Changing pattern of plant species utilization in relation to altitude and their relative prevalence in homegardens of Kumaun Himalaya, India

The aim of the present study was to analyse the species utilization pattern and their relative prevalence in homegardens varying in size and altitude. Four sites were selected along an altitudinal gradient viz., very low (up to 350 m), low (350-700 m), mid (700-1500 m) and high altitudes (above 2000 m) in Kumaun Himalaya, India. At each altitude, homegardens were categorized into three size classes viz., large (above 0.007 ha), medium (0.004-0.006 ha) and small homegardens (up to 0.003 ha). Maximum species richness was recorded in large sized homegarden at all altitudes except mid altitude where maximum species was observed in medium sized homegardens. Across altitudes, maximum plant species (39) was recorded at mid altitude whereas minimum species (24) were present in high altitude homegardens. Amaryllidaceae was the most important family followed by Oxalidaceae across all the altitudes. In case of plant utilization pattern, maximum species were utilized as a medicine (44.23 %) followed by vegetables (26.66 %), fodder (18.1 %), miscellaneous (15.97 %), spices (13.97 %) and fruits (12.34 %). Among the species, <i>A. cepa</i> (1380) and <i>C. annuum</i> (1026) showed most prevalence whereas <i>S. cumini</i> (278) was the least prevalent species. Across the altitudinal gradient, mid altitude showed most (2341, 1330) relative prevalence whereas high altitude showed least (876, 0) relative prevalence for <i>A. cepa</i> and <i>M. indica</i>, respectively. Management practices and conventional activity could show a higher effect on species composition and their utilization pattern to improve food security and conserving plant genetic diversity in altitudes.

Bryonia Laciniosa An Ayurvedic Herbal Plant ‘Bryonia laciniosa’ with its Ethnomedicinal Significance

Bryonia laciniosa is one such plant that is also known by the name of shivlingi as its seeds resemble the 'shivling' icon of Lord Shiva. This plant is mainly known for its seeds and is used in various ayurvedic drug formulations as an important ingredient. In Ayurveda and the folklore culture, shivlingi plant is used to treat various types of diseases such as cholera, bronchitis, constipation, diabetes, inflammation, paralysis, snake bites, abdominal diseases and mainly used as an aphrodisiac agent. In homeopathy, the B. laciniosa plant is used as an important ingredient in the formulation of anti-inflammatory drugs. Also, the plant is used to treat gastrointestinal, rheumatic, respiratory, liver, infectious diseases and metabolic disorders Besides this, shivlingi plant is associated with therapeutic potential which includes analgesic, antidiabetic, antioxidant, androgenic, antitumor, fertility and antipyretic properties. In this review article, the reported pharmacological properties of the plant have been described along with the plant utilization in folklore and ayurvedic medicinal system. Keywords: Ayurveda, Shivlingi, Folk view, Pharmacological properties

Mitochondrial Phylogenomics of Tenthredinidae (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinoidea) Supports the Monophyly of Megabelesesinae as a Subfamily

Tenthredinidae represents one of the external feeders of the most diverse superfamily, Tenthredinoidea, with diverse host plant utilization. In this study, four complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes), those of Cladiucha punctata, Cladiucha magnoliae, Megabeleses magnoliae, and Megabeleses liriodendrovorax, are newly sequenced and comparatively analyzed with previously reported tenthredinid mitogenomes. The close investigation of mitogenomes and the phylogeny of Tenthredinidae leads us to the following conclusions: The subfamilial relationships and phylogenetic placements within Tenthredinidae are mostly found to be similar to the previously suggested phylogenies. However, the present phylogeny supports the monophyly of Megabelesesinae as a subfamily, with the sister-group placement of Cladiucha and Megabeleses outside of Allantinae. The occurrence of the same type of tRNA rearrangements (MQI and ANS1ERF) in the mitogenomes of Megabelesesinae species and the presence of apomorphic morphological characters also provide robust evidence for this new subfamily. The divergence and diversification times of the subfamilies appear to be directly related to colonization of the flowering plants following the Early Cretaceous. The origin time and diversification patterns of Megabelesesinae were also well matched with the divergence times of their host plants from Magnoliaceae.

Response of Integrated Application of Inorganic Fertilizers and Vermicompost on Rice Productivity at Farmer Field

Rice (Oriza sativa) is one of most important kharif cereal crop. The availability of nutrients in the soil for plant utilization is known to be affected not only by the inherent soil characteristics but also by the use of fertilizers and management practices followed for crop production. Therefore, a study on the response of integrated application of inorganic fertilizers and organic manure (vermicompost) on rice productivity at farmer field was carried out at Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh. In between the technology intervention, human recourse development components were also included to excel the farmers understanding and skills about the demonstrated technology on nutrient management aspects. The demonstrations were conducted at different farmers' field at villages viz. Koppe, Chillod and Lendejhari on rice (variety JRB-1) during kharif season 2018-19 and 2019-20 under Indian Council of Agricultural Research funded Project on Farmer FIRST, College of Agriculture, Balaghat (M.P.). Based on the basic soil properties of farmer’s field, the present experiment included four treatments viz., T1 - 100% NPK + 2 t Vermicompost ha-1, T2 - 100% NPK, T3 - 100% NPK (– S) and T4 – Farmer’s practice. Results indicated that the highest average yield of rice was achieved in the treatment T1-100% NPK + Vermicompost. Whereas, lowest yield was recorded in T4-farmer’s practice. Highest rice yield was observed with 100% NPK + vermicompost (47%),followed by 100% NPK (44%) over farmer’s practice. Hence, the integrated use of inorganic fertilizers with vermicompost enhance rice productivity at farmer’s field. Integrated nutrient applications are also more beneficial when the rate of nutrient application is below the normal rate.

