Botany
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Item In Vitro Seed Germination and Callus Induction of Aconitum spicatum (Bruhl) Stapf(2024) Gautam, Pooja; Krishna Kumar PantAconitum spicatum (Bruhl) Stapf commonly known as ‘Bikh’ is an herbaceous perennial plant belonging to the family Ranunculaceae. It is one of the highly poisonous plants but characterized by significant and valuable medicinal uses. Low seed germination in nature and uncontrolled harvesting practices, as well as a lack of concerned conservation efforts, lead to the rapid declination of this vital plant species; however, no comprehensive and reliable protocol has been developed till date to produce plant materials for conservation as well as for pharmaceutical purposes. Therefore, this study was designed to develop an efficient, simple, and reproducible in vitro seed germination, direct shoot-roots organogenesis as well callus induction protocol using seed as an explant. The highest seed germination percentage was recorded on Murashige and Skoog’s (MS) basal medium, with a germination rate of 77.78% in a mean germination time of 14 days. Among the various plant growth regulators examined, 1.5 mgL-1 BAP proved to be effective for maximum shoots and root induction after 42 days, The maximum callus was induced in MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mgL-1 NAA within 49-60 days. To our knowledge, this is the first study on in vitro seed germination and callus induction of this plant. This study could provide a basis for germplasm conservation and sustainable utilization, with implications for the isolation of unique and pharmacologically active compounds from callus or regenerated plantlets.Item Forest structure, regeneration and plant invasion in Sal and riverine forest of Chitwan, Central Nepal(2024) Khanal, Niraj; Krishna Prasad SharmaThe study assessed tree species diversity, regeneration, and the impact of invasive alien plant species in Sal and Riverine forest of Bhimwali Community Forest within south central Nepal. A total of 40 (20m×20m) plots, 20 plots in each forest type was laid by quadrate sampling method. Forest sampling was done in November 2022 and supplementary data were collected in November 2023. For data collection transects were drawn perpendicular to the river at 200m distance for each transect. In each transect 4 - 6 quadrats were laid. Minimum distance between each quadrat was 50m. Inside main plot sub-plot 5m × 5m was constructed for shrubs/saplings and 1m × 1m plot was conducted for herbs/seedlings respectively. From each quadrat all vegetation and plot characteristics were recorded. Altogether, 118 vascular plant species were recorded; 30 trees, 33 shrubs, 42 herbs, 7 ferns, and 6 climbers. Riverine forest has higher species richness than the Sal forest. In Sal forest 13 species of trees from 11 families were found, with Shorea robusta being the most dominant tree species with highest importance value index (IVI 212.33). In the riverine forest, 22 species of trees from 16 families were observed, with Trewia nudiflora as the most dominant tree species (IVI 100.76). The overall forest regeneration was relatively better in Sal forest in compared to Riverine forest with reverse J-shaped d-d curve. We observed that riverine forest has significant invasive plant impact than Sal forest. In the Sal forest, 9 invasive alien plant species were recorded, with Chromolena odorata having the highest frequency (80%), followed by Mikania micrantha at 75%. While in the Riverine forest, 11 invasive alien plant species were reported, with Mikania micrantha having the highest frequency (75%), followed by Chromolaena odorata at 55%. We have observed that the Riverine forest, being close to human settlements, experienced higher anthropogenic activities, leading to increased plant invasion and a direct adverse impact on forest regeneration. In contrast, the Sal forest exhibited better regeneration and lower instances of plant invasion in compared to the Riverine forest. The observed variations highlight the need of targeted conservation efforts in Riverine forest, especially in areas susceptible to human-induced disturbances. Addressing these challenges is crucial for sustaining the ecological balance and biodiversity of Bhimwali Community Forest in the coming years. Keywords: Community forest, Tree diversity, IAPS, Shorea robusta, Trewia nudiflora.Item Forest structure, Carbon stock and plant invasion in Sal and riverine forest of Dhangadhi, Western nepal(2024) Bhatta, Pooja; Krishna Prasad SharmaIn this study we evaluated the diversity of tree species, regeneration, carbon stock and impactof IAPS in Sal and Riverine forests in Far western Nepal. A total of 40 plots (20 plots in each forest type) of size 20 m x 20 m were laid using systematic sampling method. Transects were drawn perpendicular to the river at a distance of 200 m each. At least four quadratswere placed in each transect. All the plot and vegetation characters were recorded from thesample plots. Tree species richness of riverine forest (25) was significantly higher than that of (16) Sal Forest (p= 0.01152). The regeneration in Sal Forest was better than riverine forestwith reverse J shaped d-d curve. Tree carbon stock was also significantly higher (250.40t ha -1 ) in Sal Forest than Riverine Forest (126.55 t ha -1 ) (p=0.002957). The invasion of invasiveplant was high in Riverine Forest with IAPS richness (7) than in Sal Forest (3). Our studysuggests that Sal Forest with high canopy cover has less IAPS richness than Riverine Forest.This suggests that maintaining canopy cover could be the effective strategy to limit the IAPSinvasion in forests ecosystem. Keywords: Carbon stock, Community Forest, IAPS, Regeneration, Tree diversityItem Diversity and nutrient analysis of wild mushrooms in Chaukot, Panauti, Nepal(2024) Thapa, Swostika; Sanjay Kumar JhaExploration on Mushroom is very less in comparison to other group of organism in the world. Research has shown that Mushroom has great nutritional value. This study aims to determine how important the soil pH, moisture and canopy cover which influence on growth of mushroom and nutrients present in it. Based on a review of the literature on macrofungal distribution and nutritional value, field visit between 1500-1700 m altitudinal range and chemical analysis research was done. Research analysis demonstrated that total of 68 mushroom was collected belonging Basidiomycota, Ascomycota and Mycetozoafrom community forest of Chaukot. Among mushroom species, most of the mushroom were of russulaceae family and agaricales order. Half of the mushroom were mycorrhizal and 16 species are edible. Dominant edible species Laccaria laccata and Scleroderma cepa was frequently used in local habitat and chosen to perform nutrient analysis. Chemical analysis of Mushroom such as determination of moisture, ash, protein, fiber, fat and carbohydrate as well as minerals like calcium, phosphorus and iron were done in National Food Research Center, Khumaltar. The quantitative estimation of moisture was done by oven dry method, fat by soxhlet extraction, protein by kjeldahl digestion method, ash by ignition method, carbohydrate by proximate analysis method, crude fiber by acid base digestion method, calcium by complexometric titration method, phosphorous by molybdenum blue method and iron by calorimetric method. Laccaria laccata had highest density and Hymenochaete rubiginosa was found to have highest abundance.The Shannon diversity index was 3.78 and Simpson diversity index was 0.97. Mushroom contained highest percentage of carbohydrate (54.93-60.42) % and lowest fat (0.38-0.55) % whereas microminerals phosphorus ranges from (424.9–507.72 mg/100 g), calcium (182.83-243.16 mg/100 g) and Iron (43.25– 48.14 mg/100 g). The result indicates state of soil and forest type show crucial role in growth and development of Mushroom. On this basis, it is recommended that tree canopy cover should be maintained to flourish Mushroom. Further research is needed for molecular identify that could help to know beneficiaries of mushroom. Keywords: Diversity index, Laccaria laccata, Mushroom, Scleroderma cepaItem Floristic Composition and species Richness of Bryophytes along an Elevational Gradient in Annapurna Base Camp Trail, Kaski, Nepal(2024) Tripathi, Shuhma; Giri Prasad JoshiThe research aimed to document species composition, richness, and habitat distribution of bryophytes along the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC) trail, spanning elevations from 1,650 meters to 4,130 meters. A systematic random sampling method was employed to collect bryophytes specimens from nine strategically selected stations along the elevational gradient. The survey identified 91 bryophyte species across 39 families and 62 genera, with mosses (58 species) being the most prevalent, thereafter by liverworts (30 species) and hornworts (3 species). The Bryaceae and Aytoniaceae families were the most diverse, each represented by eight species. The study revealed a hump-shaped curve in species richness and diversity, peaking at mid-elevations (around 2500 meters) and declining at both lower and higher elevations. Habitat analysis showed that soil was the most preferred substrate (31%), followed by rocks (28%), trees (22%), soil and rock combinations (15%), and tree and rock combinations (4%). This study recommends extensive bryophyte surveys in underexplored areas in Annapurna Conservation Area with relation to different environmental variables. This study provides valuable insights into the bryophyte diversity along the ABC trail, contributing to the broader understanding of bryophyte ecology and conservation in high-elevation regions. Keywords: Bryophytes, Species Richness, Distribution, Elevational Gradient, Annapurna Base Camp.Item Ethnomedicinal Plants used by the Tamang communities of Shankharapur, Kathmandu(2024) Farsawani, Srijana; Sangeeta Raj BhandariEthnobotany explores the intricate relationship between human societies and plants, including their traditional uses for food, medicine, and cultural practices. Ethnomedicine, a branch of ethnobotany, delves into local healing practices, often transmitted orally across generations, and investigates how cultural beliefs shape healthcare within different communities. Ethnic communities in Nepal's various phytogeographic regions have different indigenous knowledge of using plant resources for health care. This study primarily aims to document traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used by the Tamang community of Shankharapur, Kathmandu. The Tamang people, an indigenous ethnic group with a rich cultural heritage, have developed a profound knowledge of medicinal plants and healing practices over centuries. Ethnobotanical data were collected through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, personal interviews and transect walks by applying semistructured questionnaire. Quantitative parameters like Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), Frequency Index (FI), Used Values (UV) and Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) were used during ethnobotanical analysis to find out the important plant species used in the study area. Of the total informant, males were 26 and females were 14. The study documented 68 medicinal plant species used to treat 53 ailments. Herbs (25 species) were most abundant. Leaves (28) were the plant parts most preferred, and the major mode of herbal formulation was paste (29%). The disease category with the highest ICF value was musculoskeletal ailment with a value of 0.375. The study determined three plant species i.e. Ocimum sanctum Linn., Centella asiatica (L.) Urb and Artemisia indica Willd. with FL of 100%. The RFC value was highest for the Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. and Cannabis sativa L. with a value of 0.65. Highest the RFC most frequently the plant is used. There is a positive link between UVs and RFCs (r=0.66). Collaborative efforts between traditional healers and other stakeholders are essential for safeguarding the ethnomedicinal heritage of the Tamang people and ensuring its continued relevance in a rapidly changing world. Keywords: Ethnobotany, Tamang community, Medicinal plants, Traditional knowledge, BiodiversityItem Ethnomedicinal Plants of Malika forest, Baglung, West Nepal(2024) Upadhayaya, Kul Shekhar; Deepak Raj PantThe Baglung Municipality of Baglung district is located in the West Nepals province of Gandaki. This area is rich in flora and culture. This study documents plant species that are ethnmedicinally valuable in the area. Several plant specimens were prepared during the field tour. During Ethnobotanical analysis quantitative indicators like informant consensus factor (ICF), Frequency Index (FI) and Used Value (UV) were utilized to identify plant species with significant usage in the research area. The study area comprises 180 plants from 59 families. The Asteraceae family was the most dominant while the Saururaceae family had the least presence. The informant consensus factor values ranged between 0.11 to 0.92. The high ICF value was obtained for gynecological disorders while least was obtained for gasto-intestinal disorders. The frequency index showed that Daphne bhoula, Rhododendron arboreum, Artemisia indica and Zanthoxylum armatumwere the most commonly used plant species with the highest frequency index. Among the plant used 6% had a high use value, 21% had a moderate use value and 73% had a low use value. Among them, highest value was observed for Zanthoxylum armatum (2.6) followed by Daphne bhoula (2.4). Keywords: Ethnobotany, use value, West Nepal, disorders, flora, informantItem Traditional Ecological knowledge Related to himalayan Medicinal Plants ; Polyphylla Smith and Neopicrorhiza Scrophulariiflora ( Pennell) D. Y. Hong in Annapurna Conservation Area, central nepal(2024) Gurung, Arati; Suresh Kumar GhimireIndigenous mountain communities are rich in traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) as they are highly dependent on the plant sources to meet their basic needs as well as for primary healthcare. Paris polyphylla and Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora are two important medicinal plants that hold significant cultural and medicinal value in the Himalayan region. These plants have been used for generation to treat various ailments. Investigating about the traditional uses and the associated ecological knowledge provides invaluable insights into the traditional heritage of these communities. Thus, this study focuses on documenting traditional knowledge on most commonly used medicinal plant species, assess the variation in traditional uses in terms of specific ailments treated and preparation methods and to investigate TEK related to life-history, habitat diversity, localities growing and identify the major issues and conservation recommendations based on local perception. Altogether, 47 informants were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire during May, June and September month of 2022. The study was conducted in two Gurung villages Bhujung and Chhomrong situated in Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA). The result showed 23 medicinal plants are most preferred by local people to cure some of the common diseases like digestive system disorder and fever. P. polyphylla followed by Aconitum heterophyllum and N. scrophulariiflora were frequently cited medicinal plants in the study area. Both the communities were aware about the usepractice of the study species. However, self-use of P. polyphylla was reported more along with the trade only in Bhujung. Both the species are obtained through self-harvest and occasionally gifted by herders and porters. Additionally, the habitats and localities of growth of P. polyphylla were widely recognized compared to N. scrophulariiflora. The main habitat of N. scrophulariiflora was found to be lekh (high-altitude) whereas for P. polyphylla was reported to be shady places and forest as per the result of the study. Despite the extensive traditional ecological knowledge, the study also found the significant conservation issues causing in decline in the population of the study species, overharvesting and