Seed maturation time influences the germination requirements of perennial grasses in desert climate of Arabian Gulf

AbstractQatar has a dry, subtropical desert climate, with minimum annual rainfall and intensely hot and humid summers. Using indigenous grass, those adapted to local conditions have the potential to be used for fodder and can also be used for restoration or rehabilitation of degraded rangelands. Chloris virgata, Coelachyrum brevifolium and Cenchrus ciliaris bloom twice a year from April to May (summer) and September to October (winter) under the nursery condition. Therefore, it is important to understand, how seeds produced in different seasons affect the dormancy as well as germination of these species. Seeds of C. virgata, C. brevifolium and C. ciliaris, three desert grasses, were collected from the plants growing on Shahniya nursery in two different seasons, summer (May) and winter (October). The seeds collected in May (summer) were stored up to winter. However seeds collected in October (winter) were immediately used for experiment. We compared the germination potential of seeds that matured in different season at different alternating temperatures at 15/25, 20/30 and 25/35°C. Lower temperatures correspond to the dark period, while higher temperatures reflect the light period. Seeds collected in summer season (old seeds) were heavier as compared to seeds collected in winter season (new seeds). Winter seeds of C. virgata seem to be dormant, while summer seeds, germinated well in all the tested temperature regimes. However, C. ciliaris seeds showed opposite trends

Perianth colour dimorphism is related to germination properties and salinity tolerance in Salsola vermiculata in the Arabian deserts

© 2017 The Authors We investigated the dimorphic perianth colour of Salsola vermiculata and its association with seed germination percentage, interactions with temperature, light, salinity and recovery from prior salinity exposure. Seeds with and without pink and yellow perianth were incubated at three thermal regimes, two photoperiods, and five salinity levels. Germination recovery after salinity exposure was observed on seeds that failed to germinate during the salinity study. The germination percentage and rate were significantly related to the perianth colour, the presence of perianth wings, thermal regimes and photoperiod. The presence of a perianth wing significantly reduced germination percentage and germination rate in both the pink and the yellow morph, but the yellow morph exhibited a higher germination percentage. Perianth wing removal increased germination in saline conditions. With the perianth removed, germination recovery was higher for the pink morph than for the yellow one. We suggest that by providing two different strategies for balancing germination with dormancy during favourable conditions, the presence of two morphs makes S. vermiculata more successful in highly unpredictable desert environments

Seed maturation time influences the germination requirements of perennial grasses in desert climate of Arabian Gulf

Qatar has a dry, subtropical desert climate, with minimum annual rainfall and intensely hot and humid summers. Using indigenous grass, those adapted to local conditions have the potential to be used for fodder and can also be used for restoration or rehabilitation of degraded rangelands. Chloris virgata, Coelachyrum brevifolium and Cenchrus ciliaris bloom twice a year from April to May (summer) and September to October (winter) under the nursery condition. Therefore, it is important to understand, how seeds produced in different seasons affect the dormancy as well as germination of these species. Seeds of C. virgata, C. brevifolium and C. ciliaris, three desert grasses, were collected from the plants growing on Shahniya nursery in two different seasons, summer (May) and winter (October). The seeds collected in May (summer) were stored up to winter. However seeds collected in October (winter) were immediately used for experiment. We compared the germination potential of seeds that matured in different season at different alternating temperatures at 15/25, 20/30 and 25/35 °C. Lower temperatures correspond to the dark period, while higher temperatures reflect the light period. Seeds collected in summer season (old seeds) were heavier as compared to seeds collected in winter season (new seeds). Winter seeds of C. virgata seem to be dormant, while summer seeds, germinated well in all the tested temperature regimes. However, C. ciliaris seeds showed opposite trends. Keywords: Native grasses, Old and new seeds, Storage seeds, Temperature, Light, Desert climat

Ethnobotanical magnitude towards sustainable utilization of wild foliage in Arabian Desert

The present investigation was deals with identifying traditional uses of medicinal plants for curing a variety of ailments and degree of religious conservation for retention of ethnobotanical knowledge. The study was carried out in the State of Qatar to document the ethnobotanical uses of 58 medicinally important plant species including identification, botanical name, Arabic name, family, habit, habitat, distribution pattern, and the plant parts used for curing variety of ailments. The documented species belong to 54 plant genera and 30 botanical families. They have been used to cure more than 38 different kinds of human ailments. A majority of ethnobotanical plant species belonging to shrubs (41.38%) followed by perennial herbs (31.04%), annual herbs (18.96%) and trees (8.62%) respectively. The frequency of ethnobotanical plant species were recorded maximum in fabaceae (13.79%), followed by lamiaceae, chenopodiaceae (6.89% each), asteraceae, capparaceae, polygonaceae, boraginaceae, aizooaceae (5.17% each), brassicaceae, asclepiadaceae, convolvulaceae, zygophyllaceae, solanaceae (3.44% each) while, remaining 17 families had one (1.72%) species each. Perception of stakeholders concerning prioritization and categorization of potential native plants and 25 ethnobotanical species were prioritized and ranked on the basis of their multipurpose use value, feasibility climatic conditions and Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) criteria measures i.e. drought resistant, low water requirement, growth performance, survival rate, canopy size, adaptation potential, low maintenance and use value for sustainability and landscaping. The analysis emphasized the potentials of ethnomedicinal research, sustainable utilization, conservation initiatives, and urgent need to document ethnobotanical knowledge for sustainability and scientific validation to prevent their losses

Promoting medicinal plants cultivation as a tool for biodiversity conservation and livelihood enhancement in Indian Himalaya

The present paper discusses the development of a participatory approach to promote medicinal and aromatic plant (MAP) cultivation as a tool for biodiversity conservation and livelihood enhancement in Champawat district of Uttarakhand state in India. People perception analysis revealed that farmers were dependent solely on the wild collection of MAPs before the initiation of the National Agriculture Innovation Project. However, they later engaged in cultivation practices. During the course of study, the propagation protocols of 11 selected MAPs of that area were developed and a cost-benefit analysis was performed. A series of meetings and exposure visits were organized and a memorandum of understanding was simultaneously signed between farmers and traders for promoting a buy-back system of MAPs. One hundred thirty-two farmers adopted MAP cultivation in 14 hectares of land. This approach provides opportunities for farmers to build skills, knowledge, and self confidence, and conserve MAP diversity in their natural habitat