SKUAST Journal of Research

Open Access
  • Year: 2023
  • Volume: 25
  • Issue: 3

Anthropogenic impacts on phytosociological features and soil microbial health of wetland plant, Acorus calamus L.: An endangered medicinal plant species of Kashmir valley

  • Author:
  • Umar A. Mir1, Haleema Bano1,*, Shabir A. Bangroo2, Nelofar Banday3, S. Ara1, M. Ashraf Bhat4, Aroosa Khalil5, Fozia Hamid1
  • Total Page Count: 8
  • Page Number: 463 to 470

1Division of Environmental Sciences, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar - 190025, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

2Division of Soil Science, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar - 190025, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

3Division of Floriculture, Landscaping and Architecture, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar - 190025, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

4Division of Plant Biotechnology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar - 190025, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

5Division of Fruit Science, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir, Shalimar - 190025, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

Abstract

Acorus calamus L., is currently severely endangered medicinal plant species in the Kashmir wetlands. It is crucial to comprehend the phytosociological and conservational state of the plant in its native environment due to the ensuing rise in humanistic impact on medicinal plant species in damaged and undisturbed sections of the Kashmir wetlands. The present study was conducted during the years 2019 to 2021; wherein impact of anthropogenic activities on phytosociological features and soil microbial health of Acorus calamus, was studied. In the present study it was observed the highest values of density (4.166 ± 0.21 m2); frequency (56.743 ± 1.70%) and abundance (7.374 ±0.02 m2) were recorded at undisturbed site i.e Shallabugh wetland as compared to other wetlands. The Shallabugh Wetland had the highest overall bacterial count (34.00± 0.06) as well as Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) spore population (g-1) (10.56± 0.29), as per an analysis of the rhizospheric soil of A. calamus. The current findings may be valuable in creating conservation methods for the highly endangered medicinal plant species, A. calamus. In disturbed ecosystems where human endeavours like vacations, grazing, urbanisation, and transportation have an impact, plants have an effect on the phytosociological and soil microbiological patterns. The study thus highlights the necessity for optimum management practises for medicinal plants and wetlands that provide effective monitoring and regulation of human operations in wetland zones and prevent the incursion of present reserves.

Keywords

Abundance, Acorus calamus, Density, Endangered, Frequency, Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza, Wetland plant