The present study was conducted to elaborate vegetation composition structure to analyze role of edaphic and topographic factors on plant species distribution and community formation during 2013–14. A mixture of quadrat and transect methods were used. The size of quadrat for trees shrubs and herbs were 10 × 5, 5 × 2, 1 × 1 meter square respectively. Different phytosociological attribute were measured at each station. Primary results reported 123 plant species belong to 46 families. Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were dominant families with 8 species each. PCORD version 5 were used for Cluster and Two Way Cluster Analyses that initiated 4 plant communities within elevation range of 529–700 m from sea level. Indicator species analyses (ISA) were used to identify indicator species of each community. CANOCO Software (version 4.5) was used to measure the influence of edaphic and topographic variables on species composition, diversity and community formation. Whereas Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to measure the effect of environmental variables which showed elevation and aspect were the stronger environmental variable among topographic and CaCO3 contents, electric conductivity, soil pH were the stronger edaphic factors in determination of vegetation and communities of the Bheer Hills. Grazing pressure was one of the main anthropogenic factors in this regard.
INDICATOR SPECIES ANALYSES OF WEED COMMUNITIES OF MAIZE CROP IN DISTRICT MARD...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Weeds are unwanted plant species growing in natural environment. Composition and abundance of weeds are influenced by number of environmental variables as well as farming practices in an ecosystem. Present study was formulated to measure the effect of environmental variables on weed species composition, abundance, distribution pattern and formation of various weeds communities in Union Council Shahbaz Ghari (total area 3956 ha, Agriculture land 1701 ha), District Mardan. Quantitative ecological techniques by adapting quadrat method were used to assess environmental variability and weed species distribution in the targeted region. Nine quadrats of 1×1 m2 size were placed randomly in 65 different fields of the UC. Phytosociological attributes such as density, frequency, relative density, relative frequency and Importance Values were measured for each field. Preliminary results showed that UC Shahbaz Ghari has 29 different weed species belong to 15 different families. Presence absence (1,0) data of 29 species and 65 fields were analyzed using Cluster and Two Way Cluster Analysesvia PC-ORD version 5 resulting four major weed communities. Dominant weed species of the area are Cyperus rotundus, Urochloa panicoides, Brachiaria ramosa, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Commelina benghalensis and Canvolvulus arvensis while Cannabis sativa, Ipomea purpurea, Amaranthus blitoides, Xanthium strumarium, Lactuca dissecta and Cucurbita maxima are rare weed species. Indicator Species Analyses (ISA) of data identified indicators of each sort of micro environmental condition. Based on our findings, it is recommended that awareness can be created among farmers especially about their farming practices to minimize noxious weeds of maize crop
Key words: Cluster analyses, indicator species analyses, maize, PC-ORD, weeds and Weed communities.
Vegetation mapping and multivariate approach to indicator species of a forest...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Abstract
Questions
Does the plant species composition of Thandiani sub Forests Division (TsFD) correlate with edaphic, topographic and climatic variables? Is it possible to identify different plant communities in relation to environmental gradients with special emphasis on indicator species? Can this approach to vegetation classification support conservation planning?
Location
Thandiani sub Forests Division, Western Himalayas.
Methods
Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of species along with environmental variables were measured using a randomly stratified design to identify the major plant communities and indicator species of the Thandiani sub Forests Division. Species composition was recorded in 10 × 2.5 × 2 and 0.5 × 0.5 m square plots for trees, shrubs and herbs, respectively. GPS, edaphic and topographic data were also recorded for each sample plot. A total of 1500 quadrats were established in 50 sampling stations along eight altitudinal transects encompassing eastern, western, northern and southern aspects (slopes). The altitudinal range of the study area was 1290 m to 2626 m above sea level using. The relationships between species composition and environmental variables were analyzed using Two Way Cluster Analysis (TWCA) and Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) via PCORD version 5.
Results
A total of 252 plant species belonging to 97 families were identified. TWCA and ISA recognized five plant communities. ISA additionally revealed that mountain slope aspect, soil pH and soil electrical conductivity were the strongest environmental factors (p ≤ 0.05) determining plant community composition and indicator species in each habitat. The results also show the strength of the environment-species relationship using Monte Carlo procedures.
Conclusions
An analysis of vegetation along an environmental gradient in the Thandiani sub Forests Division using the Braun-Blanquet approach confirmed by robust tools of multivariate statistics identified indicators of each sort of microclimatic zones/vegetation communities which could further be used in conservation planning and management not only in the area studied but in the adjacent regions exhibit similar sort of environmental conditions.
Grasslands play a critical role in the global storage of atmospheric carbon (C). Precise estimation of C contents in different plant components is essential to formulate a strategy for mitigating the atmospheric C. Biomass (B) and C of different herbaceous plant components at species, functional group and site levels from tropical grassland locating on the campus of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India were estimated. For this; 117 herbaceous species just-before flowering were harvested. B and C contents for each species and component were measured and statistically analyzed. The measured C (g plant-1) across the components varied from 0.08 to 31.12. On gm-2 basis; it varied between 29 (leaf) and 49 (root). Plant components, species and functional groups in isolation caused significant differences in the measured C. In the present study; the C content of stem was greater than the leaf and root. The perennial, erect, leguminous and native traits had greater C than the others. Therefore, this observation revealed that the perennial, erect, leguminous and native plants could be a better option for reducing the atmospheric CO2 by capturing it and then converting into B through photosynthesis. Further, the fitted regression equation between the root and shoot for B and C could be used for the extrapolation of B and C of the root component based on the shoot component. The conservative field measurement methods may give precise data on B and C but are destructive to grassland, difficult, time-consuming, and costly to cover at large scale. Hence, the present work could be substantial for the estimation of root C based on shoot component.
International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) is an open access online peer reviewed international journal that publishes research and review articles in the fields of Computer Science, Neural Networks, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Plastic Engineering, Food Technology, Textile Engineering, Nano Technology & science, Power Electronics, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Computational mathematics, Image processing, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, VLSI Testing & Low Power VLSI Design etc.
The HortFlora Research Spectrum (HRS), is an international-peer reviewed, open access journal that serves as a forum for the exchange and dissemination of R & D advances and innovations in all facets of Horticultural Science (Pomology, Olericulture, Floriculture, Post Harvest Technology, Plant Biotechnology, and Medicinal & Aromatic Plants etc.) and its allied branches on an international level.
HRS is officially published quarterly (March, June, September and December) every year, in English (print & online version), under the keen auspices of Biosciences & Agriculture Advancement Society (BAAS), Meerut (India).
The journal is Indexed/Abstracted in
• Index Copernicus International, Poland with ICV: 27.39 • Ministry of Science & Higher Education, Poland with 02 points • Global Impact Factor with GIF 0.364• Indian Science Abstracts • CAB Abstracts • CABI Full text • CAB direct • ICRISAT-infoSAT • Google Scholar• CiteFactor • InfoBase Index with IBI Factor: 2.8 •New Journal Impact Factor (NJIF): 2.14 • ResearchBib • AgBiotech Net • Horticultural Science Abstracts • Forestry & Agroforestry Abstracts• Agric. Engg. Abstracts • Crop Physiology Abstracts • PGRs Abstracts • ResearchGate.net • getCited.com • Reference Repository • OAJI.net • Journal Index.net• University of Washington Library • University of Ottawa Library • Swedish University of Agric. Sci. Library, Stockholm, Sweden;
Full text PDF are available at: www.hortflorajournal.com
Residual value analyses of the medicinal flora of the western himalayasShujaul Mulk Khan
Statistical analyses of the medicinal flora of the Naran Valley in the Western Himalayas were performed using Moerman’s methods and Principal Components Analysis (PCA). The results demonstrate that the valley’s indigenous people utilize medicinal plants in a systematic way. Sixty-eight families of plants were identified during the study, of which 52 contained one or more species of medicinal value. The standard deviation for residual values of all the 68 families was 0.993 and the results of the residual analysis revealed that seven of these plant families were overused by the local people, indicated by residual values greater than the standard deviation. Residual values obtained from a regression analysis of plant species with their medicinal uses showed that the families with the highest rank were Polygonaceae, Gentianaceae, Lamiaceae, Rosaceae and Plantaginaceae, indicating their medicinal importance. By comparison, Poaceae, Boraginaceae, Primulaceae, Salicaceae, and Ranunculaceae were the lowest ranking families, containing few species of medicinal value. Although a few of the most species-rich families in the valley contained a high number of medicinal plants and hence displayed high residual values, some other species-rich families contained few or no species of medicinal value. For example, the third largest family, Poaceae, is the lowest in terms of its residual value, while the largest family, Asteraceae, contains only seven species noted as having medicinal uses. Sixteen plant families in the valley contained no species with reported medicinal use, while seven families contained only one species with medicinal value. In contrast, all of the species in several of the least species-rich families were recorded as having a medicinal use. The results of a Principal Components Analysis showed a gradient of medicinal plant use along the valley. Using robust statistical approaches, our study provides a clear indication that the indigenous people of this Western Himalayan valley utilize wild plants according to their traditional knowledge and not on the basis of plant abundance.
Environmental determinants of plant associations and evaluation of the conser...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Hindu Kush is the largest mountain range of Central Asia that forms part of a vast alpine zone that stretches across the Eurasia from east towards the South Asia. We studied vegetation structure and the role of edaphic and topographic factors on distribution and formation of plant associations with specific emphais on Parrotiopsis species of the Districts Dir regions in the Hindu Kush Mountains. We also assessed the conservation status of Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana, an endemic species of the western Himalayan floristic province. We hypothesized that edaphic and climatic factors were responsible for the formation of different plant associations each with distinct indicators. A combination of transect and quadrat based methods were used for sampling. We used two way cluster analysis (TWCA), cluster analysis (CA), indicator species analysis, detrended correspondence analysis and canonical correspondence analysis to analyze and elaborate the vegetation pattern and formation. We used Google Earth Path software (V 1.4.6) for the calculation of extant of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) for evaluation of conservation status of P. jacquemontiana. A total of 142 plant species were reported belonging to 62 families. CA and TWCA clustered four plant associations within altitudinal range of 1556–2313 m. Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana should be designated as endangered species under ‘EN A2acd; B1B2 bc (i, ii, iii) of IUCN red list categories and criteria in the region. We found that high phosphorous and potassium concentration, elevation, aspect, slope, lower pH, electrical conductivity and soil texture were significant environmental variables that play an important role in the determination of vegetation structure, formation of plant associations and its indicators in the region. This information will be useful for conservation and management practices for endemic and rare plant taxa, and evaluation of vegetation structure.
INDICATOR SPECIES ANALYSES OF WEED COMMUNITIES OF MAIZE CROP IN DISTRICT MARD...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Weeds are unwanted plant species growing in natural environment. Composition and abundance of weeds are influenced by number of environmental variables as well as farming practices in an ecosystem. Present study was formulated to measure the effect of environmental variables on weed species composition, abundance, distribution pattern and formation of various weeds communities in Union Council Shahbaz Ghari (total area 3956 ha, Agriculture land 1701 ha), District Mardan. Quantitative ecological techniques by adapting quadrat method were used to assess environmental variability and weed species distribution in the targeted region. Nine quadrats of 1×1 m2 size were placed randomly in 65 different fields of the UC. Phytosociological attributes such as density, frequency, relative density, relative frequency and Importance Values were measured for each field. Preliminary results showed that UC Shahbaz Ghari has 29 different weed species belong to 15 different families. Presence absence (1,0) data of 29 species and 65 fields were analyzed using Cluster and Two Way Cluster Analysesvia PC-ORD version 5 resulting four major weed communities. Dominant weed species of the area are Cyperus rotundus, Urochloa panicoides, Brachiaria ramosa, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Commelina benghalensis and Canvolvulus arvensis while Cannabis sativa, Ipomea purpurea, Amaranthus blitoides, Xanthium strumarium, Lactuca dissecta and Cucurbita maxima are rare weed species. Indicator Species Analyses (ISA) of data identified indicators of each sort of micro environmental condition. Based on our findings, it is recommended that awareness can be created among farmers especially about their farming practices to minimize noxious weeds of maize crop
Key words: Cluster analyses, indicator species analyses, maize, PC-ORD, weeds and Weed communities.
Vegetation mapping and multivariate approach to indicator species of a forest...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Abstract
Questions
Does the plant species composition of Thandiani sub Forests Division (TsFD) correlate with edaphic, topographic and climatic variables? Is it possible to identify different plant communities in relation to environmental gradients with special emphasis on indicator species? Can this approach to vegetation classification support conservation planning?
Location
Thandiani sub Forests Division, Western Himalayas.
Methods
Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of species along with environmental variables were measured using a randomly stratified design to identify the major plant communities and indicator species of the Thandiani sub Forests Division. Species composition was recorded in 10 × 2.5 × 2 and 0.5 × 0.5 m square plots for trees, shrubs and herbs, respectively. GPS, edaphic and topographic data were also recorded for each sample plot. A total of 1500 quadrats were established in 50 sampling stations along eight altitudinal transects encompassing eastern, western, northern and southern aspects (slopes). The altitudinal range of the study area was 1290 m to 2626 m above sea level using. The relationships between species composition and environmental variables were analyzed using Two Way Cluster Analysis (TWCA) and Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) via PCORD version 5.
Results
A total of 252 plant species belonging to 97 families were identified. TWCA and ISA recognized five plant communities. ISA additionally revealed that mountain slope aspect, soil pH and soil electrical conductivity were the strongest environmental factors (p ≤ 0.05) determining plant community composition and indicator species in each habitat. The results also show the strength of the environment-species relationship using Monte Carlo procedures.
Conclusions
An analysis of vegetation along an environmental gradient in the Thandiani sub Forests Division using the Braun-Blanquet approach confirmed by robust tools of multivariate statistics identified indicators of each sort of microclimatic zones/vegetation communities which could further be used in conservation planning and management not only in the area studied but in the adjacent regions exhibit similar sort of environmental conditions.
Grasslands play a critical role in the global storage of atmospheric carbon (C). Precise estimation of C contents in different plant components is essential to formulate a strategy for mitigating the atmospheric C. Biomass (B) and C of different herbaceous plant components at species, functional group and site levels from tropical grassland locating on the campus of Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India were estimated. For this; 117 herbaceous species just-before flowering were harvested. B and C contents for each species and component were measured and statistically analyzed. The measured C (g plant-1) across the components varied from 0.08 to 31.12. On gm-2 basis; it varied between 29 (leaf) and 49 (root). Plant components, species and functional groups in isolation caused significant differences in the measured C. In the present study; the C content of stem was greater than the leaf and root. The perennial, erect, leguminous and native traits had greater C than the others. Therefore, this observation revealed that the perennial, erect, leguminous and native plants could be a better option for reducing the atmospheric CO2 by capturing it and then converting into B through photosynthesis. Further, the fitted regression equation between the root and shoot for B and C could be used for the extrapolation of B and C of the root component based on the shoot component. The conservative field measurement methods may give precise data on B and C but are destructive to grassland, difficult, time-consuming, and costly to cover at large scale. Hence, the present work could be substantial for the estimation of root C based on shoot component.
International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications (IJERA) is an open access online peer reviewed international journal that publishes research and review articles in the fields of Computer Science, Neural Networks, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Plastic Engineering, Food Technology, Textile Engineering, Nano Technology & science, Power Electronics, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Computational mathematics, Image processing, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, VLSI Testing & Low Power VLSI Design etc.
The HortFlora Research Spectrum (HRS), is an international-peer reviewed, open access journal that serves as a forum for the exchange and dissemination of R & D advances and innovations in all facets of Horticultural Science (Pomology, Olericulture, Floriculture, Post Harvest Technology, Plant Biotechnology, and Medicinal & Aromatic Plants etc.) and its allied branches on an international level.
HRS is officially published quarterly (March, June, September and December) every year, in English (print & online version), under the keen auspices of Biosciences & Agriculture Advancement Society (BAAS), Meerut (India).
