Impacts of habitat variability on the phenotypic traits of Aconitum violaceum Jacq. ex Stapf. at different altitudes and environmental conditions in the Ladakh Himalaya, India.

Abstract

Aconitum violaceum Jacq. ex Stapf is endemic to the Northern Himalayan regions of India, Pakistan and Nepal. To adapt and endure the rigorous stressful situations, phenotypic features of a specific plant species vary across different climatic conditions and elevations. The aim of this study was to reveal the impact of altitude and environmental conditions on the morphological attributes of a threatened species A. violaceum. Plants at high elevations (Maan-man, 4010m asl) were short; whereas the plants grown at ecological conditions of population-I (Khawous, 3220m asl) showed better growth and development in all morphological attributes. It has been noticed that there is a considerable reduction in the plant height, rhizome, leaf dimension, flower number and leaf number at higher elevations. Regression analysis and Pearson’s correlation coefficient demonstrated a positive relationship between plant height and all other morphological attributes. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed that the habitat, ecological conditions and elevations of population-I (Khawous) and Population-II (Numsuru) were proved to be relatively better for the luxuriant growth and development of an endemic plant species A. violaceum. From the observations, it can be inferred that A. violaceum grows successfully at an elevation ranges between 3000 to 3500m ASL. This study provides a comprehensive account of phenotypic variability concerning environmental conditions and suggested a suitable environment for sustainable cultivation of this important medicinal plant species in the Ladakh Himalaya.