Jiata Ugwah Ekele

Miscanthus is a leading lignocellulosic crop for low‐carbon bioenergy systems, yet its deployment is limited by establishment challenges, early‐stage growth variability and performance constraints on marginal or contaminated soils. Plant growth regulators (PGRs), biostimulants (BS), and growth‐promoting microorganisms (GPMs) have been proposed to enhance establishment and stress tolerance, but evidence remains fragmented across species, environments, and application strategies. This scoping review systematically mapped peer‐reviewed experimental studies published between 2010 and 2025, following PRISMA‐ScR guidelines. Searches across Scopus, Web of Science and PubMed identified 252 records, of which 29 met the inclusion criteria after screening and deduplication. Data extraction captured species, planting material, growth environment, soil context, intervention class, application strategy, outcome domains and effect direction. The evidence base was dominated by Miscanthus × giganteus (52% of studies), rhizome‐based planting material, controlled environments and short‐duration experiments. GPMs and BS were the most frequently tested interventions, occurring in approximately 93% of studies. Growth outcomes were assessed in 26 of the 29 studies and were predominantly positive. Across studies reporting comparable data, the best‐performing treatments produced increases in above‐ground biomass ranging from approximately 15% to 200% relative to controls, while shoot‐height responses ranged from negligible effects to increases exceeding 100%. Photosynthesis‐related parameters, including photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll, also showed variable but generally positive responses. However, physiological and remediation outcomes were less consistently assessed and exhibited greater heterogeneity. The review highlights substantial methodological clustering and identifies critical gaps in long‐term field studies, seed‐ and plug‐based systems, and integrated physiological–remediation assessments needed to support scalable, net‐zero‐aligned Miscanthus deployment.

Elevated atmospheric CO₂ is known to alter plant physiology, yet its specific effects on nutrient-rich leafy vegetables remain insufficiently quantified. This study aimed to examine how eCO₂ influences yield and nutritional quality in kale (Brassica oleracea) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea) through the first meta-analysis focused exclusively on these crops. Following the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence (CEE) guidelines, we systematically reviewed eligible studies and conducted a random-effects meta-analysis to evaluate overall and subgroup responses based on CO₂ concentration, crop type and exposure duration. Effect sizes were calculated using Hedges’ g with 95% confidence intervals. The analysis showed that eCO₂ significantly increased biomass in spinach (g = 1.21) and kale (g = 0.97). However, protein content declined in both crops (spinach: g = −0.76; kale: g = −0.61), and mineral concentrations, particularly calcium and magnesium, were reduced, with spinach exhibiting stronger nutrient losses overall. The variability in response across different CO₂ concentrations and exposure times further underscores the complexity of eCO₂ effects. These results highlight a trade-off between productivity and nutritional quality under future CO₂ conditions. Addressing this challenge will require strategies such as targeted breeding programmes, biofortification, precision agriculture and improved sustainable agricultural practices to maintain nutrient density. This research provides critical evidence for policymakers and scientists to design sustainable food systems that safeguard public health in a changing climate.

The meta-analysis examines the effects of eCO₂ on the growth, yield, and nutritional composition of two widely consumed leafy vegetables: kale (Brassica oleracea) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea). Following the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence (CEE) guidelines, we systematically reviewed studies that reported on the impacts of eCO₂ on these crops and conducted a meta-analysis to quantify the overall as well as sub-group responses via moderator analyses. A random-effects model was used to calculate effect sizes (Hedges' g), and confidence intervals (CI) were set at 95%. Our results reveal that eCO₂ significantly increased the biomass of spinach (g = 1.21, p < 0.01, CI [0.88, 1.54]) and kale (g = 0.97, p < 0.05, CI [0.65, 1.29]). However, the analysis also detected a significant decrease in protein content in both crops under eCO₂ conditions (spinach: g = -0.76, p = 0.03, CI [-1.10, -0.42]; kale: g = -0.61, p = 0.04, CI [-0.95, -0.27]). Additionally, calcium and magnesium concentrations declined in kale (g = -0.55, p = 0.05, CI [-0.89, -0.21]), and spinach showed a stronger reduction in nutrient content overall. The variability in response across different CO2 concentrations and exposure times further underscores the complexity of eCO2 effects. These findings suggest that while eCO₂ may enhance crop yields, it also leads to a dilution of essential nutrients, raising concerns about the trade-offs between productivity and nutritional quality. The study concludes that targeted breeding programmes, strategic precision agriculture, sustainable agricultural practices and policy interventions will be critical in mitigating the negative nutritional effects of eCO₂ to ensure food security in a changing climate.