The journal is Indexed/Abstracted in
• Index Copernicus International, Poland with ICV: 27.39 • Ministry of Science & Higher Education, Poland with 02 points • Global Impact Factor with GIF 0.364• Indian Science Abstracts • CAB Abstracts • CABI Full text • CAB direct • ICRISAT-infoSAT • Google Scholar• CiteFactor • InfoBase Index with IBI Factor: 2.8 •New Journal Impact Factor (NJIF): 2.14 • ResearchBib • AgBiotech Net • Horticultural Science Abstracts • Forestry & Agroforestry Abstracts• Agric. Engg. Abstracts • Crop Physiology Abstracts • PGRs Abstracts • ResearchGate.net • getCited.com • Reference Repository • OAJI.net • Journal Index.net• University of Washington Library • University of Ottawa Library • Swedish University of Agric. Sci. Library, Stockholm, Sweden;
Full text PDF are available at: www.hortflorajournal.com
Residual value analyses of the medicinal flora of the western himalayasShujaul Mulk Khan
Statistical analyses of the medicinal flora of the Naran Valley in the Western Himalayas were performed using Moerman’s methods and Principal Components Analysis (PCA). The results demonstrate that the valley’s indigenous people utilize medicinal plants in a systematic way. Sixty-eight families of plants were identified during the study, of which 52 contained one or more species of medicinal value. The standard deviation for residual values of all the 68 families was 0.993 and the results of the residual analysis revealed that seven of these plant families were overused by the local people, indicated by residual values greater than the standard deviation. Residual values obtained from a regression analysis of plant species with their medicinal uses showed that the families with the highest rank were Polygonaceae, Gentianaceae, Lamiaceae, Rosaceae and Plantaginaceae, indicating their medicinal importance. By comparison, Poaceae, Boraginaceae, Primulaceae, Salicaceae, and Ranunculaceae were the lowest ranking families, containing few species of medicinal value. Although a few of the most species-rich families in the valley contained a high number of medicinal plants and hence displayed high residual values, some other species-rich families contained few or no species of medicinal value. For example, the third largest family, Poaceae, is the lowest in terms of its residual value, while the largest family, Asteraceae, contains only seven species noted as having medicinal uses. Sixteen plant families in the valley contained no species with reported medicinal use, while seven families contained only one species with medicinal value. In contrast, all of the species in several of the least species-rich families were recorded as having a medicinal use. The results of a Principal Components Analysis showed a gradient of medicinal plant use along the valley. Using robust statistical approaches, our study provides a clear indication that the indigenous people of this Western Himalayan valley utilize wild plants according to their traditional knowledge and not on the basis of plant abundance.
Environmental determinants of plant associations and evaluation of the conser...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Hindu Kush is the largest mountain range of Central Asia that forms part of a vast alpine zone that stretches across the Eurasia from east towards the South Asia. We studied vegetation structure and the role of edaphic and topographic factors on distribution and formation of plant associations with specific emphais on Parrotiopsis species of the Districts Dir regions in the Hindu Kush Mountains. We also assessed the conservation status of Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana, an endemic species of the western Himalayan floristic province. We hypothesized that edaphic and climatic factors were responsible for the formation of different plant associations each with distinct indicators. A combination of transect and quadrat based methods were used for sampling. We used two way cluster analysis (TWCA), cluster analysis (CA), indicator species analysis, detrended correspondence analysis and canonical correspondence analysis to analyze and elaborate the vegetation pattern and formation. We used Google Earth Path software (V 1.4.6) for the calculation of extant of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO) for evaluation of conservation status of P. jacquemontiana. A total of 142 plant species were reported belonging to 62 families. CA and TWCA clustered four plant associations within altitudinal range of 1556–2313 m. Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana should be designated as endangered species under ‘EN A2acd; B1B2 bc (i, ii, iii) of IUCN red list categories and criteria in the region. We found that high phosphorous and potassium concentration, elevation, aspect, slope, lower pH, electrical conductivity and soil texture were significant environmental variables that play an important role in the determination of vegetation structure, formation of plant associations and its indicators in the region. This information will be useful for conservation and management practices for endemic and rare plant taxa, and evaluation of vegetation structure.
Effects of 60Co gamma radiation doses on seed germination of Jatropha curcas ...Innspub Net
By: Baudouin K. Nyembo, Alexandre N. Mbaya, Calvin C. Ilunga, Jean-Louis N. Muambi, Luc L. Tshilenge
Key Words: Jatropha curcas, Gamma irradiation, Seed germination, LD50.
Int. J. Agron. Agri. Res. 13(5), 46-52, November 2018.
This study aimed to assess the effects of different gamma radiation doses from Cobalt -60 isotopic source on seed germination and early growth parameters of Jatropha curcas L. Healthy and dry seeds were subjected to three doses of gamma rays (100, 200 and 300 Gy). The experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design, with three replicates. The significantly maximum germination percentage (89.85 %), seedling survival (92.3 %), seedling collar diameter (0.892 cm), plant height (17.30 cm), number of leaves (7) were observed at 30 days after germination. The results revealed that seed germination percentages and seedling shoot length decreased with increasing dose of gamma-rays. Higher gamma-ray dose (300 Gy) in particular had a pronounced effect on these germination parameters than others, probably because high-dose inhibited cell division due to free radicals and DNA system damage. The LD50 for seeds germination rates was obtained at 254 Gy. These results implied that germination traits of Jatropha curcas seeds were sensitive to increase in gamma-ray.
Ecological assessment of plant communities in the peochar valley of the hindu...Shujaul Mulk Khan
This study quantified the effect of environmental variables on plant species composition in the Peochar Valley, located in the Hindu Raj mountains of the Hindu Kush. A mixture of quadrat and transect methods were used. Quadrat sizes were 10 × 10 m, 2 × 5 m, and 1 m2 for trees, shrubs, and herbs, respectively, determined using the minimal area method. Twenty-seven stations were established along 6 elevation transects on slopes with various aspects. Density, cover, and frequency were recorded for all species in each quadrat. Aspect, elevation, rock types, soil nature, and grazing pressure were also considered as edaphic and topographic variables. Preliminary results showed that the Peochar Valley hosts 120 species. Presence/absence data for these species were analyzed with cluster and 2-way cluster techniques to elaborate species composition in the study area; this resulted in 4 plant communities. Species abundance and environmental data matrices were developed to evaluate the ecological gradient of vegetation through canonical correspondence analysis. Of the environmental variables, elevation, aspect, grazing pressure, soil depth, and rock type showed a significant effect on species composition and diversity. We also identified the dominant and rare plant species in each plant community based on their low importance value indexes. Conservation measures are recommended for all flora of this valley and for rare species in particular.
Responses of wheat seedling to varying moisture conditions and relationship b...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
— The following study was conducted to estimate the genotypic differences among 30 wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes under different moisture regimes and relationship between morphological and molecular characterization. Eight seedling parameters root length (RL), shoot length (SL), root fresh weight (RFW), shoot fresh weight (SFW), root dry weight (RDW), shoot dry weight (SDW), chlorophyll rate (CR) and survival rate (SR) were studied at four different soil moisture conditions (T 1 40%,T 2 60%,T 3 80%,T 4 100%) using two factor factorial complete randomized design (CRD). Significant differences among genotypes were observed by analysis of variance. For heritability estimates, survival rate showed lowest heritability under all the treatments. Principal components analysis accounted 81.4% variation in T 1 , 81.9% in T2, 87.7% in T3 and 84.7% in T4 conditions in first PC. Selected diverse genotypes were further fingerprinted with 10 ISSR markers. A total of 74 DNA fragments were detected and 72.7% of was polymorphic. The amplified DNA fragments were ranged from 4 (UBC-809) to 11 (UBC-808). PIC values were ranged from 0.32 to 0.81. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into 4 clusters on the basis of molecular and phenotypic characterization under T4 normal conditions whereas under T1 (moisture stress) conditions genotypes were grouped into 5 clusters explaining genotypic differences under different moisture conditions. The present results showed that phenotypic difference in wheat seedling expression under different water regimes is accompanied with molecular basis, which offer a prospective to enhance wheat adaptation under moisture stress conditions.
Emerging issues and challenges associated with conservation of the African ba...Innspub Net
The aim of this review is to discuss the emerging issues and challenges in baobab conservation based on the climate change, emerging challenges related to herbivory and human use such as emerging of new markets for baobab products and land use changes.Specifically, the review summarizes scientific questions and challenges for the conservation of one of the most important indigenous fruit tree species, Adansonia digitata in Sub-Saharan Africa. It highlights on new information on the status of A. digitata in Tanzania with a strong focus on ethno-botanical issues, traditional and modern uses as well as challenges for the management and conservation of the tree species.We have done that by using facts from different parts of the geographical ranges of Africa and other parts of the world. The review is based on the belief that understanding the factors underpinning the use and management of A. digitata is an essential step towards development of credible strategies and plans that would advance and lead to sustainable management of baobabs.
Climatic variability and spatial distribution of herbaceous fodders in the Su...IJERA Editor
This study focused on future spatial distributions of Andropogon gayanus, Loxodera ledermanii and Alysicarpus
ovalifolius regarding bioclimatic variables in the Sudanian zone of Benin, particularly in the W Biosphere
Reserve (WBR). These species were selected according to their importance for animals feed and the
intensification of exploitation pressure induced change in their natural spatial distribution. Twenty (20)
bioclimatic variables were tested and variables with high auto-correlation values were eliminated. Then, we
retained seven climatic variables for the model. A MaxEnt (Maximum Entropy) method was used to identify all
climatic factors which determined the spatial distribution of the three species. Spatial distribution showed for
Andropogon gayanus, a regression of high area distribution in detriment of low and moderate areas. The same
trend was observed for Loxodera ledermannii spatial distribution. For Alysicarpus ovalifolius, currently area
with moderate and low distribution were the most represented but map showed in 2050 that area with high
distribution increased. We can deduce that without bioclimatic variables, others factors such as: biotic
interactions, dispersion constraints, anthropic pressure, human activities and another historic factor determined
spatial distribution of species. Modeling techniques that require only presence data are therefore extremely
valuable.
Pollen morphological variation of berberis l. from pakistan and its systemati...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Due to overlapping and diverse morphological characters, Berberis is among the most taxonomically complex genera. Palynology is one of the taxonomic tools for delimitation and identification of complex species. In this study, pollens of 10 Berberis species were analyzed through light and scanning electron microscopy. Qualitative as well as quantitative
features (pollen shape, size, presence or absence of colpi, colpi length and width, exine thickness, ornamentation, pollen class, aperture, and polar–equatorial ratio) were measured. Five species were observed to have colpate (pantocolpate) with elongated ends, radially symmetrical, isopolar, monads, and psilate-regulate pollens. In polar view, six pollen were spheroidal, two were ovoid, one spherical, and one oblate. Similarly, variation in pollen length was prominent and the largest pollen on polar view was recorded for B. psodoumbellata 60–65 μm (62.4 ± 0.9), while the smallest one was observed for B. lycium 29–35 μm (32.2 ± 1). The observed variation in both quantitative and qualitative features were important in taxonomic identification. This shows that palynological haracters
are helpful in identification of Berberis genus at the species level.
Seasonal growth patterns of Arundo donax L. in the United States | IJAAR @sli...Innspub Net
Giant reed (Arundo donax L.) has been extensively evaluated as a dedicated energy crop for biomass and biofuel production in southern Europe and the United States, with very favorable results. Current agronomic and biologic research on giant reed focuses on management practices, development of new cultivars, and determining differences among existing cultivars. Even though detailed information on the growth patterns of giant reed would assist in development of improved management practices, this information is not available in the United States. Therefore, the objective of this 2-year field study was to describe the seasonal growth patterns of giant reed in Alabama, United States. Changes in both plant height and biomass yield of giant reed with time were well described by a Gompertz function. The fastest growing period occurred at approximately 66 d after initiation of regrowth (mid-May), when the absolute maximum growth rate was of 0.045 m d-1 and 0.516mg ha-1 d-1. After mid-May, the rate of growth decreased until maturation at approximately 200 d after initiation of regrowth (mid- to late September). The observed maximum average plant height and biomass yield were 5.28 m and 48.56mg ha-1, respectively. Yield decreased following maturation up to 278 d after initiation (early to mid-December) of growth in spring, partly as a result of leaf loss, and was relatively stable thereafter.
Productivity and quality of sugar beet as affecting by sowing and irrigation ...Innspub Net
Two field experiments were carried out at Kalabsho Experimental Farm, Dakahlia Governorate, Sugar Crops Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt, during 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 seasons to study the effect of sowing methods (mechanical and manual methods), irrigation methods (surface and drip irrigation system) and hill spacings (10, 15 and 20cm between hills) on yield and its components, as well as quality of sugar beet cv. Hossam as a multigerm variety under sandy soil conditions. The obtained results could be summarized as follows; the optimum sowing method that produced the highest values of yield and its components as well as root quality parameters was mechanical sowing method (planter machine) in both seasons. Irrigation sugar beet plants by using drip irrigation system yielded the highest values of yield and its components as well as root quality parameters and followed by using surface flooding irrigation system in both seasons. Planting sugar beet seeds on one side of the ridge, 60cm width, and 20cm between hills, resulting plant population density 35000 plants/fed produced, the highest values of yield and its components and root quality parameters and followed by planting on 15cm between hills, resulting plant population density 46666 plants/fed and finally planting on 10cm between hills, resulting plant population density 70000 plants/fed in the two seasons. From the obtained data in this study, it can be concluded that sowing sugar beet using mechanical sowing method (planter machine), irrigation by using drip irrigation system and planting on one side of the ridge, 60cm width, and 20cm between hills, resulting plant population density 35000 plants/fed in order to maximizing its productivity and quality under the environmental conditions of sandy soil in Kalabsho region, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt.
Improving the growth of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) by magnetized wat...Innspub Net
Magnetic water is considered one of several physical factors affects plant growth and development. A pot experiment was carried out in research farm of the Shahre-Rey Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran during summer 2012 to comparison between magnetic and non magnetic water on some traits of cowpea. Results showed that Irrigation with magnetized water increased leaf, stem and root fresh and dry weight as well as total biomass as compared to ordinary water. Magnetic water also raised stomatal conductance, water use efficiency (WUE) (in term of total biomass produced to amount of water consumed), leaf area, specific leaf area (SLA), leaf area ratio (LAR), and root weight ratio (RWR) than that the control. However magnetized water decreased shoot root ratio (SRR) and also had not significant effect on leaf weight ratio (LWR) and stem weight ratio (SWR) as compared to non magnetized water. The stimulatory impact of magnetic water may be ascribed to the increasing of root growth and stomatal conductance which increase absorption and assimilation of nutrients. It appears that irrigation with magnetic water may be considered a promising technique to improving growth and WUE of cowpea. Get the full articles at: http://www.innspub.net/volume-3-number-1-january-2013-2/
Phyto climatic gradient of vegetation and habitat specificity in the high ele...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Phyto-climatic gradient and ecological indicators can be used to understand the requirements, long term management and conservation strategies of natural habitats and species. For this purpose phytosociological attributes were measured using quadrats along transects on different slope aspects across an elevation range of 2450-4400 m. The 198 recorded plant species were placed in five Raunkiaer life form classes among which the Hemicryptophytes (51%) dominate the flora of the study area followed by Phanerophytes and Cryptophytes (Geophytes) with 15 and 13% dominance respectively. Therophytes and Chamaephytes are represented by smaller numbers (12 & 10% each). The phyto-climatic gradient of the vegetation was evaluated using Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Phyto-climatic relationships show that Phanerophytes especially tree species are widely distributed on northern aspect slopes whilst shrubs are more dominant on southern aspect slopes. Woody plants are dominant at lower altitudes (2450-2800 m), with a much smaller proportion occurring at middle elevations (2800-3300 m) whilst higher (3300-3900 m) and highest elevations (3900-4400 m) are dominated mainly by hemi-cryptophytes and cryptophytes. Our findings further elucidate that vegetation changes gradually from moist-cool temperate Phanerophytic and Chamaephytic elements to dry-cold subalpine and alpine herbaceous Cryptophytic and Hemi-cryptophytic vegetation in the upper elevations. Assessment of life forms and ecological gradient provide a basis for more extensive conservation studies on biodiversity in mountain ecosystems. Our findings further advocate that the Naran Valley appears to be at a transitional floristic position bridging the contrasting moist and dry temperate zones of the Sino-Japanese and Irano-Turanian floristic regions.
Diversity and distribution of butterflies in the open and close canopy forest...Innspub Net
Butterflies were sampled in Cadaclan, San Fernando La Union Botanical Garden (LUBG) of North Luzon to provide information on species-level diversity trend and distribution of butterflies on the open and close canopy portion of the dipterocarp forest from 2012-2014 using field transect method Species accumulation curve shows that additional sampling is needed for the possible turnover of species. Butterfly abundance was higher in open canopy forest with a mean individual of 8.14 per 10 meters out of the 814 total individuals. The close canopy forest had only 4.57 mean individuals for the total of 457. Species level diversity was higher in open canopy forest (H’ = 1.957) compared with the closed canopy forest (H’ = 1.933). These results suggest that butterflies prefer open canopy forest or clearing for their plights. Butterfly spatial distribution was uneven in the dipterocarp forest of LUBG with only 6 species of aggregate assemblages and 98 species with random distribution. Get more articles at: http://www.innspub.net/volume-6-number-1-january-2015-jbes/
There is a great contamination of water, soil, air, soil erosion, pest resistance
and extensive use of chemical fertilizers cause a turn to induce agriculture for
producing safe and clean products. For this purpose, by using natural materials like
algae on the beach, organic and environmentally friendly fertilizer was prepared. In
this investigation effect of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer (SLF) of Ulva fasciata at
concentrations of 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% on some parameters of wheat
(Triticum aestivum var. chamran) has been investigated. Based on the results, above
algae can be used as a food supplement solution in the form of foliar spray at 2.5%
concentration with a significant increase in morphological and biochemical indices.
