Bergenia ciliata (Haw.) Sternb. is an important medicinal plant of the Himalayan region. Phenotypic attributes of a particular plant species varies along different altitudes in order to adapt and to overcome the changeable and stressful conditions. A number of environmental factors such as mean temperature, precipitation, soil characteristics, radiation intensity etc. changes with altitudinal gradient and thereby affect the morphological pattern of a plant species. The present study was undertaken to reveal the impact of the elevational gradient and habitat variability on the morphological features of the selected species. Under different environmental conditions the species exhibited enormous variability in its phenotypic traits. The plants were shorter at high altitude site, Gulmarg while the plants of low altitude site, Kashmir University Botanical Garden (KUBG) were taller and more vigorous. A significant decrease in the plant height, inflorescence length, leaf length, leaf breadth and petiole length occurred with increasing altitude. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the habitat of KUBG and Ferozpora (Tangmarg) proved relatively better for the growth of B. ciliata. The regression analysis revealed positive correlation between plant height and traits like inflorescence length, leaf length, leaf number and thus predicting a direct impact of plant height on other traits. Our findings present a comprehensive account on the variability of phenotypic characteristics, in relation to the environmental conditions of this valuable medicinal plant species.
Kashmir valley is located between the Pir-Panjal and the Karakoram Range in the India. The valley is encircled by mountain ranges characterized by snow covered high mountain peaks. Kashmir is known for its scenic beauty throughout the world named as "paradise on earth." One of the main factors backing to this fame of Kashmir is its rich biodiversity corresponding with a wide variety of habitats. Agricultural growth is essential for any region to alleviate rural poverty, ensure food security and create job opportunities for people living in rural and urban areas. Traditionally, agriculture has been practicable and sustainable industry in the Kashmir. By tradition it has been the predominant sector in the Kashmir valley which supports around above 70 per cent of its population directly or indirectly is associated with agriculture and allied activities. The important features like topography, physiographic feature, diversity of habitat especially Karewas and elevation are the key elements which creates the difference between hill and plain areas. Hilly areas as generally offer a vast scope for the growers and cultivation of mixed crops like, cereals, pulses, oilseeds, Saffron, maize, vegetables. The most important and dominant feature of hill farming is the small holding, sloping marginal lands. This region has its own specific geo-climatic condition, which determine the cropping pattern and its productivity allied activities like horticulture, dairy development, fisheries, livestock and sericulture also play significant role in the agriculture sector.
Euphorbia helioscopia L. (Euphorbiaceae), is an important medicinal plant species of the Himalayan region. The species showed wide variability in its phenotypic traits under different environmental conditions. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of elevational gradient on the morphological traits and reproductive features of the species. The plants grown in the Kashmir University Botanical Garden were more vigorous and taller than the plants of high-altitude sites. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the habitat of KUBG and Kangan (Ganderbal) were comparatively facilitated the growth of E. helioscopia. The regression analysis showed a positive correlation between various morphological traits. Our attempted results highlighted an elaborated account of the variation of phenotypic traits and seed germination performance in response to different environmental conditions along an elevational gradient.
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