V. bicolor, V. trifolia s. str. and V. rotundifolia are part of a species complex that has recorded medicinal use in the Philippines. We assembled the first chloroplast genome of V. bicolor through next-generation sequencing and compared this to earlier established chloroplast genomes of V. trifolia s. str. and V. rotundifolia to provide additional insights into their genotypic differences. To ensure the continued utility of the research outputs in case of future taxonomic revisions, we characterized the morphology of PBN 2018-674, the reference germplasm utilized to generate the plastome. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of V. bicolor was 154,460 bp long with 131 coding genes comprising 87 mRNA genes, 36 tRNA genes and 8 rRNA genes. Using a separate accession from a different type locality, an identical chloroplast genome was equally established, indicating its conserved nature. When compared to V. trifolia s. str. and V. rotundifolia, slight variations were observed in genome features between these species; however, single nucleotide polymorphisms were exhibited in 13 protein-coding genes that often have a conserved nature. A phylogenetic analysis of the assembled genome, together with 12 other Lamiaceae species, exhibited high bootstrap support (>88%) within the species complex, and associated V. trifolia as the closest relative of V. bicolor. The identified variations in the plastomes can be utilized as markers that could distinguish the three closely related genotypes which can help the Philippine herbal industry provide a more stable source of quality herbal medicines.

Medicinal plants with high phytochemical values are critical for enhancing the productivity of livestock systems, while reducing their environmental impact. This study investigated the influence of graded levels of Cassia fistula leaf powder (CFLP) on in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters, gas production and degradability of diets for ruminants. Five concentrate diets were formulated to contain varying levels of CFLP (0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 mg/g dry matter (DM), denoted CF0, CF15, CF30, CF45 and CF60, respectively). The concentrate diets combined with guinea grass hay at the ratio of 4 : 6 (concentrate : forage) served as a substrate for the study. In vitro gas production test was performed by incubating 200 mg DM of the substrate for 48 h. At the end of the incubation period, the total gas and methane production, nutrient digestibility, in vitro fermentation and post-incubation parameters were evaluated. Results revealed a linear decrease (P < 0.001) in gas and methane production across the treatment groups with an increase in CFLP levels. The amount of methane produced varied from 9.3 ml/200 mg DM in the CF60 diet to 20 ml/200 mg DM in the control diet. Nutrient digestibility was highest in the control diet and lowest in the CF60 diet. There was a linear decrease in ammonia-nitrogen and total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration with an increase in the CFLP level. Inclusion of CFLP up to 30 mg/g DM ruminant diet was found to reduce methane production and ammonia-nitrogen concentration with minimal effects on nutrient degradation and TVFA concentration.

Beach vitex is a salt-tolerant, perennial, invasive shrub that has naturalized in coastal areas of the southeastern United States. Since its introduction in the 1980s, this Pacific Rim native has invaded many fragile beach-dune ecosystems along the Mid-Atlantic, Southern Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico. Large-scale monocultures of beach vitex supplant native species through rapid vegetative reproduction and seed production. Fruits are capable of water-based dispersal, allowing for potential rapid range expansion in coastal areas. Ecosystem damage resulting from exclusion of native plant species by beach vitex and fears associated with potential negative effects on sea turtle nesting have served to promote the control and survey efforts presently underway in coastal areas of the Carolinas, Virginia, and Maryland.

The antioxidant properties of Amburana cearensis extract may be a useful substitute for standard cell culture medium. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of this extract, with or without supplementation, on in vitro survival and development of sheep isolated secondary follicles. After collection of the ovaries, secondary follicles were isolated and cultured for 18 days in α-MEM+ supplemented with bovine serum albumin, insulin, transferrin, selenium, glutamine, hypoxanthine and ascorbic acid (control medium) or into medium composed of different concentrations of A. cearensis extract without supplements (Amb 0.1; 0.2 or 0.4 mg/ml) or A. cearensis extract supplemented with the same substances described above for α-MEM+ supplementation. The A. cearensis supplemented medium was named Amb 0.1+; 0.2+ or 0.4+ mg/ml. There were more morphologically normal follicles in Amb 0.1 or Amb 0.4 mg/ml than in the control medium (α-MEM+) after 18 days of culture. Moreover, the percentage of antrum formation was significantly higher in Amb 0.1 or Amb 0.2 mg/ml than in α-MEM+ and Amb 0.1+ mg/ml, and similar to the other treatments. All A. cearensis extract media induced a progressive and significant increase in follicular diameter throughout the culture period. In conclusion, this study showed that 0.1 mg/ml of this extract, without supplementation, maintains follicular survival and promotes the development of ovine isolated secondary follicles in vitro. This extract can be an alternative culture medium for preantral follicle development.

