{"title":"Ethnobotanical classification and plant nomenclature system of high altitude agro-pastoralists in Dolpo, Nepal","authors":"S. K. Ghimire, Y. Aumeeruddy‐Thomas","doi":"10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2912","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2912","url":null,"abstract":"This paper describes the findings of ethnobotanical research conducted in Tibetan community of agro-pastoralists in Dolpo, northwest Nepal. We assessed vernacular classification and plant nomenclature system with a particular focus on medicinal plants. We aimed to encompass the interpretation of semantic categories, as well as observing directly how people relate to plants in all material and symbolic aspects of their life. The methodology used consisted of village-level group meetings, indoor semi-structured interviews, in situ open interviews and resource mapping. The results showed that a substantial body of knowledge concerning ethno-medical practices and ethno-systematics remain intact in the study area. The Dolpo agro-pastoralists and particularly local amchi (specialists trained in the Tibetan medical system) name and classify the plant world based on morphological, ecological and organoleptic criteria producing a system of hierarchical classification. The richness and complexity of the botanical nomenclature reflect their profound knowledge obtained both from Tibetan materia medica and through direct field experience about the use and management of plant resources. The knowledge of amchi , in particular, is highly linked to the context of social interaction and practices. The study reveals that the use of knowledge and perception of local resource users is valuable for developing management guidelines for medicinal plants in our case and for overall conservation approaches. Key-words : Amchi ; ethnobotany; ethnoecology; medicinal plants; Tibetan medicine; vernacular classification. DOI: 10.3126/botor.v6i0.2912 Botanica Orientalis - Journal of Plant Science (2009) 6: 56-68","PeriodicalId":252680,"journal":{"name":"Botanica Orientalis: Journal of Plant Science","volume":"85 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121928067","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Scanning electron microscopic study of leaf surface of some species of Hopea Roxb. (Dipterocarpaceae): implications for taxonomy","authors":"Kunjani Joshi","doi":"10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2919","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2919","url":null,"abstract":"Since more than two decades, the taxonomy of Hopea has been a point for discussion. Time to time, various taxonomists have tried to classify the species of Hopea on the basis of morphological and anatomical characters. This type of controversy can be solved by the study of various disciplines. Among them, the Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) study may be taxonomically useful to resolve the controversies over the classification of the genus Hopea . The SEM study was carried out in Hopea of Sri Lanka. The result of SEM indicates that the two taxa ( Hopea jucunda ssp. jucunda and H. jucunda ssp. modesta) possess different epicuticular appearance justifying to upgrade the subspecies of H. jucunda to species level. Key words : epicuticular wax; SEM; stomata; trichome. DOI: 10.3126/botor.v6i0.2919 Botanica Orientalis - Journal of Plant Science (2009) 6: 106-108","PeriodicalId":252680,"journal":{"name":"Botanica Orientalis: Journal of Plant Science","volume":"14 3 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133580256","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Taxonomic study of some medicinally important species of Swertia L. (Gentianaceae) in Nepal","authors":"D. P. Rijal","doi":"10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2906","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2906","url":null,"abstract":"Among 100 species of Swertia reported from the world, Nepal harbors 30 species along with four varieties. In Nepal, species of Swertia are highly exploited as raw materials for different traditional medicines. Among them, S. chirayita, a vulnerable species, has been considered to be superior in medicine and trade. One of the main issues in its trade is adulteration with other species which are considered to be inferior in medicinal quality. Species which are mixed with S. chirayita are S. angustifolia, S. ciliata, S. dilatata, S. paniculata, S. racemosa, etc. There is a need for the selection of most important morphological characteristics for instant identification of different species of Swertia to check illegal trade as well as adulteration. This paper aims to provide the most important identifying characters of eight species of Swertia traded from Nepal on the basis of their morphological studies. Color of the petal, number of floral parts (tetramerous vs. pentamerous) and number of glands in petal are the key characters for the identification of the species.","PeriodicalId":252680,"journal":{"name":"Botanica Orientalis: Journal of Plant Science","volume":"78 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134329523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Increase in root nodulation and crop yield of soybean by native Bradyrhizobium japonicum strains","authors":"N. Dhami, B. Prasad","doi":"10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2902","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2902","url":null,"abstract":"Native strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum were tested for their effectiveness on nodulation, crop yield and nitrogen fixation in soybean ( Glycine max ). B. japonicum strains were isolated from soybean root nodules collected from different agro-climatic regions of Far Western Nepal, viz . Dipayal (607 m asl), Dadeldhura (1097 