Diversity of drought tolerance and seed yield in sunflower (Helianthus annuus...Innspub Net
Randomized complete block design with four replications in two drought and non-drought environments was used for this study. Drought resistance indices were calculated based on seed yield in stress and non-stress conditions. The results showed that GMP and STI were the best drought resistance indices so had the positive and significant correlation with Yp and Ys. Three dimensional graph showed that RFG5*AF80, G-543 and Farokh were the drought resistant hybrids. These hybrids had the highest amount of Yp, Ys, GMP and STI that revealed the highest yield potential as well as drought tolerance in these genotypes. Because of that these hybrids have promised potential to cultivate in drought prone environments. Regression analysis revealed that the traits grain filling rate, grain filling duration and water use efficiency accounted for 97.0% of total variation exist in seed yield. Path coefficient analysis demonstrated the highest and positive direct effect of grain filling rate and grain filling duration on seed yield in sunflower hybrids. Water use efficiency had low direct effect while high indirect effects via grain filling duration on seed yield. Therefore, the study revealed the importance of total grain filling rate and grain filling duration as indirect selection criteria for genetic improvement of seed yield in sunflower breeding programs especially in early generations. On the other hand, indirect effects of water use efficiency through grain filling duration on seed yield have promising result in selection programs. Get the full articles at: http://www.innspub.net/volume-6-number-5-may-2015-jbes/
Plant species and communities assessment in interaction with edaphic and topo...Shujaul Mulk Khan
The current analyses of vegetation were aimed to study the different effects of environmental variables on plant species and communities and their combined interactions to these variables, identified threats to local vegetation and suggestion for remedial measures in the Mount Eelum, Swat, Pakistan. For assessment of environmental variability quantitative ecological techniques were used through quadrats having sizes of 2 × 2, 5 × 5 and 10 × 10 m2 for herbs, shrubs and trees respectively. Result of the present study revealed 124 plant species in the study area. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to analyze the ecological gradient of vegetation. The environmental data and species abundance were used in CANOCO software version 4.5. The presence absence data of plant species were elaborated with Cluster and Two Way Cluster Analysis techniques using PC-ORD version 5 to show different species composition that resulted in five plant communities. Findings indicate that elevation, aspect and soil texture are the strongest variables that have significant effect on species composition and distribution of various communities shown with P value 0.0500. It is recommended to protect and use sensibly whole of the Flora normally and rare species particularly in the region.
Ecological gradient analyses of plant associations in the thandiani forests o...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Abstract: In the summers of 2012 and 2013, vegetation of Thandiani in the Western Himalayas of Pakistan was surveyed and quantified. We took evidence from relationships between 252 species and 11 measured environmental factors as well as changes in the associations’ structure among 50 analysed stations with 1500 m2 plots. We analysed how the plant associations differ and develop under the influence of their respective ecological gradients. Preliminary results showed that the family Pinaceae was the most abundant family with a
family importance value (FIV) of 1892.4, followed by Rosaceae with FIV = 1478.2. Rosaceae, represented by 20 species, was the most dominant family, followed by Asteraceae and Ranunculaceae with 14 and 12 species each, respectively. Analyses via CANOCO software version 4.5 and GEO database demonstrated strong correlations among species distributions and environmental variables, i.e. elevation, topography, and edaphic factors. Our findings show an increase in species diversity and richness from lower elevation (1290 m at sea level (m asl) to higher elevation (2626 m asl). It is evident that aspect, elevation, and soil factors were the decisive variables affecting qualitative and quantitative attributes of vegetation in the study area. The P value ≤ 0.002 confirms a significant impact of abiotic factors that bring variation in vegetation. A 3D view of the study area was generated in ArcScene showing all the five plant associations. Graphs of scatter plot, point profile, and 3D line profile were added to the layout of plant association maps. The habitats of the five association types overlapped broadly but still retained their specific individuality. The execution of GIS framework gave spatial modelling, which ultimately helped in the recognition of indicator species of specific habitat or association type. These findings could further be utilised
in devising the forest policy and conservation management. This study also opens new doors of research in the field of biogeography, systematics, and wildlife.
Weed species composition and distribution pattern in the maize crop under the...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Weeds are unwanted plant species growing in ordinary environment. In nature there are a total of 8000 weed species out of which 250 are important for agriculture world. The present study was carried out on weed species composition and distribution pattern with special reference to edaphic factor and farming practices in maize crop of District Mardan during the months of August and September, 2014. Quadrates methods were used to assess weed species distribution in relation to edaphic factor and farming practices. Phytosociological attributes such as frequency, relative frequency, density, relative density and Importance Values were measured by placing 9 quadrates (1 × 1 m2) randomly in each field. Initial results showed that the study area has 29 diverse weed species belonging to 27 genera and 15 families distributed in 585 quadrats. Presence and absence data sheet of 29 weed species and 65 fields were analyzed through PC-ORD version 5. Cluster and Two Way Cluster Analyses initiated four different weed communities with significant indicator species and with respect to underlying environmental variables using data attribute plots. Canonical Correspondence Analyses (CCA) of CANOCO software version 4.5 was used to assess the environmental gradients of weed species. It is concluded that among all the edaphic factors the strongest variables were higher concentration of potassium, organic matter and sandy nature of soil. CCA plots of both weed species and sampled fields based on questionnaire data concluded the farming practices such as application of fertilizers, irrigation and chemical spray were the main factors in determination of weed communities.
Effects of 60Co gamma radiation doses on seed germination of Jatropha curcas ...Innspub Net
By: Baudouin K. Nyembo, Alexandre N. Mbaya, Calvin C. Ilunga, Jean-Louis N. Muambi, Luc L. Tshilenge
Key Words: Jatropha curcas, Gamma irradiation, Seed germination, LD50.
Int. J. Agron. Agri. Res. 13(5), 46-52, November 2018.
This study aimed to assess the effects of different gamma radiation doses from Cobalt -60 isotopic source on seed germination and early growth parameters of Jatropha curcas L. Healthy and dry seeds were subjected to three doses of gamma rays (100, 200 and 300 Gy). The experiment was conducted using randomized complete block design, with three replicates. The significantly maximum germination percentage (89.85 %), seedling survival (92.3 %), seedling collar diameter (0.892 cm), plant height (17.30 cm), number of leaves (7) were observed at 30 days after germination. The results revealed that seed germination percentages and seedling shoot length decreased with increasing dose of gamma-rays. Higher gamma-ray dose (300 Gy) in particular had a pronounced effect on these germination parameters than others, probably because high-dose inhibited cell division due to free radicals and DNA system damage. The LD50 for seeds germination rates was obtained at 254 Gy. These results implied that germination traits of Jatropha curcas seeds were sensitive to increase in gamma-ray.
Ecological assessment of plant communities in the peochar valley of the hindu...Shujaul Mulk Khan
This study quantified the effect of environmental variables on plant species composition in the Peochar Valley, located in the Hindu Raj mountains of the Hindu Kush. A mixture of quadrat and transect methods were used. Quadrat sizes were 10 × 10 m, 2 × 5 m, and 1 m2 for trees, shrubs, and herbs, respectively, determined using the minimal area method. Twenty-seven stations were established along 6 elevation transects on slopes with various aspects. Density, cover, and frequency were recorded for all species in each quadrat. Aspect, elevation, rock types, soil nature, and grazing pressure were also considered as edaphic and topographic variables. Preliminary results showed that the Peochar Valley hosts 120 species. Presence/absence data for these species were analyzed with cluster and 2-way cluster techniques to elaborate species composition in the study area; this resulted in 4 plant communities. Species abundance and environmental data matrices were developed to evaluate the ecological gradient of vegetation through canonical correspondence analysis. Of the environmental variables, elevation, aspect, grazing pressure, soil depth, and rock type showed a significant effect on species composition and diversity. We also identified the dominant and rare plant species in each plant community based on their low importance value indexes. Conservation measures are recommended for all flora of this valley and for rare species in particular.
Responses of wheat seedling to varying moisture conditions and relationship b...Agriculture Journal IJOEAR
— The following study was conducted to estimate the genotypic differences among 30 wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes under different moisture regimes and relationship between morphological and molecular characterization. Eight seedling parameters root length (RL), shoot length (SL), root fresh weight (RFW), shoot fresh weight (SFW), root dry weight (RDW), shoot dry weight (SDW), chlorophyll rate (CR) and survival rate (SR) were studied at four different soil moisture conditions (T 1 40%,T 2 60%,T 3 80%,T 4 100%) using two factor factorial complete randomized design (CRD). Significant differences among genotypes were observed by analysis of variance. For heritability estimates, survival rate showed lowest heritability under all the treatments. Principal components analysis accounted 81.4% variation in T 1 , 81.9% in T2, 87.7% in T3 and 84.7% in T4 conditions in first PC. Selected diverse genotypes were further fingerprinted with 10 ISSR markers. A total of 74 DNA fragments were detected and 72.7% of was polymorphic. The amplified DNA fragments were ranged from 4 (UBC-809) to 11 (UBC-808). PIC values were ranged from 0.32 to 0.81. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into 4 clusters on the basis of molecular and phenotypic characterization under T4 normal conditions whereas under T1 (moisture stress) conditions genotypes were grouped into 5 clusters explaining genotypic differences under different moisture conditions. The present results showed that phenotypic difference in wheat seedling expression under different water regimes is accompanied with molecular basis, which offer a prospective to enhance wheat adaptation under moisture stress conditions.
Emerging issues and challenges associated with conservation of the African ba...Innspub Net
The aim of this review is to discuss the emerging issues and challenges in baobab conservation based on the climate change, emerging challenges related to herbivory and human use such as emerging of new markets for baobab products and land use changes.Specifically, the review summarizes scientific questions and challenges for the conservation of one of the most important indigenous fruit tree species, Adansonia digitata in Sub-Saharan Africa. It highlights on new information on the status of A. digitata in Tanzania with a strong focus on ethno-botanical issues, traditional and modern uses as well as challenges for the management and conservation of the tree species.We have done that by using facts from different parts of the geographical ranges of Africa and other parts of the world. The review is based on the belief that understanding the factors underpinning the use and management of A. digitata is an essential step towards development of credible strategies and plans that would advance and lead to sustainable management of baobabs.
Climatic variability and spatial distribution of herbaceous fodders in the Su...IJERA Editor
This study focused on future spatial distributions of Andropogon gayanus, Loxodera ledermanii and Alysicarpus
ovalifolius regarding bioclimatic variables in the Sudanian zone of Benin, particularly in the W Biosphere
Reserve (WBR). These species were selected according to their importance for animals feed and the
intensification of exploitation pressure induced change in their natural spatial distribution. Twenty (20)
bioclimatic variables were tested and variables with high auto-correlation values were eliminated. Then, we
retained seven climatic variables for the model. A MaxEnt (Maximum Entropy) method was used to identify all
climatic factors which determined the spatial distribution of the three species. Spatial distribution showed for
Andropogon gayanus, a regression of high area distribution in detriment of low and moderate areas. The same
trend was observed for Loxodera ledermannii spatial distribution. For Alysicarpus ovalifolius, currently area
with moderate and low distribution were the most represented but map showed in 2050 that area with high
distribution increased. We can deduce that without bioclimatic variables, others factors such as: biotic
interactions, dispersion constraints, anthropic pressure, human activities and another historic factor determined
spatial distribution of species. Modeling techniques that require only presence data are therefore extremely
valuable.
Pollen morphological variation of berberis l. from pakistan and its systemati...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Due to overlapping and diverse morphological characters, Berberis is among the most taxonomically complex genera. Palynology is one of the taxonomic tools for delimitation and identification of complex species. In this study, pollens of 10 Berberis species were analyzed through light and scanning electron microscopy. Qualitative as well as quantitative
features (pollen shape, size, presence or absence of colpi, colpi length and width, exine thickness, ornamentation, pollen class, aperture, and polar–equatorial ratio) were measured. Five species were observed to have colpate (pantocolpate) with elongated ends, radially symmetrical, isopolar, monads, and psilate-regulate pollens. In polar view, six pollen were spheroidal, two were ovoid, one spherical, and one oblate. Similarly, variation in pollen length was prominent and the largest pollen on polar view was recorded for B. psodoumbellata 60–65 μm (62.4 ± 0.9), while the smallest one was observed for B. lycium 29–35 μm (32.2 ± 1). The observed variation in both quantitative and qualitative features were important in taxonomic identification. This shows that palynological haracters
are helpful in identification of Berberis genus at the species level.
Seasonal growth patterns of Arundo donax L. in the United States | IJAAR @sli...Innspub Net
Giant reed (Arundo donax L.) has been extensively evaluated as a dedicated energy crop for biomass and biofuel production in southern Europe and the United States, with very favorable results. Current agronomic and biologic research on giant reed focuses on management practices, development of new cultivars, and determining differences among existing cultivars. Even though detailed information on the growth patterns of giant reed would assist in development of improved management practices, this information is not available in the United States. Therefore, the objective of this 2-year field study was to describe the seasonal growth patterns of giant reed in Alabama, United States. Changes in both plant height and biomass yield of giant reed with time were well described by a Gompertz function. The fastest growing period occurred at approximately 66 d after initiation of regrowth (mid-May), when the absolute maximum growth rate was of 0.045 m d-1 and 0.516mg ha-1 d-1. After mid-May, the rate of growth decreased until maturation at approximately 200 d after initiation of regrowth (mid- to late September). The observed maximum average plant height and biomass yield were 5.28 m and 48.56mg ha-1, respectively. Yield decreased following maturation up to 278 d after initiation (early to mid-December) of growth in spring, partly as a result of leaf loss, and was relatively stable thereafter.
Productivity and quality of sugar beet as affecting by sowing and irrigation ...Innspub Net
Two field experiments were carried out at Kalabsho Experimental Farm, Dakahlia Governorate, Sugar Crops Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt, during 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 seasons to study the effect of sowing methods (mechanical and manual methods), irrigation methods (surface and drip irrigation system) and hill spacings (10, 15 and 20cm between hills) on yield and its components, as well as quality of sugar beet cv. Hossam as a multigerm variety under sandy soil conditions. The obtained results could be summarized as follows; the optimum sowing method that produced the highest values of yield and its components as well as root quality parameters was mechanical sowing method (planter machine) in both seasons. Irrigation sugar beet plants by using drip irrigation system yielded the highest values of yield and its components as well as root quality parameters and followed by using surface flooding irrigation system in both seasons. Planting sugar beet seeds on one side of the ridge, 60cm width, and 20cm between hills, resulting plant population density 35000 plants/fed produced, the highest values of yield and its components and root quality parameters and followed by planting on 15cm between hills, resulting plant population density 46666 plants/fed and finally planting on 10cm between hills, resulting plant population density 70000 plants/fed in the two seasons. From the obtained data in this study, it can be concluded that sowing sugar beet using mechanical sowing method (planter machine), irrigation by using drip irrigation system and planting on one side of the ridge, 60cm width, and 20cm between hills, resulting plant population density 35000 plants/fed in order to maximizing its productivity and quality under the environmental conditions of sandy soil in Kalabsho region, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt.
Improving the growth of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) by magnetized wat...Innspub Net
Magnetic water is considered one of several physical factors affects plant growth and development. A pot experiment was carried out in research farm of the Shahre-Rey Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran during summer 2012 to comparison between magnetic and non magnetic water on some traits of cowpea. Results showed that Irrigation with magnetized water increased leaf, stem and root fresh and dry weight as well as total biomass as compared to ordinary water. Magnetic water also raised stomatal conductance, water use efficiency (WUE) (in term of total biomass produced to amount of water consumed), leaf area, specific leaf area (SLA), leaf area ratio (LAR), and root weight ratio (RWR) than that the control. However magnetized water decreased shoot root ratio (SRR) and also had not significant effect on leaf weight ratio (LWR) and stem weight ratio (SWR) as compared to non magnetized water. The stimulatory impact of magnetic water may be ascribed to the increasing of root growth and stomatal conductance which increase absorption and assimilation of nutrients. It appears that irrigation with magnetic water may be considered a promising technique to improving growth and WUE of cowpea. Get the full articles at: http://www.innspub.net/volume-3-number-1-january-2013-2/
Phyto climatic gradient of vegetation and habitat specificity in the high ele...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Phyto-climatic gradient and ecological indicators can be used to understand the requirements, long term management and conservation strategies of natural habitats and species. For this purpose phytosociological attributes were measured using quadrats along transects on different slope aspects across an elevation range of 2450-4400 m. The 198 recorded plant species were placed in five Raunkiaer life form classes among which the Hemicryptophytes (51%) dominate the flora of the study area followed by Phanerophytes and Cryptophytes (Geophytes) with 15 and 13% dominance respectively. Therophytes and Chamaephytes are represented by smaller numbers (12 & 10% each). The phyto-climatic gradient of the vegetation was evaluated using Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA). Phyto-climatic relationships show that Phanerophytes especially tree species are widely distributed on northern aspect slopes whilst shrubs are more dominant on southern aspect slopes. Woody plants are dominant at lower altitudes (2450-2800 m), with a much smaller proportion occurring at middle elevations (2800-3300 m) whilst higher (3300-3900 m) and highest elevations (3900-4400 m) are dominated mainly by hemi-cryptophytes and cryptophytes. Our findings further elucidate that vegetation changes gradually from moist-cool temperate Phanerophytic and Chamaephytic elements to dry-cold subalpine and alpine herbaceous Cryptophytic and Hemi-cryptophytic vegetation in the upper elevations. Assessment of life forms and ecological gradient provide a basis for more extensive conservation studies on biodiversity in mountain ecosystems. Our findings further advocate that the Naran Valley appears to be at a transitional floristic position bridging the contrasting moist and dry temperate zones of the Sino-Japanese and Irano-Turanian floristic regions.
