Joachim Sauerborn

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants utilised by Hani ethnicity in Naban River Watershed National Nature Reserve, Yunnan, China.

AIM OF THE STUDY This study was conducted in the Naban River Watershed National Nature Reserve to identify and analyse knowledge and use of wild plants for medicinal purposes by Hani ethnicity and to search out culturally as well as economically important plant species and land use types. MATERIAL AND METHODS Ethnobotanical data was collected using freelisting interviews with randomly selected informants and semi-structured as well as field interviews. Plant specimens were collected, identified and deposited at the Herbarium of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Mengla, Yunnan Province, China. Data were analysed by use-reports, in addition important indices like relative frequency of citation (RFC) and cultural importance index (CI) were calculated. Smiths salience index was assessed using Anthropac 4.08. Consensus analysis was applied to measure informant agreement on plants used in different medicinal use categories. RESULTS A total of 199 medicinal plants belonging to 73 families were recorded. Dominant families are Asteraceae (5.5%), Piperaceae and Verbenaceae (4.5%), Fabaceae, Liliaceae (4.0%) and Euphorbiaceae, Lamiaceae and Solanaceae (3.5%). Most culturally salient species from freelisting analysis were Dendrobium crepidatum Lindl. ex Paxt. (Smiths SI=0.41), Aristolochia sp. (0.306), Microstegium ciliatum (Trin.) A. Camus (0.129), Eupatorium coelestinum L. (0.119), Litsea martabanica (Kurz) Hook. F. (0.116) and Psidium guajava L. (0.103). The majority of the utilised species were collected from forest (51.9%), followed by fallow land (22.52%), arable fields (14.5%), and homegardens (11.08%). CONCLUSIONS It became clear that the knowledge of medicinal plants is not homogenously distributed among Hani. Based on the percentage of collected medicinal plants from four habitat types, forest is the most important source of medicinal plants for Hani but when considering the cultural importance of species it seems that homegardens are slightly more important than other habitats.

Microorganisms of Striga hermonthica in Northern Ghana with Potential as Biocontrol Agents

A survey of microorganisms of Striga hermonthica Del. Benth., a root parasite of graminaceous crops, was conducted in northern Ghana in 1992. Thirteen fungal species were isolated from infected S. hermonthica plants. Fusarium spp. were the most prevalent, and were isolated from more than 90% of the S. hermonthica samples collected. Other fungi isolated were Alternaria alternata, Bipolaris specifera, Cladosporium oxysporum, Curvularia falax, Macrophomina phaseolina, Nodulisporium gregarium, Phoma sorghina and Sclerotium rolfsii.

Fusarium nygamai, a potential bioherbicide for Striga hermonthica control in sorghum

Abstract Glasshouse trials were performed to investigate the control of the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica by Fusarium nygamai and the performance of the host plant sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) using different inoculum substrates and inoculum amounts of the fungus. Optimal constant and alternating temperatures for the growth of the fungus were 25°C and 30 20° C , respectively. Striga incidence was decreased up to 100% when the fungus was incorporated into the soil preplanting. Emerged Striga plants at different stages of growth up to the flowering stage were killed by the fungus when the fungus was applied postemergent. In root-chamber trials none of the Striga seeds germinated when 10 ml inoculum suspension of 8 × 106 spores/ml of F. nygamai was applied on seeds of the parasitic weed sprinkled on the surface of filter paper. F. nygamai has potential as a bioherbicide for Striga control. Further studies regarding its performance under field conditions and its safety to the environment and humans should be assessed.

