Floristic Studies in Two Species of Eleocharis R. Brown (Cyperaceae)

Present study is on our own critical observations on fresh plant material collected from the different parts. The observations are also based on herbarium specimens. Relevant data from literature have been referred for comparative study and conclusion including recent nomenclature. The study of Eleocharis R. Brown provides a detailed taxonomic description, illustration and relevant information for its easy identification in the field. Two species are collected and are described. The present report is hoped to provide basic material for further research in Cyperaceae

Status, Threats and Conservation of the Wetland Ecosystem Dominated with Mangroves in India

Mangroves are one of the most undermined biological systems. They have immense ecological and economic advantages. Consistent, increment in natural and coastal development like a change of wetlands for hydroponics, construction for tourism, the tsunami has led to the demolishment of mangrove environments in India. The inhabitants of minor zones are at risk of losing their livelihood and there is a threat to the existence of the mangrove ecosystem. It has been noted that from a decade ago, about 40% of the Indian mangrove territories have been lost. At present, the environmental changes and increased anthropogenic activities have become a significant concern for the conservation and sustaining of the mangroves. Conservation of mangrove environment can be accomplished by increasing awareness about their significance among various stakeholders and safeguarding them through mandatory national policy and regulations. A specific policy like Coastal Zone Regulation has been formulated to ensure mangrove conservation, sustainable existence of local community habitat along the coastal area, fishing community, and coastal stretches for marine habitat have been protected.

Morphological and Phytochemical Studies on Xanthium strumarium L.

Xanthium strumarium L. belonging to family Asteraceae is an annual herb with abundance occurring in India. This plant has been used in the indigenous system of medicine for a long time in India as well as other countries. The morphological studies reveal that there is notable difference in the plant habit, leaves, stem, root and flowers among this plant. Morphological study also helps for correct identification and nomenclature of plant. The chemicals present in root, stem and leaves drugs are analyzed physically as well as chemically by qualitative and quantitative parameters. In present study reveals morphology, medicinal properties and phytochemical studies of plants for correct identification authenticity of drugs. The details are presented in the present paper.

Role of Botanical Herbs Used in Covid-19 Treatment and Cure

Corona 2019 (COVID-19) is a new infectious disease caused by acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which belongs to the family of corona viruses. The first case appeared in December 2019, and the disease has transformed into a pandemic. Physical disability control is one of the main parts that play a role in its disease and leads to adverse effects for COVID-19 patients. At present, people believe taking herbal treatment that can stop COVID-19. Medicinal plants can distribute as the therapeutic agents so it can help people to fight against the COVID-19 disease by boost their immunities. And such as, it can help to decrease the death rate that are linked with SARS-CoV-2 infections. So, in this analysis, we can make an effort to combine and talk about of different kind of traditional medicinal plants and their biological properties that can help to build-up our immune system and also play a biggest role in the fight against the viral infections including COVID-19. This document will help researchers and industry to recognize and assess in the making medicinal herb that can meet their needs in a variation of applications including herbal / ayurvedic antiviral products, anti-bacterial/antimicrobial design, immune-potentiator development, sanitization and sanitization programs.

Changes in Soil Carbon Sequestration during Woody Plant Encroachment in Arid Ecosystems

Carbon sequestration is one of the most important and highly recommended measures for mitigating climate change. Soil organic carbon (SOC) has potential to sequester the largest amount of carbon (C) for the longest time period in the midst of the organic C sinks in terrestrial ecosystems of the earth. In recent years, apprehension of the role of soils as sink for carbon on a wide-ranging scale has become dynamic. From last 150 years, encroachment of trees and shrubs into grasslands and the ‘thicketization’ of savannas have been reported and is a global phenomenon. One possibly beneficial effect could be that the shrub and tree-dominated ecosystems will sequester more carbon and will be a buffer for elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. The question of what is impact of woody encroachment on soil carbon balance of an ecosystem has proved difficult to answer, and the results remain debatable. The magnitude and pattern of changes in the SOC with woody encroachment are exceedingly abstruse and varies from significant increases, to significant decreases to no net change in SOC. Impact of wood plant encroachment on carbon sequestration is discussed in this paper considering various studies with different results so it will lead to better understanding of the complex phenomenon. SOC sequestration is effective greenhouse gas mitigation strategy and a vital ecosystem service. Increasing SOC may helpful to mitigate negative effects of growing concentration of CO2 in atmosphere and may be advantageous in decelerating or reversal in global climate change rate.