Diversity and distribution of butterflies in the open and close canopy forest...Innspub Net
Butterflies were sampled in Cadaclan, San Fernando La Union Botanical Garden (LUBG) of North Luzon to provide information on species-level diversity trend and distribution of butterflies on the open and close canopy portion of the dipterocarp forest from 2012-2014 using field transect method Species accumulation curve shows that additional sampling is needed for the possible turnover of species. Butterfly abundance was higher in open canopy forest with a mean individual of 8.14 per 10 meters out of the 814 total individuals. The close canopy forest had only 4.57 mean individuals for the total of 457. Species level diversity was higher in open canopy forest (H’ = 1.957) compared with the closed canopy forest (H’ = 1.933). These results suggest that butterflies prefer open canopy forest or clearing for their plights. Butterfly spatial distribution was uneven in the dipterocarp forest of LUBG with only 6 species of aggregate assemblages and 98 species with random distribution. Get more articles at: http://www.innspub.net/volume-6-number-1-january-2015-jbes/
There is a great contamination of water, soil, air, soil erosion, pest resistance
and extensive use of chemical fertilizers cause a turn to induce agriculture for
producing safe and clean products. For this purpose, by using natural materials like
algae on the beach, organic and environmentally friendly fertilizer was prepared. In
this investigation effect of Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer (SLF) of Ulva fasciata at
concentrations of 0%, 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10% on some parameters of wheat
(Triticum aestivum var. chamran) has been investigated. Based on the results, above
algae can be used as a food supplement solution in the form of foliar spray at 2.5%
concentration with a significant increase in morphological and biochemical indices.
Diversity of drought tolerance and seed yield in sunflower (Helianthus annuus...Innspub Net
Randomized complete block design with four replications in two drought and non-drought environments was used for this study. Drought resistance indices were calculated based on seed yield in stress and non-stress conditions. The results showed that GMP and STI were the best drought resistance indices so had the positive and significant correlation with Yp and Ys. Three dimensional graph showed that RFG5*AF80, G-543 and Farokh were the drought resistant hybrids. These hybrids had the highest amount of Yp, Ys, GMP and STI that revealed the highest yield potential as well as drought tolerance in these genotypes. Because of that these hybrids have promised potential to cultivate in drought prone environments. Regression analysis revealed that the traits grain filling rate, grain filling duration and water use efficiency accounted for 97.0% of total variation exist in seed yield. Path coefficient analysis demonstrated the highest and positive direct effect of grain filling rate and grain filling duration on seed yield in sunflower hybrids. Water use efficiency had low direct effect while high indirect effects via grain filling duration on seed yield. Therefore, the study revealed the importance of total grain filling rate and grain filling duration as indirect selection criteria for genetic improvement of seed yield in sunflower breeding programs especially in early generations. On the other hand, indirect effects of water use efficiency through grain filling duration on seed yield have promising result in selection programs. Get the full articles at: http://www.innspub.net/volume-6-number-5-may-2015-jbes/
Plant species and communities assessment in interaction with edaphic and topo...Shujaul Mulk Khan
The current analyses of vegetation were aimed to study the different effects of environmental variables on plant species and communities and their combined interactions to these variables, identified threats to local vegetation and suggestion for remedial measures in the Mount Eelum, Swat, Pakistan. For assessment of environmental variability quantitative ecological techniques were used through quadrats having sizes of 2 × 2, 5 × 5 and 10 × 10 m2 for herbs, shrubs and trees respectively. Result of the present study revealed 124 plant species in the study area. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to analyze the ecological gradient of vegetation. The environmental data and species abundance were used in CANOCO software version 4.5. The presence absence data of plant species were elaborated with Cluster and Two Way Cluster Analysis techniques using PC-ORD version 5 to show different species composition that resulted in five plant communities. Findings indicate that elevation, aspect and soil texture are the strongest variables that have significant effect on species composition and distribution of various communities shown with P value 0.0500. It is recommended to protect and use sensibly whole of the Flora normally and rare species particularly in the region.
Ecological gradient analyses of plant associations in the thandiani forests o...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Abstract: In the summers of 2012 and 2013, vegetation of Thandiani in the Western Himalayas of Pakistan was surveyed and quantified. We took evidence from relationships between 252 species and 11 measured environmental factors as well as changes in the associations’ structure among 50 analysed stations with 1500 m2 plots. We analysed how the plant associations differ and develop under the influence of their respective ecological gradients. Preliminary results showed that the family Pinaceae was the most abundant family with a
family importance value (FIV) of 1892.4, followed by Rosaceae with FIV = 1478.2. Rosaceae, represented by 20 species, was the most dominant family, followed by Asteraceae and Ranunculaceae with 14 and 12 species each, respectively. Analyses via CANOCO software version 4.5 and GEO database demonstrated strong correlations among species distributions and environmental variables, i.e. elevation, topography, and edaphic factors. Our findings show an increase in species diversity and richness from lower elevation (1290 m at sea level (m asl) to higher elevation (2626 m asl). It is evident that aspect, elevation, and soil factors were the decisive variables affecting qualitative and quantitative attributes of vegetation in the study area. The P value ≤ 0.002 confirms a significant impact of abiotic factors that bring variation in vegetation. A 3D view of the study area was generated in ArcScene showing all the five plant associations. Graphs of scatter plot, point profile, and 3D line profile were added to the layout of plant association maps. The habitats of the five association types overlapped broadly but still retained their specific individuality. The execution of GIS framework gave spatial modelling, which ultimately helped in the recognition of indicator species of specific habitat or association type. These findings could further be utilised
in devising the forest policy and conservation management. This study also opens new doors of research in the field of biogeography, systematics, and wildlife.
Weed species composition and distribution pattern in the maize crop under the...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Weeds are unwanted plant species growing in ordinary environment. In nature there are a total of 8000 weed species out of which 250 are important for agriculture world. The present study was carried out on weed species composition and distribution pattern with special reference to edaphic factor and farming practices in maize crop of District Mardan during the months of August and September, 2014. Quadrates methods were used to assess weed species distribution in relation to edaphic factor and farming practices. Phytosociological attributes such as frequency, relative frequency, density, relative density and Importance Values were measured by placing 9 quadrates (1 × 1 m2) randomly in each field. Initial results showed that the study area has 29 diverse weed species belonging to 27 genera and 15 families distributed in 585 quadrats. Presence and absence data sheet of 29 weed species and 65 fields were analyzed through PC-ORD version 5. Cluster and Two Way Cluster Analyses initiated four different weed communities with significant indicator species and with respect to underlying environmental variables using data attribute plots. Canonical Correspondence Analyses (CCA) of CANOCO software version 4.5 was used to assess the environmental gradients of weed species. It is concluded that among all the edaphic factors the strongest variables were higher concentration of potassium, organic matter and sandy nature of soil. CCA plots of both weed species and sampled fields based on questionnaire data concluded the farming practices such as application of fertilizers, irrigation and chemical spray were the main factors in determination of weed communities.
Evaluation of viable selection criteria at the seedling stage in corn genotyp...Innspub Net
Drought is the only factor which causes a more drastic effect on crop plant. Corn is a drought-sensitive crop their yield is influenced at every single phase of growth and development by limited water availability. Corn. A total of 90 accessions were screened and evaluated at different water levels 100% (T1), 40% (T2) and 30% (T3) of field capacity (FC). Evaluation of corn genotypes was done against six seedling parameters (root length, shoot length, fresh root weight, fresh shoot weight, dry root weight and dry shoot weight). The analysis of variance indicated that all the traits under all water levels revealed significantly and the principal component analysis depicted diverse results for different treatments. The results showed that the genotypes Lala Musa, Akbar, Sahiwal-2002, Sultan, Pearl, 15005,15077,14972,15110 under 100% FC level performed well and genotypes 14933,15023,14968,15055, 15005, MMRI yellow, Lala Musa, Pearl, Akbar, Akhgoti, 15067 and Sultan under 40% FC and the genotypes Desi Fsd, 15075, Lala Musa, 14930, 14976, 15132, 15048, Sultan and 15005 performed best in 30% FC. Some corn genotypes Akhgoti, Lala Musa, Sultan, and 15005 performed better under all three water levels. The information on seedling parameters is best suited to screen viable genotypes for baseline information for on-ward corn breeding and research programs on water stress tolerance.
Species and Community Diversity of Vascular Flora along Environmental Gradien...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of floristic diversity at species level along environmental gradients were measured using a randomly stratified design for identifying major plant communities of Narran Valley, Pakistan. Data was collected at 144 sampling stations along 24 altitudinal transects, 12 each at southern and northern aspects. Altitudinal range transects was within the limits of 2450 to 4100 masl. Some 198 species belonging to 68 families were indentified along transects. The Two Way Cluster Analysis (TWCA) and Indicator Species Analysis (ISA) recognized 5 plant communities with significant indicator species. The communities generally showed an elevation-latitudinal gradient complex from inclined, mesic-cool temperate vegetation of Phenerophytes and Chamaephytes, to more dry cold subalpine and alpine herbaceous vegetation of Cryptophytes and Therophytes. ISA analysis revealed that the mountain aspect, altitude from the sea level and soil depth were the strongest environmental variables (p ≤ 0.05) for determining the community structure. Species diversity was optimum at the middle altitudes (2800-3400 masl) as compared to either the lower or higher altitudes. Herbaceous vegetation had positive correlation with altitude as a function of eco-physiological pressures as generally observed on like other highly elevated peaks Himalayas.
Phytogeographic classification using multivariate approachShujaul Mulk Khan
Phytogeography is concerned with the past and present distribution of vegetation on the earth surface. The distribution
of plants is neither even nor random on earth surface but follow a definite geographic pattern. The present study was aimed
to find out phytogeographic pattern of plants distribution and subsequent classification of plant species of the Jambil Valley,
District Swat Pakistan using multivariate statistic techniques. Sampling of vegetation was done using quadrats of 1 × 1 m2
for herbs, 5 × 5 m2 for shrubs and 10 × 10 m2 for trees. The data were analyzed by PCORD v. 5 and CANOCO 4.5. The
studies revealed that the vegetation of Jambil valley belongs to eighteen different phytogeographic elements. The highest percentage of elements (19.4%) belongs to Western-Himalayan region, followed by Cosmopolitan (13.9%), Eurasian (10.6%), Irano-turanian (10%), Paleotropical (9.4%), Eastern Asiatic and Mediterranean (6.7% each), Euro-Siberian (5.6%),
Holoarctic (3.9%), Pantropical (3.3%), Sub-cosmopolitan 2.8%), Saharo-Arabian (2.2%), Eastern-Himalayan (1.7%),
Central Asian and Neotropical (1.1% each), Pantemperate, Australian and Sudano-Zambezian (0.6% each). CANOCO correlated phytogeographical data with environmental factors, which showed significant effect of environmental variables on phytogeographical patterns. It is clear from our results that higher pH, electrical conductivity, moderate sand and silt, phosphorous and nitrogen have great impact on distribution of phytogeographical elements. The Western Himalayan elements having narrow geographic range require immediate attention and conservation efforts.
Identifying plant species and communities across environmental gradients in ...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Phytosociological attributes of plant species and associated environmental factors were measured in order to identify the environmental gradients of major plant communities in the Naran Valley, Himalayas. The valley occupies a distinctive geographical setting on the edge of the Western Himalaya near the Hindukush range and supports a high biodiversity; pastoralism is the main land use. There have been no previous quantitative ecological studies in this region. This study was undertaken to (i) analyze and describe vegetation using classification and ordination techniques, (ii) identify environmental gradients responsible for plant community distributions and (iii) assess the anthropogenic pressures on the vegetation and identify priorities for conservation. Phytosociological characteristics of species were measured alongside environmental variables. A total of 198 species from 68 families were quantified at 144 stations along 24 transects across an elevation range of 2450–4100 m. Correspondence Analysis techniques i.e., Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) were used to determine vegetation–environment relationships. Results show vegetation changes with altitude from moist-cool temperate communities characterized by woody species, to more dry-cold subalpine and alpine herbaceous communities. Plant species diversity is optimal at middle altitudes (2800–3400 m); at lower altitudes (2400–2800 m) it is reduced by anthropogenic impacts and at higher altitudes (3400–4100 m) by shallow soils and high summer grazing pressure. A large number of plant species of conservation concern were identified in the study and an assessment made of the main threats to their survival.
Population dynamics of ground dwelling spider genera among mustard cropInnspub Net
The present study was designed to record the distribution of ground dwelling spider genera among mustard crop at Okara district. Sampling was made from Brassica compestris crop through pitfall traps. Equal number of traps were placed in three rows e.g. along the boundary, middle of the field and centre of the field. Each trap was filled with mixture solution of alcohol and glycerin (70:30%) along with few drops of kerosene oil. After 5 days interval sample traps was collected and spider specimens were washed with distilled water and permanently stored in labeled glass vials, and brought into the Pest Control Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. Thereafter, each spider specimen was identified according to the taxonomic material and internet source. Identified data was analyzed statistically to quantify their spatial distribution. Maximum spatial distribution of spider population was documented in middle transect than boundary and centre of the mustard crop. It was also observed that temperature, humidity and prey availability were the major factors that effecting the spider population. Population variations were recorded during the months of February, March and April in 2015, due to rise of temperature, decrease of humidity and availability of prey. Conclusively, spiders have some correlation with suitable local conditions or habitat. More over, spiders are cost effective, functionally significant and play important role in regulating decomposer population. Get the full articles at: http://www.innspub.net/jbes/population-dynamics-of-ground-dwelling-spider-genera-among-mustard-crop/
ANTHROPOGENIC INFLUENCES ON THE NATURAL ECOSYSTEM OF THE NARAN VALLEY IN THE ...Shujaul Mulk Khan
People derive many essential goods from plant resources, including food, medicines and fodder. However, the link between biodiversity and ecosystem services and their role in the support of human well-being is often poorly understood. Mountain ecosystems support a high biological diversity including rare and endangered plant species. They also provide a home to some 12% of the world's human population, who use their traditional ecological knowledge to utilise local natural resources. The Himalayas are the world's youngest and largest mountain range that supports a high plant biodiversity and hence provides many ecosystem services. Due to remote location, harsh climate, rough terrain and topography, many areas in the Himalayas have been still poorly known for their vegetation ecosystem services. The people in the Naran Valley, in the western Himalayas, depend upon local plant resources for a range of services and goods, from grazing for livestock to use of medicinal plants. During this study abundance and uses of each species were computed using computational ecology; principal components analysis (PCA) and response curves (RC) using CANOCO. The analyses showed an increasing trend of grazing, but with a decrease in fodder availability, with altitude increase in the valley. The assessment of such ecosystem services may assist in developing conservation strategies, especially for endangered mountain ecosystems.
Ecological assessment of plant communities along the edaphic and topographic ...Shujaul Mulk Khan
A study was conducted to explore the plant biodiversity and vegetation structure of Biha Valley, District Swat, Pakistan. On the basis of the physiognomy of the vegetation the study area was divided into 19 stands. Line transect (50 m) method was used to sample the phytosociological attributes of the study area. PCORD software (version 5) was used to recognize communities by two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) and CANOCO software (version 5) for ordination analysis was done for detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) to find variation directories of different plant species. Different life-form classes and leaf size spectra were recorded according to the Raunkiaer classification. The floristic composition of the area consists of 203 plant species belonging to 154 genera and 70 families. The biological spectrum of the area indicated that
Therophytes was dominant with 46.60% among the life-classes, followed by Hemicryptophytes having 15.53%. Leaf spectra of study area revealed that Microphylls was dominant (41.26%) followed by Nanophylls (32.04%). Seven plant communities were recognized by TWINSPAN classification, which showed that species diversity decreased with altitude. Moreover, the result indicates the importance of soil organic matter in top soil layers for plant species distribution. The increases in soil nutrients (OM, P, N, and K), improvement in site conditions (community cover, depth of litter, depth of humus, soil water
content) and decrease in soil bulk density indicated the natural habitat restoration following abandonment.
Poster describing a global occurrence database of over 5 million records of the distributions of crops and their wild relatives, including taxonomic and geographic information.
