Perceptions of end-users in Limpopo Province (South Africa) about the Spider plant (Cleome gynandra L.)

Thovhogi, Fhatuwani; Gwata, E. T.; Mchau, G.R.A.; Ntutshelo, N.

doi:10.1007/s10722-020-01009-z

Cited by 5 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Further efforts have also been directed at the phenotypic characterisation of ALVs species [15,16]. While these efforts have led to a better comprehension of the impact of ALVs in the mitigation of hunger and malnutrition, less information is available on how to transform them into commercial crops [17]. According to [18], ALVs remain underutilised due to constraints such as perception, processing, distribution, marketing, and lack of information on their nutritional value bioavailability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

African Leafy Vegetables for Improved Human Nutrition and Food System Resilience in Southern Africa: A Scoping Review

et al. 2021

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The economic potential of African leafy vegetables (ALVs) remains obscured by a poorly developed value chain. This scoping review assembled and examined scattered knowledge generated on ALVs across southern Africa, focusing on production, processing, marketing, and consumption. Two electronic databases (Scopus and Web of Science) were screened, and a total of 71 relevant studies were included and evaluated. The review provides a state of the art on knowledge related to utilisation of ALVs across the entire value chain. The findings show that functional properties are of prime importance in the production and consumption of ALVs. However, the lack of improved germplasm and a non-existent seed supply system are significant production bottlenecks. Pests and diseases affecting the productivity of ALVs remain mostly unexplored. Sun-drying and boiling were the most reported post-harvest processing methods, suggesting that traditional processing methods are still prominent. Many studies also confirmed the predominance of informal markets in the trading of ALVs as they fail to penetrate formal markets because of poor product positioning and exclusion from produce demand and supply forecasts. The inception of cultivar development, mechanised processing methods, and market linkages will enhance the profitability of ALVs in the region. This review enhances the gaining of insight into the state of different value chain components will assist in upscaling production, value addition of products, and enhance marketing efficiency. There is a great opportunity for basic and applied research into ALVs.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

African Leafy Vegetables for Improved Human Nutrition and Food System Resilience in Southern Africa: A Scoping Review

et al. 2021

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“…The number of spider plant individuals was limited partly because the germplasm collection of this leafy vegetable is still at a preliminary phase in the envisaged breeding program of this crop. Currently, spider plant is considered largely as an orphan (or neglected) crop which is collected from the wild [37]. Only a limited number of local accessions with distinct morphological characters was available for this initial study, but future germplasm collection expeditions intend to include more individuals from each local accession in order to map out a more robust population genetic structure of the local spider plant.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Characterization of Spider Plant (Cleome gynandra) Accessions Using SSR Markers

et al. 2021

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Spider plant (Cleome gynandra L.) is an indigenous leafy vegetable that is a rich source of minerals, proteins, vitamins, flavonoids, antioxidants and many other compounds. Morphological characterization of the germplasm for optimal genetic exploitation is limited by environmental factors. The objective of this study was to determine the degree of genetic diversity between exotic and local spider plant accessions using molecular markers. The spider plant germplasm consisted of 18 local and exotic accessions. Seven polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used in the study. The SSR marker combinations revealed a total of 46 alleles at 7 loci, with an average of 6.57 alleles per locus. An average polymorphic information index of 0.69 was recorded. According to Nei’s genetic distance analysis, low population differentiation was observed between the local and exotic spider plant accessions, which was indicated by a low fixation index value of 0.024 and a high Nm (10.20). Analysis of molecular variance showed no significant (p < 0.327) variation among and within the local and exotic accessions. Furthermore, low population differentiation was recorded when accessions were grouped based on their stem colour, with an Fst value of 0.007. In both the hierarchical clustering using an unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), the local accession ‘ML-3-KK’ was grouped alone, suggesting that this accession was different from the rest of the accessions and could be useful in selection programmes for spider plant genetic improvement. Both the UPGMA and PCoA were similar in clustering the eighteen spider plant accessions into four groups. The local spider plant accessions were more genetically diverse (with sixteen rare alleles) when compared to the exotic accessions (with only three rare alleles). The rare alleles provided useful information on the genetic variability in certain loci and identification of accessions that could be used as parental lines in spider plant breeding programmes.

