Abstract
Sceletium tortuosum (L.) N. E. Br. is a South African protected species widely utilized in traditional medicine. The plants' mesembrine-type alkaloids have immense potential in modern pharmacology as treatments for numerous medical and psychological disorders. Fresh plant material is paramount for researchers and pharmaceutical companies as it is presently the only available alkaloid source. Although S. tortuosum is a conservation concern and valuable to the pharmaceutical industry, information on germination behaviours of this species is scant. This study highlights the effects of the bio-stimulant smoke water (SW) on germination, seedling vigour and growth of Sceletium tortuosum in vitro. A standardized smoke extract was diluted to concentrations of 1:500, 1:1000, 1:1500, 1:2000, 1:2500 (v/v). Seeds were pulse-treated with SW solutions for 1, 2, 8 and 24 h. The study included positive and negative control treatments. The highest mean germination percentage and germination rate were recorded for 1:1000 SW for 24 h (83 ± 1.9%) and 1:2500 SW for 24 h (6.35 seeds germinated/day). Vigour index was highest for 1:1000 SW (24 h). Smoke water only improved seedling growth when germination occurred slowly. Although mean shoot length was optimal for 1:2500 (1 h) – 4.19 ± 0.15 mm – mean root length and seedling size were highest in the negative and positive (1 h) control treatments. This investigation showed that SW effectively improved germination and seedling vigour of S. tortuosum, however, alternatives must be investigated to optimize seedling growth when this biostimulant is applied.
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Claims 7
Claim · model-written summary
The highest germination percentage occurred with 1:1000 smoke water for 24 h, reaching 83 ± 1.9%.
- Taxon
- Sceletium tortuosum
Mesembryanthemum tortuosumt0 - Treatment
- 1:1000 SW for 24 he0
- Outcome
- mean germination percentagee0
- Direction
- higheste0
- Value
- 83 ± 1.9%e0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“The highest mean germination percentage and germination rate were recorded for 1:1000 SW for 24 h (83 ± 1.9%) and 1:2500 SW for 24 h (6.35 seeds germinated/day).”
t0“Sceletium tortuosum”
Claim · model-written summary
The highest germination rate occurred with 1:2500 smoke water for 24 h, reaching 6.35 seeds germinated/day.
- Taxon
- Sceletium tortuosumMesembryanthemum tortuosumt0
- Treatment
- 1:2500 SW for 24 he0
- Outcome
- germination ratee0
- Direction
- higheste0
- Value
- 6.35 seeds germinated/daye0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“The highest mean germination percentage and germination rate were recorded for 1:1000 SW for 24 h (83 ± 1.9%) and 1:2500 SW for 24 h (6.35 seeds germinated/day).”
t0“Sceletium tortuosum”
Claim · model-written summary
The highest seedling vigour index occurred with 1:1000 smoke water for 24 h.
- Taxon
- Sceletium tortuosumMesembryanthemum tortuosumt0
- Treatment
- 1:1000 SW (24 h)e0
- Outcome
- Vigour indexe0
- Direction
- higheste0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Vigour index was highest for 1:1000 SW (24 h).”
t0“Sceletium tortuosum”
Claim · model-written summary
Smoke water improved seedling growth only when germination was slow.
- Taxon
- Sceletium tortuosumMesembryanthemum tortuosumt0
- Treatment
- Smoke watere0
- Outcome
- seedling growthe0
- Direction
- improvede0
- Qualifier
- when germination occurred slowlye0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Smoke water only improved seedling growth when germination occurred slowly.”
t0“Sceletium tortuosum”
Claim · model-written summary
Mean shoot length was optimal under 1:2500 smoke water for 1 h at 4.19 ± 0.15 mm.
- Taxon
- Sceletium tortuosumMesembryanthemum tortuosumt0
- Treatment
- 1:2500 (1 h)e0
- Outcome
- mean shoot lengthe0
- Direction
- optimale0
- Value
- 4.19 ± 0.15 mme0
Not reportedComparator
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“mean shoot length was optimal for 1:2500 (1 h) – 4.19 ± 0.15 mm”
t0“Sceletium tortuosum”
Claim · model-written summary
Mean root length and seedling size were highest in negative and positive 1 h controls.
- Taxon
- Sceletium tortuosumMesembryanthemum tortuosumt0
- Outcome
- mean root length and seedling sizee0
- Direction
- higheste0
- Comparator
- negative and positive (1 h) control treatmentse0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“mean root length and seedling size were highest in the negative and positive (1 h) control treatments.”
t0“Sceletium tortuosum”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors recommend investigating alternatives to optimize seedling growth with smoke water.
- Taxon
- Sceletium tortuosumMesembryanthemum tortuosumt0
- Outcome
- alternatives must be investigated to optimize seedling growthe0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“alternatives must be investigated to optimize seedling growth when this biostimulant is applied.”
t0“Sceletium tortuosum”