Abstract— An experiment stand of clonal orchard of masson pine, which included the 123 plus trees of 8 provenances collected from 8 provinces of Southern China, was founded at Jingshan County of Hubei province. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was applied to assess genetic diversity and structure for this clonal seed orchard. Total genomic DNA was extracted from fresh needle tissue with Plant Genomic DNA Extraction Miniprep System made by Viotechnology Corporation The results indicated that the clonal seed orchard of masson pine had higher genetic diversity. The average genetic diversity of the clonal seed orchard was 0.3169, the Shannon’s information index was 0.4813 respectively, and the percentage of polymorphic loci was 71.0%. Observed number of alleles (Na), effective number of alleles (Ne), Nei’s gene diversity (H), Shannon’s information index (I) and percentage of polymorphic loci (P) within population of Jiangxi, Hunan and Zhejiang were bigger than those of Guangdong, Guangxi, Anhui and Sichuan. Genetic distances among 8 populations were range from 0.0225 to 0.2175, whereas genetic identities were range from 0.8045 to 0.9777. 8 populations were clustered into 7 clusters, which showed that populations with similar latitude were clustered together and the clustering had nothing to do with geographic distributing. There was not significant correlation between genetic distance and geographic distance, while the correlation between genetic distance and latitude was more significant.
Ethno-ecological importance of plant biodiversity in mountain ecosystems with...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Mountain ecosystems support a high biological diversity and a large number of endangered plant species
many of which are ecological indicators of those specific habitats. The Himalayas are the world’s youngest,
highest and largest mountain range and support a high plant biodiversity. People living in this region
use their traditional ecological knowledge to utilize local natural resources and hence have valuable
understanding about their surroundings. Many areas within this region still remain poorly known for
their floristic diversity, plant species distribution and vegetation ecosystem services, yet the indigenous
people depend heavily upon local plant resources and, through unsustainable use, can cause an
irreversible loss of plant species. The valley used in this study is typical of such areas and occupies
a distinctive geographical location on the edge of the western Himalayan range, close to the Hindu
Kush range to the west and the Karakorum Mountains to the north. It is also located on geological
and climatic divides, which further add to its ecological interest. This paper focuses on (i) identification
of ecological indicators at various elevation zones across an altitudinal range of 2450–4100 m and
(ii) recognition of social perceptions of plant species populations based on the ecosystem services that
they provide. We used robust approaches to identify the plant indicator species of various elevation
zones. Using phytosociological techniques, Importance Values (IVs) for each plant species were calculated.
The statistical package PCORDS was used to evaluate the species area curves and indicator species
for each elevation zone. Data attribute plots derived from Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) using
CANOCO were deployed to illustrate the location of indicator species in each habitat type. Furthermore,
the social perceptions of the local inhabitants as to whether the populations of the recorded species
were increasing or decreasing over the recent past were recorded. We argue that the assessment of
ecological indicators combined with the ecological knowledge of the indigenous population can assist
in developing priorities for local and regional conservation strategies, especially for fragile mountain
ecosystems.
Similar to Eco-floristic studies of the Beer Hills along the Indus River in the districts Haripur and Abbottabad, Pakistan (20)
Methods of grapes cultivation انگور کی کاشت کے طریقےShujaul Mulk Khan
This presentation explains in a comprehensive way, how to cultivate Table Grapes nursery and establish its gardens. Preparation of demonstration blocks, nurseries, arrangement of training workshops and handing over the mother plants to the local farmers of the selected agencies of Bajaur, Kurram, Orakzai and FR Region of Bannu will be done according to the standard protocols. Keeping in mind the arrangement of the seven pillars of Vision 2025 new opportunities could be created via viticulture development. Horticulture is a fast growing sector with rising exports and increasing demand in domestic and international markets. Pakistani fruits, both fresh and dry, have great potential for exports. So, the present project will also contribute in the vision of 2025 (One nation One vision) not only to help in the development of FATA but also in the development of adjacent region. It will give rise to development of industries related to Grapevines products like raisins, juices, jams etc. that will be source of new jobs and development in the region. For the alleviation of poverty by enhancing the socioeconomic status of FATA people through viticulture development, we will further extend our work via developing a new project to extend our work to the remaining agencies like Khyber, Mohmand and Waziristan etc. The selected potential and successful varieties of grapes will be introduced for nurseries development and handing over to farmers of the FATA region in future as mother plants.
Mazri (nannorrhops ritchiana (griff) aitch.) a remarkable source of manufact...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Background: Mazri palm (Nannorrhops ritchiana (Griff) Aitch.) is a member of the family Arecaceae, native to Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. In Pakistan, it is used since long time for various purposes. This species plays a significant cultural and economic role in the daily lives of many rural areas in Pakistan and adjacent countries. However, the handcrafted products made up of this palm are often mainly known by specific local communities rather than by a broader range of people.
Methods: Eighty-six structured and semi-structured interviews were conducted from Mazri growing areas, villages, and markets of urban centers during the fieldwork that was conducted in diverse regions of Pakistan. Interviewees
included 27 Mazri farmers, 17 locals retaining Traditional Knowledge in handcrafting Mazri palm (12 were men and 5 were women), 23 handicrafts experts (21 were men and 2 were women), and 19 sellers. The age of the informants ranged from 14 to 83 years. Study participants shared detailed information about various traditional utilizations of the Mazri palm.
Results: Mature leaves of Mazri palm are used to produce mats, baskets, hand fans, hats, cages, hot pots, salt pots, brooms, etc. in the sudy area. Hot pots, salt pots, mats, baskets, and ropes represent highly used items. The mats are used for various purposes like drying grains, performing prayers, sitting, and sleeping. As a whole, 39 different kinds of handcrafted products from the leaves were found. Our findings revealed also that other parts of the plant, ie. petioles, fruits, and bark, have been used, although more rarely, by the locals. The palm uses differ accordingly to the different cultural areas of Pakisitan, thus demonstrating that local cultural heritage significantly informs
Traditional Knowledge and practices related to the use of Mazri palm. The findings suggest also that this plant represents a crucial resource for the livelihood of the local communities in dry areas of the western borders of Pakistan, starting right from the coastal areas of Baluchistan up to District Bajaur in the North, where other farming activities there are difficult due to drought conditions.
Conclusions: Traditional Knowledge about the sustainable utilization of Mazri palm is eroded in Pakistan among the younger generations due to rapid globalization and industrialization processes and appropriate strategies for
revitalizing this heritage in a sustainable way should be urgently fostered.
Characterization of cobalt oxide and calcium aluminumShujaul Mulk Khan
The Cobalt Oxide and Calcium-Aluminum Oxide nano-catalysts were analyzed using Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques. Preliminary results showed that the particles of Cobalt Oxide exhibit sponge like morphology and homogenous distribution as per confirmation via SEM. Its average particle size ranges to 30.6 nm demonstrating enormous number of pores and aggregative in nature. Its various peaks were ranging
from 19.2 to 65.4 after XRD analysis. The highest intensity was observed at 36.9 position. The energy dispersive spectroscopy techniques were used to calculate the elements present in sample according to their weight and atomic percentage. The
cobalt oxide contain cobalt as the most abundant element with 46.85 wt% and 18.01 atomic percent. It contain oxygen with 30.51 wt% and 43.19 atomic percent. Whereas, SEM of calcium aluminum oxide showed random morphology. According to the calculation of Scherrer equation regarding XRD analysis, it was distributed homogenously with particle size ranges from 30 to 40 nm. Its porous morphology was due to the interconnecting gaps between different particles. It result the eight peaks ranging from 18.1 to 62.7 in XRD spectrum. The highest intensity observed at 35.1 with average crystallite particle size of 25.6 nm. The calcium aluminum oxide contain aluminum 7.45 wt% and 6.93 atomic percent. The calcium was the most abundant element with54.7 wt% and 34.24 atomic percent followed by oxygen with 37.26 wt% and 58.42 atomic percent. It was concluded that the SEM, XRD, and EDX are the most significant techniques to characterize nano-catalysts in particular and other compounds generally.
The indispensable bond between mazri palm (nannorrhops ritchiana) and the ind...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Keeping in mind the economic importance of this palm, the Government of Pakistan passed an act on the conservation of Nannorrhops namely “Kohat Mazri Control Act 1953” (http://kp.gov.pk/page/the-kohat -mazri -contr olact-
1953/page-type/rules ) in 1953 where laws and rules were devised for the conservation of Nannorrhops in Pakistan in general and for the Kohat Division in particular (which then
covered the whole southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). Regionally, it has been categorized as Endangered (EN) under the IUCN criteria. Murad et al. (2011) reported that in the Hazar
Nao Forest of Malakand Nannorrhops ritchiana is on the verge of extinction due to over exploitation by the local population for commercial purposes.
A new ethnobiological similarity index for the evaluation of novel use reportsShujaul Mulk Khan
Similarity Indices are widely applied in the field of ecology to measure species diversity as well as to map patterns of conservation and monitor threats to biodiversity. Among the known, Jaccard’s and Sorensen’s indices are the most frequently employed similarity Indices. Here, we propose a new and efficient statistical approach in the field of ethnobiology and validate its efficacy by comparing the results with predefined similarity Indices used in previous studies. The core objective was to propose a new index for quantitative ethnobiological analyses and to find out solutions for sorting the plants having
similar ethnobiological uses in allied, aligned, national and global regions; as the pre-existing indices like Jaccard’s and Sorensen’s indices provides best estimates in the field of ecology but not in ethnobiological studies. In comparative ethnobiological studies, ethnobiologists use conventional ecological tools for evaluation of similarities and dissimilarities. Our proposed similarity index is based on the quantification
of similar uses of common medicinal plants via comparing present study with previously published reports from various areas where, the author(s) have used the Sorensen’s index and/or Jaccard’s index. To assess the significance and validity of this newly developed index, similarities and differences in
ethnomedicinal studies on medicinal plants in different regions were evaluated. Data regarding medicinal plants usage here was compared with 20 previously published studies and then analyzed through preexisting indices as well as Rahman’s index to examine the novelty in the study. Our preliminary results
revealed noteworthy coherence with the existing similarity indices, albeit, the new index was more efficient than the previous. Our comparison revealed, that as far as common vegetation and floral levels are concerned, the existing ecological coefficients of similarity are efficient and precise; but for similarities in the field of medicinal plant studies certain constraints are overcome by the proposed similarity index. Inferences derived from Rahman’s similarity index (RSI) are as reliable as the previously known and well-established similarity indices. Further, RSI specifically targets the ethnobiological similarities, a limitation in Jaccard’s and Sorensen’s indices. Thus, RSI would be a useful tool/index in the assessment of rigorous quantitative ethnobiological data.
Hec news and views august 2017- Participation of Pakistani Researchers in the...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Dr. Shujaul Mulk Khan, Assistant Professor of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad Pakistan and Dr. Zia-ur-Rahman Mashwani, Assistant Professor of Botany, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi Pakistan presented their research papers in the World’s largest botanical event ‘XIX International Botanical Congress (IBC 2017)’ that held at Convention and Exhibition Centre, Schenzhen China http://ibc2017.cn/. This event is organized after an interval of five years over the last two centuries. There were 6856 participants from 110 countries in this congress. Presentations of both the Pakistani speakers were highly appreciated by the participants.
The morpho-agronomic characterization study of Lens culinaris germplasm under...Shujaul Mulk Khan
The present research study evaluate and identify the most suitable and high yielding genotypes of Lens culinaris for the salt marsh habitat of Swat in moist temperate sort of agro climatic environment of Pakistan. A total of fourteen genotypes were cultivated and analyzed through Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). These genotypes were AZRC-4, NL-2, NL4, NL-5, NL-6, NARC-11-1, NARC-11-2, NARC-11-3, NARC-11-4, 09503, 09505, 09506, P.Masoor-09 and Markaz-09. Different parameters i.e., germination rate, flowering, physiological maturity, plant height, biological grain yield, seed weight, pods formation and its height, pods per plants and protein content were focused specially throughout the study. Preliminary the Lentil genotypes have significant variability in all the major morpho-agronomic traits. The days to germination, 50% flowering and 100 seed weight ranged from 7 to 9, 110 to 116 days, and from 5.4 to 7.3 gm respectively. Biological yield and grain yield ranged from 5333 to 9777 kg ha−1 and 1933 to 3655 kg ha−1 respectively. Whereas, protein contents ranged from 23.21% to 28.45%. It was concluded that the genotype AZRC-4 is better varity in terms of grain yield plus in 100 seed weight and moreover, 09506 genotype was significant under salt marsh habitat in early maturing for the Swat Valley, Pakistan.
Weed species distribution pattern in maize crop of mardan, pakistanShujaul Mulk Khan
Weeds are unwanted plant species growing in the domesticated crops. Like other crops maize also faces the problem of competition with weeds. Severe loses in yield up to 70% of maize have been reported in small scale farming due to weeds. Composition and abundance of weeds is influenced by a number of environmental variables as well as farming practices in an ecosystem. Present study was formulated to measure the effect of environmental variables on weed species composition, abundance, distribution pattern and formation of various weeds communities in District Mardan, Pakistan. Phytosociological attributes such as density, frequency, relative density, relative frequency and Importance Values were measured for each field.Presence absence data of 29 species and 65 fields were analyzed using Cluster and Two Way Cluster Analyses via PC-ORD version 5 that resulted in four major weed communities. CANOCO software version 4.5 was used to evaluate the environmental gradients of weeds through Canonical Correspondence Analyses (CCA). Results showed that among all environmental variables the strongest variables were CaCO3, high phosphorous concentration, and higher electric conductivity.
Ethnobotany of the balti community, tormik valley, karakorum range, baltistan...Shujaul Mulk Khan
BACKGROUND:
Limited health facilities and malnutrition are major problems in the Karakorum Range of Northern Pakistan, often resulting in various human disorders. Since centuries, however, local communities in these areas have developed traditional methods for treating various ailments and local foods capes that can be significant for devising public health and nutritional policies. This study was intended to document the ethnobotanical knowledge of the local peoples in the Tormik Valley, especially in the medical and food domains.
METHODS:
Field trips were undertaken in 14 different villages of the study area from 2010 to 2012. Ethnobotanical data were gathered using semi-structured interviews and group conversation with 69 informants. Details about local uses of plant species were recorded along with demographic characteristics of the visited communities. Relative frequency citation index (RFCi) and preference ranking index (PRi) tools were applied to determine the cultural significance of the reported species.
RESULTS:
Sixty-three plant species, with a predominance of Asteraceae and Fabaceae family members, as well as their detailed folk uses were documented. Forty-three percent of the species were used to treat various diseases, 21 % were consumed as wild fruits and vegetables and 53 % of the species had multipurpose applications. Thymus linearis Benth, Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. turkestanica L. and Convolvulus arvensis L. were found to be the most utilized medicinal plant species, i.e. those with significant RFCi values (0.54, 0.51 and 0.48, respectively). Betula utilis D. Don was the most versatile taxon (seven different ways of utilization); being this species a common and easily accessible subalpine tree and then under anthropogenic pressure, the implementation of concrete strategies aimed at its in-situ and ex-situ conservation is strongly recommended.
CONCLUSION:
The valleys in the Karakorum Mountains in the Northern Pakistan host significant Traditional Knowledge on local food and medicinal plant species, which need to be reconsidered and cautiously re-evaluated by ethnopharmacologists, and public health/nutrition actors. Furthermore, germane trans-disciplinary investigations are suggested to ensure the dynamic conservation of precious local knowledge systems, as well as plant diversity in Pakistani mountain regions.
KEYWORDS:
Ethnobotany; Indigenous knowledge; Karakorum; Medicinal plants; Pakistan
The effect of potassium on growth and yield of strawberry (FRAGARIA ANANASSA ...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Fragaria ananassa (Duchesne ex Weston) Duchesne ex Rozier (Strawberry) variety chandler of Agriculture Research Station (ARS) Baffa, Mansehra was evaluated for different growth and yield parameters under five treatments. In this experiment Potassium was used in 5 different treatments of 3 replications (T0 = Control, T1 = 200 g/6.75m², T2 = 400 g/6.75m², T3 = 600 g/6.75m², T4 = 800 g/6.75m²). The results showed maximum value under T3 (405g/6.75m²) for characteristics like survival percentage (83.54%), plant height (32.05cm), canopy size (13.62cm), crown diameter (2.73cm), number of branches (35.83), number of leaves (67.00), leaf length (5.87cm), root length (3.51cm), total number of fruits (43.93), days to 50% fruiting (233.67), fruit diameter (3.96cm), fruit weight (411.40g). Moreover, transplanting date (20th Sep, 2013) is suitable to get maximum yield of strawberry variety “Chandler”. The findings of this experiment showed that great variations in morphological, physical and agronomic traits of strawberry variety and can be utilized to develop high yield and better quality of strawberry.
