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Urbanization degrades natural habitats and creates new urban ecosystems like domestic gardens. The plant composition of these gardens varies with socio-economic factors and urban planning levels. However, the diversity and impact of introduced species are often poorly assessed, causing potential ecological imbalances (disruptions in the natural functioning and stability of ecosystems), particularly in Lubumbashi (DR Congo). The objective was to analyze the spatial structure, plant diversity, propagation strategies, and ecological functions of domestic gardens. Three distinct neighborhoods were selected: a planned, unplanned, and residential neighborhood. Twenty avenues (with five plots per avenue) were chosen to represent the diversity within each neighborhood, and stratified random sampling of plots was conducted to analyze gardening practices. Gardens were classified into types, and their vegetation was evaluated based on species origin and ecological impact. The analysis of domestic gardens in Lubumbashi reveals significant variations across different neighborhood types. Residential neighborhoods exhibit larger average garden sizes (315.1 m2), higher species richness (22 species), and larger plot sizes (1032 m2) compared to unplanned and planned neighborhoods, where garden areas and species richness are notably lower. Rectangular gardens dominate in unplanned areas, while planned neighborhoods feature more intentional landscaping elements, such as flowerbeds and hedges. The use of gardens for food production is prominent in planned areas (40.7%), whereas residential neighborhoods prioritize ornamentation (51.4%). The study identified 232 taxa across 68 families, with a predominance of exotic species (80%) in all neighborhoods, particularly in unplanned areas (82.25%). The data revealed that Mangifera indica and Persea americana are abundant in all neighborhoods, illustrating their adaptability to different urban contexts. Herbaceous species are most common, followed by woody plants, with vines being sparse. Species dispersal is primarily driven by human activities (anthropochory), accounting for over 85% in all neighborhoods. These findings highlight the strong human influence on the composition and structure of domestic gardens in Lubumbashi, emphasizing the dominance of exotic species and the importance of anthropogenic factors in shaping urban green spaces. Urban policies should incorporate strategies to minimize the negative impacts of exotic species on native flora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied spatial patterns of kinship in the offspring of the endangered Lodoicea maldivica, a dioecious palm that produces the largest seed of any plant. Previous research has suggested that restricted seed and pollen dispersal in populations resulted in strong spatial genetic structure. We used microsatellites to genotype young plants and their potential parents at four sites across the species' entire natural range. We determined the most likely parents of each young plant based on the spatial separation of each parent pair, their genetic relatedness, and the level of correlated paternity. We identified both parents (43 female, 54 male) for 139 of 493 young plants. Mean distance between parental pairs was 26.8 m. Correlated paternity was low (0.168), indicating that mother trees were often pollinated by several fathers. Parental pairs were more closely related than expected by chance, suggesting outbreeding depression. Our results highlight the apparent strong mate choice for close kin in parent pairs of surviving offspring. We discuss the alternative biological processes that could lead to this, including the potential for break-up of favourable allelic combinations necessary for the development of the palm's very large seed. Management implications include germinating seeds where they naturally fall, using a diverse range of male plants as pollen donors for hand pollination, and protecting the native community of gecko pollinators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to evaluate the nutritional, mineral, and phytochemical analyses of some selected wild edible plants from Tach Gaint District, Northwest Ethiopia. Proximate composition parameters (moisture, ash, crude fibre, crude fat, crude protein, carbohydrate, and energy) were evaluated using the methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, and elemental analysis was performed using the atomic absorption spectroscopy technique. Results from the nutritional analysis show that Erucastrum abyssinicum leaves had the highest crude protein content (17.47 ± 0.03 g/100 g), followed by Amaranthus graecizans (14.97 ± 0.03 g/100 g). The maximum moisture content (40.8 ± 0.00 g/100 g) and ash content (24.70 ± 0.15 g/100 g) were reported in the leaves of Amaranthus graecizans. The young shoots of Rumex abyssinicus had the highest crude fat content (14.07 ± 0.03 g/100 g) and the highest fibre content (34.70 ± 0.25 g/100 g), while the fruits of Opuntia ficus-indica had the highest amount of utilisable carbohydrate (44.4 ± 0.00 g/100 g) and the estimated energy value (326.4 ± 0.00 Kcal/100 g). Calcium was detected in considerable proportions (754.9 ± 0.23 mg/100 g) followed by iron (31.63 ± 0.03 mg/100 g) in Urtica simensis leaves and zinc content (3.09 ± 0.02 mg/100 g) in young shoots of Rumex abyssinicus. Qualitative phytochemical screening, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, triterpenes, saponins, and