Physiological characteristics of three cotton genotypes were evaluated for their responses to plant aging under high and low planting density (HPD and LPD) treatments. In addition, the relationship of these physiological characteristics to fruit production were determined. Two genotypes are sympodia producing, "Pima S-6" (Gossypium barbadense L.) and "Deltapine 90" (DPL-90) (G. hirustum L.). The third, a "Cluster Selection" (G. barbadense L.) does not produce sympodia. These genotypes were grown on a Gila sandy loam soil at Tucson, Arizona in 1984 and 1985. Plant physiological characteristics were measured under field conditions at 5 intervals. Leaf physiological characteristics were determined at 7 different leaf ages. LPD treatment significantly reduced total dry weight (TDW), fruit dry weight (FDW), and leaf area index (LAI) in each genotype, but reductions were more pronounced in Pima S-6 and Cluster Selection in both seasons. However, LPD treatment significantly increased plant leaf area, but had no effect on specific leaf weight (SLW), petiole nitrate-nitrogen (Petiole NO₃-N) concentration, leaf area ratio (LAR), and fruiting index (FI), for all genotypes in both seasons. The aging patterns of all physiological characteristics were similar in both planting density treatments, regardless of genotype or season. Regression analyses showed that photosynthetic rate was curvilinearly correlated with leaf age (r² = 0.65 to 0.77, P < 0.01). However, petiole NO₃-N concentration decreased linearly with increasing leaf age (r² = 0.90 to 0.91, P < 0.01). Photosynthetic rate increased curvilinearly with increasing petiole NO₃-N concentration (r² = 0.61 to 0.79, P < 0.01). SLW was not correlated with leaf age, or other leaf physiological characteristics regardless of planting density treatment in 1985. TDW, FI, and LAI were directly related, while petiole NO₃-N concentration and LAR were inversely related to fruit production for all genotypes in both seasons. Multiple regression analyses showed that excluding planting density treatment effect, TDW, FI, and LAI were the most important variables incorporated for fruit prediction in both seasons.

Most plants produce leaves with stomata on either both surfaces (amphistomatous) or on the lower surface only (hypostomatous). The importance of stomata to plant survival suggests that these two stomatal distribution patterns may be adaptive, and this problem is explored. It is concluded that amphistomaty is an adaptation to produce a high conductance to CO₂ diffusion into the leaf. As such it is advantageous to plants with high photosynthetic capacity leaves in high light environments, experiencing rapidly fluctuating or continuously available soil water. Plants meeting these criteria are found to be almost exclusively amphistomatous; those not meeting the criteria are mostly hypostomatous. Also investigated is the adaptive significance of differences in stomatal conductances and conductance responses to environmental factors between the two surfaces of amphistomatous leaves. Although differences in stomatal conductance are found between the two surfaces in sunflower, differences in conductance response to light intensity and water vapor pressure difference across the stomatal pore were neglible. Water stress relieved one day prior to experiments caused upper stomatal conductance to be reduced more than lower, but responses to light and water vapor pressure difference remained essentially parallel for the two surfaces. For these differences in conductance to be adaptive differences in photosynthetic characteristics between the two surfaces. In addition, estimation of the resistance to diffusion of CO₂ across the mesophyll yields values low enough to preclude steep gradients in CO₂ partial pressure in the mesophyll. In the absence of CO₂ gradients within the leaf, differences in photosynthetic characteristics between the two surfaces cannot exist. It is concluded that differences in stomatal conductance between the two surfaces of amphistomatous leaves are not adaptations to differences in CO₂ uptake characteristics.

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A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Medicine ( Pharmaceutical Affairs ) / The Retuceae is an aromatic family of plants confined to the Fynbos biome in South Africa. This family is represented by a number of genera e.g. Agasthosma, Adenandra, Coleonema, Vepris etc. all containing a number of species which have been used for centuries in traditional healing. Although many of these species have been used for centuries in local healing rites the biological activity and phytochemistry are poorly recorded. / IT2018

A research report submitted to the faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Medicine ( Pharmaceutical Affairs ) / This project was conducted to investigate properties and to record the essential oil profiles of a selection of species belonging to the genus agasthosma. Plants have been used for many years by the local South African to treat various infections and illnesses. This knowledge has largely been untapped. Buchu is one of the plant species that are used extensively by the San and Khoi people. It is remarkable that of the ca. 150 agathosma species indigenous to South Africa only two species ( Agasthosma crenulata and agathosma betulina ) have been investigated for biological activity. The genus Agasthosma is traditionally used for the following conditions ; stomach ailments, fever, coughs, cold, flu, urinary tract, and kidney infections, haematuria, prostatitis, rheumatism, gout, bruises and for antiseptic purposes. / IT2018

Ph.D., Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, 2011 / Introduced plants will lose interactions with natural enemies, mutualists and competitors from their native ranges, and possibly gain interactions with new species, under new abiotic conditions in their new environment. The use of biocontrol agents is based on the premise that introduced species are liberated from their natural enemies, although in some cases introduced species may not become invasive because they acquire novel natural enemies. In this study I consider the potential for the biocontrol of Bryophyllum delagoense, a Madagascan endemic, and hypothesize as to why this plant is invasive in Australia and not in South Africa. Of the 33 species of insects collected on B. delagoense in Madagascar, three species, Osphilia tenuipes, Eurytoma bryophylli, and Rhembastus sp. showed potential as biocontrol agents in Australia. Surveys in southern Africa revealed that B. delagoense had acquired 14 species of insects, compared to only two in Australia, which supported the hypothesis that an introduced plant is less likely to become invasive in regions where there are many closely related species. A beetle, Alcidodes sedi, was found to be widespread and damaging in South Africa and also sufficiently host specific for release in Australia. Studies were also undertaken to determine the biology of B. delagoense and characteristics of the recipient environments in Australia and South Africa. Analysis of soils in South Africa found that B. delagoense has the ability to grow on a range of soils and is tolerant of moderate shade. Bryophyllum delagoense exhibited phenotypic plasticity by re-allocating resources to stem production in light-limited; and to root production in nutrient- or water limited, environments. Competition trials indicated that B. delagoense is a weak competitor with overgrazing and the concomitant reduction in fires facilitating invasions. The absence of damaging natural enemies and characteristics of the Australian environment may make it more prone to B. delagoense invasions than in southern Africa. The study indicates that no single trait or group of traits can completely explain the invasive ability of a plant species because the success of an invader often depends on complex interactions between the species and its recipient environment. This has widespread implications for predicting the invasibility of imported plants. Keywords: Alcidodes sedi, biological control, Bryophyllum delagoense, Crassulaceae, Eurytoma bryophylli, fire, invasions, Madagascar, Osphilia tenuipes, Rhembastus sp., soil.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master in Science ( Medicine ) Pharmaceutical Affairs / Lippia javanica is a widely spread woody shrub and the major traditional use is reflected in its vernacular name; fever tea ' koorsbossie '. An infusion of the leaves is also used as a decongestant for colds and coughs. Infusions may also be used topically to treat scabies and lice A preliminary study indicated that the essential oil chemistry varies dramatically both within and between natural plant populations. / IT2018

Dong Biao. / "October 2003." / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 184-201) / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese.