Search

Santalum album is a hemiparasitic evergreen tree known for its heartwood oil, widely used in the cosmetics and aromatherapy industry. Overexploitation in the past few decades has led to the classification of this species as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Drupes of S. album are single-seeded and usually monoembryonic in nature, producing normal seedlings. However, in a previous study, we also observed some polyembryonic seeds. In this news article we share our polyembryony findings from Marayoor population as well as the growth and survival of seedlings which emerged from polyembryonic seeds. We found that less than 1% of the seeds in Marayoor population exhibited polyembryony (duplets). The general trend was that one radicle emerged 2-3 days earlier than the other and grew faster and healthier compared to the radicle from monoembryonic seeds. The second (smaller) seedling from polyembryonic seeds began to degenerate if not separated, but it survived well (albeit with low growth potential) once transplanted into a separate polybag. In S. album, polyembryony does not seems to be an essential ecological competitive strategy, unlike in several invasive species. For mass-scale seedling production of this vulnerable species, we recommend separating twin seedlings soon after their emergence for a better survival rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the significance of Indian Sandalwood in global conservation efforts, aligning with international frameworks such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation. It addresses the challenges of over-harvesting and smuggling that have resulted in the species being classified as "Vulnerable" by the IUCN. The article highlights initiatives focused on seedling production and plantations as potential solutions for Sandalwood conservation. It emphasizes the importance of sustainable harvesting practices to ensure the species' survival and promote a harmonious coexistence between human activities and biodiversity preservation. The article acknowledges the support of the Kerala Forest Department in India and the University Institute of Technology of Corsica in France. [Extracted from the article]

Lilium polyphyllum D.Don ex Royle is a critically endangered medicinal herb of Himalaya. Seeds have epicotyl morphophysiological dormancy, and in the field a minimum of 34 weeks is required for root emergence. To date, treatments to decrease the time for root protrusion and seed storage behaviour have not been determined. We evaluated the effects of plant growth regulators and nitrogenous compounds as well as seed scarification on root emergence, and determined the storage behaviour of seeds. Root emergence at 20 [degree]C was significantly increased by 100 ppm of indole butyric acid (IBA), KN[O.sub.3], and thiourea, and by the application of NaOCl solution for 30 min. The mean germination time was significantly decreased by 50 ppm of gibberellic acid (G[A.sub.3]; 28 days) compared with 100 ppm G[A.sub.3] (36 days). After 12 months of dry storage, the viability of seeds (TTC method) at room temperature (10-35 [degree]C), 0-4 [degree]C, and -20[+ or -]1[degree]Cwas 95%, 100%, and 100%, respectively; thus, the seeds have orthodox storage behaviour. Our recommendation for seedling production is to store the seeds at room temperature until they can be sown under warm wet conditions. Roots emerge after about 8 weeks, and then seeds should be given a 2-week cold moist treatment to break shoot dormancy. After 2 weeks of cold, transfer the seeds to warm (20 [degree]C) spring temperature conditions to promote growth.Keywords: conservation, critically endangered, seed dormancy, seed storage, seedling production.Lilium polyphyllum D.Don ex Royle est une herbe medicinale de l'Himalaya en voie de disparition. Les graines presentent un axe epicotyle soumis a une dormance morphophysiologique et, sur le terrain, un minimum de 34 semaines est necessaire a l'emergence des racines. Jusqu'a present, les traitements permettant de diminuer le temps requis a la protrusion des racines, de meme que la reponse des semences a l'entreposage n'ont pas ete determines. Les auteurs ont evalue les effets de regulateurs de la croissance des plantes, de composes azotes, et de la scarification des graines sur l'emergence des racines, et ils ont determine la reponse des semences a l'entreposage. L'emergence des racines a 20 [degree]C etait significativement accrue par 100 ppm d'acide indole butyrique, de KN[O.sub.3] et de thio-uree, et par l'application d'une solution de NaOCl pendant 30 minutes. Le temps moyen de germination etait significativement diminue par 50 ppm d'acide gibberellique (G[A.sub.3]) (28 jours) comparativement a 100 ppm de G[A.sub.3] (36 jours). Apres 12 mois d'entreposage au sec, la viabilite des graines (selon la methode au TTC) a la temperature de la piece (10-35 [degree]C), a 0-4 [degree]C et a -20 [degree]C[+ or -]1[degree]C etait de 95 %, 100 % et 100 %, respectivement; ainsi, les semences ont une reponse orthodoxe a l'entreposage. Leur recommandation pour la production de semis est d'entreposer les semences a la temperature de la piece jusqu'a ce qu'elles puissent etre ensemencees dans des conditions humides et chaudes. Les racines emergent apres environ huit semaines, apres quoi les semences doivent etre placees pendant deux semaines dans une humidite froide afin de faire sortir les semis de la dormance. Apres deux semaines au froid, il s'agit de transferer les semences a des temperatures printanieres chaudes (20 [degree]C) pour favoriser leur croissance. [Traduit par la Redaction]Mots-cles : conservation, en voie de disparition, dormance des semences, entreposage des graines, production de semis., IntroductionSeed germination and seedling establishment are critical stages in the life cycle of plants growing in their natural habitats (Fenner and Thompson 2005; Baskin and Baskin 2014) and have great [...]

Societal Impact Statement: India is credited with 2603 tree species, and the Global Tree Assessment confirmed that 469 of these species are threatened with extinction. Urgent restoration and conservation efforts are required to prevent the loss of tree diversity. The present study is the first published attempt to reintroduce Buchanania barberi, a Critically Endangered tree endemic to the south Western Ghats (UNESCO World Heritage Site) of Kerala, India, which has only two surviving mature individuals. The techniques and approaches applied here may provide guidance for implementing translocation programmes for this rare species and also for other International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red Listed species of the genus globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lilium polyphyllum D.Don ex Royle belonging to family Liliaceae is a medicinal plant distributed in temperate to high altitude regions of Himalaya. Its bulbs have been used for anti-aging and vitality properties in >30 formulations of Ayurveda. Therefore, the knowledge on various traits of the plant is necessary so that quality of the finished products could be maintained. Present study investigates, morphological, biochemical and antioxidant properties in different populations of L. polyphyllum. A significant variation was recorded in different morphological parameters (Plant height, leaf number, leaf length, leaf width, bulb diameter, bulb fresh weight). Variation was also recorded for total soluble protein (7.81-11.35 mg/g), soluble sugar (96.14-116.14 mg/g), starch (116.37-122.43 mg/g) and total free amino acid (18.22-26.00 mg/g). Antioxidant properties in the bulb were determined and ABTS activity was 4.22 mM/100 g, DPPH activity recorded 0.85 mM/100 g and FRAP activity was 1.50 mM/100 g dw ascorbic acid equivalent, respectively. The diversity in wild populations of the species may serve as a baseline data for future breeding, domestication and conservation program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the efforts to establish a national botanical gardens network in India. The Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) has been supporting plant conservation and botanical gardens in India since 1987. A meeting was held in October 2023, attended by representatives from various organizations, to explore the potential for establishing the network and improving conservation efforts. The participants outlined actions for networking, including listing and mapping all Indian botanical gardens and updating institutional details in BGCI's databases. The article emphasizes the importance of collaboration and highlights future opportunities for joint initiatives, staff exchange, and influencing policy. The network secretariat will be based at Auroville Botanical Gardens. Overall, the establishment of the Indian Botanical Gardens Network is seen as a significant step towards the sustainable conservation of India's plant diversity. [Extracted from the article]

Societal Impact Statement: Medicinal plants are a key component of primary health care for much of the world's population. However, overharvesting and indiscriminate collection from the wild threatens medicinal plant populations with extinction. One conservation solution to preserve biodiversity is to domesticate and cultivate threatened medicinal plants, in order to provide a sustainable source close to the local populations who use the species. Here, we present work to cultivate the critically endangered (CR) medicinal herb, Lilium polyphyllum. To reduce unsustainable wild harvesting, we identify different climatic zones, habitats and growing media, which will aid domestication of this endangered species and help local populations to cultivate the plant near its natural habitat. Summary: Lilium polyphyllum (Liliaceae) is a perennial, bulbous medicinal herb, used in more than 30 Ayurvedic medicinal formulations as an aphrodisiac, galactagogue and anti‐ageing agent. The species is categorized as critically endangered on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List due to habitat degradation and unregulated collection. To alleviate the pressure on wild populations and increase conservation, the IUCN Red List recommends its domestication in suitable habitats. The present study was carried out over three consecutive years to evaluate the performance and survival of the species in two agro‐climatic zones in Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India.L. polyphyllum seedlings were raised and transplanted into different growing mediums and treatments (control, manure, litter and polyhouse) in both temperate (Pothivasa, 2200 m a.s.l.) and alpine (Tungnath, 3600 m a.s.l.) regions to identify a suitable site and or habitat for future mass production.Experiments revealed yield and performance in polyhouse beds were greatest in the temperate region. Plant survival was also high in polyhouse beds in both the temperate (81%) and alpine (40%) sites. Phenotypic and growth traits of plants grown from bulbs collected from the wild population of the temperate site performed better in both morphology and in yield than those in the alpine site after one growing season. Cocopeat and sand may be responsible for the improved growth of plants.In conclusion, plant survival rate, growth performance and yield under polyhouse conditions were higher in lower altitudes (temperate regions), which may provide a production centre for seedlings to interested farmers in other regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the conservation efforts for the Critically Endangered tree Buchanania barberi in India. The tree is valued for its fruits, timber, and medicinal properties, but due to human activities, it is threatened and categorized as Critically Endangered. The Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute has received funding to conserve the species and conducted education campaigns to raise awareness. They developed educational materials, organized quiz programs, and planted seedlings in schools. The conservation efforts have been shared with various botanical gardens and a painting of the tree was featured in an art exhibition. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the concept of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations (PSESP) and its conservation efforts in China. PSESP species are defined as having less than 5,000 mature individuals in the wild and less than 500 individuals in each population. China has effectively conserved around 100 PSESP species through its Ecological Conservation Red Lines scheme, which protects areas of ecological importance. The article also highlights the first International Training Course on Conservation and Utilization Techniques of PSESP, which took place in China and included participants from various Asian countries. The course aimed to share knowledge and strategies for local conservation efforts across Asia. [Extracted from the article]

