as Curvularia eragrostides (Henn.) Meyer and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.), which cause leaf spot diseases. This work aimed to evaluate the effect of six actinomycete isolates (S. thermotolerans, S. griseus subsp. griseus, Streptomyces sp. N0035, S. purpurascens, and two isolates identified as Streptomyces sp.), as well as the effect of their secondary metabolites, on mycelium growth and spore germination of C. eragrostides and C. gloeosporioides, from yam plants, cultivar da Costa. Additionally, the chitinolytic activity of these actinomycete strains was determined in a minimum salt growth medium with chitin as the sole carbon source. There was significant interaction between the actinomycete isolates and the phytopathogenic fungi for spore germination and mycelium growth inhibition. Streptomyces sp. codified as AC 26 was more efficient in inhibiting spore germination of C. eragrostides, while S. thermotolerans and Streptomyces sp. N0035 were more efficient for C. gloeosporioides. Streptomyces sp. (AC 26) was the most efficient in inhibiting mycelium growth of both fungi, and the inhibitory effect was positively correlated to metabolite concentration. S. griseus subsp. griseus did not show chitinolytic activity and did not control mycelium growth of both fungi. The actinomycete strains evaluated in this study can be considered potential biological agents for controlling yam phytopathogenic fungi associated with leaf spot diseases.

O inhame da Costa (Dioscorea cayennensis Lam.), uma cultura importante na região do nordeste Brasileiro, é suscetível ao ataque de diversos fungos fitopatogênicos, como Curvularia eragrostides (Henn.) Meyer e Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (Penz.), que causam manchas foliares. Este trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar o efeito de seis isolados de actinomicetos (S. thermotolerans, S. griseus subsp. griseus, Streptomyces sp. N0035, S. purpurascen e dois isolados identificados como Streptomyces sp.) e de seus metabólitos secundários no crescimento micelial e na germinação de esporos de C. gloeosporioides e C. eragrostides, da cultura do inhame da Costa. Adicionalmente, foi avaliada a atividade quitinolítica desses microrganismos, em meio de sais minerais e ágar, contendo quitina coloidal como única fonte de carbono. Houve interação significativa entre os isolados de actinomicetos e os fungos fitopatogênicos para inibição da germinação de esporos e do crescimento micelial. Streptomyces sp., codificado como AC 26, foi eficiente na inibição da germinação de esporos de C. eragrostides, enquanto que S. thermotolerans e Streptomyces sp. N0035 foram mais eficientes para C. gloeosporioides. Streptomyces sp. (AC 26) foi o mais eficiente na inibição do crescimento micelial de ambos os fungos e o efeito inibitório aumentou com o aumento na concentração dos metabólitos. S. griseus subsp. griseus não apresentou atividade quitinolítica e não inibiu o crescimento micelial de ambos os fungos. Os actinomicetos testados neste trabalho podem ser considerados potenciais agentes de biocontrole de doenças foliares do inhame.

Produção e composição nutritiva de taro em função do propágulo, em solo hidromórfico do Pantanal Sul-Mato-Grossense / Yield and nutritive components of taro as a function of propagule type in a hydromorfic soil of South Mato grosso Pantanal

O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar a produtividade e a composição nutritiva dos rizonas de taro, em condições de solo hidromórfico do pantanal sul-mato-grossense. Foram avaliados os taros Chinês e Macaquinho, propagados por rizomas das classes grande e pequena, como tipos inteiros e cortados no meio, arranjados em esquema fatorial 2x2x2, no delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. A população final, altura das plantas e massa fresca das folhas e dos rizomas-mãe do taro Chinês foi significativamente superior à do macaquinho. Quanto ás classes de propágulos utilizados para a propagação, foi melhor o uso de rizomas grandes. O uso de rizomas inteiros foi significativamente melhor que dos rizomas cortados quanto à população final e produção de massa fresca dos rizomas mãe (RM) e semelhantes para altura das plantas e produções de massa fresca de folhas e dos rizomas-filho (RF). Em relação à composição nutritiva dos rizomas, os RM e os RF tiveram teores caracterísitcos do clone. Os RM e RF dos dois clones apresentaram maiores teores de resíduo mineral fixo, proteínas e carboidratos e menores teores de lipídeos e de fibras, assim como de valor calórico total-VCT, que os domilho. Os RM e RF dos dois clones tiveram menores teores de lipídeos, carboidratos e VCT em relação à farinha de trigo

The objective of this work was to determine yield and nutritive components of taro rhizomes inhydromorfic soil conditions of South Mato Grosso Pantanal. Chinês and Macaquinho taroswere evaluated. They were propagated by rhizomes of big and small classes, as whole and halftypes, arranged as 2 x 2 x 2 factorial scheme in randomized block experimental design, with four replications. Final population, plant height and fresh mass of leaves and of corms of Chinêstaro were significantly superior than 'Macaquinho'. Regarding to propagule classes used forpropagation, big rhizome was the best. The use of whole rhizomes was significantly better thancut rhizomes regarding to final population and yield of fresh mass of corms (RM) and it wassimilar for plant height and yield of fresh mass of leaves and of cormels (RF). In relation tonutritive compound of rhizomes, RM and RF had contents which were characteristics of theclone. RM and RF of both two clones showed higher contents of fix mineral residue, proteinsand carbohydrates and they have smaller contents of lipids and of fibers, as well of total caloricvalue, than of corn. RM and RF of both two clones had smaller contents of lipids, carbohydratesand TCV in relation to wheat flour