Drop in groundwater levels is threat to pakistan's survivalShujaul Mulk Khan
Pakistan’s water resources are rapidly depleting because of climate change, posing a formidable threat to the country’s future, ecologists warn.
http://www.newslens.pk/pakistan-fast-depleting-water-resources-pose-serious-threat-country-survival-2/
Investigation of traditional medicinal floral knowledge of sarban hills, abbo...Shujaul Mulk Khan
Ethno pharmacological relevance Ethno medicinal traditional knowledge regarding the uses of indigenous medicinal plants for treating various human infectious diseases is totally in hold of the elder community members. The young generation is not much aware about such vital traditional medicinal practices. Aim of study To document, accumulate and widely disseminate the massive indigenous knowledge of century's practiced therapeutic uses of medicinal plants by the local people living in this area. Materials and methods A total of 134 local inhabitants (78 male and 56 female) were interviewed through questionnaire method. The data obtained were quantitatively analyzed through the use value, fidelity level index and relative frequency citation. Plants specimen were preserved and mounted on herbarium sheets and labeled, cataloged and deposited with voucher numbers in Hazara University Herbarium, Mansehra, Pakistan (HUP). Results 74 plant species belonging to 70 genera and 42 families were documented in the current study. These medicinal plant species are used commonly as an ethno medicine against 56 various diseases such as digestive disorder, cough, pain and skin diseases etc. Herbaceous plant species were the dominant among plants studied which were 57% of the total plants, followed by shrubs (23%) and trees (20%). Asteraceae was the leading family among collected medicinal plant species (10.81%). Maximum medicinal plant species were used for treatment of digestive disorders (9.09%) and cough (7.44%). Most widely part used is leaf (27.9%), followed by fruit (13.5%) and seed (13.5%) for the treatment of different ailments by the traditional healers. The medicinal plant species with greater use values were Berberis lycium (0.91) and Cannabis sativa (0.81). The medicinal plant species with maximum fidelity level were Ziziphus jujuba (100%) and Lonicera caprifolium (92.31%) whereas the medicinal with most relative frequency citation were B. lycium (0.313), Ziziphus nummularia (0.276). The comparative result reveals that 36% of medicinal plant species were reported for the first time from Abbottabad regarding their uses, whereas 26% of plant species were reported with different medicinal uses. Brugmansia suaveolens and Allium griffithianum were recorded for the first time from Pakistan as well as from other countries across the globe for currently reported medicinal uses. Conclusion The current study revealed the importance to document and launch list of all possible plants that are used in ethno medicinal practices in the study area. Future antimicrobial, antivirals, and pharmacological studies are required to ratify the efficacy and safety of the medicinal plants species.
Phytogeographic analysis and diversity of grasses and sedgesShujaul Mulk Khan
The monocot order Poales is one of the largest (ca. 20,000 species), and economically and ecologically most important group of flowering plants. Exploring this important component of the biodiversity is of paramount significance in conservation of species and developing climate change models. Northern Pakistan occupies a unique biogeographic position at the summit of the planet’s three highest mountain ranges i.e.Himalaya, Hindukush and Karakurum.These ranges contain the hot spots of floral and faunal diversity with high proportions of endemic and rare species.The studies revealed 117 species belonging to 30 genera in three families of the order Poales. Juncaceae is represented by single genus Juncuswith four species, Cyperaceae by 5 genera and 27 species, and Poaceae being the dominant family with 25 genera and 86 species. Carexand Poaare the largest genera having 21 and 16 species respectively. Phytogeographic analysis of the Poalesof temperate and alpine regions of Northern Pakistan shows twelve different phytogeographic elements. The highest percentage of species (30%) belongs to the western Himalayan floristic region (near endemics), with cosmopolitan elements (19%), Central Asian elements (17%) and Eurasian elements (12%) being the other significant elements. The proportion of Endemic species (8%) is less apparent, while the rest of the seven categories are poorly represented. The Two Way Cluster Analysis (TWCA) divided the sixteen districts into two major groups, and four subgroups based on environmental gradients of altitude, latitude and longitude. TWCA classified the data matrix including 114 species into seven clusters based on presence/absence data and elevation from mean sea level. Species in each cluster can be attributed to similar habitat conditions and altitudinal ranges. Hence it is clear that climatic characters associated with each category control the species distribution pattern.
Distribution and structure of conifers with special emphasis on taxus baccataShujaul Mulk Khan
Coniferous forests play important role in sustaining biodiversity and providing ecological services. Present study was conducted in Pir Panjal range, Western Himalayas to assess the present status of the conifers, in particular Taxus baccata population. Field data was obtained systematically using quadrate method. Environmental data including coordinates, altitude, slope gradient, aspect and intensity of anthropogenic disturbance was recorded by field survey method. The quantity of fuel wood consumption was measured using weight survey method. Three conifer species viz., Abies pindrow, Pinus wallichiana and Taxus baccata were found in 5 communities at different aspects in 1800 to 3000 m altitudinal range. Conifer stands showed an average tree density of 306 trees/ha with a regeneration value of 76 seedlings and saplings/ha and deforestation intensity of 82 stumps/ha respectively. T. baccata showed zero regeneration having no seedling or sapling in the whole study area. The stem to stump value was calculated as 4.08. A. pindrow was dominant in all the 5 communities with an Importance value percentage of 72.8% followed by P. wallichiana (19.5%). T. baccata was recorded sporadically throughout the altitudinal range having an IVI value of 7.9%. The T. baccata tree density was 26/ha whereas dead tree and stumps density was 27/ha with a stem/stump value of 0.98.The average fuel wood consumption recorded for the area was 4.08kg/capita/day. Pressure is increasing on conifers due to high level of fuel wood consumption as well as overgrazing due to limited available grazing area. The conifer species, especially T. baccata, demand immediate attention of forest management and policy makers for the conservation of these under pressure species.
First floristic exploration of the distric torghar khyber pakhtunkhwa pakistanShujaul Mulk Khan
District Tor Ghar lies on the western most edge of the Himalayas Range of Mountains. Plant scientists have explored most parts of Pakistan but still certain regions including Tor Ghar are un-explored. Thus it is imperative to introduce region in floristic terms for the first time. The study was initiated to not only provide first inventory of vascular plants but also to evaluate floristic diversity of the region. The research area was extensively visited during flowering and fruiting seasons of plants during the summers of 2012 and 2013. Plants were collected from various localities, voucher numbers were given to specimens and other relevant data pertaining to locality i.e., habitat, habit, family, scientific and local names were recorded for each species. Mounted copy of each voucher specimens were deposited to the Herbarium of Hazara University Mansehra. Results of this study were arranged according to Benthum & Hooker (1862-1883) system of classification. This first exploration revealed a total of 331 vascular plant species belonging to 246 genera and 101 families. These include 12 species of Pteridophytes, 6 gymnosperms and 313 Angiosperms. The dicotyledons were represented by 79 families, 197 genera and 267 species, while monocotyledons by 14 families, 38 genera and 46 species. Families Asteraceae and Leguminosae were the richest families with 25 & 24 species followed by Poaceae (21 species), Lamiaceae (17 species) and Rosaceae (14 species). Families Ranunculaceae and Brasicaceae were represented by 10 species and Euphorbiaceae had 9 species. Moraceae, Apiaceae and Polygonaceae each had 8 species. Remaining families either included 7 or less than 7 species. It is believed that this very first check list of vascular plants of Tor Ghar District is a comprehensive picture of floristic diversity and will serve as a base line for future studies. This exploration is a part of an ongoing project in which we will explore plant communities and ecological as well as anthropogenic gradients of the regional flora in near future.
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Otto Heinrich Warburg (; 8 October 1883 – 1 August 1970) In 1931 was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology for his "discovery of the nature and mode of action of the respiratory enzyme.
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Eco-floristic studies of the Beer Hills along the Indus River in the districts Haripur and Abbottabad, Pakistan
1. Original article
Eco-floristic studies of the Beer Hills along the Indus River in the districts
Haripur and Abbottabad, Pakistan
Saira Bano a
, Shujaul Mulk Khan b,⇑
, Jan Alam a
, Abdulaziz A. Alqarawi c
, Elsayed Fathi Abd_Allah c,⇑
,
Zeeshan Ahmad b
, Inayat Ur Rahman a
, Habib Ahmad d
, Abdullah Aldubise c
, Abeer Hashem e
a
Department of Botany, Hazara University Mansehra, Pakistan
b
Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan
c
Department of Plant Production, Collage of Food & Agricultural Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box. 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
d
Islamia College University Peshawar, Pakistan
e
Botany and Microbiology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box. 2460 Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
a r t i c l e i n f o
Article history:
Received 23 July 2016
Revised 28 January 2017
Accepted 25 February 2017
Available online xxxx
Keywords:
Floristic study
Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA)
PC-ORD
Edaphic factor
Plant communities
a b s t r a c t
The present study was conducted to elaborate vegetation composition structure to analyze role of
edaphic and topographic factors on plant species distribution and community formation during 2013–
14. A mixture of quadrat and transect methods were used. The size of quadrat for trees shrubs and herbs
were 10 Â 5, 5 Â 2, 1 Â 1 meter square respectively. Different phytosociological attribute were measured
at each station. Primary results reported 123 plant species belong to 46 families. Asteraceae and
Lamiaceae were dominant families with 8 species each. PCORD version 5 were used for Cluster and
Two Way Cluster Analyses that initiated 4 plant communities within elevation range of 529–700 m from
sea level. Indicator species analyses (ISA) were used to identify indicator species of each community.
CANOCO Software (version 4.5) was used to measure the influence of edaphic and topographic variables
on species composition, diversity and community formation. Whereas Canonical Correspondence
Analysis (CCA) was used to measure the effect of environmental variables which showed elevation and
aspect were the stronger environmental variable among topographic and CaCO3 contents, electric con-
ductivity, soil pH were the stronger edaphic factors in determination of vegetation and communities of
the Bheer Hills. Grazing pressure was one of the main anthropogenic factors in this regard.
Ó 2017 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University. This is an open access
article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
1. Introduction
The plant communities are a complex quantitative hierarchy in
the vegetation science that always depends on species richness,
distribution and associated ecological factors (Gaston, 2000;
Maurer, 1999). These have previously been described floristically
as well as physiognomically in number of ways. They have a
demarcated structure in an area in relation to biotic and a biotic
variation (Kent and Coker, 1992; Van Rooyen et al., 1981;
Roberts and Wuest, 1999; Tainton et al., 1996; Cleaver et al.,
2005; Brown and Bezuidenhout, 2005). Vegetation structure is
usually influenced by environmental gradient and anthropogenic
activates. In addition the edaphic and topographic factors also play
a vital role in communities formation that ultimately leads to
specific phytogeographic regions (Rohde, 1992). Ecological
researches always tend to understand and quantify the relation-
ship between biotic and a biotic components of an ecosystem
(Tavili and Jafari, 2009). Various floristic analyses are used to iden-
tify the plant communities habitat types and important character-
istic plant species (Katsuno, 1977; Fujiwara, 1987). In each sort of
habitat each plant species has a microclimate and play its role in
habitat formation (Duigan and Bredenkamp, 2003) and relations
among populations (Scheiner, 1993). It is essential to measure
and develop a suitable model to capture the natural features of
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.02.009
1319-562X/Ó 2017 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Abbreviations: ISA, Indicator Species Analysis; CCA, Canonical Correspondence
Analysis; DBH, diameter at breast height; CA, Cluster Analysis; TWCA, Two Way
Cluster Analysis; IVI, Importance Value Index; T, transect; S, station.
Peer review under responsibility of King Saud University.
Production and hosting by Elsevier
⇑ Corresponding authors.
E-mail addresses: smkhan@qau.edu.pk (S.M. Khan), eabdallah@ksu.edu.sa
(E.F. Abd_Allah).
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences xxx (2017) xxx–xxx
Contents lists available at ScienceDirect
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences
journal homepage: www.sciencedirect.com
Please cite this article in press as: Bano, S., et al. Eco-floristic studies of the Beer Hills along the Indus River in the districts Haripur and Abbottabad, Pak-
istan. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (2017), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.02.009
2. an ecosystem for its sustainable use. Floristic analyses are the pre-
requisites for conservation of plant species. Therefore, current pro-
ject was conducted to comprehend the role of such factor in the
establishment of plant communities and its application in future
conservation studies.
The Beer Hills along the Indus River have not been studied using
recently developed analytical methods for vegetation characteriza-
tion. The current study was therefore conducted to find out the
floristic composition and vegetation structure of plant communi-
ties in the targeted region using modern tools. For this purpose
plant species composition, abundance and the environmental vari-
ability, with special reference to gradient analyses were taken into
consideration during 2012–2013.
2. Materials and methods
The Beer Hills are located at the bank of Indus River in two dis-
tricts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan i.e., District
Abbottabad and District Haripur at 34°100
North latitude and
72°580
East longitude with elevation 529–700 m at sea level. The
temperature and precipitation equally distributed throughout the
year with humid subtropical sort of climate. A total of seven tran-
sects were established at 3 km distance and within each transect
five stations were recognized at 200 m interval randomly along
with elevation gradient. In this a total of 34 stations with three
hundred and six (306) quadrats were established using GPS (Global
Positioning system) (Khan et al., 2013b). Quadrat and transect
methods were used on hill slopes at all stations. Sizes of the quad-
rates for trees, shrubs and herbs were 10 Â 5 m, 5 Â 2 m and
1 Â 1 m respectively (Salzer and Willoughby, 2004). Data attri-
butes i.e., density, relative density, cover, relative cover, frequency,
relative frequency and Importance Values Index (IVI) were mea-
sured at each station. The diameters of trees were measured at
breast height (DBH) to find out its cover value for trees. The biolog-
ical spectrum was determined using Raunkiaer Life form classifica-
tion (Raunkiaer, 1934). The plant specimens were collected in each
quadrat, labeled with tags, and pressed with plant presser in the
field. Specimens were poisoned using 3% solution of Mercuric Chlo-
ride and Ethyl Alcohol solution and mounted on standard size
herbarium sheets having a size of (17.500
 11.500
). All specimens
were identified with the help of flora of Pakistan and other avail-
able literature (Khan et al., 2013a).
2.1. Soil analyses
The soil samples were collected up to 45 cm depth from each
station through soil sampling tube. The samples were sieved to
remove large particles. The soil physiochemical analyses i.e., Soil
Texture, Calcium, Carbonate, Organic Matter concentration, Soil
pH, Electrical Conductivity (E.C), Phosphorus and Potassium were
measured in Agriculture research station Baffa Mansehra. The soil
texture and pH were measured through hydrometer and pH meter
respectively (Khan et al., 2012a,b; Koehler et al., 1984). While, soil
organic matters were determined by standardized solution of
FeSO4 and K2Cr2O7 (Nelson et al., 1996). Whereas CaCO3 concentra-
tion were determined by acid neutralization method (Black et al.,
1965). AB-DTPA extractable P and K was determined in samples
through method described by Soltanpour (1991).
2.2. Data analyses
The data were statistically analyzed to find out the relationship
between plant species composition and various ecological vari-
ables. For the data analysis we put the data of seven transect (34
stations and 306 quadrates) in MS EXCEL and prepared presence
absence (1, 0) data sheet for CA (Cluster Analysis) and TWCA
(Two Way Cluster Analysis). The plant species data were arranged
horizontally and quadrates data were arranged vertically according
to the software (PC-ORD version 5 software) requirement (Lepš
and Šmilauer, 2003). The species and environmental data matrices
were analyzed in CANOCO software version 4.5 to find the effect of
environmental variables on species composition and distribution
pattern.
3. Results
A research study was conducted in Beers Hills to find out plant
species distribution pattern, composition and abundance in rela-
tion to environmental variables and edaphic factors.
3.1. Species composition of the Beer Hills
A total of 123 plant species were collected belong to 46 families
distributed in 34 stations included 27 trees, 23 shrubs and 73 herbs
species of all the vegetation. The topmost dominant families were
Asteraceae and Lamiaceae having eight plant species, 13% of all
species. The Amranathaceae, Moraceae and Poaceae have seven
species each. While Malvaceae and Solanaceae with six species
each respectively.
3.2. Raunkier life form
The plant species were classified through Raunkiaer (1934)
classification into 5 various life form classes. The Phanerophytes
was the most dominant class with 52 plant species (42%) followed
by Therophytes with 37 species (30%), Hemicryptophytes with 24
species (20%), Cryptophytes with 7 species (6%) and Chemaephytes
having 3 species (2%) respectively (Table 2).
3.3. Abundant and less abundant plant species of the Beer Hills
The abundant and less abundant plant species were found on
the basis of Importance Values Index (IVI). The topmost abundant
tree species of the study area was Mallotus philippensis, Acacia nilot-
ica, Acacia modista, Ziziphus jujuba, Ficus benghalensis, Ficus carica,
Broussonetia papyrifera, Pistacia integerrima, Dalbergia sissoo and
Morus nigra with high IVI. While Punica granatum, Ailanthus altis-
sima, Citrus aurantium, Pterospermum acerifolium, Eriobatrya japon-
ica, Ceiba pentandra, Cassia fistula, Syzygium cumimi, Juglans regia,
and Ficus religiosa were recorded as less abundant trees with min-
imum IVI in the study area. In shruby layer the most dominant spe-
cies were Dodonaea viscosa, Justicia adhatoda, Otostegia limbata,
Berberis lyceum, Cotoneaster dammeri, Sageretia brendrethiana, Zizi-
phus nummularia, Marrubium supinum, Nerium oleander and Peri-
ploca aphylla with IVI above than 800 in the region. The top ten
rare shrub species were Lantana camara, Ipomoea carnea, Cleroden-
drum philippinum, Parthenocissus semicordata, Rubus fruticosa, Aera
javanica, Ricinus communis, Jasminum nudiforum, Jasminum offici-
nale and Calotropis procera having low Importance values in the
Beer Hills along with Indus River. In addition to, the Cynodon dacty-
lon, Avena barbata, Medicogo denculatus, Parthenium hysterophorus,
Cannabis sativa, Euphorbia helioscopia, Euphorbia hirta, Nasturtium
officinale, Malva neglecta, and Melica persica were the most abun-
dant species in herbaceous layer of the region. The uppermost rare
herbs recorded with minimum IVI were Datura alba, Brassica com-
pestris, Alternanthera philoxeroides, Physalis angulate, Phegoteris con-
nectilies, Achyranthes aspera, Diclipter roxburghiana, Cypres
routundes, Oxalis corniculata and Cyprus niveus. Most of the rare
species present in the area were palatable which faces great pres-
sure of grazing.
