Indigenous knowledge and phytochemical screening of medicinal chuk from Rhus chinensis, Docynia indica and Hippophae salicifolia in Sikkim Himalaya

250-260Under traditional system of medicine, bhakmilo-ko-chuk (juice extracted from Rhus chinensis fruits) is used to cure diarrhoea, dysentery, diabetes, oral diseases and inflammation; mel-ko-amilo (juice extracted from Docynia indica fruits) for treating diarrhoea, dysentery, stomach disorder, and Achuk (juice of Hippophae salicifolia berries) for lung problems, respiratory infections, high blood pressure, heart disorders, gastric ulcer and digestive disorders. Bhakmilo (Rhus chinensis) is distributed from 300 to 1800 m amsl, Mel (Docynia indica) occurs from 1200 to 2000 m and Achuk (Hippophae salicifolia) within 2700 to 4000 m in the Sikkim Himalaya. These are lesser known underutilized species having high socio-cultural, socio-economic and socio-ecological importance. Phytochemical screening of juice extracted from berries of Hippophae showed moderate concentration of alkaloids, flavonoides, tannins, steroids, amino acids, proteins and carbohydrates. Screening of Docynia fruits showed high concentration of triterpenes and amino acids, and moderate concentration of alkaloids, steroids, proteins and carbohydrates. Rhus fruits showed high concentration of tannins, triterpenes, and carbohydrates, and moderate concentration of steroids and amino acids. The local market price for bhakmilo-ko-chuk was Rs.1000 L-1, mel-ko-chuk was Rs.1500 kg-1 and Hippophaea chuk was Rs.1200 L-1. Economics showed that juice extracted from a matured Hippophae tree berries earn Rs. 10,000-15000 yr-1, a fully grown Docynia tree fruits exchange Rs. 10,000 – 12000 yr-1 and a Rhus tree fruits earned around Rs. 4000 yr-1. Promotion of enterprise-based cultivation, agro-technique development, suitable processing techniques and value addition, and establishment of market linkage can boost household income of marginal farmers

Threat to <em>Citrus</em> in a Global Pollinator Decline Scenario: Current Understanding of Its Pollination Requirements and Future Directions

Pollinators are vital for world biodiversity and their contribution to agricultural productivity is immense. Pollinators are globally declining with reports such as colony collapse being documented. Citrus exhibits a varying degree of pollination requirements due to its vast cultivars being developed all the time. The article intends to understand the breeding system of a few commercially important Citrus groups and discern its dependency on pollination services. The threat related to pollinator decline to the Citrus industry is measured not only by its reliance on pollinators but also the requirement of the consumers and manufacturers who mostly seek seedless varieties. Therefore, the threat can be tackled by developing high-quality seedless varieties where pollination requirement is absent. Although the importance of pollinators on several self-incompatible varieties cannot be negated, the impact of pollinator decline on its production will entirely depend upon the demand of the market

Plantae, Magnoliophyta, Gentianales, Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae, Ceropegia hookeri: distribution and rediscovery in eastern Himalayas, Sikkim, India

Non

Transformative Effect of Oxygen Plasma to Upshot the Structural and Electrical Properties of Pr0.5Sr0.5MnO3 Manganites

A methodical inquiry of the outcome of oxygen plasma exposure in low bandwidth compounds belonging to the perovskite family Pr1-xSrxMnO3 manganites where x = 0.5, has been presented in this communication by comparing the structural and transport properties of the untreated and plasma treated samples. It is witnessed that the high-temperature transmission is carried out by small polarons while the low-temperature transmission is attributed to variable range polarons. The changes in the transport properties may be attributed to the structural modification due to plasma exposure as revealed by the Rietveld analysis of the X-ray diffraction pattern. Further, oxygen plasma exposure boosts the conductivity due to the integration of oxygen ions in the plasma-exposed samples, thereby rendering them oxygen-rich.Comment: 21 pages, 9 Figures, 3 Table

<span style="font-size:11.0pt;font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family: Mangal;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language: HI" lang="EN-GB">Assessing ethnobotanical value and threat status of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Tetrastigma rumicispermum</i> (Lawson) Planch, a lesser known liana species of Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve, Sikkim</span>

339-341The paper presents taxonomy, habitat, distribution, threat status and usage pattern of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">T. rumicispermum (Lawson) Planch., a lesser known liana species. The study was conducted in Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (KBR). The traditional technique of constructing bamboo bridges using this liana has been reported. The fruit of liana is an important human and wildlife food supplement, and has the potential to feed local people during famine and other natural disasters. The traditional knowledge associated with the use of species can help the local people in better adapting to the natural disasters at local level

Plantae, Magnoliophyta, Gentianales, Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae, Ceropegia hookeri: distribution and rediscovery in eastern Himalayas, Sikkim, India

Non

Plantae, Magnoliophyta, Gentianales, Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae, Ceropegia hookeri: distribution and rediscovery in eastern Himalayas, Sikkim, India

Non

Pterocymbium tinctorium (Merrill, 1901) (Magnoliophyta: Malvales: Sterculiaceae: Sterculioideae): new record from mainland India and extension of geographic distribution

We present a new record of the winged-boot tree (Pterocymbium tinctorium) discovered in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya on the Indian mainland. With this record, the known geographical distribution of P. tinctorium is now extended up to the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas in Southeast Asia. The species was recorded from the tropical moist deciduous forests of Meghalaya. The habitat of P. tinctorium was characterized by the presence of surface lime-stone with karst topography. Future investigations should aim at identifying the factors responsible for the restricted distribution of this species so that appropriate conservation measures can be taken

Livelihood vulnerability and climate change: a comparative analysis of smallholders in the Indo-Gangetic plains

In the Indo-Gangetic Plains, one of India’s most productive agricultural regions, smallholder livelihood vulnerability can inhibit sustainable development. As there are significant differences in economic development, natural resources and agricultural productivity within the region, we estimate the Livelihood Vulnerability Index in two districts (Vaishali, Bihar and Karnal, Haryana) to determine suitable adaptation strategies under diverse conditions. To reflect different aspects of climate exposure, we include both self-reported climate shocks and spatially interpolated weather data. The assessment of 1127 households shows that while both districts have similar exposure and adaptive capacity levels, the sensitivity dimension makes Vaishali more vulnerable to climate change. To reduce sensitivity, decision-makers should focus on improving infrastructure (e.g., permanent housing, latrines, health centers, alternative energy sources). To improve adaptive capacity and reduce climate risk in both regions, policymakers should promote the expansion of extension training for livelihood diversification, information and communication technologies as well as conservation agriculture

TAXONOMIC HISTORY, REDISCOVERY, AND ASSESSMENT OF THREAT STATUS OF STREBLUS ILICIFOLIUS (MORACEAE) FROM INDIA

Volume: 6Start Page: 611End Page: 61