Plant Resources For Food Research Articles

Plant Resources for Food, Fuel and Conservation – By Robert Henry

Plant Resources for Food, Fuel and Conservation – By Robert Henry

Plant resources for food, fuel, and conservation

Plant resources for food, fuel, and conservation

The importance and implication of genetic resources in agriculture

The maintenance and preservation of biodiversity is going through the processes of conservation and restoration of disturbed ecosystems and habitats, as well as the preservation and recovery of species. Genetic diversity means the variety and total number of genes contained in plant and animal species and microorganisms. Genetic diversity is the basic unit of diversity, which is responsible for differences between individuals, populations and species. Genetic diversity is very important for the preservation of biodiversity and can be saved in several ways. Part of the germplasm is maintained through breeding programs as they evaluate germplasm stored and used as a source of needed diversity. The Convention on Biological Diversity is one of the most important international agreements to protect nature and conserve genetic resources. International treaties governing the use of genetic resources for food and agriculture are a way to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of plant resources for food and agriculture, and to regulate the rights of farmers.

Indigenous knowledge of wild plant resources used as food in Gaya district, Bihar

The present article pertains of wild plant consumption by human e.g. staple foods, vegetables and fruits collected from different areas of Gaya district, Bihar. The wild food plant resources fulfill the basic need as the dietary requirements of the rural people during famine and flood. These species play a critical part in the survival of both individuals and entire communities during the period of food scarcity. The aim of the paper is to explore the wild plant resources and their sustainable consumption by rural people. Some of them are semi wild or partially domesticated. Altogether 79 wild food plant species have been documented with their botanical names followed by family, local name, parts consumed and way of consumption.

Observations on the traditional phytotherapy among the inhabitants of Parvati valley in western Himalaya, India

The present paper deals with the field observations recorded on the traditional indigenous therapeutic applications of the plants used by the inhabitants of the Parvati valley of Kullu district in western Himalaya of India. The Parvati valley is inhabited by different ethnic groups like Gujjars, Gaddis, Malanis, Kulluvis and others. These inhabitants have been dependent on the ambient plant resources for food, fuel, fiber, timber, household articles and medicines to a great extent for ages. Even today a number of plants of the local flora are used for curing various ailments and diseases. First-hand information about 50 plant species belonging to 45 genera and 28 families were recorded during extensive field surveys carried in Parvati valley during 2000–2002. The information is given in a tabular form as scientific names of plants in alphabetic order followed by family and field numbers of the voucher specimens collected. Information on local/vernacular names of plants, uses, parts used, names of ailments and modes of usage are given in detail. Information on traditional uses and commercial uses as well as biological activities of the related species is included on the basis of the existing relevant literature so as to present a comprehensive account.

Observations on the traditional phytotherapy among the inhabitants of Parvati valley in western Himalaya, India

The present paper deals with the field observations recorded on the traditional indigenous therapeutic applications of the plants used by the inhabitants of the Parvati valley of Kullu district in western Himalaya of India. The Parvati valley is inhabited by different ethnic groups like Gujjars, Gaddis, Malanis, Kulluvis and others. These inhabitants have been dependent on the ambient plant resources for food, fuel, fiber, timber, household articles and medicines to a great extent for ages. Even today a number of plants of the local flora are used for curing various ailments and diseases. First-hand information about 50 plant species belonging to 45 genera and 28 families were recorded during extensive field surveys carried in Parvati valley during 2000–2002. The information is given in a tabular form as scientific names of plants in alphabetic order followed by family and field numbers of the voucher specimens collected. Information on local/vernacular names of plants, uses, parts used, names of ailments and modes of usage are given in detail. Information on traditional uses and commercial uses as well as biological activities of the related species is included on the basis of the existing relevant literature so as to present a comprehensive account.

Observations on the traditional phytotherapy among the inhabitants of Parvati valley in western Himalaya, India

The present paper deals with the field observations recorded on the traditional indigenous therapeutic applications of the plants used by the inhabitants of the Parvati valley of Kullu district in western Himalaya of India. The Parvati valley is inhabited by different ethnic groups like Gujjars, Gaddis, Malanis, Kulluvis and others. These inhabitants have been dependent on the ambient plant resources for food, fuel, fiber, timber, household articles and medicines to a great extent for ages. Even today a number of plants of the local flora are used for curing various ailments and diseases. First-hand information about 50 plant species belonging to 45 genera and 28 families were recorded during extensive field surveys carried in Parvati valley during 2000–2002. The information is given in a tabular form as scientific names of plants in alphabetic order followed by family and field numbers of the voucher specimens collected. Information on local/vernacular names of plants, uses, parts used, names of ailments and modes of usage are given in detail. Information on traditional uses and commercial uses as well as biological activities of the related species is included on the basis of the existing relevant literature so as to present a comprehensive account.

MITOCHONDRIAL DNA VARIATION IN MONARCH BUTTERFLIES.

The natural history and ecology of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus L.) have been studied extensively (Ackery and Vane-Wright, 1984). The nearly cosmopolitan monarch is best known for the massive migration undertaken each autumn by North American populations. This event culminates with the butterflies' aggregation into huge overwintering colonies in the Transvolcanic Range of central Mexico and along the coast of California. The monarch is the only temperate representative of an otherwise exclusively tropical subfamily of the Nymphalidae, and although it shares the danaine susceptibility to freezing temperatures in all life stages (Calvert et al., 1983; Anderson and Brower, 1988; Masters et al., 1988), it has been able to exploit the extensive food plant resources of temperate North America through the evolution of this migratory behavior. The selective advantage of seasonal range expansion to utilize large populations of temperate milkweeds (Asclepias species) is regarded as the primary driving force of this unique strategy (Brower, 1977; Young, 1982). The range of the monarch in North America is divided by the Rocky Mountains into eastern and western populations, which retreat to separate refugia each autumn. Monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains migrate to Mexico, while those west of the Rockies migrate to the Pacific coast (Brower, 1985). Marked eastern butterflies released in Idaho were recovered in California, demonstrating environmental, rather than genetic, control over the migratory behavior (Urquhart, 1987). Current gene flow between eastern and western populations has been assumed from the apparent lack of wing-length differentiation and purported range contact in the northeastern Rocky Mountains (Urquhart and Urquhart, 1977; Urquhart, 1987). However, data demonstrating such gene flow have not been published, and the paucity of records of substantial monarch populations in the Great Basin or the northern Rockies suggests that mixing between the eastern and western migratory populations occurs rarely if at all. Whether or not, and to what degree genetic differentiation may have accumulated between these populations, is particularly relevant to understanding the evolution of the migratory phenomenon, and the mon-

Waterfowl Populations and the Changing Environment of the Illinois River Valley

Waterfowl Populations and the Changing Environment of the Illinois River Valley