South African Journal of Botany最新文献

{"title":"The Rise of Stoebe vulgaris (formally treated as Seriphium plumosum) in South Africa: A Critical Review of Nearly a Century of Research","authors":"Arnim Marquart,&nbsp;Tshepiso Mangani,&nbsp;Leslie R Brown","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Stoebe vulgaris</em> is a dominant woody shrub in South African grasslands and savannas, widely recognized for its aggressive encroachment into degraded rangelands. Despite its ecological and economic significance, research on this species has historically been fragmented across fields such as taxonomy, ecology, control strategies, phytochemistry, and remote sensing. This systematic review synthesizes nearly a century of scientific literature (n = 106) to critically evaluate the scope, trends, and gaps in <em>S. vulgaris</em> research. Ecological studies reveal <em>S. vulgaris</em> preference for disturbed, nutrient-poor soils, and fire-prone systems, yet regional variation in environmental response remains poorly understood. While numerous control strategies have been tested, few link treatment outcomes to plant traits, site conditions, or long-term vegetation recovery. Emerging research on phytochemistry and remote sensing offers promising tools for management but are limited in scope and geographic coverage. Additionally, the species’ taxonomic history has been complex. Recent genomic analyses identified <em>S. vulgaris</em> as part of the <em>Seriphium plumosum</em> complex and proposed dividing the broad concept into seven ecologically distinct species. While this clarification narrows the ecological and geographical characteristics of the problem species major challenges remain for ecological modeling, remote detection, and management approaches. Crucially, broader ecosystem-level impacts such as effects on biodiversity, soil, water dynamics, and herbivore movement remain understudied. We identify key research gaps and call for an integrated, ecologically grounded, and spatially comprehensive research framework to improve monitoring and control of <em>S. vulgaris</em> and to ensure the sustainability of South Africa’s rangelands.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 447-456"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146173863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the potential of essential oil from Oxalis latifolia leaves against the bacterial skin disease impetigo by in vitro and in silico approaches","authors":"Arumugam Vignesh ,&nbsp;Ibraheem Thoufeeq Ahamed ,&nbsp;Fahad M. Aldosari ,&nbsp;Ghadah Shukri Albakri ,&nbsp;Krishna Kumar Yadav","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.02.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.02.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the pharmacological potential of the hydrodistilled essential oil (EOs) of <em>Oxalis latifolia</em> Kunth. against the bacterial skin disease impetigo. Quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed meaningful levels of secondary metabolites, including total phenolics (78.95 ± 4.01 GAE mg/100 mg), flavonoids (43.67 ± 3.01 QE mg/100 mg), and tannins (12.08 ± 2.81 GAE mg/100 mg). Strong antioxidant activity was observed in the DPPH^• assay (78.12 ± 4.34%), ABTS^•+ radical scavenging activity (82.35 ± 7.91 µM TE/g), and FRAP assay (54.42 ± 4.19 mM Fe(II)/mg). The EOs exhibited potent anti-inflammatory effects across hypotonic hemolysis (74.25 ± 3.12%), heat-induced hemolysis (63.76 ± 4.08%), egg albumin denaturation (72.31 ± 5.36%), and BSA denaturation assays (79.24 ± 6.14%). The GC–MS analysis identified 31 bioactive compounds, dominated by Phenol, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)- phosphite (3:1) (23.28% peak area), alongside dioxolane derivatives, isopropyl myristate, and branched alkanes. The antibacterial assays showed strong inhibition of <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> (19.66 ± 0.25 mm), <em>Streptococcus pyogenes</em> (19.24 ± 0.50 mm), <em>Staphylococcus epidermidis</em> (22.44 ± 0.52 mm), and <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> (20.60 ± 0.35 mm). ADME/T analysis of 31 compounds indicated high gastrointestinal (GI) absorption, zero Lipinski violations, noncarcinogenicity, and weak hERG toxicity. Molecular docking revealed high binding affinities of major phytochemicals toward impetigo-associated virulence proteins, with Phenol, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-, phosphite (3:1) showing the strongest interactions (-8.9 to -10.2 kcal/mol). These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of <em>O. latifolia</em> EOs as a natural anti-impetigo agent.