The traditional honey wine is a ceremonial drink made locally in Ethiopia and Eritrea. The drink is known as Tej in Amharic (a widely spoken language in Ethiopia) and Mess in Tigrigna (a widely spoken language in Eritrea). It is consumed mostly during social and religious ceremonies, albeit sold in honey wine bars. It is easy to prepare with varied tastes by local people from its main components; honey, chopped stems of Rhamnus prinoides or roots of R. staddo and water. Honey and the shrubs used for the preparation of the wine are recognized for their medicinal importance worldwide. Particularly, after the isolation of geshoidin, a bitter glycoside from R. prinoides, that is currently being investigated for its role in providing novel-pharmacological leads for Alzheimer's treatment. On the other hand, R. staddo has been investigated for potential antimalarial candidate. These with other beneficial metabolites from the shrubs call for a wider investigation into the medicinal benefits of the honey wine. Furthermore, considering its declining consumption, limited efforts to preserve the indigenous knowledge of preparing the drink and lack of adequate promotion, further research is needed to lead into the sustainability of drink for generations and its global usage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sri Lanka and India have far fewer species but > 90% of their native dipterocarp species are threatened. Occurring in 46 countries across four continents, 67% (357 species) of dipterocarps have been categorized as threatened, with 70 species categorized as Critically Endangered. The Dipterocarpaceae - a family of tree giants that provide valuable timber for regional and international markets - are dominant members of the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. [Extracted from the article]

Field survey conducted to understand habitat, distribution, population structure and conservation status of Lilium polyphyllum. Three populations (total 649 individuals) are in decline because of habitat degradation, agriculture invasion and over exploitation. Our finding confirmed critically endangered status of the species, although with new criteria. We recommended integrated conservation plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I Garcinia gamblei i P.S. Shameer, T.Sabu & N.Mohanan is an evergreen dioecious tree species of the family Clusiaceae, endemic to the southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India. It was described in 2017 as distinct from I Garcinia pushpangadaniana i because of its horizontal branches, sessile pale green flowers, staminodes either arranged in loose bundles or in five phalenges, five loculed ovary and stigmatic lobes, vertically grooved fruits with depressed apex and oblongoid seeds. The trees produce a small number of flowers (range 3-300; male:female ratio 1:10) during November-February and fruits (each with 1-3 seeds) from June to September. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Many worldwide strategies and efforts have been made to tackle the menace of tobacco use and related morbidity and mortality. On similar lines, Government of India enacted a law in 2003, Cigarette and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA, 2003). Aims & Objectives: To measure compliance to Section 5 & 6(a) of COTPA, 2003. Material & Methods: A cross-sectional survey at 432 Point of Sale (POS) across Ahmedabad city using random sampling technique. Results: Only 15.3% of the POS had complied with the size of their main display Board (MDB). Around one third (34%) of the shops had displayed the prescribed warning message on their MDB. More than half (53%) of the shops did not display any tobacco advertisement. The proportion of shops with no backlit/illumination MDBs was 30.3%. None of the POS complied with Section 6(a). More than a quarter of the POS (28%) were partial tobacco vendors. Proportion of mobile tobacco vendors was 22.9%. Conclusion: There has been a gross violation of Sections 5 & 6(a) of COTPA, 2003 across a majority of POS. This kind of laxity in compliance portrays a grim scenario of tobacco control and thus calls for immediate redressal by all the stakeholders involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I Dialium travancoricum i Bourd., an evergreen tree of the family Leguminosae (Dialioideae), endemic to the southern Western Ghats of Kerala, India, is the sole representative of its genus in India. Further surveys across Ponmudi and Aryankavu are required, to determine if there are more individuals and, if so, to collect additional seeds for ex situ conservation. This species was first collected by T.F. Bourdillon in 1898 in Ponmudi, Thiruvananthapuram district, and later from Aryankavu, Kollam district. [Extracted from the article]

This study aims to determine the age of individual plants of the perennial herb Lilium polyphyllum in its natural habitats. Plant age was successfully estimated as the number of years a seed takes to produce the first stem plus the number of remnants of old shoots visible on the basal plates of the bulbs. Plant age as well as morphological features of shoots and bulbs were recorded at one temperate and one high altitude site. There were significant differences between the sites with respect to plant height, leaf number, bulb diameter and weight. The results show that individuals of similar age differ in morphology between temperate and high altitude sites. At both sites, all flowering plants of L. polyphyllum were 10-12 years old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article suggests an urgent conservation for the significantly threatened Buchanania barberi or Anacardiaceae in Kerala, India.