unsustainable practices being one of main serious causes. The study concludes with the set of recommendations provided by the local informants themselves that aims at promoting sustainable harvesting practices and aware local communities about the status of these important medicinal plants. Keywords: Traditional Ecological knowledge, indigenous people, medicinal plantsItem Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant activity of selected wild edible and cultivated Mushrooms of nepal(2024) Thapa Magar, Madhu; Hari Prasad AryalWild edible mushrooms have been widely used as nutrient-rich food since ancient times, and some of them are also produced on an industrial scale. In this study, the three most common cultivated mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus, Lentinula edodes and Pleurotus ostreatus) and three wild edible mushrooms (Scleroderma cepa, Termitomyces microcarpus and Termitomyces schimperi) were selected for the study. The objectives of the study were to analyze and compare the bioactive compounds present and antioxidant activity of wild edible and commonly cultivated mushrooms. The Total Phenolic Content value was estimated by using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. To determine the antioxidant potential of the samples, DPPH (2, 2-Diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2, 2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) scavenging assays were employed. From the preliminary phytochemical screening, it was observed that both wild and cultivated mushrooms tend to contain bioactive compounds such as Alkaloids, Steroids, Terpenoids, Polyphenols, Cardiac glycosides, and Saponins. Methanolic extracts of all three wild mushrooms exhibited higher TPC than the cultivated mushrooms. Highest TPC was found in water extract of S. cepa with the value of 36.57±0.81 mg GAE/ g dry extract. Lowest TPC was found in methanol extract of cultivated mushroom, A. bisporus with the value of 11.60±0.08 mg GAE/ g dry extract. The antioxidant assay revealed that all three wild mushrooms are strong inhibitors of free radicals like DPPH with the lowest IC50 values than the cultivated mushrooms. But in the case of ABTS assay, only S. cepa and T. microcarpus had a lowest IC50 values than other mushroom samples. Lowest IC50 value in inhibiting DPPH radical was observed in methanolic extract of S. cepa with a value of 0.744 mg/mL. And, lowest IC50 value in inhibiting ABTS radical was also found in water extract of S. cepa with the value of 0.583 mg/mL. This study revealed that there was a correlation between the TPC and ABTS radical scavenging potential of the samples. But no significant correlation could observed in the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Further study should focus on exploring many other edible mushrooms and identifying specific antioxidant compound present in them. But, initial focus of the study should focus on the toxicity of wild mushrooms because many mushrooms in the wild could be poisonous to human kind. Keywords: Bioactive compounds, total phenolic content, S. cepa, T. microcarpus, T. schimperiItem Family Liliaceae in Nepal; Taxonomy Distribution pattern and Species Richness(2014) Rana, Hum Kala; Suresh Kumar GhimireAvailable in fulltextItem Heavy Metals Accumulation in Some Trees Growing around Hongshi Shivam Cement Factory, Nawalparasi, Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2024-09-03) Bal Krishna Sapkota; Prof. Dr. Mukesh Kumar ChettriFull Text AvailableItem In-Situ Litter Decomposition and Nutrient Release in Different Tree Species of Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2024-08-14) Samikshya Acharya; Prof. Dr. Mohan Prasad DevkotaFull Text AvailableItem Ethnobotanical Study of Plants Used for Maternal and Child Health Care by Tharu Tribe of Dang District, Western Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2023-09-09) Sangita Chaudhary; Dr. Giri Prasad JoshiItem Air Pollution Tolerance Index and Anticipated Performance Index of Some Plant Species in Morang District, Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2024-09-20) Uma Shrestha; Dr. Anjana DevkotaAvailable Full TextItem Study of Variation in Leaf Trait and Soil Nutrients in Schima Wallichii and Quercus Leucotrichophora at Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2023-04-10) Sumitra Dahal; Prof. Dr. Kanta PoudyalAvailable Full TextItem Diversity, Distribution and Use of Non-Timber Forest Products in the Ekata Community Forest of Nawalparasi (East), Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2024-05-03) Sharada Neupane; Dr. Yadav UpretiAvailable Full TextItem Ethnomedical Study in the Rubivalley Rural Municipality Dhading, Central Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2024-05-28) Saroj Adhikari; Dr. Giri Prasad JoshiAvailable Full TextItem Dicot Flora of Sworgadwari Hill in Pyuthan District, Western Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2024-09-09) Sadikshya Gautam; Prof. Dr. Devendra Mananda BajracharyaAvailable Full TextItem Soil Organic Carbon and Fungal Population in Different Land Use Types of Chapagaun, Lalitpur(Amrit Campus, 2024-09-09) Sabina Thokar; Dr. Laxmi Joshi ShresthaAvailable Full TextItem Native and Invasive Plants in Some Selected Habitats of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, Far West Nepal(Amrit Campus, 2024-04-04) Roshni Bhatta; Prof. Dr. Bipana AcharyaAvailable Full Text