Western Ghats Of Tamil Nadu Research Articles

Yield and quality of beetroot to soil test crop response (STCR) - integrated plant nutrient system (IPNS) based fertilizer prescription in Ultisols of Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India

Beetroot is one of the most important root vegetable crops and is consumed globally due to its rich nutrient content. The current research was conducted on a farmer’s holding, using beetroot (Improved crystal hybrid) in Nilgiri district, Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu to study the effect of different N, P2O5, K2O and integrated plant nutrient system (IPNS) dosages in yield attributes and quality parameters. Two field trials were conducted in farmer's land at Kadanad Village (110 48’ N Latitude, 760 72’ E Longitudes) during the winter of 2024 and in Emerald Village (110 31’ N Latitude, 760 63’ E Longitudes) during the summer of 2024. The experiment was designed using a RBD with ten treatments and three replications. The treatments were absolute control, blanket, blanket + FYM, STCR-NPK based fertiliser dose for an yield target of 35, 40 and 45 t ha-1, soil test crop response - integrated plant nutrient system (STCR-IPNS) based fertiliser dose for an yield target of 35, 40 and 45 t ha-1 and farmer’s practice. The treatment of 180 N+233 P2O5+116 K2O Kg ha-1 along with FYM @12.5 t ha-1 (T3) recorded the highest plant height (51.59 cm), more number of leaves per plant (24.05), leaf width (18.14 cm), higher total chlorophyll (47.28), root yield (44.21 t ha-1) and quality parameters as total sugar (8.95%), reducing sugar (2.08%), non-reducing sugar (6.87%), total soluble solids (12.80 0B) and ascorbic acid (3.62 mg 100 g-1). The treatment receiving inorganic NPK fertilizers along with FYM @12.5 t ha-1 (T3) recorded the highest beetroot of yield of 44.21 t ha-1 than the soil test based inorganic fertilizer application treatment (T6). Fertilizer prescription based on STCR-IPNS model found to be better choice to enhance yield and quality of beetroot.

Bioprospecting of microbial agents and their metabolites as potential inhibitors of Phytophthora cinnamomi, the causal agent of avocado root rot

Phytophthora Root Rot (PRR) is one of the economically important diseases infecting avocado causing substantial yield losses worldwide. In this study, the root rot pathogen infecting avocado has been characterized and potential bioagents targeting PRR have been identified through molecular approaches. Field surveys revealed varying degrees of disease severity (54 %–17.5 %) and incidence (50 %–10 %) in Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. The pathogen was isolated and identified as Phytophthora spp. based on morphology which depicted typical coralloid-type growth patterns. Besides, phylogenetic analysis with the ITS, ras-related protein and COX genes showed closed similarity with P. cinnamomi. The isolates showed significant variation in pathogenicity, with PC(TKI)-10 exhibiting the highest severity (70 %) developing typical symptoms. In vitro efficacy assays through dual-plate and volatiles revealed potential inhibitory effects of Trichoderma harzianum T (MP)-7 (81.11 %) and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B (TI)-3 (76.67 %) against P. cinnamomi, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) provided insights into the antagonistic mechanisms, revealing physical interactions and enzymatic lysis of the pathogen by T (MP)-7 and B (TI)-3. Furthermore, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified bioactive compounds in the crude extracts of these bioagents, elucidating their metabolic pathways and potential modes of action against P. cinnamomi. Our findings highlights the importance of P. cinnamomi in avocado and the mechanism of fungal and bacterial bioagents in the sustainable management of the disease.

Two New Species of <I>Riccia</I> L. (Hepaticae : Marchantiales) from the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu

Riccia poihaiana and R. velimalaiana , two new species, allied to R. billardieri Mont. & Nees and R. grollei Udar respectively, from the southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, are described and illustrated.

