Ecological study of an important medicinal plant of Kashmir valley, Capsella bursa pastoris

Abstract

The vegetation of a geographical landscape relies heavily on the local environment. Altitude is a major factor in shaping the phytodiversity and biomass. The biomass study is essential for estimating the productivity of natural ecosystems. The demand for medicinal plants has been increased and it has become a trend to utilize forests and its products according to their productivities. The present study was aimed to investigate the attitudinal and other ecological variations in biomass of an important medicinal plant of Kashmir, Capsella bursa pastoris. The method, we used to estimate the biomass of selected medicinal plant at different ecological sites, was the harvest method. We compared the biomass (fresh and dry matter) of two protected siteshaving altitudinal and other ecological variations. The maximum biomass was recorded at the site I with lower altitude and the minimum value was recorded at site II with higher altitude. The minimum above ground biomass was recorded at site II. However, at Bijbehara, biomass variation was observed at two different sites. Maximum biomass was found at the site II (Dara Shikoh garden Bijbehara). The below-ground biomass showed a considerable increase on decreasing altitude. Roots react instantly to better soil moisture conditions. The maximum biomass in underground parts at the site I may be because of translocation of the main materials from the above-ground parts to the below-ground parts as the above-ground biomass was greater at same altitude. The minimum biomass at higher altitude and the ecologically disturbed site may be because of unfavourable microclimatic conditions and degradation of medicinal plants by grazing activity respectively.