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 481-503"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146173953","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In Vitro evaluation of chlorhexidine and oleuropein: Antibacterial activity and effects on gingival mesenchymal stem cell viability","authors":"Ali Batuhan Bayırlı ,&nbsp;Mehmetcan Uytun ,&nbsp;Bora Ekinci ,&nbsp;Deniz Genç","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.034","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.034","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chlorhexidine (CHX) is a commonly used antiseptic in oral healthcare, but its cytotoxic effects on host cells remain a significant concern. Oleuropein (OLE), a bioactive compound derived from olive leaves, has shown antimicrobial and cytoprotective properties. However, its potential to modulate CHX-induced toxicity and enhance antimicrobial efficacy remains largely unexplored.</div><div>This study investigated the antibacterial effects of CHX and OLE against resistant and susceptible bacterial strains and evaluated their effects on the viability and cell cycle of human gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of CHX and OLE were determined by evaluating 16 bacterial species. Checkerboard assays were used to assess their combined effects using fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices. Cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and cell cycle distribution of GMSCs were analysed using flow cytometry. CHX exhibited strong antibacterial activity (MIC: 0.5–16 µg/mL), whereas OLE showed moderate effects (MIC: 256–2048 µg/mL). Checkerboard assays indicated a significant 64-fold reduction in the MIC of OLE, whereas the CHX MIC either increased or remained unchanged. Partial synergy was observed against only one isolate Pseudomonas aeruginosa (FIC index = 0.53125), whereas 11 strains showed indifference (1 ≤ FIC index &lt;4) and remaining 4 of 16 isolates had possible antagonism (FIC index ≥ 4). OLE did not inhibit the bactericidal effect of CHX. However, it mitigated the CHX-induced dose-dependent reduction in GMSC viability by reducing necrosis, G0/G1 phase arrest, and enhancing DNA synthesis. CHX and OLE possess antibacterial potential, and OLE mitigates CHX-induced cytotoxicity in GMSCs. When combined, these two compounds offer considerable therapeutic benefits, particularly in dentistry. Further research is needed to optimise the concentration ratios for enhanced synergy and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 338-345"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079245","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ellagitannin-rich Epilobium hirsutum extract promotes wound closure through dual Nrf2/NF-κB modulation: An integrated In vitro and in silico study","authors":"Serhat Karaman ,&nbsp;Yakup Budak ,&nbsp;Elif Aktürk Bozdemir","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Chronic wounds represent a significant clinical challenge, with impaired healing processes linked to oxidative stress and persistent inflammation. <em>Epilobium hirsutum</em> is a medicinal plant traditionally used for wound treatment and has shown promise due to its ellagitannin-rich composition. This study comprehensively investigated the phytochemical profile, biological activities, and molecular mechanisms underlying the wound-healing potential of <em>E. hirsutum</em> extracts prepared with solvents of varying polarities (water, methanol, ethanol, and n-hexane) from samples collected in the Tokat region, Turkey. LC-MS/MS analyses, validated according to ICH guidelines, confirmed the presence of ellagitannins (vescalagin, castalagin, oenothein B), phenolic acids (gallic acid, ellagic acid), and flavonoids. The ethanol extract exhibited the highest total phenolic content (305±3.2 mg GAE/g) and superior antioxidant activity (DPPH IC₅₀: 12.8 ± 0.7 µg/mL; ABTS IC₅₀: 14.5 ± 0.5 µg/mL; FRAP: 485 ± 25 µmol Fe(II)/g). In cell-based wound healing assays, the ethanol extract significantly promoted scratch closure in HaCaT keratinocytes (87.3 ± 3.2% <em>vs.</em> 52.1 ± 2.7% in controls at 24 h, <em>p</em> &lt; 0.01). Mechanistic studies revealed that the extract enhanced cellular antioxidant defense by increasing Nrf2 nuclear translocation (3.2 ± 0.3-fold) and downstream target expression (HO-1: 2.8 ± 0.2-fold; NQO1: 2.5 ± 0.2-fold), while simultaneously suppressing NF-κB p65 phosphorylation by 68.5 ± 3.5% in LPS-stimulated macrophages. Molecular docking studies showed strong binding affinities of vescalagin to Nrf2-Keap1 (-10.8 kcal/mol) and oenothein B to NF-κB p65 (-9.5 kcal/mol), with molecular dynamics simulations confirming interaction stability. Additionally, the extract demonstrated antimicrobial activity against wound-associated pathogens (S. aureus MIC: 125 µg/mL) through membrane disruption, as evidenced by propidium iodide uptake (62.5 ± 3.2%), extracellular ATP release (a 3.8 ± 0.4-fold increase), and potassium ion leakage (a 2.9 ± 0.3-fold increase). These findings establish that <em>E. hirsutum</em> ethanol extract promotes <em>İn vitro</em> wound closure through the coordinated activation of Nrf2 and the inhibition of NF-κB, supporting its development as a natural therapeutic agent for chronic wound management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 