Current status of stream water quality around selected Tea Gardens from Southern Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India – A case study

In this study, metal concentration in tea garden-associated stream water samples from the south Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu was evaluated using ICP-MS to know the current status of pollution level, sources of pollution, probable water quality, and impacts of heavy metals. Stream water pollution of hill regions communities using the heavy metal pollution index, principal compound analysis, and Pearson correlation analysis were measured. In addition, for this purpose, water phy-chem parameters were also measured, such as (pH, temperature, conductivity, salinity, and TDS) using a pH meter. PO4 and F- UV-spectrophotometer, Na, K, and calcium (flame photo meter), NO3- NO3-N (Electronic method-horiba), and turbidity meter to evaluate the stream-water quality were used, and heavy metals, particularly Al, As, Cd, Fe, Cr, Cu, Zn, Pb, Ni, and Mn are analyzed as heavy metal pollutions. The phy-chem average values of pH, Temp, EC, Tds, Salinity, alkalinity, cod, bod, do, chloride, calcium, C. hardness, M. hardness, T. hardness, N-Nitrogen, Phosphate, Potassium, Sodium, Turbidity, Fluoride, Sulphate, and Sulphur are found 8.13, 27.57 °C, 218, 111.67, 78.67, 70.39, 2029, 5.70, 3.83, 70.83, 737, 62.30, 166.11, 679, 1132, 149, 11, 28.33, 4.44, 07, 178, 180 respectively. Heavy metal concentrations, including aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, iron, chromium, copper, zinc, lead, nickel, and manganese, are detected at 32, 7.2, 6.24, 96.4, 0.00, 0.00, 40, 0.00, 0.00, 30 μg/L, respectively. Concentrations of studied heavy metals, particularly, Mn, Ni, Cd, and Fe, have measurements that are greater than the permissible standard limits of BIS, WHO.

A new species of the genus Lichenomima Enderlein, 1910 (Psocodea: Psocoptera: Myopsocidae) from India.

Lichenomima aldretei n. sp. is described and depicted here and collected from the forests of the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India, and is distinguished by a distinctive apical lobe in the hypandrium.

Evaluation of the Genetic Stability of Amaranthus viridis L. Species in Selected Regions of Western Ghats using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD)

Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA is cheap and fast molecular technique to identify the genetic resemblances or variations in DNA in various plants. The proposed research work wasintendedto compare the genetic diversification of Amaranthus viridis species in selected regions of Western Ghats in Tamilnadu and Kerala by RAPD analysis.The biometric morphological data among the five A. viridis accessions were compared. Their genomic DNA was isolated and finger prints were obtained using three RAPD markers. The percentage polymorphism, polymorphism information content, effective multiplex ration and resolving power were calculated. UPGMA dendrogram was constructed and their genetic relatedness was compared using Jaccard coefficient.Upon finger printing, 66 bands were counted for the three RAPD primers used,among which 46 bands were polymorphic band numbers from 8 to 21. Percentage of polymorphic bands ranged between 44.44% and 80.77%. EMRvalues for 66 polymorphic loci ranged between 3.56 and 17.01. The UPGMA dendrogram comparing the genomic profiles of the 5 A. viridis accessions using Jaccard coefficient revealed their genetic distances where the maximum Jaccard’s coefficient value observed was 0.96 between AVKATN and AVNEK. Among the 5 selections the peak similarity index (0.9565) was witnessed between AVKATN and AVNEK. The cuurent study revealed that AVKATN and AVNEK had the highest their genetic distances, whereas AVKATN and AVNEK were genetically similar among the 5 A. viridis accessions. Several polymorphic bands which ranged up to 80.77% have proved their genetic variations.

Invasive Whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) Complex and Diversity in Coconut Landscapes in Tamil Nadu

Abstract Coconut, Cocos nucifera L., in Tamil Nadu, India, was invaded by four whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) species between 2016 and 2019, increasing the total to six, along with Aleurodicus dispersus Russell and Aleurocanthus arecae David and Manjunatha. We examined the complexity and diversity of whiteflies in coconut across different agroclimatic zones of Tamil Nadu and found high and low damage levels by whiteflies at Veppankulam (70.4%) and Rameswaram (11.0%), respectively. The rugose spiraling whitefly, Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin, was the most dominant species but was effectively managed by the parasitoids Encarsia guadeloupae Viggiani and E. dispersa Polaszek, with the highest rate parasitism of 83.8% at Aliyar Nagar and the lowest (2.9%) in the Kanchipuram district. Aleurodicus rugioperculatus and Bondar’s nesting whitefly, Paraleyrodes bondari Peracchi, have spread throughout Tamil Nadu. The population of A. rugioperculaus was high at Veppankulam and that of P. bondari was higher at Dharmapuri (28.6 and 31.1 adults/leaflet, respectively). All five invasive whitefly species in coconut were found only in 7 of 34 locations—Coimbatore, Sirumugai, Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Vellore, and Erode. Paraleyrodes minei Iaccarino and Aleurotrachelus atratus Hempel were distributed in the northwestern zone adjoining the western ghats of Tamil Nadu. Coconut plantations at Sirumugai (western ghats) supported the most diverse collection of whiteflies, with 0.61 and 1.09 Simpson and Shannon diversity indices. Among the 29 districts, adjoining Dindigul and Theni districts showed the highest Bray–Curtis Similarity Matrix. Butterfly palm, Dypsis lutescens H. Wendel, custard apple, Annona squamosa L., and guava, Psidium guajava L., are whitefly hosts in coconut landscapes.