Características físicas y nutricionales de extrudidos de plátano verde (Musa spp), ocumo chino (Colocasia esculenta) y maíz (Zea mays L) / Physical and nutritional characteristics of green plantain (Musa spp), taro (Colocasia esculenta) and corn (Zea mays L) extrudates

El objetivo del presente trabajo fue evaluar las propiedades físicas y nutricionales de las harinas extrudidas de plátano verde, ocumo chino o taro y sus mezclas con maíz, para diversificar la producción y el uso potencial en la agroindustria. El plan de investigación se realizó con un extrusor de laboratorio, tipo monotornillo a una temperatura de alimentación 75 ºC, temperatura del barril y de la matriz 180 ºC, velocidad del tornillo 120 rpm y 16 por ciento en el contenido de humedad de las harinas. Bajo estas condiciones, se obtuvo a partir de la harina de plátano verde un extrudido de alta densidad y bajo índice de expansión, mientras que con las mezclas por separado de la harina de ocumo chino y de plátano verde con un 80 por ciento de la harina de maíz blanco, resultaron extrudidos con baja densidad y alto índice de expansión, encontrándose diferencias estadísticamente significativas (p< 0,05) en las medidas del color (“L”). Con relación a la composición nutricional, se determino que todos los extrudidos presentaron un alto contenido de almidón resistente (22 por ciento) y variaciones en el contenido de fibra dietética en el intervalo de 8,4 por ciento a 2,88 por ciento. En conclusión los extrudidos de plátano verde por su aporte en almidón resistente, fibra dietética y una digestión lenta del almidón, se podrían recomendar en alimentos precocidos para regimenes especiales de alimentación. La obtención de extrudidos de ocumo chino permitiría diversificar el uso potencial de este rubro en la industria de alimentos.

The object of the present study, was to evaluate the physical and nutritional properties of the extruded flours ofgreen plantain, taro, and their mixture with corn, to diversify the production and the potential use in the agro industry The researching plan was made with a laboratory extruder single screwed type; to a feeding temperature of 75 ºC, barrel and matrix temperature of 180 ºC, screw speed of 120 rpm, and an humidity content of 16 percent in the flours. Under these conditions, it was obtained an green plantain flour based extrusion, of high density and low ratio of expansion; in the meantime, the separated mixtures of taro and green plantain with an 80 percent white corn flour, gave as results extrudates with low density and high level of expansion, and statistically significant differences were found (p< 0,05) in the color measure (“L”). In relation with the nutritional composition, it was determined that all the extrudates presented a high content of resistant starch (22 percent), and variations in the content of dietary fiber in the interval from 8,4 percent to 2,88 percent. Finally, the green plantain extrudates, for their contribution in resistant starch, dietary fiber and slow digestion of starch; could be recommended in precooked foods for special nutrition regimes. The obtention of taro extrudates, would allow to diversify the potential use of this product in the food industry.

Antibiosis and antixenosis to Aphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididac) in Colocasia esculenta.

Fifty cultivars of taro, Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott (Araceae), collected from islands in Micronesia and Polynesia, eight cultivars from the University of Hawaii's taro germplasm collection, and a closely related aroid, Xanthosorna sagittifolium (L.) (Araceae), were screened for antibiosis and antixenosis to Aphis gossypii Clover. Life history data for A. gossypii were collected by assessing survivorship and fecundity of aphids caged on taro leaves in the field. Significant differences in aphid reproductive rate and longevity were observed among the taro cultivars, and cultivars were ranked from most resistant to most susceptible. Antixenosis was assayed in the laboratory in a multiround choice test where A. gossypii were offered four leaf discs excised from different taro cultivars. Additionally, field observations of aphid abundance on taro cultivars were made to corroborate clip cage studies and laboratory experiments. 'Iliuaua','Rumung Mary','Maria', 'Ketan 36', and'Agaga' were the most resistant in terms of reducing aphid fecundity and survivorship, whereas the Iliuana,'Purple', 'TC-83001', and 'Putih 24' were least preferred in aphid choice tests. X. sagittifolium consistently exhibited strong aphid resistance. Resistant cultivars identified in this study may form the basis of breeding programs seeking to combine aphid resistance with other desirable agronomic traits in taro.

Origins of agriculture at Kuk Swamp in the highlands of New Guinea.

Multidisciplinary investigations at Kuk Swamp in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea show that agriculture arose independently in New Guinea by at least 6950 to 6440 calibrated years before the present (cal yr B.P.). Plant exploitation and some cultivation occurred on the wetland margin at 10,220 to 9910 cal yr B.P. (phase 1), mounding cultivation began by 6950 to 6440 cal yr B.P. (phase 2), and ditched cultivation began by 4350 to 3980 cal yr B.P. (phase 3). Clearance of lower montane rainforests began in the early Holocene, with modification to grassland at 6950 to 6440 cal yr B.P. Taro (Colocasia esculenta) was utilized in the early Holocene, and bananas (Musa spp.) were intensively cultivated by at least 6950 to 6440 cal yr B.P.