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BACKGROUND: Production of yellow and dark-green leafy vegetables at the household level may provide economically deprived households with direct access to provitamin A-rich foods. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine whether the dietary intake of yellow and dark-green leafy vegetables and the serum retinol concentrations of children improve with a home-gardening program. DESIGN: A home-gardening program was integrated with a community-based growth-monitoring system in a rural village. Cross-sectional data were collected at baseline and 20 mo after implementation of the program. The dietary intake, serum retinol concentrations, and growth of 2-5-y-old children and maternal knowledge regarding vitamin A were determined. A neighboring village served as a control village. RESULTS: In the experimental village, 126 home gardens were established, representing approximately one-third of the households. Serum retinol concentrations in the experimental village increased significantly (P = 0.0078), whereas those in the control village decreased significantly (P = 0.0148). At follow-up, children from the experimental village consumed yellow and dark-green leafy vegetables more often and had significantly higher (P = 0.005) serum retinol concentrations (0.81 +/- 0.22 micro mol/L; n = 110) than did children from the control village (0.73 +/- 0.19 micro mol/L; n = 111). Maternal knowledge regarding vitamin A improved significantly in the experimental village (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: A home-gardening program that was integrated with a primary health care activity, linked to nutrition education, and focused on the production of yellow and dark-green leafy vegetables significantly improved the vitamin A status of 2-5-y-old children in a rural village in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz) is an important root crop worldwide. It is adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions, exhibiting differential genotypic responses to varying environmental conditions. The objectives of this study were: (1) to examine the effect of genotype, environment and genotype × environment interaction (GEI) on fresh root yield (FRY) and dry matter content (DMC); and (2) to identify superior genotypes that exhibit high performance for the traits of interest using the genetic tools of additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and genotype stability index (GSI) analysis. Eleven cassava genotypes were evaluated in a randomized complete block design at six trial sites in South Africa. The combined analysis of variance based on AMMI revealed significant genotype, environment and GEI for the traits. The percentage variation due to GEI was higher than the percentage variation due to genotype for FRY, reflecting differential genotypic responses across the experimental sites. The proportion of variance due to genotype variation was larger for DMC. Genotype stability index (GSI) showed that UKF3 (G6), 98/0002 (G2) and P4/10 (G5) were the highest yielding and most stable genotypes for FRY, and 98/0002 (G1), UKF3 (G6) and UKF9 (G11) were the highest yielding and most stable genotypes for DMC. Cultivars 98/0002 and UKF3 were identified as providing high stability with superior fresh root yield and DMC. These genotypes could be recommended to farmers for food, feed and industrial applications without the need for further breeding. The AMMI-2 model clustered the testing environments into three mega-environments based on the winning genotypes for FRY and DMC. Mabuyeni (KwaZulu-Natal), Shatale (Mpumalanga) and Mandlakazi (Limpopo) would be the best testing sites in future cassava-genotype evaluation and breeding programs. This study provides a baseline for a future study on the GEI of cassava varieties, using a larger set of genotypes, factoring in seasonal variation.

Cassava is an important starchy root crop grown globally in tropical and subtropical regions. The ability of cassava to withstand difficult growing conditions and long-term storability underground makes it a resilient crop, contributing to food and nutrient security. This study was conducted to evaluate the performance and adaptability of exotic cassava cultivars across different environments in South Africa and to recommend genotypes for cultivation. A total of 11 cassava cultivars were evaluated at six on-farm sites, using a randomized complete block design with three replications. There were highly significant (p < 0.001) variations between genotypes, environments, and their interaction for all yield and yield-related traits studied. This indicates the need to test the genotypes in multiple environments before effective selection and commercialization can be undertaken. MSAF2 and UKF4 showed the overall best performances for most of the traits, whilst UKF9 (49.5%) and P1/19 (48.5%) had the highest dry matter yield. UKF4 (102.7 t ha−1) had the highest yield and greatest root yield stability across environments. MSAF2 did not perform consistently across environments because it was highly susceptible to cassava mosaic disease (CMD). MSAF2 could be used as a donor parent to generate novel clones with large numbers of marketable roots, and high fresh root yields, if the other parent can provide effective resistance to CMD. Based on genotype and environmental mean, Mabuyeni (KwaZulu-Natal), Mandlakazi (Limpopo), and Shatale (Mpumalanga) were found to be better environments for cassava cultivation and testing. This study is a pioneer in cassava research using multiple environments in South Africa. It provides baseline information on the performance of currently available cassava clones, their adaptation to multiple sites, the identification of suitable test sites, and information on current genetic resources for a future breeding program.

Traditional crops have historically provided accessible and affordable nutrition to millions of rural dwellers but have been neglected, with most modern agricultural systems over-reliant on a small number of internationally traded crops. Traditional crops are typically well-adapted to local agro-ecological conditions and many are nutrient-dense. They can play a vital role in local food systems through enhanced nutrition (particularly where diets are dominated by starch crops), food security and livelihoods for smallholder farmers, and a climate-resilient and biodiverse agriculture. Using short-read, long-read and phased sequencing technologies, we generated a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly for Amaranthus cruentus, an under-researched crop with micronutrient- and protein-rich leaves and gluten-free seed, but lacking improved varieties, with respect to productivity and quality traits. The 370.9 Mb genome demonstrates a shared whole genome duplication with a related species, Amaranthus hypochondriacus. Comparative genome analysis indicates chromosomal loss and fusion events following genome duplication that are common to both species, as well as fission of chromosome 2 in A. cruentus alone, giving rise to a haploid chromosome number of 17 (versus 16 in A. hypochondriacus). Genomic features potentially underlying the nutritional value of this crop include two A. cruentus-specific genes with a likely role in phytic acid synthesis (an anti-nutrient), expansion of ion transporter gene families, and identification of biosynthetic gene clusters conserved within the amaranth lineage. The A. cruentus genome assembly will underpin much-needed research and global breeding efforts to develop improved varieties for economically viable cultivation and realization of the benefits to global nutrition security and agrobiodiversity., (© 2021 The Authors. The Plant Journal published by Society for Experimental Biology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Variation in cultivars can influence plant biological activities. This study aimed to identify superior cultivars while determining the variability in the phytochemical content, antioxidant, alpha-glucosidase inhibitory and antibacterial activities of cladode extracts from selected spineless Burbank cactus pear ( Opuntia ficus-indica and Opuntia robusta ) cultivars. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride spectrophotometric methods, respectively. Antioxidant activity was investigated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and β-carotene linoleic acid assays. Alpha-glucosidase inhibition was determined using a spectrophotometric method and antibacterial activity using a non-polar (petroleum ether) and polar (50% methanol) extracts against two Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria. Significant variation in phytochemical content, antioxidant, antidiabetic and antibacterial activities was observed amongst the cultivars. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity varied widely with IC 50 values ranging from 0.06 to 1.85 mg/mL. Radical scavenging activity of Polypoly cultivar was about seven fold higher than that recorded in other cultivars with low activity. Turpin and Berg x Mexican cultivars had the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents, whilst the non-polar extract of Turpin also exhibited higher antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli . Sicilian Indian Fig was amongst the cultivars with a higher antioxidant activity, whilst also showing a strong inhibition against B. subtilis and E. coli . Polypoly cultivar demonstrated strong antioxidant and antidiabetic activities while its polar extract showed the highest total antibacterial activity against B. subtilis . The cultivar Malta was superior in terms of its antibacterial potency and efficacy against B. subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli . The potential of using spineless cactus pear cladodes as a functional food with antioxidant, antidiabetic and antibacterial properties against pathogenic food spoilage bacteria in place of synthetic compounds was established. The significance of cultivar selection to increase this potential was highlighted.