2 S. Bano et al. / Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences xxx (2017) xxx–xxx
Please cite this article in press as: Bano, S., et al. Eco-floristic studies of the Beer Hills along the Indus River in the districts Haripur and Abbottabad, Pak-
istan. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (2017), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.02.009
3. 3.4. Species area curve
Initially PC-ORD version 5 were used to draw species area
curves and compositional area curves to recognize either the quad-
rates size was adequate or not through abundance data combined
with Sorensen distance values (Ahmad et al., 2016a,b). It also com-
prehends the vegetation relation with environmental variables. It
results that the transect number 25 show maximum number of
plant species and appearing new species continuously up to station
number 31 (Fig. 1).
3.5. Results of Cluster Analysis
The Cluster Analyses using PCORD version 5 clustered 34 sta-
tions (306 quadrats) into 4 plant communities or habitats (Fig. 2).
3.6. Two Way Cluster Analysis (TWCA)
The Two Way Cluster analysis showed distribution of plant spe-
cies in sampling stations. It was constructed with the help of pres-
ence and absence (1, 0) data sheet by Soresen measures. The black
bubbles/dots represented the presence whereas white bubbles
indicated the absence of plant species in the region. Four plant
communities were recognized through grouping of various sta-
tions (Fig. 3).
3.7. Classification of plant communities
3.7.1. Ficus beghalensis-Nerium oleander-Euphorbia heterophylla
community
The community name was given based on Indicator species
analyses (ISA). This community was observed at elevation of
432–583 m. Ficus beghalensis, Nerium oleander and Euphorbia
heterophylla were the characteristics species of tree, shrub and
herb layer respectively. The other dominant species of tree layer
with high IVI values included Mallotus philippensis, Broussonetia
papyrifera, Ficus carica, Dalbergia sissoo and Mangifera indica. While
the rare tree species were Ceiba pentandra, Cassia fistula, Syzgium
cumini, Juglans regia, Ficus religiosa and Olea ferruginea with mini-
mum IVI in the region. Whereas shrub layer was dominated by Jus-
ticia adhatoda, Otostegia limbata, Nerium oleander, Dodonaea viscosa,
Cotoneaster dammeri, Marrubium supinum, with rare species Carissa
opaca, Sageretia brendrethiana, Jasminum nudiforum, Ricinas comu-
nunis, Jasminum officinale, Calotropis procera. Although the domi-
nant herbaceous layer included Cynodon dactylon, Cannabis sativa,
Avena barbata, Nasturtium officinale, Parthenium hysterophorus,
Euphorbia helioscopia, Mediogo denculatus, Malva neglecta, Euphor-
bia heterophylla and Rumex dentatus. Whereas Physalia angulata,
Hybisus caesium, Phegopteris connectilis, Achyranthes aspera, Del-
phinium bicolar, Dicolipter roxburghiana, Argemome Mexicana, Arte-
misia absinthium and oxalis corymbosa are rare herbs species in
the region with low IVI values.
The characteristic plant species in community i.e., Ficus
beghalensis having important value 78 and p value 0.02, Euphorbia
helerophylla having IVI 71 and with p value 0.03. In addition to the
data attribute plot of Ficus beghalensis that show the grazing pres-
sure has no effect on this species because tree layer was not
affected by grazing pressure but greatly affected by high altitude
as a result it was mostly observed in lower altitude of the region.
While the electrical conductivity of community soil was measured
between 0.16 and 0.25 dsmÀ1
, Calcium carbonate was 2.4–6.2%,
Potassium 90–130 ppm and Phosphorus 5.6–8.4 ppm respectively.
3.7.2. Ficus carica - Justicia adhatoda - Parthinium hysterophorus
community
This community was found between elevations of 557–640 m.
The Ficus carica, Justicia adhatoda, and Parthinium hysterophorus
were the dominant characteristic tree, shrub and herb. The other
dominant species of the tree layer included Acacia nilotica, Acacia
modista, Ziziphus jujuba, Olea ferruginea and Ficus carica. While,
the rare tree species were Punica granatum, Broussonetia papyri-
afera, Melia azedarach, Morus nigra and Dalbergia sissoo. Regarding
the shruby layer Dodonia viscosa, Justicia adhatoda, Otostegia lim-
bata, Sageretia brenrerthiana, Colebrookea opposifolia was the most
dominant and Marrubium supinum, Gymnosporia royleane, Cotonea-
ster dammeri, Ricinus communis and Calotropis procera was the rare
plant species in the region. The characteristic species of herbaceous
layer was Cynodon dactylon, Solanum surattense, Parthenium hys-
terophous, Medicogo denculatus, Avena barbata, Euphorbia hirta,
Euphorbia helioscopia, Rumex dentatus, Delphinium bicolor, Amaran-
thus viridis and the characteristic rare species of community was
Mirabilis jalapa, Convolvulus arvensis, Solanum pseudocapsium,
Bidens pilosa, Conyza Canadensis, Ranunculus muricatus, Cichorium
intybus, Achyranthus aspera, Phegopteris connectilis and Physalis
angulate with minimum IVI.
Regarding the soil analyses of community electrical conductiv-
ity was 0.15–0.25 dsmÀ1
, Calcium carbonate was 5.2–7.2%, Potas-
sium was 100–125 ppm and Phosphorus 6.4–7.5 ppm was
recorded.
3.7.3. Melia azedarach - Dodonaea viscosa – Polygonum avicula
community
This community was found at the elevation of 572–645 m. The
recorded Characteristic species of tree layer was Mallotus philippen-
sis, Pistacia integerrima, Acacia modista, Ziziphus jujuba and Acacia
nilotica. While rare trees were Olea ferruginea, Broussonetia papyri-
fera, Ficus racemosa, Morus alba and Melia azedarach with minimum
IVI in the region. While, the dominant species of shruby vegetation
in community included Dodonaea viscosa, Berberis lyceum, Otostegia
limbata, Carissa opaca and Sageretia brendrethiana. In addition to,
Table 1
Data summary table of 123 plant species in relations with all he environmental variables.
Axis 1 2 3 4 TI
EV (eigen values) 0.363 0.165 0.105 0.096 2.216
SEC (species-environment correlations) 0.962 0.910 0.906 0.915
CPVSP (cumulative percentage variance of species data) 16.4 23.8 28.6 32.9
SER (species-environment relation) 33.0 47.9 57.5 66.2
SMC test
TSFCA (test of significance of first canonical axis) TSACA (test of significance of all canonical axes)
EV (eigen value) 0.363 (Trace) 1.102
FR (F-ratio) 4.121 FR (F-ratio) 1.730
PV (P-value) 0.0020 PV (P-value) 0.0020
S. Bano et al. / Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences xxx (2017) xxx–xxx 3
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istan. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (2017), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.02.009
4. Periploca aphylla, Gymnosporia royleana, Aerva javanica, Marrubium
supinum, Polygonum avicular and Colebrookea opposifolia was the
rare shrubs recorded with low IVI in the region. The characteristic
herbaceous species are Avena barbata, Melica persica, Medicogo den-
culatus, Artemisia absinthium, Parthenium hysterophous, Argemone
Mexicana, Euphorbia hirta, Euphorbia helioscopia and Polygonum
aviculare. The community has rare herb species with minimum
IVI was Ajuga bracteosa, Malva neglecta, Arundo donax, Hybiscus cae-
sius, Vaccaria pyramidata, Urtica dioica, Ipomoea hederacea, Ipomoea
purpurea, Physalis angulata and Solanum virginanum.
The soil analyses resulted that the community has Electrical
conductivity between 0.17 and 0.23 dsmÀ1
, Calcium carbonate
Table 2
Plant species and Family names with Raunkiaer Life form classes.
NO.
SO
Botanical name of Plants Family name Life
forms
1 Acacia modista (Wall.) Fabaceae Ph
2 Acacia nilotica (L.)Del. Fabaceae Ph
3 Ailanthus altissima (Mill) Swingle Simaroubaceae Ph
4 Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) vent Moraceae Ph
5 Cassia fistula L. Fabaceae Ph
6 Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaerth. Malvaceae Ph
7 Citrus aurantium L. Rutaceae Ph
8 Dalbergia sissoo Roxb.ex.DC. Fabaceae Ph
9 Eriobatrya japonica (Thunb.) lindl. Rosaceae Ph
10 Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. Myrtaceae Ph
11 Ficus benghalensis L. Moraceae Ph
12 Ficus carica L. Moraceae Ph
13 Ficus racemosa L. Moraceae Ph
14 Ficus religiosa L. Moraceae Ph
15 Juglans regia L. Juglandaceae Ph
16 Mallotus philippensis (Lam.) Muell. Euphorbiaceae Ph
17 Mangifera indica L. Anacardiaceae Ph
18 Melia azedarach L. Meliaceae Ph
19 Morus alba L. Moraceae Ph
20 Morus nigra L. Moraceae Ph
21 Olea ferruginea Royle. Oleaceae Ph
22 Papulus ciliata Wall.ex.Royle Salicaceae Ph
23 Pistacia integerrima J.L.Stewart ex
Brandis
Anacardiaceae Ph
24 Pterospermum acerifolium (L.) Willd. Malvaceae Ph
25 Punica granatum L. Lythraceac Ph
26 Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels Myrtaceae Ph
27 Ziziphus jujuba Milli. Rhamnaceae Ph
28 Aerva javanica (Burm.f.)shult Amaranthaceae Ch
29 Berberis lycium Royle. Berberidaceae Ph
30 Calotropis procera (L.) Asclapiadaceae Ph
31 Colebrookea opposifolia Sm Labiatae Ph
32 Clerodendrum Philippinum multiplex.
JPG
Verbenaceae Ph
33 Carissa opaca L. Apocynaceae Ph
34 Cotoneaster dammeri C.K.Schneid. Rosaceae Ph
35 Dodonaea viscose (L.) Jacq. Sapindaceae Ph
36 Gymnosporia royleana Wall. Celastraceae Ph
37 Ipomoea carnea Jace. Convolvulaceae Cr
38 Jasminum nudiforum Lindl. Oleaceae Ph
39 Jasminum officinale L. Oleaceae Ph
40 Justicia adhatoda L. Acanthaceae Ph
41 Lantana camara L. Verbenaceae Ch
42 Marrubium supinum L. Lamiaceae Ph
43 Nerium oleander L. Apocynaceae Ph
44 Otostegia limbata (Beth.) Boiss Lamiaceae Ph
45 Parthenocissus semicordata Wall. Vitaceae Ph
46 Periploca aphylla Decne. Asclepiadaceae Ph
47 Ricinus communis L. Euphorbiaceae Ph
48 Rubus fruticosus L. Rosaceae Ph
49 Sageretia brendrethiana J.Linn. Rhamnaceae Ph
50 Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz Lythraceac Ph
51 Ziziphus nummularia Burm.f. Rhamnaceae Ph
52 Achyranthes asperaL. Amaranthaceae He
53 Adiantum caudatum Klotzsch Pteridaceae Th
54 Ajuga bracteosa Wall. Lamiaceae He
55 Alternanthera hirtula (Mart.) Amaranthaceae Th
56 Alternanthera philoxeroides Griseb. Amaranthaceae Th
57 Amaranthus spinosus L. Amaranthaceae Th
58 Amaranthus viridis L. Amaranthaceae Th
59 Anthriscus sylvestris L. Apiaceae Th
60 Argemone mexicana L. Papaveraceae Th
61 Artemisia absinthium L. Asteraceae Th
62 Arundo donax L. Poaceae Ph
63 Avena barbata Pott ex Link Poaceae Th
64 Barleria cristata L. Acanthaceae He
65 Bidens pilosa L. Asteraceae He
66 Brassica compestris L. Brassicaceae Th
67 Cannabis sativa L. Cannabaceae Th
68 Celosia argentea L. Amaranthaceae Th
69 Chenopodium album L. Chenopodiaceae He
70 Cichorium intybus L. Asteraceae Th
71 Commelina communis L. Commelinaceae Cr
Table 2 (continued)
NO.
SO
Botanical name of Plants Family name Life
forms
72 Convolvulus arvensis L. Convolvulaceae Cr
73 Conyza bonariensis L. Asteraceae Th
74 Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist Asteraceae Th
75 Corchorus olitorius L. Malvaceae Th
76 Cynodon dactylon (L.)Pers. Poaceae He
77 Cynoglossum zeylanicum (Lehm.)
Brand
Boraginaceae He
78 Cyperus niveus Retz. Cyperaceae He
79 Cyperus rotundus L. Cyperaceae He
80 Datura alba L. Solanaceae Th
81 Debregeasia salicifolia N/A Urticaceae Ph
82 Delphinium bicolor Nutt. Ranunculaceae Th
83 Diclipter roxburghiana T.Anders. Acanthaceae Th
84 Echinochloa colona (L.) link. Poaceae He
85 Euphorbia helerophylla L. Euphorbiaceae Th
86 Euphorbia helioscopia L. Euphorbiaceae Th
87 Euphorbia hirta L. Euphorbiaceae Th
88 Hybiscus caesius Garcke var caesius Malvaceae Ph
89 Ipomoea hederacea Jaeq. Convolvulaceae Cr
90 Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Rath Convolvulaceae Cr
91 Lepidium virginicum L. Brassicaceae He
92 Leucas cephalota (Roth) Spreng. Lamiaceae Th
93 Malva neglecta Wallr. Malvaceae He
94 Malvastrum coromandelianum L. Malvaceae He
95 Marsilea villosa Kanlf. Marsileaceae Cr
96 Medico denculatus L. Fabaceae He
97 Melica persica Kunth Poaceae He
98 Mentha longiafolia (L.) Huds. Lamiaceae He
99 Mentha piperita L. Lamiaceae He
100 Mirabilis jalapa L. Nyctaginaceae Th
101 Nasturtium officinale W.T.Aiton Brassicaceae Th
102 Oxalis corniculata L. Oxalidaceae He
103 Oxalis corymbosa DC. Oxalidaceae He
104 Parthenium hysterophorus L. Asteraceae He
105 Pastinaca sativa L. Apiaceae Th
106 Pentanema indicum (L.)Ling Asteraceae Th
107 Persicaria globra Willd. Polygonaceae Th
108 Phegopteris connectilis (Michx.) Wall Thelypteridaceae Cr
109 Physalis angulata L. Solanaceae Ph
110 Polygonum aviculare L. Polygonaceae He
111 Ranunculus muricatus L. Ranunculaceae He
112 Rumex dentatus L. Polygonaceae He
113 Salvia coccinea Buc. Lamiaceae Th
114 Solanum nigrum L. Solanaceae Th
115 Solanum pseudocapsicum L. Solanaceae Th
116 Solanum surattense L. Solanaceae Th
117 Solanum virginanum L. Solanaceae Th
118 Sorghum vulgare L. Poaceae Th
119 Triticum aestivum L. Poaceae Th
120 Urtica dioica L. Urticaceae Th
121 Vaccaria pyramidata Medik. Caryophyllaceae Th
122 Verbascum thapsus L. Scrophulariaceae He
123 Xanthium strumarium L. Asteraceae Ch
Ph = Phanerophyte; Ch = Chamaephytes; He = Hemicryptophytes; Cr = Crypto-
phytes; Th = Therophytes.
4 S. Bano et al. / Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences xxx (2017) xxx–xxx
Please cite this article in press as: Bano, S., et al. Eco-floristic studies of the Beer Hills along the Indus River in the districts Haripur and Abbottabad, Pak-
istan. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (2017), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.02.009
5. 2.4 and 6.5%, Potassium 100 and 130 ppm and Phosphorus 7.3 and
8.2 ppm respectively.
3.7.4. Acacia nilotica - Berberis lycium - Echinochloa colona
community
This community initiated at the elevation of 2485–2937 m. The
dominant tree species were Acacia modista, Ziziphus jujuba, Mallo-
tus philippensis with rare species Morus nigra, Ficus carica and
Broussonetia papyrifera. The characteristic shrub species of the
community were Indigofera heterantha and Plectranthus rugosus.