Skyfarming an ecological innovation to enhance global food security

Population growth increases the demand for food and thus leads to expansion of cultivated land and intensification of agricultural production. There is a definite limit to both of these options for food security and their multiple negative effects on the environment undermine the aim for sustainability. Presently the impact of the Green Revolution on crop production is levelling off at high yields attained and even the potential of large scale irrigation programmes and transgenic crops seem to be limited in view of the expected increase in demand for food. Moreover, climate change threatens to affect agricultural production across the globe. Skyfarming represents a promising approach for food production that is largely environment independent and therefore immune to climate change. Optimal growing conditions, shielded from weather extremes and pests are aimed at raising plant production towards the physiological potential. Selecting rice as a pioneer crop for Skyfarming will not only provide a staple for a large part of the global population, but also significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emission caused by paddy cultivation. Multiplication of the benefits could be achieved by stacking production floors vertically. In Skyfarming the crop, with its requirements for optimal growth, development and production, determines the system’s design. Accordingly, the initial development must focus on the growing environment, lighting, temperature, humidity regulation and plant protection strategies as well as on the overall energy supply. For each of these areas potentially suitable technologies are presented and discussed.ZusammenfassungDer steigende Bedarf an Nahrungsmitteln infolge einer weiterhin exponentiell wachsenden Weltbevölkerung erfordert enorme Anstrengungen seitens der Agrarwirtschaft, die bislang mit Ausdehnung der Anbauflächen und mit Intensivierung der landwirtschaftlichen Produktion reagierte. Beiden Optionen zur Sicherung der Welternährung sind physische und biologische Grenzen gesetzt und die landwirtschaftlichen Aktivitäten führen ihrerseits zu mannigfaltigen Umweltwirkungen, die die ökologische Tragfähigkeit der Erde mindern können. Durch die Grüne Revolution konnte ein rasanter Anstieg der Nahrungsmittelproduktion erreicht werden, jedoch ist in einigen Regionen das Ertragspotential bestimmter Feldfrüchte nahezu erreicht und die Erwirtschaftung zusätzlicher Ertragssteigerungen wird zunehmend schwieriger. Auch der mögliche Beitrag von Bewässerungsprogrammen und seitens genetisch veränderter Varietäten scheint angesichts des zu erwartenden Anstiegs beim Nahrungsmittelbedarf begrenzt. Darüber hinaus sind negative Auswirkungen des Klimawandels auf die landwirtschaftliche Produktion zu erwarten. Skyfarming ist ein Ansatz zur weitgehend umwelt- und somit klimaunabhängigen Nahrungsmittelproduktion im Hochhaus. Unter optimalen Wachstumsbedingungen, geschützt vor Wetterextremen und Schadorganismen soll das physiologische Produktionspotential der Pflanzen weitestgehend ausgeschöpft werden. Mit Reis als Modellpflanze für Skyfarming wird einerseits ein wichtiges Grundnahrungsmittel bereitgestellt und andererseits die Möglichkeit eröffnet die durch den Naßreisanbau verursachte Emissionen klimarelevanter Gase signifikant zu reduzieren. Eine Vervielfachung des Ertrages ließe sich durch die vertikale Anordnung mehrerer Produktionsebenen erreichen. Bei Skyfarming steht die Kulturpflanze, mit ihren spezifischen Ansprüchen für optimale Entwicklung und Wachstum im Vordergrund eines systemischen Ansatzes. Dementsprechend muss der Fokus zu Beginn der Technologieentwicklung auf folgende Bereiche gerichtet sein: Wachstumsraum, Beleuchtung, Temperatur, Luftfeuchteregulierung, Pflanzenschutzstrategien, sowie – übergeordnet – Energieversorgung. Für jeden dieser Bereiche werden entsprechende Technologien vorgestellt und diskutiert.

A comparison of the wild food plant use knowledge of ethnic minorities in Naban River Watershed National Nature Reserve, Yunnan, SW China

BackgroundWild food plants (WFPs) contribute to the nutrition, economy and even cultural identity of people in many parts of the world. Different factors determine the preference and use of WFPs such as abundance, availability, cultural preference, economic conditions, shortage periods or unsecure food production systems. Understanding these factors and knowing the patterns of selection, use and cultural significance and value of wild food plants for local communities is helpful in setting priorities for conservation and/or domestication of these plants. Thus in this study knowledge of wild food plant use among four groups namely Dai, Lahu, Hani and Mountain Han in Naban River Watershed National Nature Reserve ((NRWNNR), Xishuangbanna were documented and analyzed to find the similarity and difference among their plant use.MethodsData on wild food plant use was collected through freelisting and semi-structured interviews and participatory field collection and direct observation. Botanical plant sample specimens were collected, prepared, dried and identified.ResultsA total of 173 species and subspecies from 64 families and one species of lichen (Ramalina sp.) are used as WFP. There were differences on the saliency of wild food plant species among four ethnic groups. Consensus analysis revealed that knowledge of wild food plant use for each ethnic group differs from others with some variation in each group. Among informant attributes only age was related with the knowledge of wild food plant use, whereas no significant relationship was found between gender and age*gender and informants knowledge of wild food plant use.ConclusionWild food plants are still used extensively by local people in the NRWNNR, some of them on a daily base. This diversity of wild food plants provide important source of nutrients for the local communities which much of their caloric intake comes from one or few crops. The results also show the role of ethnicity on the preference and use of wild food plants. There is a big potential for harvesting, participatory domestication and marketing of WFPs especially in the tourism sector in the area.

Vascular Plant Species Inventory of a Philippine Lowland Rain Forest and its Conservation Value

The Philippines are one of the most important biodiveristy hotspots on earth. Due to the extraordinary rate of environmental destruction, leaving only 3% of the land with primary forest, this biodiversity is at high risk. Despite that situation information on Philippine forest vegetation is fragmentary and focused on trees. This study aimed at analysing forest remnants in the Leyte Cordillera on the Island of Leyte, and at evaluating their role as refuge to the largely destroyed lowland forest vegetation. A total of 49 plots (100 m2 each) between 55 and 520 m a.s.l. were studied. All vascular plant species except epiphytes were included. Records include 685 taxa from 289 genera and 111 families, representing nearly 8% of the known Philippine vascular plant species. More than half (52%) of the species are Philippine endemics. A number of 41 tree species, or 6% of all taxa recorded, are included in the IUCN red list, either as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. Life form composition was dominated by phanerophytes (65.3%), followed by lianas and chamaephytes (17.1 and 16.9%, respectively). The most common families were the Rubiaceae with 35 and the Euphorbiaceae with 32 species. All five Philippine dipterocarp forest types as well as the molave forest type were represented by typical tree species. The area provides an important gene bank of the highly threatened Philippine lowland forest vegetation and is of high value for biodiversity conservation. Additionally, it can play an important role as seed source of valuable tree species for the increasing initiatives to rehabilitate and reforest degraded land with native species.