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“…In many countries across the world, it is not formally cultivated, but people living in rural areas occasionally plant the natural weedy population; either by broadcasting seeds or practising selective weeding (Hart and Vorster, 2006). Most communities harvest this leafy vegetable from their homestead for consumption purposes (Thovhogi et al, 2021). It can be harvested in diverse ways when it reaches a height of about 15 cm by uprooting the entire plant, topping, cutting back to ground level or picking individual leaves or leafy branches at frequent intervals (Hart and Vorster, 2006;Faber et al, 2010).…”

Section: Cultivation Of C Gynandramentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The dried leaves could be stored for about three to four months, or even up to one year (Faber et al, 2010;Steve et al, 2017). In addition, the leaves are being sold by informal street vendors for economic gains (Thovhogi et al, 2021) and this suggests that their value could be on the rise. The cultural beliefs, norms, topography and species availability are believed to influence the extent of its utilisation (Avakoudjo et al, 2019).…”

Section: Cleome Gynandra As a Nutritional Food Sourcementioning

confidence: 99%

“…These genome data of C. gynandra will be beneficial in identifying and characterising genes of agronomic significance and understand their mode of actions as well as allowing breeding strategies for designing intensive, quicker and predictable crop improvement programs. Given the rise of malnutrition cases globally, the germplasm of C. gynandra could be valuable to improve human health and combat malnutrition and hunger (Thovhogi et al, 2021). Differences in nutrient concentrations provide opportunities for breeding better cultivars with desired mineral levels (Omondi et al, 2017).…”

Section: Potential Of Breeding C Gynandramentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cleome gynandra: A wonder climate-smart plant for nutritional security for millions in semi-arid areas

2022

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Spider plant (Cleome gynandra) is predominantly used as a traditional leafy vegetable throughout Africa and is considered a rich natural source of essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and proteins. With the increase in malnutrition, diet related non-communicable diseases and poverty across the continent of Africa, the spider plant is a bona fide alternative healthy food crop to alleviate these challenges. Spider plant is an erect annual herb that could grow up to 150 cm tall, strongly branched, with a long taproot and few secondary roots. It is commonly consumed in resource-poor communities especially during times of major food scarcity. It is a drought-tolerant and resilient annual vegetable crop capable of growing well in a wide range of climatic and edaphic conditions. Despite the potential benefits and wide adaptability, progressive attempts towards the development of C. gynandra as a crop have been impeded by issues like low investment in research and development resulting in poor seed quality, relatively low yields and susceptibility to pests and diseases. In this paper, we reviewed the research that has been done regarding its morphology, growing conditions, production and utilisation (i.e., nutrition). The current review highlighted the status of the science in advancing the domestication of C. gynandra as a potential power crop for several African countries. The review concluded that with the advancement of modern biotechnology techniques and genome sequencing, there is a compelling case for investment and development in C. gynandra as a candidate for managing micronutrient deficiencies during the post-pandemic era. Finally, the existing knowledge gaps (e.g., breeding) that necessitate explorations were identified and recommendations that could enhance its development and potential commercialisation were made.

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Perceptions of end-users in Limpopo Province (South Africa) about the Spider plant (Cleome gynandra L.)

Cited by 5 publications

References 15 publications

African Leafy Vegetables for Improved Human Nutrition and Food System Resilience in Southern Africa: A Scoping Review

African Leafy Vegetables for Improved Human Nutrition and Food System Resilience in Southern Africa: A Scoping Review

Molecular Characterization of Spider Plant (Cleome gynandra) Accessions Using SSR Markers

Cleome gynandra: A wonder climate-smart plant for nutritional security for millions in semi-arid areas

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