African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 8 (7), pp. 001-006, July, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Preparation of value added products from the leaf powders of dehydrated less utilized green leafy vegetables

Pallavi Joshi* and Beena Mathur

Department of Home Science, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India.

Accepted 20 October, 2019

Abstract

In India various types of under utilized foods are available seasonally but are not utilized to the extent they should be in spite of their higher nutritive value. Looking into the prevalence of high level of micronutrient malnutrition among the vulnerable sections, utilization of under utilized foods can be explored to overcome nutritional disorders. Through this study an attempt was made to analyze the nutritional potential and acceptability of leaf mixtures (LM) prepared from the less utilized leaves of beet root (Beta vulgaris), carrot (Daucus carota), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea) and turnip (Brassica rapa) which are usually discarded or are used as animal fodder. The leaf mixture was prepared by mixing the powders of above mentioned greens in a definite ratio (1:2:1:1). The LM was analyzed for the proximate composition, mineral composition (Ca, P, Fe, Cu, Zn Mn and Mg) and antinutritional composition (oxalate and phenols). Twenty different recipes with different levels (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) of LM incorporation were prepared and were assessed for quality on the basis of sensory attributes. The products were well accepted to the level of 10%. Protein, iron and calcium content were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the LM incorporated recipes and the increase was directly proportional to the level of leaf mixture incorporated.

Key words: Green leafy vegetables, underutilized, dehydrated.

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 8 (6), pp. 001-007, June, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Indigenous knowledge of the traditional vegetable pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima/moschata) from Zimbabwe

Oswell Farai Ndoro², Rufaro M. Madakadze¹*, Susan Kageler² and Arnold B. Mashingaidze²

¹Department of Agriculture, University of Zululand, P Bag X1001, KwaDlangezwa, Empangeni, 3886, South Africa.

²Department of Crop Science, University of Zimbabwe, P O. Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Accepted 11 November, 2019

Abstract

A survey was conducted in four districts of Manicaland province of Zimbabwe on pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima or Cucurbita moschata) to document ethnobotanical knowledge of the pumpkin and to identify the local landraces. Informal surveys for key informants, formal surveys and focus group discussions and other participatory rural appraisal approaches were used in the study. Seven distinct landraces of pumpkin were identified by local names as “Nzunzu”, “Ditimanga”, “Ndodo”, “Hokore”, “Musatani”, “Dasanana”, and “Muzwere”. Landrace “Nzunzu” was the most popular followed by “Ditimanga” and “Ndodo”. The most prevalent landraces by area were “Nzunzu” (65% of respondents), followed by “Ditimanga”, “Hokore” and “Musatani”. One landrace (Musatani), was specifically grown by the local people as a leafy vegetable mainly and was available all year round. Landrace “Nzunzu” had large variegated fruit while “Ditimanga” has large creamy yellow to white fruit. Landraces “Nzunzu”, “Hokore” and “Ndodo” have variegated leaves perceived to be resistant to powdery mildew while the rest of the landraces had plain leaves. The pumpkin is grown mostly in intercrops mainly with maize, (85 % respondents) and was planted and grown mainly in summer (67%) as the crop is damaged by frost. Pumpkin is mainly fertilized by cattle manure and most respondents (62%) do not apply an N side dress to the crop. Leaf harvest started 2 - 3 weeks after emergence in landraces such as “Nzunzu” and “Ditimanga” while the other landraces can be started at about 4 weeks after emergence. The pumpkin leaves are consumed 3 - 4 times a week during the rainy season. The main problem during production of pumpkin was insect pests and diseases. Farmers use mainly retained seed (71.9%) for planting that is stored in any available container in the home. This study highlighted local indigenous knowledge of pumpkins and established a baseline of the cultural practices carried out by smallholder farmers.

Key words: Pumpkin, traditional vegetables, landraces, indigenous knowledge, Zimbabwe and participatory approaches.

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-006, May, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Proximate composition and micronutrient potentials of three locally available wild fruits in Nigeria

Oladejo Thomas Adepoju

Department Of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. E-mail: [email protected]: (+234) 8033257333.