Induced resistance—an innovative approach to manage branched broomrape (Orobanche ramosa) in hemp and tobacco

Abstract This study indicates that induced disease resistance might be useful to control branched broomrape. Strains of the rhizosphere bacteria Pseudomonas spp. (Proradix®), salicylic acid derivates (Bion®), and extracts of the algae Ascophyllum nodosum L. (Goemar Fruton Spezial®) can decrease branched broomrape infection to 80%. Results suggest that agents working as elicitors for resistance in other plant–pathogen interactions by induced systemic resistance or by systemic acquired resistance also could reduce branched broomrape infestation. These findings suggest that activation of immune responses before infection of plants could be an innovative control method for parasitic weeds. Nomenclature: Bion®, benzo-(1,2,3)-thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl ester; branched broomrape, Orobanche ramosa L. ORARA.

Increasing control reliability of Orobanche cumana through integration of a biocontrol agent with a resistance-inducing chemical

AbstractFusarium oxysporum Schlecht. f.sp. orthoceras (Appel & Wollenw.) Bilai is a potential biocontrol agent against the root-parasitic weed Orobanche cumana. In pot experiments with different sunflower cultivars, the application of F. oxysporum was combined with a treatment of BTH (Benzo(1,2,3)thiadiazole-7-carbothioic acid S-methyl ester), a product known to induce resistance against O. cumana in sunflower. The combined treatments resulted in highly reliable control and sometimes in increased control level compared to the Fusarium treatment alone. In laboratory experiments, no enhancing effect of BTH on virulence and growth of the fungus was observed. Future experiments should further investigate the basic mechanisms of the effect achieved by combining the two control strategies as well as the transfer of this innovative control approach into field experiments.

Assessing the sustainability of wheat-based cropping systems using simulation modelling: sustainability = 42?

Abstract Concepts of agricultural sustainability and possible roles of simulation modelling for characterising sustainability were explored by conducting, and reflecting on, a sustainability assessment of rain-fed wheat-based systems in the Middle East and North Africa region. We designed a goal-oriented, model-based framework using the cropping systems model Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM). For the assessment, valid (rather than true or false) sustainability goals and indicators were identified for the target system. System-specific vagueness was depicted in sustainability polygons—a system property derived from highly quantitative data—and denoted using descriptive quantifiers. Diagnostic evaluations of alternative tillage practices demonstrated the utility of the framework to quantify key bio-physical and chemical constraints to sustainability. Here, we argue that sustainability is a vague, emergent system property of often wicked complexity that arises out of more fundamental elements and processes. A ‘wicked concept of sustainability’ acknowledges the breadth of the human experience of sustainability, which cannot be internalised in a model. To achieve socially desirable sustainability goals, our model-based approach can inform reflective evaluation processes that connect with the needs and values of agricultural decision-makers. Hence, it can help to frame meaningful discussions, from which actions might emerge.

Ethnobotanical knowledge of Philippine lowland farmers and its application in agroforestry

Complex agroforestry systems that mimic local forest structure, so-called ‘analogs’, are assumed to be of specific value to rural people as well as the environment. The objective of this study was to document and evaluate the utilization of plant resources by Philippine lowland farmers to identify native species suitable for integration in such a system. The interviewed farmers maintain a comprehensive ethnobotanical knowledge. They reported using 122 plant species for 77 purposes. Eighty species have medicinal value, 35 provide food, and 32 serve other uses. About 64% of the identified species are Philippine natives. The life form composition of these species is dominated by trees but also includes herbs, lianas, and graminoids, thus providing the structural elements required in analog systems. Nevertheless, only a few of the species seem to be promising for cultivation. Many of them are ubiquitous in the vicinity of villages. Some species are also not much appreciated but act as staple food only during food shortage. Even though several of the species have proven market value, such as rattan (e.g. Calamusmerrillii), or are reputed medicines, such as ‘Philippine ginseng’ (Sarcandra glabra), no cultivation could be observed. This shows that usefulness in itself cannot be the only criterion to promote species but that it requires a careful analysis of the marketability of the respective species. In this context we suggest the following three species that are of proven medicinal value for in-depth study: the liana Tinospora crispa (Menispermaceae), the tree Picrasma javanica (Simaroubaceae), and the herb Sarcandra glabra (Chloranthaceae). They represent three different life form strategies and would thus fit well in vertically structured agroforestry systems.