Cultural Use of Homegarden Plants in an Indigenous Community in North West Ethiopia

Background; The floristic composition of homegardens in Northwest Ethiopia in general, and the Gozamin district in particular, has received little research attention. The purpose of this research is to better understand the floristic composition and cultural significance of homegardens. Methods; Stratified random sampling procedure was used based on agroecological variation in selected kebeles. The homegarden data were collected by dividing the homegarden into four quadrats, the first quadrat stretched from the farmer’s home to 10m, the second quadrat from10m to 20m, the third quadrat from 20m to 30m and the fourth quadrat from 30m to 40m horizontally using farmer’s house as reference depending on the size of the garden. A semi-structured interview was carried out to document the informant’s knowledge on plant species.Results; A total of 238 culturally important plant species from 81 families were identified. Of these 39% were herbs,29% shrubs, 6% were climbers. Perennials made up the largest part of cultivated species (83%), whereas annuals made up the rest (17%). The Poaceae family had the foremost species, with 22, taken after by the Fabaceae, which had 21, and the Asteraceae which had 15. From these recorded plants,140(58.6%) were species utilized for environmental uses, 84(35%) food crops, 83(34.7%) medicinal plant species, 39(16.3%) fodder species, 57(23.8%) material use plants, 60(25%) fuel wood species, 50(21%) social use plants and 1(0.4%) poisonous. The direct matrix ranking revealed that Cordia Africana was found a versatile culturally important plant in the area which was also extremely threatened, followed by Ficus sur. Cordia africana highest use-value was for Building and the list value was for medicinal. The Sorensen similarity index for 64 percent of the locations investigated was less than 0.5.Conclusion; The result showed that homegardens are multi-functional, long-term production systems. Food security and biodiversity conservation are continuously supported by tribal populations cultural knowledge connected with their homegardens. The less similarity/high species diversity in the area between kebeles indicated that there was high species diversity this was due to different range of agroecological conditions among kebeles.

Evaluation of Antidiarrheal Activity of 80% Methanolic Extract of the Leaves of Cordia africana (Lamiaceae) in Mice

Background. Diarrheal disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world, particularly in developing countries. Currently available drugs are linked with adverse effects, contraindications, and risk of resistance. Traditionally, the leaf concoction of Cordia africana is claimed to be used for diarrhea. However, the safety and efficacy of the leaf extract have not been scientifically approved yet. Therefore, the study was conducted to validate its antidiarrheal activity and safety profile in mice. Method. The hydromethanolic extract was obtained by the cold maceration technique in 80% methanol. Phytochemical screening tests were done for secondary metabolites by using standard tests. The antidiarrheal activity of the test extract at the doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg was evaluated by using castor oil-induced diarrheal, gastrointestinal transit, and enteropooling models in mice. Result. In an acute toxicity study, there were no visible signs of toxicity and mortality following a single oral administration of 2000 mg/kg. Phytochemical screening tests revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols, and tannins. The hydromethanolic extract significantly prolonged the onset of diarrhea and reduced the weight of wet and total feces at 100 ( P < 0.01 ), 200 ( P < 0.001 ), and 400 mg/kg ( P < 0.001 ) in the castor oil-induced diarrheal model. However, in the gastrointestinal transit model, a significant ( P < 0.001 ) reduction in the charcoal meal travel was observed in the middle (200 mg/kg) and higher (400 mg/kg) test doses. Similarly, the extract produced a significant ( P < 0.001 ) reduction in the weight and volume of intestinal contents at the aforementioned doses. Conclusion. The study demonstrated that the test extract showed promising antidiarrheal activity. Hence, this study supports its antidiarrheal use in Ethiopian folklore medicine.

Effects of scattered Faidherbia albida and Cordia africana Tree on Soil Properties under their Canopies in Fedis District, Easte Hararghe Zone, Oromia

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of scattered trees under their canopies on soil fertility status at Fedis district, East Hararghe Zone, oromia, Ethiopia. Accordingly, six isolated and nearly identical Faidherbia albida and Cordia africana trees were selected and the canopy coverage of each tree was divided into four radial transects. Soil samples from three horizontal distances levels: 2.5m, 5m and 25m with two soil depths levels (0–20cm and 20-40cm) were taken for analysis of soil physical and chemical properties and tree species with two levels with factorial arrangement in RCBD replicated six times were employed. The result revealed soil texture was not influenced significantly (P>0.05) by tree species. Soil bulk density was significantly (p<0.05) influenced by both tree species. Soil moisture was significantly (p<0.05) higher under canopy of trees than open field and in surface than in subsurface soils. Soil chemical properties;- electric conductivity, organic carbon, organic matter, soil carbon stock, total nitrogen, available phosphorus and exchangeable cation (Mg, Ca, Na and K) for surface and subsurface soil layers of under F.albida and C. africana trees were significantly (p<0.05) higher in canopy than open field and in surface than subsurface. Soil pH was not significantly (p>0.05) influenced by both tree species. It can be concluded that these tree species have the potential to improve soil fertility beneath its canopy. This may be important for the agricultural landscape health and demonstrated the scattered trees to retain on crop fields to improve soil fertility status under its canopy and on farm biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes conditions.