Studies on Ethnobotanical Plants used by Banjara Tribal Community of Hingoli district in Maharashtra, India

The Ethnomedicinal survey on medicinal plants and their traditional uses was carried out in Sengaon Dist. Hingoli in Maharashtra. These areas are floristically rich area; in this area different species are growing in their natural habitat. The Banjara community of these regions uses some of the plants as medicine for the treatment of human ailments. In this area 100 ethnomedicinal plants species belonging to 50 families were recorded from Sengaon Dist. Hingoli. Some of them, about 45 important plants are mentioned in this paper. These plants are arranged accordingly alphabetically, local names and family and parts used as medicine.

Panini’s Astadhyayi in the Eyes of Plant Invasion on Indian Subcontinent

Indigenous plantlore is a manifestation in a given community, based on adaptation and wisdom of local people and environment. It develops over times and continues so also. This treasure of traditional knowledge is used to sustain the community and its bioculture. In long past, people of great understanding, christalized their wisdom in some treatises such as the Panini’s Astadhyayi. This treatise is understood and well known for the genesis and development of Sanskrit knowledge. Ancient Sanskrit scripts usually contain information concerning culture and sustenance based on plant world. The present author analysed it in view of plant invasion on Indian landmass in Panini’s time. Total 45 exotic plant species belonging to 44 genera and 29 angiospermic families are divulged from it. These belong to nearly all corners of the Old and New Worlds. Majority of them (28 species) are cultigens and still continue even in modern period in India. Of course, rest of them are wild, naturalised and presently constitute integral part of Indian biodiversity. The importance of such ancient treatises is dilated in this communication.

Studies on Canopy Parameters of Some Mangroves Along the Coast of Maharashtra

Mangrove species, viz., Avicennia officinalis, Avicennia marina var. acutissima, Avicennia marina (dwarf), Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia alba, Aegiceras corniculatum, Kandelia candel were chosen for measurement of height of the tree and girth or circumference. The sampling was random and at least 50 records were made. The girth is measured by the tape. The measurement of the height is made with the help of abny level. The Tables 1 to 8 records the values for girth, height and canopy cover as well as for correlation coefficient (r). There correlation between girth and canopy in all the species studied however in case of Avicennia officinalis and Aegiceras corniculatum girth and height show more co-relation than girth and C. cover. The positive co-relation observed between girth and canopy is more or less 0.7 except Avicennia marina (dwarf) Excoecaria agallocha and Aegiceras corniculatum. The co-relation is observed in girth and height is difficult to explain. This case is observed in Avicennia officinalis and Aegiceras corniculatum.

Plant Iconography Vis-A-Vis Plant Invasion in India: Glimpses, Sources and Evidences

India is a biodiversity rich country as well as mosaic of cultural traditions. Plant invasion has been demonstrated by biodiversity studies in India. Mankind had always determined the status of plant, whether indigenous or exotic and developed with them abstract relationships. The present author revealed a role of 26 exotic plant species in the development plant iconography and simultaneous forces of plant invasion in India even during pre-Columbian period. India being rich in ancient literary sources in the form of Vedas, Puranas, epics, caves, temples, Sanskrit writings etc. and replete with plant references, afforded numerous sources of plant iconography. It is an outstanding resource for research on plant history and diversity. However, study of plant iconography demands a wide collaboration with researchers of different subjects or disciplines. At the same, plant invasion hand-in-hand plant iconography are discussed pertinently in Indian context, a hitherto virgin area of research.

Plants of Temples and Religious Places in Khandesh Region (Maharashtra): An Ethnobotanical Perspective

Plants have been, since time immemorial, the focus of religious purposes for many human societies worldwide. Because of efficacious use in religious aspects, some plant species are said to be important. Certain plants are held sacred due to their intimate association with special locations like temple courtyards. These locations are easily overlooked for scientific investigations. People are closely associated with the plant-wealth in such places as well although on religious ground. These need to be tapped for indigenous wisdom for human welfare. The present authors inventorised three districts of Khandesh region (Maharashtra) to divulge plantlore. Total 28 species belonging to 27 genera and 21 angiospermic families are presently focussed touching four aspects viz., sacredness, miscellaneous uses, cosmetics and medicinal utilities. The worshippers, trustees and people intimately associated with temples and religious places have been interviewed to tap down traditional ethnobotanical information. This work provides an account of religious and cultural ways of conserving biodiversity. At the same, these places help improve local environment. Further studies in a country like India are desired to unearth the potentials of religious locations.