Yougasphree Naidoo

Ecophysiological responses of the salt marsh grass Spartina maritima to salinity

The effects of salinity on growth and productivity of Spartina maritima (Curtis) Fernald were investigated in glasshouse and field experiments in 2008. In the glasshouse study, plants were subjected to 2%, 10%, 20%, 40% and 80% sea water, with tidal simulation, for 10 months. Increase in salinity from 2% to 20% sea water increased biomass accumulation, CO2 exchange, quantum yield of Photosystem II (PSII), electron transport rate (ETR) through PSII, and intrinsic photochemical efficiency of PSII, while further increases in salinity to 80% resulted in significant decreases in these parameters. Concentrations of proline increased significantly with increase in salinity up to 80% sea water. In the field study, soil physicochemical conditions between streamside and inland sites were compared, and the constraints imposed by any differences on plant ecophysiological responses determined. At the inland site, soil water potential (ψ), electrical conductivity of the soil, total cations, and the concentrations of Na+, Ca2 +, Mg2 + and P, were significantly higher than those of the streamside site, while CO2 exchange, quantum yield of PSII, ETR through PSII, and intrinsic photochemical efficiency of PSII were significantly lower. The results suggest that S. maritima grows optimally at a salinity of about 20% sea water, and that higher salinity decreases growth and photosynthetic performance.

The foliar trichomes of Hypoestes aristata (Vahl) Sol. ex Roem. & Schult var aristata (Acanthaceae) a widespread medicinal plant species in tropical sub-Saharan Africa: with comments on its possible phylogenetic significance

The micromorphology of foliar trichomes of Hypoestes aristata var. aristata was studied using stereo, light and scanning microscopy (SEM). This genus belongs to the advanced angiosperm family Acanthaceae, for which few micromorphological leaf studies exist. Results revealed both glandular and non-glandular trichomes, the latter being more abundant on leaf veins, particularly on the abaxial surface of very young leaves. With leaf maturity, the density of non-glandular trichomes decreased. Glandular trichomes were rare and of two types: long-stalked capitate and globose-like peltate trichomes. Capitate trichomes were observed only on the abaxial leaf surface, while peltate trichomes were distributed on both adaxial and abaxial leaf surfaces.

The foliar trichomes of Plectranthus laxiflorus Benth [Lamiaceae]: an important medicinal plant

Abstract Plectranthus laxiflorus (family Lamiaceae), is an important medicinal plant, distributed east of the southern continental escarpment from Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The distribution and morphology of leaf trichomes of P. laxiflorus were investigated using a combination of light and scanning electron microscopy. The leaves of P. laxiflorus bear both glandular (peltate and capitate) and non-glandular trichomes which are distributed on both the adaxial and abaxial surfaces. Capitate types of trichomes were fewer and more sparsely distributed than the peltate type. Initiations of both glandular and non-glandular trichomes were observed at various stages of leaf development. However, the proportion of mature to immature trichomes increased with leaf maturity, with immature trichomes being exceedingly rare on fully mature leaves.

Ultrastructural responses of the desiccation tolerant plants Xerophyta viscosa and X. retinervis to dehydration and rehydration

This paper compares the changes in water content, chlorophyll a fluorescence and leaf ultrastructure during dehydration and rehydration in two desiccation tolerant plants Xerophyta viscosa and X. retinervis. Both species showed decreasing quantum efficiency of photosystem 2 (Fv/Fm) with decreasing water content. Extreme water loss observed after 25 d of dehydration resulted in considerable damage of leaf tissue ultrastructure. After rehydration, both species need several days to reconstitute their photosynthetic machinery.

Foliar secretory trichomes of Ocimum obovatum (Lamiaceae): micromorphological structure and histochemistry

This study characterises the micromorphology, ultrastructure and main chemical constituents of the foliar glandular trichomes of Ocimum obovatum using light and electron microscopy and a variety of histochemical tests. Two types of glandular trichomes occur on the leaves: large peltate and small capitate. The head of each peltate trichome is made up of four broad head cells in one layer. The head of each capitate trichome is composed of two broad head cells in one layer (type I) or a single oval head cell (type II, rare). In peltate heads, secretory materials are gradually transported to the subcuticular space via fracture in the four sutures at the connecting walls of the head cells. Release to the head periphery occurs through opposite fracture in the four sutures in the head cuticle. In type I capitate trichomes, release of the secretions to the subcuticular space occurs via a pore between the two head cells, and release to the head periphery occurs through the opposite pore in the head cuticle. In type II capitate trichomes, the secreted material is released from the head cell through a ruptured particular squared area at the central part of the head cuticle. These secretion modes are reported for the first time in the family Lamiaceae. Histochemical tests showed that the secretory materials in the glandular trichomes are mainly essential oils, lipophilic substances and polysaccharides. Large peltate trichomes contain a large quantity of these substances than the small capitate trichomes. Ultrastructural evidence suggests that the plastids produce numerous lipid droplets, and the numerous polysaccharide small vesicles are derived from Golgi bodies.

Comparative foliar epidermal micromorphology of Southern African Strychnos L. (Loganiaceae): taxonomic, ecological and cytological considerations

The micromorphology of the leaf epidermis of 11 species across four sections of southern African Strychnos was investigated using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. In addition to this, preliminary genome size was assessed with flow cytometry. Qualitative and quantitative results are presented for stomata, trichome and cuticular wax features with an emphasis on the abaxial epidermal surface. A correlated combination of these microscopic features was able to distinguish successfully among the 11 species of Strychnos found in the subcontinent. However, micromorphological evidence does not support the current circumscription of the sections. The often-confused S. gerrardii and S. madagascariensis are distinguishable on leaf micromorphological grounds. Stomata and trichome features show remarkable patterns that largely correlate with the ecological distribution of Strychnos species as either forest or savanna inhabitants. The significant variability in stomatal length across species is hypothesized to be indicative of possible existence of variable ploidy levels within the genus in southern African. However, preliminary genome size analyses with flow cytometry appear to be inconclusive.

