Comparative studies on mineral contents in soil and wild trees samples of Boswellia sacra collected from different locations of Dhofar

Abstract

Frankincense, the indicator of Dhofar region flourishes in all geographical location of Dhofar. The cultivars of frankincense grown in different location are known by different name such as Shaebi, Sahli, Houjri, Najdi etc. Mineral nutrition has direct effect on both primary and secondary metabolism of plants. Mineral element as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium plays a major role in primary metabolism. Elements as Na, K, Fe, Mn, Ca, Mg, Zn and Cu were analyzed in soil and samples of various parts (leaves, bark, outer bark, flower, seed, root stem and resin) of Boswellia sacra collected from three different locations of Dhofar. The significant results was found to be that sample ST-1 contain high amount of iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium whereas sample ST-2 contain more amount of iron, magnesium, sodium, and calcium. Sample ST-3 found to be contain significant amount of calcium whereas ST-4 high amount of manganese, iron, sodium, and calcium. Soil samples obtained from Mughsail hill recorded more amounts of manganese, potassium, copper, and magnesium whereas, soil samples from Saddah hills found to contain high amount of magnesium and sodium. Further soil samples collected from valleys contains rich amount of calcium and noticeably the highest value gave by the soil sample obtained by plains followed by soil sample of valleys. On the basis of comparative study of data (Table 1-8) obtained for elements, it can be concluded that plants grown in different location showed difference in accumulation of mineral elements.