International Journal of Phytology Research

Whispers of the sacred wood: a comprehensive review of Santalum album

Vasantha Venkat Vishnu Vardhan Reddy — 2024-04-05

Santalum album, commonly known as Indian sandalwood, is a highly valued species utilized for generations in traditional medicine, perfumery, and religious ceremonies. Renowned for its fragrant heartwood and essential oil, this review comprehensively analyzes S. album, covering its chemical composition, distribution, cultivation techniques, and botanical characteristics. The study delves into contemporary and ethnobotanical uses of sandalwood oil, highlighting its significance across various industries and medicinal properties. Additionally, it addresses the sustainable management strategies crucial for ensuring the species' long-term survival, considering the conservation challenges posed by overexploitation and habitat loss. Emphasizing the need for ongoing research and community involvement, the assessment underscores the importance of preserving and sustainably utilizing this invaluable resource.

Combined use of butachlor and cowpea for weed management in okra production

Christian C Obiazi — 2024-04-18

For large-scale crop cultivation manual weeding is unviable. The use of herbicides shrinks manual labor requirements; but herbicide’s weed control efficacy is not at its peak for a prolonged period, especially for a long-duration crop. The study's objective was to test the supplementary attributes of cowpeas in prolonging the suppression of weeds in okra plots. Treatments involved in the study were: Butachlor at 1.0 kg a.i./ha + cowpea at 40,000 plants/ha, Butachlor at 2.0 kg a.i./ha + cowpea at 40,000 plants/ha), Hoe-weeding at 3, 6, and 9 weeks after sowing, and Weedy Control. Weed Control Rating, weed biomass, cowpea grain yield, okra pods/plant, and pod yields were measured. Combined use of Butachlor at 2.0 kg a. i./ha plus cowpea maintained a similar weed control rating with Hoe weeded control up till 8 weeks after sowing and became less effective at 10 weeks growth stage, it also resulted in significantly greater average grain yields (344.4 kg/ha) than when the lower rate of herbicide concentration of 1.0 kg a.i./ha was used (181.3 kg/ha). HighButa had a greater mean okra pod yield (3.1 t/ha) than LowButa (2.1 t/ha), but it was less than the yield of the hoe-weeded control (4.2 t/ha), the weedy plot had pod yield of 1.1 t/ha. Uninterrupted weed interference in okra plots resulted in a 73.8 % average loss in okra pod yield. Combination of cowpea with butachlor prolonged weed suppression in okra, such methodology is therefore recommended.

Conservation biology of Tamarix indica an endangered species of Agra region

Sarika Yadav — 2024-04-22

Tamarix indica operates as an endangered species throughout Agra because habitat destruction and actions by humans and climate fluctuations put the species at risk. This research evaluates T. indica's ecological significance by studying its distribution zones and identifies the barriers that prevent its conservation. Tamarix indica (Tamaricaceae) produces flowering canopy from July to September in the Agra ecological region and takes the form of an evergreen tree or bush. Each flower of Tamarix indica contains bisexual reproductive parts and growths from racemose inflorescences. The petals of the flowers are immensely short and contain a bracteate calyx with 4-5 obovate lobes which are scabrous. Each of the four to five obovate petals displays reddish-purple coloration and infringed edges along with a small notch at their tips. The stamens exist in 4 to 12 numbers arranged in two series where they grow close to the nectary disc. The cone-shaped ovary develops numerous ovules which rest on a base portion of the ovary wall during placentation. The stigma shows a 3-4 lobed shape that ends in a capitate structure. Inside the capsule of Tamarix indica are many seeds. The primary method of pollination exists as entomophilous activity which gets executed mainly through honey bees. The area surrounding Taj Mahal city in Agra where urbanization coexists with fragmentation has inhibited pollinator migration which leads to decreased reproduction success along with endangering the species into extinction in the region. Tamarix indica functions as an ecosystem stabilizer because it sustains biodiversity and decreases water loss according to this research study. Population studies in the field and through ecological evaluations have discovered a decrease in the population which proves the immediate need for conservation activities. The document presents vital conservation approaches which combine habitat restoration and ex-situ conservation and community engagement to defend this essential species from becoming extinct. The study data indicates that successful sustainable conservation depends on both scientific methods and policy-backed support.