Impacts of habitat variability on the phenotypic traits of Aconitum violaceum Jacq. ex Stapf. at different altitudes and environmental conditions in the Ladakh Himalaya, India.

Abstract

Aconitum violaceum Jacq. ex Stapf is endemic to the Northern Himalayan regions of India, Pakistan and Nepal. To adapt and endure the rigorous stressful situations, phenotypic features of a specific plant species vary across different climatic conditions and elevations. The aim of this study was to reveal the impact of altitude and environmental conditions on the morphological attributes of a threatened species A. violaceum. Plants at high elevations (Maan-man, 4010m asl) were short; whereas the plants grown at ecological conditions of population-I (Khawous, 3220m asl) showed better growth and development in all morphological attributes. It has been noticed that there is a considerable reduction in the plant height, rhizome, leaf dimension, flower number and leaf number at higher elevations. Regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient demonstrated a positive relationship between plant height and all other morphological attributes. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the habitat, ecological conditions and elevations of population-I (Khawous) and Population-II (Numsuru) were proved to be relatively better for the luxuriant growth and development of an endemic plant species A. violaceum. From the observations, it can be inferred that A. violaceum grows successfully at an elevation ranges between 3000 to 3500m ASL. This study provides a comprehensive account of phenotypic variability concerning environmental conditions and suggested a suitable environment for sustainable cultivation of this important medicinal plant species in the Ladakh Himalaya.

In Vitro Propagation of Aconitum violaceum Jacq. ex Stapf through Seed Culture and Somatic Embryogenesis

“…Seed-based propagation is the most efficient, affordable, and practicable technique for most species to be cultivated on a large scale for commercial purposes [31]. Aconitum species are mostly wild-growing at high elevations, so their propagation through seeds at low altitudes is constrained by ecological factors such as soil fertility, soil textures, pH, humidity, temperature, phytosociology, nature of vegetation, and dormancy of seeds [4,32,33]. Thus, providing pre-sowing treatments (chilling, water soaking, hot water treatment, or with different chemicals etc.)…”

“…ex Stapf is a biennial herbaceous medicinal plant of the Ranunculaceae family and is endemic to the north-western Himalayan region of India, Pakistan, and Nepal [1][2][3]. In India, it is primarily found in the alpine and subalpine regions of the north-western Himalayas, at an elevation range of 3000-4000 m asl and shares its position with vulnerable plant species [4,5]. The toxic alkaloids of A. violaceum can be easily converted into less harmful alkaloids by heating or by using an alkaline treatment.…”

“…A. violaceum faces a great threat of extinction in its natural habitat due to various factors, such as physiological seed dormancy of >5 months [4,21,22], and long-term burying of seeds beneath snow (more than five months). Due to its specific ecological requirement, seed germination and seedling establishment in A. violaceum are quite challenging.…”

“…Due to its specific ecological requirement, seed germination and seedling establishment in A. violaceum are quite challenging. A. violaceum grows along the margins of irrigation canals and at the edges of alpine streams; consequently, the majority of the seeds are susceptible to being carried away from their natural environment by running water, heavy rainfall, and floods, exposing them to adverse environmental conditions [4,21]. The plant maintains its spatial continuity through its rhizome.…”

“…Beetles and aphids are another potential hazard to this species as they consume the flowers and other reproductive portions of the plant, thereby reducing the species' sexual potential [22]. In addition, the species has a unique niche, which may limit its area of occupancy and dispersion [4].…”