Bambara groundnut (BGN) is a protein-rich pulse with the ability to lead to more climate-resilient agriculture. The objective of this study was to review Alectra vogelii as a potential threat to BGN production as a re...Bambara groundnut (BGN) is a protein-rich pulse with the ability to lead to more climate-resilient agriculture. The objective of this study was to review Alectra vogelii as a potential threat to BGN production as a result of climate change. However, the crop faces biotic and abiotic stresses. Alectra vogelii is a major biotic constraint to BGN production, especially in Africa’s non-fertile semi-arid regions. Alectra vogelii (L.) Benth is a parasitic weed in the Orobanchaceae family that causes major damage by forming haustoria attached to roots to enable absorption of nutrients from the BGN. Alectra vogelii produces a large number of minute seeds that can live in the soil for up to 20 years. Based on the reviewed literature, various control mechanisms for dealing with the harmful effects of Alectra vogelii have been proposed. The aim of this research was to reveal the effect of Alectra vogelii on BGN and possible control strategies. We discuss the different control methods such as cultural and mechanical management procedures, phosphorus fertilizers and resistant host crops, herbicide use, and integrated Alectra vogelii control methods. In adaptive methods, however, new techniques remain important. The life cycle of root parasitic weeds is inextricably linked to that of their host, making it an ideal target for such new control techniques, especially when aimed at the early stages of the host-parasite relationship. This review reveals additional information on the function of parasitic seed, strigolactones and how they can be used in breeding to management parasitic weeds.展开更多
Watermelon research in Southern Africa, has predominantly observed the clear existence of the sweet watermelon and cow melon forms of watermelon, cultivated on farm and even some occurring in the wild. Molecular chara...Watermelon research in Southern Africa, has predominantly observed the clear existence of the sweet watermelon and cow melon forms of watermelon, cultivated on farm and even some occurring in the wild. Molecular characterization of 48 watermelon accessions collected from National Genebank of Zimbabwe using 9 SSR markers generated a total of 49 putative alleles. The average number of alleles detected by each primer was 5.4. Analysis of molecular variance within and among accessions of watermelons revealed that only 39% of the total variation resides between these two groups (cow-melons and sweet watermelons), 24% between accession within groups and 37% within accessions. Multivariate analyses employed provide evidence of the existence of introgression between sweet water melons and cow melons, as reflected by some accessions of cow melons, clustering into a hybridogenous group. Most of watermelon accessions within the hybridogenous group [A (II)] were collected from drier communal areas, while those accessions within the cow melon group [A (I)] are mostly from research centers. The separation of cow melons into distinct groups could be indicative of a possible formation of an isolated evolutionary unit.展开更多
文摘Bambara groundnut (BGN) is a protein-rich pulse with the ability to lead to more climate-resilient agriculture. The objective of this study was to review Alectra vogelii as a potential threat to BGN production as a result of climate change. However, the crop faces biotic and abiotic stresses. Alectra vogelii is a major biotic constraint to BGN production, especially in Africa’s non-fertile semi-arid regions. Alectra vogelii (L.) Benth is a parasitic weed in the Orobanchaceae family that causes major damage by forming haustoria attached to roots to enable absorption of nutrients from the BGN. Alectra vogelii produces a large number of minute seeds that can live in the soil for up to 20 years. Based on the reviewed literature, various control mechanisms for dealing with the harmful effects of Alectra vogelii have been proposed. The aim of this research was to reveal the effect of Alectra vogelii on BGN and possible control strategies. We discuss the different control methods such as cultural and mechanical management procedures, phosphorus fertilizers and resistant host crops, herbicide use, and integrated Alectra vogelii control methods. In adaptive methods, however, new techniques remain important. The life cycle of root parasitic weeds is inextricably linked to that of their host, making it an ideal target for such new control techniques, especially when aimed at the early stages of the host-parasite relationship. This review reveals additional information on the function of parasitic seed, strigolactones and how they can be used in breeding to management parasitic weeds.
文摘Watermelon research in Southern Africa, has predominantly observed the clear existence of the sweet watermelon and cow melon forms of watermelon, cultivated on farm and even some occurring in the wild. Molecular characterization of 48 watermelon accessions collected from National Genebank of Zimbabwe using 9 SSR markers generated a total of 49 putative alleles. The average number of alleles detected by each primer was 5.4. Analysis of molecular variance within and among accessions of watermelons revealed that only 39% of the total variation resides between these two groups (cow-melons and sweet watermelons), 24% between accession within groups and 37% within accessions. Multivariate analyses employed provide evidence of the existence of introgression between sweet water melons and cow melons, as reflected by some accessions of cow melons, clustering into a hybridogenous group. Most of watermelon accessions within the hybridogenous group [A (II)] were collected from drier communal areas, while those accessions within the cow melon group [A (I)] are mostly from research centers. The separation of cow melons into distinct groups could be indicative of a possible formation of an isolated evolutionary unit.