While dominant species were Berberis lycium, Dodonaea viscosa,
Periploca aphylla, Justicia adhatoda, Ziziphus nummularia and rare
species included Cotoneaster dammeri, Sageretia brendrethiana, Car-
issa opaca and Gymnosporia royleana. Among the characteristic
herbaceous species Cynodon dactylon, Avena barbata, Euphorbia
hirta, Mediocogo denculatus, Delphinium bicolor, Melica persica, Con-
yza bonariensis, Conyza Canadensis, Echinochloa colona and Solanum
surattens. Whereas Argemone mexicaca, Parthenium hysterophorous,
Saliva coccinea, Chenopodium album, Leucas cephalota, Ajuga brac-
teosa, Barleria cristata, Sorghum vulgare, Oxalis corniculata, and Xan-
thium strumarium were recorded as rare herbs with minimum IVI
in the region.
The soil analyses of this habitat show the electrical conductivity
between 0.16 and 0.22 dsmÀ1
, Calcium carbonate 4 and 6.4%,
Potassium 100 and 130 ppm and Phosphorus 6 and 9 pp, which
play a significant key role in distribution of plant species of present
community.
3.8. Environmental gradient
The Species and environmental data matrices were put together
in CANOCO software version 4.5. All environmental variables as
Fig. 1. The Specie area curves showing adequacy of sampling in the studied area.
Fig. 2. Cluster dendrogram classified 34 sampled stations into 4 habitat types/plant communities.
S. Bano et al. / Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences xxx (2017) xxx–xxx 5
Please cite this article in press as: Bano, S., et al. Eco-floristic studies of the Beer Hills along the Indus River in the districts Haripur and Abbottabad, Pak-
istan. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (2017), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.02.009
6. biotic factors (grazing pressure) and abiotic factors (edaphic and
topographic) show significant effect on plant species composition,
distribution pattern and abundance with p value (p 0.002)
(Table 1).
In ordination of various plant species each cross in the figure
represented a plant species and the distance between them show
the similarity and differences index. All the plant species were
compared with environmental gradient and soil data through
CANOCO software. The treated environmental variables were alti-
tude, aspect, grazing pressure, organic matter, phosphorous, potas-
sium, pH, deep soil, silt and rocky soil. The CCA (bi-plot diagram) of
first quadrant indicated most of the plants were assembled under
the influence of CaCO3 and sandy nature of soil. While going
through 3rd quadrant most of the environmental variables clus-
tered around phosphorous, pH, organic matter concentration,
potassium, high elevation rang and clay nature of soil. Furthermore
on the 4th quadrant most of the plants are assembled under the
influence of electrical conductivity and grazing pressure (Fig. 4).
3.9. Ordination of different stations under the influence of
environmental gradient
The CCA ordination bi-plot based on edaphic and topographic
factors data presents the first quadrant was preliminary related
with CoCO3 and sandy nature of soil (Fig. 5). The 3rd quadrants
was mainly correlated with phosphorous, pH, organic matter con-
centration, potassium, high elevation rang and clay nature of soil
having T2S2, T3S2, T4S2, T5S, T5S4, T6S2 and T6S3 (T = transect,
S = station). While the 4rt quadrant show aspect of electrical con-
ductivity and grazing pressure that clustered T4S1, T5S1, T5S2,
T6S1 and T7S1 respectively (Fig. 5).
3.10. Discussion
The current study revealed a total of 123 plant species of the
Beer Hills along Indus River belong to 46 families. The 27 tree spe-
cies (22%), 23 shrubs (19%) and 73 herbs (59%) were recorded. The
study area revealed the herb species were in maximum number
with greater cover, followed by trees and shrubs. Physiographic
factors such as slope angle, different edaphic factors and altitudinal
rang effect the vegetation composition and distribution pattern.
Furthermore, at higher altitude vegetation layer became decrease
due to physical and biological factors that affect plant growth.
The same results were reported by Haq et al. (2011) that showed
Fig. 3. Two Way Cluster dendogram showing distribution of 123 species in 306 quadrats.
Fig. 4. CCA diagram showing the species distribution under the influence of various
environmental variables. Spp = Species, Env Var = Environmental factors,
Phosph = Phosphorus, Potas = Potassium, Elec Con = Electrical Conductivity, Organ
M = Organic Matter, Text Cla = Texture Class, Graz Pr = Grazing Pressure.
6 S. Bano et al. / Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences xxx (2017) xxx–xxx
Please cite this article in press as: Bano, S., et al. Eco-floristic studies of the Beer Hills along the Indus River in the districts Haripur and Abbottabad, Pak-
istan. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (2017), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.02.009
7. the vegetation was rich at lower elevation as compared to higher
elevation range. The flora of Beer Hills result Asteraceae, Lami-
aceae, Moraceae, Amaranthaceae and Poaceae was the most dom-
inant families of the region. Similarly Asteraceae and Lamiaceae
were proved well established and largest families in flora of Pak-
istan by Ali and Qaiser (1995) and Stewart (1972). Plus in other
adjacent locations Dar et al., 2012 reported one hundred and three
families at Machiara national park Muzaffarabad. The dominant
families of the investigated area were Balsaminaceae, Ranuncu-
laceae and Asclepiadaceae. While Pant and Samant (2007)
described forest plant biodiversity of the Western Himalaya. Simi-
lar to our results Perveen and Hussain (2007) work out on species
density, cover and frequency of Gorakh hills and reported seventy-
four plant species distributed in thirty-four families. Plants play a
vital role in economy of a country. It was used as food, fruit,
medicines, forage, timber wood, fire wood, etc. (Durrani, 2000;
Malik, 2005; Shinwari et al., 1996). This research project also
resulted various plant species i.e., Medicogo denculatud, Malva
neglecta were edible species, Mentha species, Justicia adhatoda
and Acacia were medicinally use, Morus species, Melia azedarach
were used as a timber and Dadonia vescosa were used as a fuel
wood in the Beer Hills area. Flora of an area represents the partic-
ular species of an area which are qualitatively and quantitatively
analyzed. Floristic structure of a region was very important to
relate it with environmental gradient. It depends upon biotic and
abiotic factors of an environment and can be affected by deforesta-
tion and over grazing particularly (Longhi et al., 1992). Similar
were also reported in present work that grazing pressure effect
on plant species distribution and composition. A total of 4 plant
communities were identified through PCORD version 5 in study
area. (Moinuddin et al., 2006: Ahmad et al., 2016a) studied the
Phyto-sociological analysis of Himalayan forests of Pakistan,
described twenty-four different communities and four mono-
phonic specific forests vegetation as well as labeled the species
composition and IVI values. While CANOCO Software version 4.5
was used to measure the influence of edaphic and topographic
variables on species composition and diversity and community for-
mation. Similar techniques were also applied by Khan et al.
(2012b) for proper documentation of plant species. Whereas
Borcard et al., 1992 performed Canonical Correspondence Analysis
(CCA) by using a quantitative statistical approach to categorize
among various variables. Brown and Bezuidenhout (2005) investi-
gated National park (De mountain zebra National park, South
Africa) and find out fourteen communities consuming TWINSPAN
grouping. The soil pH ranges from 7.2 to 7.8; organic matter con-
centration from 0.52% to 0.85%, calcium carbonate amount is
2.38% to 7.2%, sand concentration was 28.6% to 58.6%, Phosphorous
was 5.6 ppm to 9 ppm, potassium ranges 130 ppm to 90 ppm. Sim-
ilarly (Khan et al., 2012a,b, 2014, 2016; Nazir et al., 2012; Shaheen
et al., 2011; Iqbal et al., 2015; Ahmad et al., 2016a) also found out
various plant communities in relation to environmental gradients.
Furthermore, Noureen et al., 2008 investigated Cholistan desert,
vegetation on the basis of environmental factors. Whereas,
Yimer, 2007, defined that soil disturb the structure of the plant
community and ground cover, amount of plant development, capa-
bility of natural regeneration and additional critical factors. In
study area grazing pressure was observed higher at lower elevation
range of the Beer Hills. It was also reported by Pennings and
Silliman (2005) that grazing pressure was high at lower elevation.
Whereas, Sakya and Bania (1998) describes, elevation play an
important role in the community formation. Shank and Noorie
(1950) find out that temperature and atmospheric pressure chan-
ged with increasing height other factors like soil pH, soil moisture,
soil nutrients and biotic factors also take part in the formation of
plant communities. Life forms of the plants were very important
to describe the vegetation structure. The plant species collected
in the study area were classified into five Raunkiaer classes. It
was resulted that Phanerophytes was the dominant class followed
by the Therophytes, Hiemicryptophytes, Cryptophytes, and
Chamaephytes respectively. A similar result was described by
Malik and Malik (2004) in Kotli Hill Kashmir. Whereas Hadi et al.
(2009) reported a phytosociological effort on weed flora in the veg-
etable fields of (Botanical Garden, Azakhel in summer season 2009)
which consist of 30 weed species in different vegetables fields with
dominant Therophytes life form class.
4. Conclusion
It was concluded that CaCO3 contents, electrical conductivity,
soil pH, organic matter concentration, phosphorous and silty nat-
ure of soil were the stronger edaphic factors. While, among topo-
graphic factor the elevation and aspect were the significant
environmental variables that affect the distribution pattern, com-
position and diversity of plant species and communities of Beer
Hills. Identification of indicator and rare plant species in the speci-
fic micro-habitat can further be used for conservation management
purposes.
Acknowledgment
The authors would like to extend their sincere appreciation to
the Deanship of Scientific Research at king Saud University for its
funding this Research group NO (RG-1435-014).
Appendix A.
See Appendix A.
Fig. 5. CCA bi-plot diagram showing the distribution of sampled stations in relation
to various environmental variables. T = Transect, S = Station, Samp = Sample, Env
Var = Environmental factors, Phosph = Phosphorus, Potas = Potassium, Elec
Con = Electrical Conductivity, Organ M = Organic Matter, Text Cla = Texture Class,
Graz Pr = Grazing Pressure.
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istan. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (2017), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.02.009
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Ahmad, Z., Khan, S.M., Abd_Allah, E.F., Alqarawi, A.A., Hashem, A., 2016b. Weed
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Borcard, D., Legendre, P., Drapeau, P., 1992. Partialling out the spatial component of
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Brown, L.R., Bezuidenhout, H., 2005. The Vegetation of the Farms Ingleside and
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101–105.
Appendix A (continued)
No.
S
Plant name Plant name Plant name Plant name
Plant name T IVI 1 T IVI 2 Plant name T IVI 3 Plant name T IVI 4
72 Mirabilis jalapa 244 Cannabis sativa 30 Delphinium bicolor 64 Oxalis corniculata 32
73 Conyza canadensis 227 Cyperus niveus 21 Amaranthus spinosus 62 Xanthium strumarium 30
74 Arundo donax 220 Solanum nigrum 19 Rumex dentatus 62 Achyranthes aspera 0
75 Bidens pilosa 211 Malva neglecta 18 Pentanema indicum 58 Adiantum caudatum 0
76 Commelina communis 211 Mirabilis jalapa 18 Cichorium intybus 55 Alternanthera hirtula 0
77 Solanum nigrum 208 Convolvulus arvensis 16 Malvastrum
coromandelianum
55 Alternanthera philoxeroides 0
78 Chenopodium album 202 Solanum pseudocapsicum 15 Leucas cephalota 49 Amaranthus spinosus 0
79 Ranunculus muricatus 202 Bidens pilosa 13 Chenopodium album 46 Amaranthus viridis 0
80 Pastinaca sativa 196 Conyza Canadensis 13 Echinochloa colona 43 Anthriscus sylvestris 0
81 Echinochloa colona 182 Ranunculus muricatus 8 Verbascum thapsus 39 Artemisia absinthium 0
82 Anthriscus sylvestris 160 Cichorium intybus 7 Ajuga bracteosa 38.08 Arundo donax 0
83 Lepidium virginicum 160 Achyranthes aspera 6.05 Malva neglecta 37 Bidens pilosa 0
84 Leucas cephalota 157 Phegopteris connectilis 6 Arundo donax 34 Brassica compestris 0
85 Amaranthus spinosus 155 Physalis angulata 1 Hybiscus caesius 34 Cannabis sativa 0
86 Malvastrum
coromandelianum
153 Alternanthera philoxeroides 0 Vaccaria pyramidata 29 Celosia argentea 0
87 Verbascum thapsus 149 Amaranthus spinosus 0 Urtica dioica 10 Cichorium intybus 0
88 Corchorus olitorius 145 Anthriscus sylvestris 0 Ipomoea hederacea 6 Commelina communis 0
89 Oxalis corniculata 140 Artemisia absinthium 0 Ipomoea purpurea 6 Convolvulus arvensis 0
90 Solanum virginanum 130 Barleria cristata 0 Physalis angulata 1 Corchorus olitorius 0
91 Vaccaria pyramidata 128 Brassica compestris 0 Solanum virginanum 1 Cynoglossum zeylanicum 0
92 Urtica dioica 121 Celosia argentea 0 Achyranthes aspera 0 Cyperus niveus 0
93 Alternanthera hirtula 120 Commelina communis 0 Adiantum caudatum 0 Cyperus rotundus 0
94 Marsilea villosa 118 Conyza bonariensis 0 Alternanthera philoxeroides 0 Datura alba 0
95 Debregeasia salicifolia 110.3 Corchorus olitorius 0 Amaranthus viridis 0 Debregeasia salicifolia 0
96 Triticum aestivum 108 Cynoglossum zeylanicum 0 Anthriscus sylvestris 0 Diclipter roxburghiana 0
97 Adiantum caudatum 107.65 Datura alba 0 Brassica compestris 0 Euphorbia helerophylla 0
98 Convolvulus arvensis 106 Debregeasia salicifolia 0 Celosia argentea 0 Euphorbia helioscopia 0
99 Cynoglossum zeylanicum 103 Diclipter roxburghiana 0 Commelina communis 0 Ipomoea hederacea 0
100 Pentanema indicum 100 Echinochloa colona 0 Convolvulus arvensis 0 Ipomoea purpurea 0
101 Solanum pseudocapsicum 99 Euphorbia helerophylla 0 Corchorus olitorius 0 Lepidium virginicum 0
102 Solanum surattense 99 Hybiscus caesius 0 Cynoglossum zeylanicum 0 Malva neglecta 0
103 Ipomoea hederacea 93 Ipomoea hederacea 0 Cyperus niveus 0 Malvastrum
coromandelianum
0
104 Ipomoea purpurea 93 Ipomoea purpurea 0 Cyperus rotundus 0 Marsilea villosa 0
105 Ajuga bracteosa 87 Lepidium virginicum 0 Datura alba 0 Mentha longiafolia 0
106 Datura alba 85 Leucas cephalota 0 Debregeasia salicifolia 0 Mentha piperita 0
107 Polygonum aviculare 82 Marsilea villosa 0 Diclipter roxburghiana 0 Mirabilis jalapa 0
108 Barleria cristata 80 Melica persica 0 Euphorbia helerophylla 0 Nasturtium officinale 0
109 Brassica compestris 79 Mentha longiafolia 0 Marsilea villosa 0 Oxalis corymbosa 0
110 Alternanthera philoxeroides 78 Mentha piperita 0 Mentha longiafolia 0 Pastinaca sativa 0
111 Conyza bonariensis 76 Nasturtium officinale 0 Mentha piperita 0 Pentanema indicum 0
112 Physalis angulata 72 Oxalis corymbosa 0 Mirabilis jalapa 0 Persicaria globra 0
113 Hybiscus caesius 71 Pastinaca sativa 0 Nasturtium officinale 0 Phegopteris connectilis 0
114 Salvia coccinea 60 Pentanema indicum 0 Oxalis corniculata 0 Physalis angulata 0
115 Phegopteris connectilis 59 Persicaria globra 0 Oxalis corymbosa 0 Ranunculus muricatus 0
116 Achyranthes aspera 57.83 Polygonum aviculare 0 Pastinaca sativa 0 Rumex dentatus 0
117 Delphinium bicolor 57 Salvia coccinea 0 Persicaria globra 0 Solanum nigrum 0
118 Diclipter roxburghiana 52 Solanum virginanum 0 Phegopteris connectilis 0 Solanum pseudocapsicum 0
119 Argemone mexicana 50 Sorghum vulgare 0 Ranunculus muricatus 0 Solanum virginanum 0
120 Artemisia absinthium 43 Triticum aestivum 0 Solanum nigrum 0 Triticum aestivum 0
121 Oxalis corymbosa 30 Urtica dioica 0 Solanum pseudocapsicum 0 Urtica dioica 0
122 Cyperus niveus 0 Vaccaria pyramidata 0 Sorghum vulgare 0 Vaccaria pyramidata 0
123 Cyperus rotundus 0 Xanthium strumarium 0 Triticum aestivum 0 Verbascum thapsus 0
S. Bano et al. / Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences xxx (2017) xxx–xxx 9
Please cite this article in press as: Bano, S., et al. Eco-floristic studies of the Beer Hills along the Indus River in the districts Haripur and Abbottabad, Pak-
istan. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (2017), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.02.009
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10 S. Bano et al. / Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences xxx (2017) xxx–xxx
Please cite this article in press as: Bano, S., et al. Eco-floristic studies of the Beer Hills along the Indus River in the districts Haripur and Abbottabad, Pak-
istan. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (2017), http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.02.009