Prospects of N Fertilization in Medicinal Plants Cultivation

Abstract

High global demand for plant-derived medicines is threatening the existence of many wild indigenous plant species. However, the high demand of medicinal plants has also created huge business opportunities in commercial farming of medicinal plants. Largescale production of secondary metabolites by plants and medicinal materials will be crucial in the medicinal plant industry. As commercial cultivation of medicinal plants gains traction among farmers, N fertilizers will be increasingly used to enhance plant growth and yield. Therefore, the implementation of beter nitrogen use eiciency is critically important. Excessive use of N can lead to many problems; it is costly, it can cause environmental pollution and its high levels in plant tissues can be toxic to plants, herbivores and humans. This chapter discusses the potential risks, opportunities and setbacks associated with the use of N in cultivation of medicinal plants.

The effect of Beauveria bassiana inoculation on plant growth, volatile constituents, and tick (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus) repellency of acetone extracts of Tulbaghia violacea

“…In a review paper, Wanzala et al [52] presented tick repellent activities of essential oils from different plant species. The development of efficient and sustainable agro-technologies for the production of high-quality medicinal materials with enhanced therapeutic properties is needed to meet the demands of the pharmaceutical industry, traditional healers, and the cosmetics industry [31,53]. Medicinal plant cultivation would help farmers to generate important monetary returns, help conserve medicinal plants in the wild and help preserve traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge [54].…”

“…The use of ethnoveterinary plants for tick control is widespread in Africa. Thus far, however, few plant species that are used traditionally for control of ticks have been scientifically validated [ 31 ]. Some species belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, such as Allium cepa and Allium sativum , have acaricidal and tick repellent properties [ 32 , 33 ].…”

Effects of Nutrient Fertility on Growth and Alkaloidal Content in Mitragyna speciosa (Kratom)

“…Although alkaloids can serve to benefit human health, their primary purpose for being produced by plants is to support important ecological functions, such as in defense of pests and disease ( Nchu et al, 2018 ). Alkaloids may be considered N-storage products accumulated under adverse environmental conditions, such as salinity and water stress, and have specific ecological functions to increase plant fitness ( Höft et al, 1996 ; Mishra et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Alkaloids may be considered N-storage products accumulated under adverse environmental conditions, such as salinity and water stress, and have specific ecological functions to increase plant fitness ( Höft et al, 1996 ; Mishra et al, 2019 ). The production of plant secondary metabolites depend on both endogenous and exogenous factors and nutrient fertilization is one of the most important factors to influence plant growth and production of alkaloids with high quality and quantity ( Vu et al, 2006 ; Nchu et al, 2018 ). Several alkaloid-producing plants, including datura ( Datura innoxia ), tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea ), and periwinkle ( Catharanthus roseus ), have been reported to increase alkaloid production in response to moderate or high nitrogen rates ( Arechavaleta et al, 1992 ; Al-Humaid, 2005 ; Abdolzadeh et al, 2006 ).…”

Effects of Varying Nitrogen Fertilization on Growth, Yield and Flowering of Capsicum annuum (California Wonder)

“…the main active constituents of Capsicum annuum [3]. Because of its high value and demand, researchers are continuously finding ways to improve the yield and quality of C. annuum; and hydroponics presents an interesting opportunity to efficiently control and manipulate environmental factors, including nutrients for improving crop production [4]. Nitrogen is a major plant nutrient, and it is needed in metabolic processes, vegetative growth, and plant productivity [5].…”