tannins were found in the methanolic extract of the plants. The results of this study suggest that the consumption of such nutrient-rich wild edible plants could help add a remarkable amount of nutrient and mineral in the human diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), a vital crop in global agriculture known for its high oil yield, predominantly features two fruit types: Dura and Tenera. Despite their economic importance, there's a paucity of research on how these varieties differ in bunch weight and fruit-tobunch ratio, key factors in optimizing oil palm cultivation and promoting sustainable practices. This study addresses this knowledge gap by examining the influence of Dura and Tenera fruit types on these parameters. We gathered data on bunch weight and fruit-to-bunch percentage from plantations cultivating both varieties. Our findings indicate Dura had a marginally higher mean bunch weight (18.88 kg) compared to Tenera (17.30 kg), and a similar trend was observed in the fruit-to-bunch ratio, with Dura at 73.29% and Tenera at 66.15%. These results suggest that the choice of fruit type should be a consideration in planting strategies. Further investigation is warranted into the genetic and environmental contributors to these observed disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indigenous food plants provide various social functions; they are crucial to food supply diversification efforts, and they improve food and nutrition security. Research has shown that indigenous foods' nutritional potential and advantages have yet to be adequately appreciated and explored. This systematic review discusses the various elements contributing to IF promotion, which may help increase their intake. Therefore, a systematic literature review was conducted to determine the availability, regularity of consumption, utilisation, preparation, harvesting, and preservation of indigenous foods. Additionally, this review details the knowledge, perceptions, and beliefs of IFs under these themes. The findings of this systematic review highlight the importance of promoting IFs through policies, the development of capabilities and skills, in-depth research, and an extensive indigenous food plant composition. The fact that Southern African populations do not value indigenous foods and their potential advantages appears to be a significant barrier. Furthermore, the younger generation has lost access to the older generations' indigenous food knowledge. Thus, the preservation of indigenous food knowledge in books and continuing education of the younger generation about the importance of consuming indigenous foods and the nutrition content they contain may help with its uptake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phyllanthus amarus Schum. and Thonn., a globally distributed herb is known for its several therapeutic potentials. P. amarus has a long history of use in the traditional system of medicine for over 2000 years owing to its wide array of secondary metabolites that confer significant medicinal attributes. Research on various aspects including ethnobotany, phytochemistry to bioactivity, or pharmacological studies has been conducted over the past several decades on this potent herb. P. amarus extracts have shown a broad range of pharmacological activities like hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antiviral, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimalarial, nephroprotective, diuretic, and several other properties. The present review compiles and covers literature and research of several groups across past decades to date and focuses on how the therapeutic significance of this plant can be further explored for future research either as herbal formulations, alternative medicine, or in the pharmaceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Street trees are always considered a vital part of urban green infrastructure in urbanized areas through mitigating the negative effects caused by urbanization taking part in human well-being. However, little is still known about their diversity, structure and protection, mostly in Lubumbashi city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), where the pace of urbanization is not only rapid but also unplanned. In this study, using an inventory, we have characterized the diversity, structure and protection measures of street trees along a land-use planning gradient in Lubumbashi for both planned and unplanned neighborhoods. From the results, a total of 1596 trees were encountered, comprising 40 species, 33 genera and 17 families, mostly dominated by exotic species (65%). In addition, most of the studied trees (63%) belonged to four species only (Jacaranda mimosifolia, Leucaena leucocephala, Mangifera indica, and Acacia auriculiformis) with Leucaena leucocephala and Jacaranda mimosifolia being highly represented in unplanned and planned neighborhoods, respectively. The most abundant diameter classes in the planned neighborhoods were those with at most 10 cm against the classes larger than 50 cm in the planned neighborhoods. In both neighborhoods, trees with protection equipment represent less than 35%. Furthermore, in planned neighborhoods notably, nearly half of the observed equipment is in a good condition. Despite the benefits associated with street trees, there is a need to reduce the proportion of exotic tree species by planting native utilitarian tree species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]