EVALUATION OF COFFEE GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY UNDER COFFEE SHADE TREES AT MECHARA ON STATION, WEST HARARGHE ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Coffee production with shade trees is important to improve growth and quality of coffee, sustain and restore agroecology and nature based agroforestry practices. The trial was conducted at Mechara Agricultural Research Center (on station) in DaroLebu District of West Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. The study was intended to evaluate the influence of coffee shade trees on growth performance, yield and quality of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) under the canopy of Erytherina absinica, Cordia africana and Acacia sieberiana. The design was Randomized complete block design with three replications. The outcome had been observed a significant value at (p<0.05) probability level, non- significant value at (p>0.05) probability level and highly significance value at (p<0.01) probability level between treatments. Statistically significant and non- significant differences were observed between shaded and unshaded as well as within shaded effect based on the given parameters. Integration of shade in coffee farming system created creditable promising in producing organic coffee. Shade utility could be confirmed as to be ecologically sustainable, economically viable and socially acceptable practice. In so doing that, the effect of Erytherina absinica, Cordia africana shade trees illustrated the highest mean value in most parameters, while the least one is under the Acacia sieberiana shade tree. So the effect of Erytherina absinica mean observed with the highest value on total bearing plants 60%, thousand seed weight 59% and yield in Quintal per hectare 47.4% greater than the least treatments’ mean value based on growth parameters. On the other hand, the effect of Erytherina absinica mean observed with the higher value on aromatic intensity 46.4%, aromatic quality 87.2%, acidity 92.4%, body 93.5%, flavors 88.6% and overall quality 88.6% than the least treatments’ mean value, and also the effect of un-shade mean observed with the higher value on astringency 68.8% and bitterness 93.5% than the least treatments’ mean value based on organoleptic parameters. The highest mean value of Erytherina absinica observed on total bearing plants 12.1, thousand seed weight 130 gram and yield in Quintal per hectare 5.7 based on growth parameters, while based on organoleptic parameters, the highest mean value observed under the effect of Erytherina absinica shade tree on aromatic intensity 4.5, aromatic quality 3.9, acidity 7.9, body 7.7, flavors 7.9 and overall quality 7.9. Therefore, based on the most treatments’ parameters, to be the best shade tree was Erythrina abyssinica followed by cordia africana. Commonly, the dynamic indication of the treatment’s means difference were indicated between shaded and unshaded rather than within shaded means variation at most treatments’ parameters.

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of CuO Nanoparticles Using Cordia africana Lam. Leaf Extract for 4-Nitrophenol Reduction

Copper-oxide-based nanomaterials play an important role as a low-cost alternative to nanoparticles of precious metals for the catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenols. In this study, CuO nanoparticles were synthesized by a microwave-assisted method using Cordia africana Lam. leaf extract for reduction or stabilization processes. The synthesized CuO nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized using X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The analysis indicated that nanocrystals of the monoclinic CuO phase having a cluster of agglomerated morphology with a crystallite size of about 9 nm were synthesized. We also evaluated the catalytic performance of CuO NPs against 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) reduction. The catalyst has shown excellent performance completing the reaction within 12 min. Furthermore, the performance of CuO NPs synthesized at different pH values was investigated, and results indicated that the one synthesized at pH 7 reduced 4-NP effectively in shorter minutes compared to those obtained at higher pH values. The CuO NPs synthesized using Cordia africana Lam. leaf extract exhibited a better reducing capacity with an activity parameter constant of 75.8 min−1·g−1. Thus, CuO synthesized using Cordia africana Lam. holds a potential application for the catalytic conversion of nitroarene compounds into aminoarene.

Pulp and Papermaking Characteristics of South Sudanese Cordia Africana (Gambil) Wood

Objective The wood of an important indigenous Sudanese hardwood species, Cordia africana lam, was examined to determine its suitability for pulp and papermaking. Basic density, bark-to-wood ratio, fiber dimensions and chemical composition were studied. Results Pulps were evaluated and papermaking characteristics were tested. C. africana wood showed medium basic density (410 kg m-1). The average bark-to wood ratio by mass (6.82%) and volume (11.67%) were in the normal average for pulpwood and could be used for production of high grade pulp. The fibers of C. africana were long with an average fiber length of 1.13 mm, average fiber diameter was 30 µm with an average lumen diameter 20 µm and cell wall thickness of 5 µm. the wood showed high ash content (2.7%), high pentosans (25%), relatively medium lignin content (23.9%).C. africana pulped with 12-15% alkali charge as Na2O for two hours at 170 0C gave good Kappa numbers with normal and relatively high yield with very low rejects. The addition of 0.13% anthraquinone (AQ) in cooking liquor reduced the active alkali consumption by 2-2.3%, increased the pulp yield and reduced bleachable Kappa numbers. The pulp produced suitable for wrapping paper and paperboard.

A Phytopharmacological Review on a Medicinal Plant: Cordia africana Lam.

The use of phytoconstituents single or combined with standard medicines has been utilized in cure of different diseases. Many plants of genus Cordia comprise of trees and shrubs are widely distributed in warmer regions and have been utilized in management of various diseases. Cordia africana Lam. (family- Boraginaceae) is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree, 4 to 15 (30) m high, heavily branched with a spreading, umbrella-shaped or rounded crown. Bole typically curved or crooked. Bark grayish-brown to dark brown, smooth in young trees, but soon becoming rough and longitudinally fissured with age; young branch lets with sparse long. Uses of C. africana: firewood, timber (furniture, beehives, boxes, mortars, church, drums), food (fruit), medicine (bark, roots), fodder (leaves), bee forage, mulch, soil conservation, ornamental, shade. Various phytoconstituents like flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, steroids, anthraquinones, carbohydrates and protins having different activities were screened and isolated from different parts of Cordia africana. Various important Pharmacological properties including Antioxidant, Cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, antimicrobial, anti-nociceptive, and others have been well documented for this plant. Therefore, we have briefly reviewed the various bioactivities of Cordia africana to improve our knowledge on plant phytochemicals as therapeutic entities. The present review describes the various phytoconstituents and therapeutic potential of Cordia africana that can be followed for future research on this plant for human health benefits.