Studies on Methods of Breaking Seed Dormancy and Germination Enhancement in Senna Alata (L.) Roxb., A Plant With Great Medicinal Value (Published)
Senna alata is a plant with great medicinal value that belongs to Fabaceae family and grows as wild perennial shrubby species. Seeds of this species possess seed coat-induced dormancy. The seeds were subjected to different treatment methods and durations of exposure to break the dormancy and enhance germination. Treatments includes scarification with 60, 80 and 100% H2SO4 and HCL for 2, 4 and 6 min; exposure to 60, 80 and 100 0C dry (oven) and wet (hot water) heat for 2, 4 and 6 min; and soaking in water for 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, 84 and 96 h. The experimental results revealed that seeds scarified with 100% H2SO4 for 4 and 6 min were the most effective treatments for enhancing seed germination (both gave 100.00% germination), followed by 100 0C wet heat for 6 min (77.50%) and 80% H2SO4 for 6 min (70.00%). Other treatments were less effective. The treatments that gave significantly higher germination percentages also produced low MGT (1.80, 1.73, 2.71 and 1.51 days, respectively) and increased GI (90.25, 92.67. 63.00 and 65.00, respectively) without having any significant negative effects on the radicle length of the seedlings. These are desirable for field establishment and production of uniform plant population of S. alata
Keywords: Germination, Scarification, Seed Dormancy, medicinal plants
INVESTIGATION ON THE MEDICINAL AND NUTRITIONAL POTENTIALS OF SOME VEGETABLES CONSUMED IN EKITI STATE, NIGERIA (Published)
Nine medicinally important vegetables consumed in Ekiti State, Nigeria were analyzed to determine their proximate and phytochemical contents using standard analytical procedure. These vegetables are Corchorus. olitorious L., Cnidoscolus acontifolius Mill., Vernonia amygdalina L., Cucurbita pepo L., Ocimum gratissimum L., Senecio biafrae Olive & Heirn., Moringa oleifera L., Telfaria occidentalis Hook. F. and Hibiscus asper Hook. F.. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of reducing sugar in all the plant samples analyzed. Saponins and tannins were discovered in four of the plant samples. Seven of the nine plants have philobatannins and cardiac glycosides while alkaloids and steroids were detected in two samples. Anthroquinine was absent in all the vegetable plants. Quatitative phytochemical analysis further revealed reducing sugar, tannins, flavonoids, saponins alkanoids and phenols composition in different proportions, with values ranging from 141.88 mg/100g to 210.07 mg/100g, 44.05 mg/100g to 70.89 mg/100g, 11.71 mg/100g to 41.08 mg/100g, 0.76 mg/100g to 5.88 mg/100g, 163.77 mg/100g to 269.86 mg/100g, and 110.43 mg/100g to 116.68 mg/100g respectively. The percentage proximate values for moisture content, ash, crude fat, crude protein crude fibre and carbohydrate content in the leaves ranged from 50.20% to 88.30%, 7.67% to 10.17%, 1.53% to 4.99%, 13.70% to 24.90%, 10.10% to 21.81% and 40.99% to 53.04% respectively. The results of the study lend credence to the significance of the nine vegetables in the treatments and prevention of various ailments and diseases. Furthermore, high protein, fibre, carbohydrates and low fat contents justify their nutritional importance in human daily diet.
Keywords: Phytochemical, Proximate, Vegetables, medicinal plants