m asl), Silgadhi (1209 m asl) and Bajura (1524 m asl). The strains were characterized by studying colony characteristics, growth response with Congo red and Bromothymol blue, and Gram staining. The native bradyrhizobial strains were authenticated by performing infection test on soybean seedlings. All the four strains were found compatible and effective on root nodulation, crop yield and soil nitrogen (N) content. Inoculation of these strains increased soybean root nodulation by 247-343% and crop yield by 45-204%. There was strong positive correlation ( r = 0.982) between number of root nodules and crop yield, which suggest that optimization of root nodulation by inoculating compatible and effective B. japonicum strains significantly increase the soybean crop yield. Soil N content of inoculated experimental pots was increased by 13-33%. However, variability among different strains was observed in their effect on root nodulation and yield performance. B. japonicum strain collected from Silgadhi was found to be the most effective in increasing nodule number and crop yield by 343% and 204% respectively. Key-words : Glycine max; gram staining; inoculation; nitrogen fixation DOI: 10.3126/botor.v6i0.2902 Botanica Orientalis - Journal of Plant Science (2009) 6: 1-3","PeriodicalId":252680,"journal":{"name":"Botanica Orientalis: Journal of Plant Science","volume":"12 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127977590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Nervilia makinnoni Duthie. and Nervilia plicata (Andrews) Schltr. (Orchidaceae): new records for flora of Nepal","authors":"B. B. Raskoti, R. Ale","doi":"10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2920","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2920","url":null,"abstract":"Nervilia makinnoni Duthie and Nervilia plicata (Andrews) Schltr. (Orchidaceae) are reported as new records to Nepal. Detail description, illustrations and relevant notes are provided. Key words : conservation status; herbarium; orchids; phenology. DOI: 10.3126/botor.v6i0.2920 Botanica Orientalis - Journal of Plant Science (2009) 6: 109-110","PeriodicalId":252680,"journal":{"name":"Botanica Orientalis: Journal of Plant Science","volume":"25 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129468356","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ethnobotany of Dioscorea L. with emphasis on food value in Chepang communities in Dhading district, central Nepal","authors":"L. N. Sharma, R. Bastakoti","doi":"10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2905","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2905","url":null,"abstract":"Chepang, inhabiting the rugged terrain of Mahabharat and Churia range in central Nepal, is a group of indigenous people suffering from severe food insecurity. Their ancestors lived a semi-nomadic life up to one and half century back. To a large extent, Chepang still continue their traditional way of living, which includes collection of wild tubers (‘kandamul’), hunting and fishing. Chepangs are especially connected with the tubers of Dioscorea spp. Wild and cultivated species of Dioscorea are being used as sources of carbohydrates to supplement cereal food. However, dependency on such wild food is decreasing with adoption of agriculture. In this study we documented local knowledge on the diversity and use of Dioscorea species among Chepang in Dhusa and Jogimara Village Development Committees in Dhading district. Ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews, forest transect walk and participatory observations. Out of 13 species of Dioscorea reported from all over Nepal, 10 species have been recorded from the study area. Chepang people use one species (Dioscorea deltoidea) as detergent and the rest nine species are exclusively used as food although many of them have multiple utilities. Chepang people have diverse knowledge in the identification, processing and consumption of wild tubers of Dioscorea spp. and such knowledge might have developed as a strategy to combat severe food scarcity. Use of disproportionately higher number of Dioscorea species by a single ethnic group and within a comparatively small territory indicates very close affinity of local cultural practice and the nature. The richness of knowledge associated with wild tubers and high dependency of Chepang on them is the manifestation of severe food insecurity and traditional mode of life due to their social and economic isolation for long time.","PeriodicalId":252680,"journal":{"name":"Botanica Orientalis: Journal of Plant Science","volume":"60 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121791646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Occurrence of Salmonella in drinking water samples of urban water supply system of Kathmandu","authors":"Esha Shrestha, Dwij Raj Bhatta, B. Lekhak","doi":"10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2911","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2911","url":null,"abstract":"Water-borne diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries and around 2.2 million people die every year due to basic hygiene-related diseases, like gastroenteritis, diarrhea, typhoid and dysentery. Eighty-six water samples were randomly collected from urban water supply system of Kathmandu, and analyzed for physiochemical and microbiological parameters to assess drinking water quality. Residual chlorine was undetectable in 100% samples. Salmonella was detected in 4 samples by enrichment culture technique in Selenite F broth followed by plating on Salmonella-Shigella Agar. A total of 10 isolates were identified as Salmonella ( S. Paratyphi, 10% and non-typhi, 90%) by conventional biochemical test. The majority of the isolates were susceptible to most of the antimicrobials tested; however, resistance was observed to