Glandular trichomes of Ceratotheca triloba (Pedaliaceae): morphology, histochemistry and ultrastructure

This study was initiated to characterize the distribution, morphology, secretion mode, histochemistry and ultrastructure of the glandular trichomes of Ceratotheca triloba using light and electron microscopy. Its leaves bear two morphologically distinct glandular trichomes. The first type has long trichome with 8–12 basal cells of pedestal, 3–14 stalk cells, a neck cell and a head of four cells in one layer. The second type has short trichome comprising one or two basal epidermal cells, a unicellular or bicellular stalk and a multicellular head of two to eight cells. There is a marked circular area in the upper part of each head cell of the long trichome. This area is provided with micropores to exudate directly the secretory product onto the leaf surface by an eccrine pathway. The secretory product has copious amount of dark microbodies arising from plastids which are positive to Sudan tests and osmium tetroxide for unsaturated lipids. The secretion mode of short trichomes is granulocrine and involves two morphologically and histochemically distinct vesicle types: small Golgi-derived vesicles which are positive to Ruthenium Red test for mucilaginous polysaccharides; the second type is dark large microbodies similar to that of long trichomes with low quantity. These two types are stored in numerous peripheral vacuoles and discharge their contents accompanied by the formation of irregular invaginations of the plasmalemma inside the vacuoles via reverse pinocytosis. These two secretion modes of long and short trichomes are reported for the first time in the family Pedaliaceae. The long trichomes have more unsaturated lipids, while the short trichomes contain more mucilaginous polysaccharides.

An investigation of the glandular and non-glandular foliar trichomes of Orthosiphon labiatus N.E.Br. [Lamiaceae]

Abstract Using a combination of light (stereo and compound) and scaning electron microscopy, this study investigates the distribution and morphology of foliar trichomes of Orthosiphon labiatus (Lamiaceae) at different stages of leaf development. Three types of trichomes were observed: two glandular types (large peltate and small capitate) and one non-glandular type. Results revealed that the development of peltate trichomes was initiated in the early stages of leaf development. However, a higher number of developed peltate trichomes was observed in mature leaves, indicating an increase with age. Capitate trichomes are, by contrast, rare and sparsely distributed on both leaf surfaces. The highest density of non-glandular trichomes was observed on the abaxial leaf surface, especially along the veins, with the density decreasing with leaf maturity. This paper contributes towards the body of knowledge being assembled on the family Lamiaceae as it manifests in southern Africa.

Micromorphology, histochemistry and ultrastructure of the foliar trichomes of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae)

AbstractMain conclusionThe leaves ofWithania somniferacontained four morphologically distinct trichome types: glandular capitate, non-glandular dendritic (branched), non-glandular bicellular and non-glandular multicellular trichomes. Major phytochemical compounds present within glandular and non-glandular trichomes were alkaloids and phenolic compounds. The aim of this study was to characterize the micromorphology of the foliar trichomes of Withania somnifera as well as to elucidate the location and composition of the secretory products. Trichome density and length was also determined in three developmental stages of the leaves. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of four morphologically distinct trichome types: glandular capitate, non-glandular dendritic, non-glandular bicellular and non-glandular multicellular. The dendritic trichomes exhibited cuticular warts which are involved in the “Lotus-Effect”. Glandular capitate and non-glandular dendritic trichomes were aggregated on the mid-vein of young and mature leaves, possibly to protect underlying vasculature. Histochemical staining also revealed the presence of two major classes of phytochemical compounds that are of medicinal importance, i.e. alkaloids and phenolic compounds. These compounds are used to treat a wide variety of ailments and also act as chemical deterrents in plants. The results of this study explain possible roles of four morphologically distinct trichome types based on their morphology, foliar distribution and content.

Effects of Tulbaghia violacea Harv. (Alliaceae) rhizome methanolic extract on kidney function and morphology in Dahl salt-sensitive rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Tulbaghia violacea has been used traditionally for the treatment of several ailments, including hypertension. The herb has been shown to have antihypertensive properties which have been attributed to its angiotensin-converting enzymeinhibitory (ACEI) activity. It could, therefore, prove beneficial in ameliorating renal pathology associated with hypertension. To evaluate the effects of long-term administration of Tulbaghia violacea on renal function and morphology in the Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Male DSS rats were treated intra-peritoneally (i.p.) as follows: methanolic extract of Tulbaghia violacea: (TVL) (50 mg/kg/b.w.), captopril: (CAP) (25 mg/kg/b.w.), or distilled water, control: (CON) (3 ml/kg/b.w.). Blood pressure (BP) was measured bi-weekly, whilst 24-h urine volumes and electrolyte concentrations were assessed weekly. Animals were sacrificed on day 49 by halothane overdose. Blood was removed for determination of plasma and serum electrolytes. Left kidney tissues were harvested for the determination of nuclear factor-kappaβ (NF-kβ) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) gene expressions. RESULTS TVL significantly reduced mean arterial pressure (MAP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). TVL showed reduced blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, total protein in urine as well as increased serum total protein. TVL decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and increased glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and nitric oxide significantly. NF-kβ and TGF-β) gene expressions were significantly reduced in TVL and CAP treated rats. Moreover, renal morphology improved significantly in TVL and CAP treated animals. CONCLUSION TVL and CAP demonstrated marked improvement in renal function and morphology.