Numerous factors influence the chemical quality of medicinal plants from crop establishment to extraction of raw material. The most important ones are described using the example of Hypericum perforatum. Optimization of these factors contributes to the objective of producing a high-quality drug, and a method consisting of three scientific approaches (technological, agronomical, plant breeding) is presented. All data concerning the plant (biology, physiology and environmental impacts) and the active components and by-products (pathway, localization and stability) are useful to adapt and to develop management sequences. Although plant breeding appears to be the principal way of improvement, and gives good results in terms of resistance to pathogens, active component content and yield; the agronomical and the technological approaches are also very important. The technological approach after harvesting is especially important to avoid degradation of the active components and to induce, in some cases, the transformation of by-products to those molecules sought. This integrated method (plant breeding and agronomical and chemical approaches) requires research on different levels of organization from molecule to field, and includes all processing systems from farmers to chemists.

Plantago ovata is the cultivated and economically important species in the monotypic genus Plantago. P. ovata is a short-stemmed annual herb, 10–45 cm tall. The species is generally an in-breeder. The seed husk of this plant is commonly called Psyllium or Isabgol (in Hindi), which is a very effective laxative. Other usages of Isabgol are in ice cream making, cosmetics, printing and finishing. The intake of husk also reduces blood cholesterol levels. Isabgol is commercially very important as its export earns India foreign exchange worth INR 2.5 billion (US$1=44 INR). The plant is cultivated on a large scale in western India. In Gujarat, it is cultivated in about 144,000 ha of land, yielding 720 kg/ha. P. ovata has a narrow genetic base, and the lack of variability is on account of low chromosome number, small chromosome size, presence of high heterochromatin in the chromosomes, low chiasmata frequency and low recombination index. The genome size of the species is ∼500 Mb. Different breeding methods, namely selection, hybridization, induced mutations, polyploidy and tissue culture, have been used for genetic improvement of this plant. Except selections, which have led to isolation of a few varieties, the results of other methods have not been encouraging. P. ovata has about 200 wild allies, some of which are medicinally important. These wild species constitute a rich resource of important genes, which if transferred to cultivated species could revolutionize the production of Isabgol. The present paper highlights various aspects of genetic diversity, cultivation and utilization of this important medicinal plant, and suggests the prospects of genetic manipulation.

Non–timber forest product (NTFP) use is an integral part of the rural economy of Nepal, but little is known about NTFP collection and marketing dynamics. This study investigated the intensity of NTFP collection, the financial benefits gained through the collection of a representative species, and the contextual factors influencing NTFP collection and sale in 12 villages of the Baitadi district of far western Nepal. Thirty-nine per cent of the economically active population collected a total of 24 NTFPs from 23 species, which contributed 0–90% of the total household income. A marketing chain and financial analysis of Valeriana jatamansi (sugandhwal) revealed that various trading and marketing channels existed from the village to district-level NTFP outlets. The price received by the collector depended on the length of the market chain and the political context of the market. Political instability resulting from the Maoist insurgency reduced profits from sugandhwal sale by 23–25%. The number of NTFP-selling outlets accessed by collectors was the most important variable determining the number of NTFPs collected and the overall contribution of NTFPs to the household. Physical accessibility of the village did not impact the contribution of NTFPs to the household livelihood. The strength of NTFP-related institutions (both government and non-governmental organizations) decreased the total NTFP contribution to livelihoods because at the time of the study the villages were in transition to domestication of NTFPs. In the future, the contribution of domesticated NTFPs to households in villages with strong NTFP-related institutions should be much greater than at present. Increasing access to NTFP-selling outlets may be achieved through information dissemination, empowerment of collectors and establishment of linkages between collectors and traders. In general, domestication is an important strategy to ensure a continuous supply of NTFPs. Middlemen traders are seen as important stabilizers of prices as long as fair trading practices are followed. Monitoring of these villages over time will also provide important new quantitative information on the process of transition in rural villages changing from a forest-collection NTFP procurement strategy to a domestication procurement strategy.

Medicinal plants are a valuable resource for regional economic development in the tropics, and the Eastern Himalaya in particular harbours many such species. Extensive deforestation and over-exploitation in this region have brought several species to the brink of extinction, and Coptis teeta is such an endangered species; yet scientific information for its conservation is lacking. Investigations on the distribution range, demography, ecology, cytology, reproductive biology and population genetic structure of C. teeta were carried out; it was found to be endemic to a small area, to occupy a very narrow habitat and to be highly dispersed with very small population sizes. Edaphic factors were found to have played a vital role in ecological preference, natural distribution and evolutionary divergence of the species. The species exhibits a ‘K’ strategy, high male sterility, low reproductive success and efficiency, inadequate seed dispersal, and little genetic variability. A combination of these genetic hurdles and external threats in the form of habitat disturbance and over-exploitation for commercial purposes could result in its extinction. The species was found to have highly specific microsite requirements that cannot be met in other habitats. It is argued that in situ conservation measures would be the best strategy for the continued survival of this species. For effective management of the species it is recommended that its habitat be declared a protected area with the active cooperation of local inhabitants including the sharing of benefits of conservation.