Taro [ Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott] has the potential to address food and nutrition insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the nutrient content of taro is yet to be fully elucidated. The objective of this study was to evaluate mineral element content as a proxy for nutritional value of different taro genotypes. The study evaluated 14 taro accessions at Roodeplaat and Umbumbulu in South Africa based on their calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), phosphorous (P) and zinc (Zn) content. The accessions were planted in a randomized complete block design, replicated three times under field conditions. The mineral element content varied significantly (p < 0.05) among the genotypes. Genotypes Amad7-2, Umbu8 and Amad101 exhibited high Ca (≥432 mg kg -1 ), Fe (≥32 mg kg -1 ) and Mg (≥229 mg kg -1 ) across the locations. The first principal component (PC) accounted for 33.7% of the variation and was strongly associated with Zn (r = 0.94, p < 0.001) and P (r = 0.89, p < 0.001). The second PC explained 29.7% of the variation and was associated with Na (r = 0.83, p < 0.001), Mg (r = 0.76, p < 0.001) and K (r = 0.55, p < 0.05). Fe and Mn contributed below the 12.5% threshold to the PCs and were considered as less discriminatory among the accessions. The negative correlations among some of the mineral elements would be a challenge for selection and breeding of nutritious taro accessions. This information is essential to select superior local accessions based on their mineral element content for developing breeding populations and lines for improving nutrition quality among poor households in sub-Saharan Africa., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Climate change, limited water resources and expected population increases would require crops which contribute toward more resilient, more productive, more sustainable and climate-smart food systems. The cactus pear is a drought-resistant and sustainable food source to humans and livestock alike. Cactus mucilage has multiple applications in the food and packaging industry. It is eco-friendly, economical, functional and has multiple health benefits. However, the researchers observed umpteen variations in extracted mucilage yield and viscosity every time the cladodes were harvested, making the standardisation of formulations troublesome. We aimed to examine the effect of weather conditions on the physicochemical characteristics of cactus pear cladodes and mucilage extracted over two seasons to understand these observed variations in mucilage characteristics. Forty cladodes, ten from each of Opuntia ficus-indica Algerian, Morado and Gymno-Carpo and Opuntia robusta Robusta were harvested every month from February to August in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Daily weather data were obtained, weight and moisture contents determined on cladodes and yield, viscosity, pH, conductivity and malic acid content determined on extracted mucilage. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between the weather conditions, cladode properties, and mucilage properties. Contrary to common belief, neither increasing cladode weight as they grow, nor rainfall were the leading causes of mucilage inconsistencies. However, the correlations showed a relationship between environmental temperatures, cladode pH and conductivity, and mucilage viscosity and yields. In hot summer weather, the pH was lower, which led to an abundance of positive ions in cladodes. The H+ ions neutralise the negative charges along the outstretched mucilage molecule, causing it to coil up, reducing the viscosity of the mucilage. Thus, environmental temperatures rather than rainfall or cladode maturity influenced the physicochemical characteristics of mucilage. The findings should make an essential contribution in predicting the physicochemical characteristics of mucilage for specific food-related functions by observing the weather conditions., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Cactus pear mucilage is a novel, inexpensive hydrocolloid that is used to add nutrients, body and texture to functional food products. However, varied physicochemical and technological properties of powders when cultivar and harvest month of cladodes differ could lead to differentiation in the application of mucilage powders. To that end, three Opuntia ficus - indica (Algerian, Morado and Gymno-Carpo) cultivars and one Opuntia robusta (Robusta) cultivar were harvested over a 6 month period and evaluated in this study. February mucilage powders were the most porous with highest oil absorption and oil holding capacity, lowest water holding and swelling capacity, and lowest ability to increase viscosity. August mucilage powders had the smallest impermeable particles, highest water holding and hydrophobic properties, as well as the best emulsifying capacity, stability and ability to increase viscosity. Opuntia robusta produced brighter, darker green, more viscous mucilage while Opuntia ficus - indica powders were dull, light yellow-green with a lower viscosity and emulsifying capacity. Overall, the mucilage powders were easy to pour and free-flowing yet were microbiologically safe due to low water activity and pH levels. Robusta mucilage was successfully applied in mayonnaise products to replace up to 50% egg yolk and 30% oil. It was concluded that mucilage powders might contribute to the textural and nutritional quality of food products. The acceptance of mucilage powder as an active functional and nutraceutical food ingredient will also lead to the development of cactus as a commercially viable crop in arid and semi-arid areas where few other crops can survive.