This review synthesises current research findings and modelling approaches to explore the impact of elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (eCO₂) concentrations on crop productivity, water and nutrient use efficiency, plant nutritional quality, and the implications for global food security. Over recent decades, rising atmospheric CO₂ levels have sparked significant concern due to their role in driving climate change. While some studies highlight the potential benefits of eCO₂, such as increased crop yields and improved water-use efficiency, many recent investigations reveal a concerning decline in crop nutritional quality. eCO₂ has been shown to reduce concentrations of key nutrients, including nitrogen, minerals, vitamins, polyphenols, and other non-nutrient compounds, as well as alter gene expression. These changes are further complicated by interactions with heat stress and drought, presenting significant challenges in predicting sustainable future crop productivity. These nutritional declines exacerbate the global crisis of malnutrition and hidden hunger, threatening the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2), which aims to end hunger and ensure food security. Addressing these challenges requires further research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative approaches to mitigate the adverse effects of eCO₂ on crop physiology and nutritional content while maximising agricultural sustainability. This review aims to provide insights into the complex mechanisms governing crop responses to eCO₂ using wheat as a model and proposes pathways for future research and agricultural practices. These strategies are critical for tackling the intricate dynamics of climate variability, ensuring nutrient-rich food production, and securing food security in the face of a rapidly changing climate.

Ayo VI, Adondua MA, Morayo AE, Ekele JU, Amilo D, Ochuele DA, Ayantse LM, Barrah C, Abdulsalam IO, Eya SB, Iheanacho CC, Tibile ST, Mohammed RI, Barde CE. 2023. Effect of Lactuca sativa supplemented diet on Poloxamer 407 induced hyperlipidemic albino rats (Rattus norvegicus). Asian J Nat Prod Biochem 21: 67-78. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have primarily contributed to the global disease burden. They represent the leading cause of mortality and healthcare expenditures in developed and third-world nations, responsible for approximately 30 percent of global deaths and 10 percent of global diseases annually. This study investigated the effects of a Lactuca sativa L. (lettuce) supplemented diet on Poloxamer 407-induced hyperlipidemic albino rats. Twenty-four (24) rats were grouped into six groups of treatments, i.e., four rats in each treatment. Treatments applied in this study were: control treatment (feed and water only), a P-407 induced without Atorvastatin, a P-407 induced treated with Atorvastatin, and P-407 induced with 10%, 30%, and 50% L. sativa supplemented diet. P407 was administered intraperitoneally at 1000 mg/kg body weight. Body weight was measured every three days for 14 days. Blood sample collection was carried out for the analysis of lipid profiles (High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C), Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C), Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL), Triacylglycerides (TAG), and Total Cholesterol (TC)) and liver function parameters (ALP, ALT, AST, GGT, TP, ALB and GLB). The liver and brain tissues were analyzed for lipid peroxidation levels. Results showed that induction of P407 resulted in a higher body weight gain (p0.05) compared to the control treatment. The atherogenic risk prediction indices indicated a decreased risk in the treated groups with Atorvastatin or L. sativa-supplemented diet. Furthermore, liver function parameters were better in the treatment groups with Atorvastatin or L. sativa-supplemented diet, including decreased liver function parameters and increased total protein, albumin, and globulin levels. The L. sativa-supplemented diet also exhibited anti-lipid peroxidation activity, as indicated by reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In conclusion, the L. sativa-supplemented diet had hypolipidemic effects, anti-lipid peroxidation activity, and hepatoprotective effects, suggesting its potential as an antihyperlipidemic agent.

Seed dormancy is a phenomenon that prevents seeds from growing during adverse conditions. A number of factors may be responsible for this phenomenon, but one very common reason is the hardness of the seed coat as in the case of Date palm. This research was conducted to determine the effect of different priming methods on the rate of germination of date palm seeds. The treatments include cold water, hot water, H2SO4 and control in a cross randomized design. For the cold water treatment seeds were soaked for either 24, 48 or 72 hours; for the hot water treatment they were soaked for either 5, 10, or 15 minutes; and for the acid treatment they were soaked in 25 %, 50 % or 100 % of H2SO4 for 5 minutes. Twenty (20) seeds were selected for each treatment to carry out the germination experiment using moist absorbent paper. Data for germination rate was collected at 1, 2 and 3 weeks after planting (WAP). An optimal germination rate of 83% was observed at 3 WAP for the hot water treatment for 5 minutes. From this research, it can be concluded that priming generally increased the rate of germination of date palm seeds.