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Conservation studies on
four medicinal taxa of Southern Nigeria
J. E. Ehiagbonare1 H. I. Onyibe2
and P. O. Ehiagbonare3
1Department
of Biological Sciences, Igbinadion University, Okada, Edo
State, Nigeria.
2Department
of Botany, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Edo State,
Nigeria.
3Department
of Microbiology Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Edo State,
Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
drehiagbonare@yahoo.com.
Accepted
4 January, 208 |
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Experiments were conducted to document optimum ways of
producing sturdy and suitable planting materials of
Bryophyllum pinnatum, Cordia millenii, Enantia
cholrantha and Celtis durandii found in Southern
Nigeria. The plants are used in the treatment of various
diseases such as earache, fever, malaria, typhoid, jaundice,
liver problem and menstrual pains. Forest top soil was
observed to be the best growth medium. The stem cuttings of
B. pinnatum did not root in all the experiments while
leaf rooted along the serrated margin. Within 30 days, 18
seedlings were produced in forest topsoil as against 10
produced in river sand. Significant differences were
observed in response to coconut milk treatment under the
various time durations. 24 new plants were produced from the
leaves soaked for 24 h as against 3 from the leaves of B.
pinnatum soaked for 1 min from forest topsoil. Lower
values from river sand were observed. Mycorrhizal
association was observed to exist. Seedlings inoculated with
mycorrhizal soil had a mean total value of 90 cm in height
growth against the control where 30 cm was obtained.
Significant stem rooting was noted in response to coconut
milk treatment except with B. pinnatum in which zero
values were obtained. 60% of the stem cuttings rooted was
observed in E. cholorantha, and 50% in C. millenii
and C. durandii with 24 h treatment with coconut
milk. The determination of the phytochemical constituents
revealed that the plants contain saponin, alkaloids, tanins,
inulins, potassium mallate, ascorbic and organic acids. The
plants are used in the treatment of various diseases such as
earache, fever, malaria, typhoid, jaundice, liver problem
and menstrual pains.
Key
words:
Conservation, Bryophyllum pinnatum, Cordia millenii,
Enantia chlorantha, Celtis durandii. |