amoxicillin (70%), cephalexin (20%) and ceftizoxime (14.28%). There was no significant relationship between coliform and Salmonella positivity ( P = 0.366). The microbiological quality of urban water supply system is poor and indicates chances of outbreak of Salmonella infection. Key-words : drinking water quality; Nepal; water-borne disease; water pollution. DOI: 10.3126/botor.v6i0.2911 Botanica Orientalis - Journal of Plant Science (2009) 6: 52-55","PeriodicalId":252680,"journal":{"name":"Botanica Orientalis: Journal of Plant Science","volume":"267 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116243400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Systematic study of six species of Arisaema Mart. (Araceae) of Nepal","authors":"Nawal Shrestha","doi":"10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2908","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2908","url":null,"abstract":"The genus Arisaema is represented by sixteen species in Nepal. They are distributed in sub-tropical, temperate to sub-alpine regions at an elevation ranging from 300 to 4000 m asl. The present study includes six representative species of Arisaema occurring in Nepal. The aim is to investigate the interrelationship between the taxa on the basis of morphological and anatomical evidence. The work is based on the herbarium specimens deposited at TUCH and KATH as well as personal collections of the author. Key-words : endemic species; revision; spadix; spathe; taxonomy. DOI: 10.3126/botor.v6i0.2908 Botanica Orientalis - Journal of Plant Science (2009) 6: 32-38","PeriodicalId":252680,"journal":{"name":"Botanica Orientalis: Journal of Plant Science","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134471125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cytotaxonomy of Smithia ciliata Royle (Fabaceae)","authors":"Laxmi Manandhar, Shyam R Sakya","doi":"10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2921","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2921","url":null,"abstract":"Cytotaxonomy of Smithia ciliata Royle, collected from Panighat (1700 msl), Kathmandu valley, is reported. The somatic chromosome number was found to be 2n = 38 with the basic number being n = 19. Karyotype structure is predominated with medium sized chromosomes and with median constrictions. Key-words : chromosome count; karyotype; meiosis. DOI: 10.3126/botor.v6i0.2921 Botanica Orientalis - Journal of Plant Science (2009) 6: 111-113","PeriodicalId":252680,"journal":{"name":"Botanica Orientalis: Journal of Plant Science","volume":"7 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131508480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Conservation status of Ramsar sites of Nepal Tarai: an overview","authors":"M. Siwakoti, J. Karki","doi":"10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2914","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/BOTOR.V6I0.2914","url":null,"abstract":"Nepal houses only inland freshwater wetlands, ranging from floodplains of snow-melt-fed cold Himalayan rivers, warm rivers originating in the mid hills, high altitudinal glacial lakes to hot springs, ponds, ox-bow lakes, marshes and swamps. These wetlands support several endemic and globally threatened species of flora and fauna. Besides, wetland sites have significant recreational, religio-cultural and spiritual values. There are over 240 wetland sites in Nepal, of which 163 are in the Terai (plain lowland). Wetlands found in Tarai are comparatively more inventoried than the wetlands of mountains and the Himalayan regions of the country. The Terai region (below 300 m) covers about 14% of the country's total area, where half of Nepal's total populations exist. About 11% population of the country is wetland dependent; majority of them are living in the Terai region. The country has nine Ramsar sites, of which, four are in the Tarai region. Among them, two sites (Koshi Tappu wetland, and Beeshazar and associated lakes) lie inside the protected areas and two sites (Ghodaghodi Lake area and Jagadishpur Reservoir) are distributed outside the protected areas. The Koshi Tappu wetland lies along the floodplains of the Sapta Koshi River in the eastern Tarai within the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. It is the first Ramsar site in Nepal. Beeshazar and associated lakes lies in the buffer zone of the Chitwan National Park along the inner Tarai of Central Nepal. The Ghodaghodi Lake Area (2500 ha) lies in the far western Nepal, and comprises about 14 large and small ox-bow lakes/ponds with associated marshes, swamps, river/streams, springs, seasonal marshy grasslands and human made wetlands, out of them, Ghodaghodi Lake (138 ha) is the largest natural lake in the Nepal's Tarai. The lake system falls between the Bardia National Park and the Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve of the country and the surrounding forest functions as an important corridor for the movement of wildlife between these as well as the Tarai and the northern Siwalik hills. Similarly, the Jagadishpur Reservoir (225 ha) which lies in Central Nepal's Tarai is the largest man-made wetland in Nepal for irrigation purpose. It is an important site for migratory and resident birds. In this paper we highlight the status, threats, conservation issues and management practices of these Ramsar sites lying in Nepal Tarai. Key-words : Ghodaghodi Lake; Jagdishpur Reservoir; Nepal Tarai; outside protected area; wetlands. DOI: 10.3126/botor.v6i0.2914 Botanica Orientalis - Journal of Plant Science (2009) 6: 76-84","PeriodicalId":252680,"journal":{"name":"Botanica Orientalis: Journal of Plant Science","volume":"106 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2010-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"122046848","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}