21-41"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145980699","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Goldenberry (Physalis peruviana) as source of anti-skin aging compounds: UPLC-ESI/MS-MS metabolic profiling, In vitro and In-Silico molecular approaches","authors":"Heba A.S. El-Nashar ,&nbsp;Rym Hassani ,&nbsp;Entesar.H. EL-Araby ,&nbsp;Amel Azazi ,&nbsp;Asaad Khalid ,&nbsp;Nermeen M. El Bakary ,&nbsp;Mohamed K. Abdel-Rafei","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.037","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.037","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Physalis peruviana</em> L. (goldenberry) is an edible fruit belonging to Family <em>Solanaceae</em> and characterized by high commercial. This study was implemented to describe the phytochemicals of the methanol extract of <em>P. peruviana</em> peel using High performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization coupled with mass fragmentation (HPLC-ESI/MS-MS) technique, coupled with the assessment of <em>in vitro</em> anti-wrinkle activity <em>via</em> enzyme inhibition assays. Further, <em>in silico</em> molecular docking studies of the major identified compounds were conducted to assess their affinity power with the targeted enzymes including elastase, collagenase, hyaluronidase and tyrosinase inhibition assays. UPLC-ESI/MS-MS-based phytochemical profiling of extract resulted in identification of 19 compounds, predominated by flavonoids (57.8 %), withanolides (31.5 %), and phenolic acids (10.5 %). The skin anti-aging properties of <em>P. peruviana</em> extract were validated by <em>in vitro</em> assays, which additionally displayed a favorable safety profile, prompting further investigations. The mechanistic insights of goldenberry's anti-aging abilities have been demonstrated by an in-depth <em>in-silico</em> modeling study that examined the inhibitory effects of its main constituents against four important anti-aging enzymes, which indicated favorable multiple interacting modes with the target enzyme binding sites .This study provides a scientific rationale for the anti-wrinkle potential of <em>P. peruviana</em> peel extract, supporting its utilization in innovative anti-wrinkle drug designs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 504-528"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146173954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"De novo transcriptome profiling reveals key drought-responsive genes and molecular pathways in Tylosema esculentum","authors":"Annastasia K. Ekandjo ,&nbsp;Ali Elnaeim Elbasheir Ali ,&nbsp;Percy Chimwamurombe ,&nbsp;Ndiko Ludidi ,&nbsp;Nokwanda P. Makunga ,&nbsp;Martha Kandawa-Schulz","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.020","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.020","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Tylosema esculentum</em> (marama bean) is a drought tolerant legume native to the Kalahari Desert and widely distributed across Southern Africa. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its drought tolerance remain largely unexplored. This study employs a <em>de novo</em> transcriptome analysis to identify key genes and molecular pathways associated with <em>T. esculentum</em> tolerance to water deficit. Plants were grown under normal and water deficit conditions in a controlled greenhouse experiment. Transcriptomic profiling identified 144 differentially expressed genes, with 91 showing increased expression and 53 showing decreased expression in response to water deficit. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis showed that overexpressed genes in <em>T. esculentum</em> are involved in key biological processes including response to water deficit, regulation of biological quality, regulation of DNA-templated transcription and chloroplast organization process. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis demonstrated that <em>T. esculentum</em> tolerance to water deficit is associated with activation of key pathways involved in thiamine and riboflavin metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism and MAPK signalling. To validate the RNA-seq data, six drought-responsive genes were analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). The RT-qPCR results were consistent with RNA-seq data, confirming the reliability of the <em>de novo</em> transcriptome profiling. Notably, phospholipase C, purple acid phosphatase (PAP and PAP17), phosphatase 2C isoforms, and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) were upregulated, highlighting their central roles in signal transduction, phosphate remobilization, ABA signaling and oxidative stress mitigation in <em>T. esculentum</em> under water deficit. Our findings provide important information on the genetic basis of drought tolerance in <em>T. esculentum</em>, serving as a foundation for future studies aimed at enhancing drought tolerance in <em>T. esculentum</em> and potentially other crops.