Accepted 13 August, 2019

Abstract

Spondias mombin, Dialium guineense and Mordii whytii which grow wild and are consumed raw in the South-west and Middle belt of Nigeria were analysed for their nutrition potential in meeting some or all of micronutrients needs of consumers. Nutrient composition and antinutrional factors of the fresh fruit pulps were determined using standard methods of AOAC. Results of proximate analyses showed their moisture content to be 82.3, 71.5 and 4.0 g /100 g for S. mombin, M. whytii and D. guineense, respectively. Their crude protein ranged between 2.6 and 8.3 g, crude lipid 1.6 to 2.0 g, crude fibre 0.6 to 11.8 g, ash 1.0 to 6.8 g /100 g; and total carbohydrate was 7.9, 8.9 and 84.0 g /100 g sample for S. mombin, M. whytii and D. guineense, respectively. The fruit pulps were rich in sodium (360.0 – 400.0 mg), magnesium (300.0 – 465.0 mg) and potassium (260.0 - 410.0 mg) /100 g. M. whyti was rich in calcium (300 mg) and phosphorus (170 mg). Their iron and zinc content ranged between 2.0 and 4.1 mg and 0.2 – 2.2 mg, respectively; while retinol equivalents ranged between 84.9 and 361.5 g /100 g fresh sample. The fruit pulps were low in all antinutritional factors studied and can serve as good sources of micronutrients.

Key words: Spondias mombin, Mordii whytii, Dialium guineense, proximate composition, micronutrient potentials.

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 8 (5), pp. 001-007, May, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Estimation of certain chemical constituents of fruits of selected tomato genotypes grown in Turkey

Ahmet Turhan¹* and Vedat Seniz²

¹Department of Industrial Plants Cultivation and Evaluation, Mustafakemalpasa Vocational School, University of Uludag, 16500 Bursa, Turkey.

²Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uludag, 16059 Gorukle, Bursa, Turkey.

Accepted 17 September, 2019

Abstract

This research was carried out in years 2005 and 2006 in order to compare quality characteristics of some tomato genotypes grown in Turkey. In the study, 33 tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) genotypes were used as plant material. Research was laid out in randomized block design with 3 replications, 10 plants in each replication. The fruit was analyzed for dry matter weight, sugar content, soluble solid content, titratable acids and pH contents. According to the results, 40443 and 62573 genotypes with their high values of dry matter content, sugar, soluble solid content and appropriate levels of titratable acids and pH contents should be considered potential candidates in future breeding, fresh and processing tomato programs.

Key words: Tomato, genotype, quality.

African Journal of Wood Science and Forestry ISSN 2375-0979 Vol. 8 (4), pp. 001-009, April, 2020. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

A canker and dieback disease threatening the cultivation of Grevillea robusta on small-scale farms in Kenya

Jane W. Njuguna^1,2*, Pia Barklund¹, Katarina Ihrmark¹ and Jan Stenlid¹

¹Department of Forest Mycology and Pathology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7026 SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden.

²Kenya Forestry Research Institute, P. O. Box 20412, City Square 00200 Nairobi, Kenya.

Accepted 14 October, 2019

Abstract

A canker and dieback disease was recently reported on Grevillea robusta in east Africa but little was known about its magnitude, distribution and associated pathogens. In our survey of the disease approximately 36% of 17,994 G. robusta trees assessed showed canker and dieback symptoms. Disease index increased from the humid zone (18%) and to the semi-arid zones (67%). Tree mortality increased from 0.3 to 20% respectively on the same scale and was highest in trees less than 7 years old in all zones. Disease index and tree mortality showed positive correlations with drought period which increased from an average of 0.7 months (humid) to 7 months (semi-arid zones). Both variables showed negative correlations with farm altitude. Disease index was higher in the woodlots compared to other types of tree planting in all zones. Two Botryosphaeriaceae species, Neofusicoccum parvum and Lasiodiplodia theobromae known to be pathogenic on G. robusta were highly abundant in severely diseased stems and branches and their occurrence also showed positive correlations with disease severity. From the results of this study, it was recommended that G. robusta should not be planted in the semi arid zones of Kenya, due to its susceptibility to the canker and dieback disease.

Key words: Agro-ecological zones, agroforestry, Botryosphaeriaceae, canker and dieback disease, disease index, Grevillea robusta.