Documentation of ethnomedicinal and ethnoveterinary plants used by paliyar tribes, kurangani hills, western ghats, theni district, tamil nadu, india

A study on medicinal plant utilization in area revealed that the communities commonly used for maintaining their primary healthcare. The ethnomedicinal and ethnoveterinary documentation in the Kurangani forest of Tamil Nadu state was made for a period of two month from January to March 2021. The forest is a tropical evergreen with high species richness where the temperature and rainfall data indicates that it is suitable vegetation for the inhabitation of great number of species. In order to sort out health disorders or diseases based on the plants prescribed there are 8 ailment categories were classified. In present study, totally 50 plant species for ethnomedicine and 25 species of ethnoveterinary were encountered through the knowledge of indigenous tribal communities, Paliyar of Kurangani forest. Most of the treatments in both ethnobotany and ethnoveterinary practices with the use of herbs particularly leaf parts were perceived. For medicinal purposes, the family Malvaceae contributed majorly 5 species followed by Solanaceae with 4 species, Euphorbiaceae and Zingiberaceae contributed 3 species and afterward other family species solely mentioned for different ailments. In ethnoveterinary medicine documentation, 3 species belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae which is predominant, subsequently 2 species belong to Zingiberaceae. The mode of preparation and dosage, mode of application, duration of the treatment for each ailments have documented. This study highlights the traditional medicinal knowledge of the Kurangani tribal people, providing basic data for further research and protection of minority medicine. Thus, conservation of medicinal plants by local communities is emphasized in present study to avoid further loss. Moreover, phytochemical and pharmacological investigation is recommended with due consideration to frequently used medicinal plants.

Ethno - Medicinal Studies of Finima Nature Park - A Protected Tropical Rain Forest

Objective: This study was aimed at conducting a pilot survey of the ethno-medicinal plants in Finima Nature Park (FNP), Bonny, Nigeria, to elicit common medicinal plants and their uses. Method: A set of structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from three key informants (Traditional Medicine Practitioners-TMPs) and 62 household heads on the local medicinal utilization of plants in FNP. Plant utilization and preferences, perceived conservation status and use values were documented. Results: Eighty-three (83) plant species belonging to 45 Botanical families were frequently collected from FNP for local medicinal purposes. Rubiaceae was the most abundant (8%) plant family while the plant forms showed trees (46%), herbs (23%), shrubs (21%) and ferns (3%). Plant parts used for local medicine included leaves (44%), stem/barks (21%), roots (16%), whole plant (5%), fruits (5%), seeds (6%), tubers (2%) and flowers (1%). Infectious diseases were the most treated (30%), urogenital and endocrine diseases - such as thyroid (15%) and abdominal diseases (11%). Oral (62%) and dermal (30%) constitutes the main modes of administration. Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel. had the highest use value (3.5 - 4) while Ocimum gratissimum Linn., Vernonia amygdalina Delile and Alchornea cordifolia Schumach. & Thonn had the least (1). Perceived conservation status of medicinal plants by respondents revealed scarce (9%), threatened (31%) and abundance (60%). Conclusion: Finima Nature Park (FNP) is a repository of medicinal genetic resource and as such, its conservation should be upheld.

Ethnoecological study on the utilization of plants in Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu Geopark, Sukabumi, West Java, Indonesia

Wulandari I, Iskandar BS, Parikesit, Hudoso T, Iskandar J, Shanida SS, Megantara EN, Gunawan EF. 2021. Ethnoecological study on the utilization of plants in Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu Geopark, Sukabumi, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 661-674. Plants can provide benefits for community as food, medicine, fuel, building materials, furniture, and others. Plant utilization should be conducted sustainably in a region with high importance of geological, biological, and cultural diversity, such as in Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu Geopark, Sukabumi, West Java, Indonesia. This study aimed to reveal: (i) plant utilization by local community in Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu Geopark based on land cover; and (ii) community dependence on the plants being utilized. Method used in this study was mixed of qualitative and quantitative methods using direct observation, semi-structured and structured interviews data collection techniques. The result of study showed that the community in Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu Geopark still uses plants for food (80 species), medicinal plants (73 species), livestock fodder (9 species), firewood (27 species), building materials, furniture (38 species), and others (23 species). The highest plant utilization came from gardens (131 species), home gardens (99 species), natural forests (77 species), dry-paddy fields, and wet-paddy fields (7 species). Generally, various agroecosystems and also forest in Ciletuh-Palabuhanratu Geopark have an important role in providing plant products to fulfill the daily needs of rural people.