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 402-413"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146173950","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vegetation composition change on a small Mediterranean-type South African offshore island following control of invasive European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)","authors":"Thabisisani Ndhlovu ,&nbsp;Zivanai Tsvuura ,&nbsp;Karen J. Esler","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.006","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>European rabbits (<em>Oryctolagus cuniculus</em>), thought to have been eradicated in 2019, have inhabited Robben Island for over 370 years, significantly altering vegetation through sustained herbivory. An attempted eradication in 2009–2010 provided an opportunity to assess vegetation recovery and the influence of rainfall and habitat heterogeneity on post-control dynamics. From 2010 to 2013, vegetation composition was monitored annually across strand, <em>Eucalyptus</em> plantation, and inland dune habitats. Community change was analysed using ordination and similarity measures. Following rabbit control, statistically significant vegetation change occurred at strand and inland dune sites, but not in <em>Eucalyptus</em> plantations. Increases in <em>Tetragonia fruticosa, Ehrharta longiflora, Cynodon dactylon</em>, and <em>Ehrharta villosa</em>—palatable species resilient to prolonged herbivory—coincided with declines in less palatable or unpalatable species and weaker competitors such as <em>Oncosiphon suffruticosum, Conicosia pugioniformis</em>, and <em>Bromus diandrus</em>. Interannual rainfall explained substantial background variation in community composition before statistical control, while soil depth modulated species-level responses. No herbivory-sensitive species (i.e., those lacking resistance or resilience to rabbit herbivory) re-established, suggesting losses from both standing vegetation and the propagule bank (seeds and vegetative propagules). Robben Island’s vegetation may have crossed a critical ecological threshold into a degraded state dominated by a narrow subset of herbivory-resilient and resistant species. Natural recovery to the Cape Flats Dune Strandveld, the island’s reference ecosystem, now seems unlikely without active restoration, including reintroduction of extirpated herbivory-sensitive taxa.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 222-233"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unlocking anti-scabies potential of amaryllidaceae alkaloids through integrated network pharmacology and experimental validation","authors":"Shaymaa M. Mohamed ,&nbsp;Soad A.L. Bayoumi ,&nbsp;Salwa F. Farag ,&nbsp;Mahmoud A. Ramadan ,&nbsp;Sara A.A. Mohamed ,&nbsp;Asmaa A.E. Nasr ,&nbsp;Islam M. Abdel-Rahman ,&nbsp;Usama Ramadan Abdelmohsen","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.030","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.030","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human scabies, a highly contagious parasitic skin infestation caused by <em>Sarcoptes scabiei</em> var. hominis mites, spreads rapidly through interpersonal contact. This study employed an integrated network pharmacology and molecular docking approach to identify shared therapeutic targets of seven structurally diverse Amaryllidaceae alkaloids (<strong>1</strong>–<strong>7</strong>) and evaluate their anti-scabies potential. A scabies-associated protein network was constructed, revealing interleukin-6 as the highest-degree node and a pivotal therapeutic target, alongside caspase-3. Subsequent molecular docking analyses assessed the binding affinities and interaction stability of two promising alkaloids, narcissidine methyl ether (<strong>2</strong>) and crinine (<strong>3</strong>), with IL-6 and glutathione S-transferase (GST). Narcissidine methyl ether demonstrated the strongest binding affinity to IL-6 (ΔG = –4.618 kcal/mol), while both compounds exhibited notable interactions with GST (ΔG = –5.917 and −4.885 kcal/mol, respectively). Computational screening confirmed their adherence to Lipinski’s and Veber’s rules, indicating favorable druglikeness properties. In vitro and in vivo experiments revealed significant acaricidal activity, with narcissidine methyl ether showing potent scabicidal effects. Histopathological evaluation of treated rabbit models demonstrated marked improvement in ear auricle skin architecture three weeks post-treatment, supporting the therapeutic efficacy of both compounds. These findings highlight narcissidine methyl ether and crinine as promising anti-scabietic drugs, offering a foundation for future preclinical studies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 241-252"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146079327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of fertilizer levels on rhizosphere microbial diversity and functional genes in maize intercropping","authors":"Kodidhala Vaishnavi ,&nbsp;Kumari Punam Sinha ,&nbsp;Hemanthkumar Manne ,&nbsp;Subir Dutta ,&nbsp;Ayon Roy ,&nbsp;Prateek M Bhattacharya ,&nbsp;Apurba K Chowdhury ,&nbsp;Abbu Zaid","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.014","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.014","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Maize intercropping systems are ecologically sustainable agricultural practices that optimizes land use efficiency and soil microbial communities. In current study shortgun metagenomic sequencing strategy was applied to investigate the taxonomic composition, microbial diversity and functional potential of rhizosphere bacterial communities in sole maize (Pioneer 3526) and maize-cabbage (Green express) intercropping systems under varying fertilizer doses (0 %, 20 %, 40 %, 60 % recommended dosage of fertilizer (RDF)) as band placement. Among the tested combinations, the maize cabbage (MCB) under 60 % RDF (60MCB) showed highest bacterial richness and functional gene abundance compared to sole maize and 20MCB.Taxonomic profiling revealed dominance of Actinomycetes, Proteobacteria and other beneficial phyla with genera such as <em>Streptomyces, Pseudomonas</em> and <em>Bradyrhizobium</em> prevalent in fertilized treatments. Functional annotation revealed the enrichment of genes involved in nitrogen metabolism, carbon degradation, sulfur transformation and iron cycling particularly high in 60MCB treatment. Alpha diversity including Shannon, Simpson and Chao1, consistently highlightened improved microbial diversity under intercropping (60 % MCB) with moderate fertilization. Overall, 60 % MCB and sole maize supported higher functional gene diversity compared to sole maize and 20 % MCB. These findings highlight the synergistic effect of intercropping and 60 % recommended dosage fertilization in fostering a diverse and metabolically versatile rhizosphere microbial community, with implications for sustainable agriculture and improved soil health management by increasing microbial communities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 156-164"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146024470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Taxonomic revision of the Ficinia oligantha clade (Cypereae, Cyperaceae) – species delimitation and description of three new species in South Africa","authors":"Benjamin D. Williams ,&nbsp;Daniel A. Zhigila ,&nbsp;Alfred A. Oteng-Yeboah ,&nbsp;A. Muthama Muasya","doi":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.036","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.sajb.2026.01.036","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Ficinia</em> Schrad. comprises about 91 accepted species, whose distribution is predominantly in the Greater Cape Floristic Region of South Africa. The most comprehensive taxonomic account of the genus dates back to the Flora Capensis, which recognised 59 species. Subsequent studies have been piecemeal and focused on the description of new species. Like other Cape Cyperaceae, species delimitation based on limited herbarium specimens is difficult due to cryptic variation. In this study, we used a wealth of herbarium specimens accumulated over 150 years, together with field observations on geography and ecology, to evaluate species boundaries and name applications in the <em>Ficinia oligantha</em> clade occurring mostly in fynbos and renosterveld vegetations. Over 500 herbarium specimens were examined, and 32 morphological characters were analysed using univariate and multivariate techniques. Species occurrence data were retrieved and screened before incorporating them for constructing distribution maps and inferring conservation statuses. The study taxa were assigned <em>a posteriori,</em> using the multivariate analyses to guide the determination of clusters as taxonomic units. We recognised 17 species, among which three (<em>F. calceola, F. fernkloofensis,</em> and <em>F. brierslouwensis</em>) are new to science and are described in this study. The clade is united by the presence of basal leaves (occasionally absent), scapose culms, and nutlets with ornamentation appearing papillose. Geographically, all taxa occur in South Africa, within the winter rainfall area occurring in both fynbos and renosterveld vegetation. <em>Ficinia stolonifera</em> is the only species extending into the summer rainfall area of South Africa and northwards into East Africa. Conservation status assessment finds most of the species to have Least Concern, but three (<em>F. fernkloofensis, F. anysbergensis,</em> and <em>F. calceola</em>) are assessed to be Near Threatened, <em>F. subacuta</em> is assessed as Vulnerable while F. <em>brierslouwensis</em> is assessed as Critically Endangered.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":21919,"journal":{"name":"South African Journal of Botany","volume":"190 ","pages":"Pages 592-617"},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146173914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}