Variation of Floristic Diversity along Altitudinal Gradient in Pir Panjal Forests of North Western Himalaya, India

The present study is an attempt to make a floristic inventory in Raithan Range of Pir Panjal Forest Division of, Jammu and Kashmir India. For this purpose, a preliminary study was carried with the aim to know the diversity of flora at different altitudes ranging from 1800-2800m amsl. For study purpose the area was divided into 3 different altitudes viz - 1800m, 2300m and 2800m amsl. The reported results revealed that, a total of 136 species from 58 different families and 113 genera were recorded. Out of 136 species there are 29 tree species (belonging to 16 families), 9 shrub species (6 families), 92 herb species (33 families), 4 climber species (4 families) and 2 fern species  (belonging to 2 different families). The Asteraceae and Rosaceae family were dominant in the research area, according to the data. Among different sites in the study area, site 1 (altitudinal range of 1800-2300m) showed maximum diversity of flora represented by 85 species, followed by site 2 (2300-2800m) represented by 71 species and least at site 3 (> 2800m) represented by 49 species. The study is a preliminary one and can be used for management of the species having less population for conservation and sustainable utilization

Farmer’s perception of climate change and adaptation strategies under temperate environmental conditions of Kashmir, India

A study was conducted in nine different topographical locations of Kashmir valley to know the perception of the farmers about climate change. Adaptation and mitigation strategies adopted by the farmers were also documented over a specified period viz., 1980-2019. Results from the observed data revealed warming trends in all seasons, however, winter and spring season temperatures have shown statistically significant increasing trends at the rate of 0.040C/year. Analysis of seasonal and annual precipitation data shows a decreasing trend at the rate of -4.5 mm/ year. The farmers in the study areas had perceived that the climate has changed for the last four decades. Increasing temperature, frequent droughts and less snowfall were the main visual parameters experienced by the farmers. About 30-35% of the farmers have adopted different strategies by default to mitigate ill effects of climate change. However, the majority of the farmers (70%) have not adopted any strategy to cope up with the impacts of climate change. Farmers (>90%) have stressed on provision for an early warning system, timely supply of inputs, provision of financial support and nutrients for soil enrichment as viable options to combat the ill effects of climate change. 

Fusarium chlamydosporum, causing wilt disease of chili (Capsicum annum L.) and brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) in Northern Himalayas: a first report

Abstract Chili (Capsicum annuum L.) and brinjal (Solanum melongena L.) are the most widely grown solanaceous crops in the world. However, their production has reduced over several years due to the attack of various fungal and bacterial pathogens and various abiotic factors. Still, the major constrain in their production are pathogens with fungal etiology, especially the fungal wilt of solanaceous crops. Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium solani have been previously identified as the pathogens causing wilt disease in chili and brinjal. Recently, a new fungal pathogen F. equiseti has been reported as the causal agent of wilt disease infecting chili. The current study focused on identifying fungal pathogens associated with the wilted plants of chili and brinjal, collected from different parts of the Himalayan region of Kashmir valley, through morpho-cultural and molecular characterization. DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and sequencing were performed on various isolates. DNA barcoding using the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) was used to identify the pathogen followed by the pathogenicity test. Further confirmation of the pathogen was done by sequencing of transcription elongation factor (TEF) and Calmodulin (CAL2). In current study Fusarium chlamydosporum has been reported as the wilt causing pathogen of chili and brinjal for the first time in Kashmir Himalayas