In vitro propagation of Elaeocarpus venustus Bedd. (Elaeocarpaceae): A critically endangered tree of Southern Western Ghats, India

Elaeocarpus venustus Bedd. is a steno-endemic and Critically Endangered tree species discovered in Kalakkadu Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. An in vitro propagation method using nodal explant is developed on Woody Plant Medium (WPM) with 0.1–2.0 mg/l each of 6-benzyl amino purine (BAP), 6-furfuryl amino purine (FAP)/Kinetin (KIN), Thidiazuron (TDZ), Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and Indole butyric acid (IBA) individually and/or in combinations. The highest percentage of explants (85.60±3.50%) responded and exhibited bud breaking on a culture medium with 1.5 mg/l of BAP+ 1.0 mg/l of KIN after 45 days of incubation under 25±2 °C with 16hr of photoperiod of 1000 lux light intensity culture conditions. Each cultured explant produced 9.10±1.58 shootlets. On WPM containing 0.5 mg/l IBA, the in vitro produced shoots rooted (each shoot produced 5.20±0.83 roots) within 26 days of incubation. The rooted treelets were acclimatized and hardened using plastic cups with sterile vermiculite under laboratory conditions and about 72% of hardened plantlets survived in the field. It is suggested that the tissue culture process defined and developed can be used for the propagation and conservation of E. venustus.

Developing a fast, reproducible, and simple protocol for virtual lichen herbarium using barcoding and QR code techniques

In recent days, biological specimens are digitalized and digital images are available in virtual herbarium for teaching and learning process. Now, there is a need to explore possibilities of usage of barcodes and quick response (QR) codes in developing virtual herbarium for quick access as well as study the taxonomy of repository specimens. In order to establish a virtual herbarium for lichens using barcode and QR code techniques, lichen specimens such as Chrysothrix candelaris (L.) J.R.Laundon, Leucodermia leucomelos (L.) Kalb, Heterodernia flabellate (fee) D.D.Awasthi, Parmotrema andinum (Mull.Arg.) Hale, Parmotrema grayanum (Hue) Hale, Parmellinella stuppeum (Taylor) Hale, and Ramalina intermedia (Delise ex Nyl.) Nyl. were collected from the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India and were identified based on morphological, anatomical and biochemical methods. Moreover, these specimens were preserved in the conventional lichen herbarium as reference materials for future studies. The barcodes and QR codes were generated for all the repository specimens to access the materials as well as to get a complete description of the lichen specimens. The generated barcodes provided the binomial name of lichen specimens along with their accession number. Similarly, the QR codes provided the digital image of lichen specimens along with complete descriptions such as distribution, habit and habitat, growth forms, name of the family, reproductive structure, chemistry, nature of thallus structure and lichen secondary metabolites. From these studies, we standardized a simple, rapid with reproducible protocol to develop a virtual herbarium for lichens to get the digital image and to access the complete descriptions of lichen specimens. This study might be useful for Lichenologists to get information about lichens in digital form and to maintain the lichen wealth for future regenerations without disturbing the lichen biodiversity.

Additions to the Orchid Flora of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India

A study was conducted in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR), in the Southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, to document the wide range of wild orchids in the area and evaluate their conservation status. The ATR, known for its high species diversity, is a protected region spanning a core area of 958.59 km2 and a buffer area of 521.28 km2. The main objective of the study was to investigate and assess the diversity of orchids within the reserve, providing essential information for their conservation. The present study revealed the presence of 137 orchid species belonging to 56 genera in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve. Among them, 37 species forms an addition to the orchid flora of the reserve. The dominant genus in ATR is Dendrobium followed by Habenaria, and Oberonia.

Ethnomedicinal plants used by Kani tribals to treat Rheumatism in Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India

Background: The search for safe and alternative remedy for rheumatic disorders from herbal resources is increasing nowadays hence the medicinal plants constitute a promising role in modern medication system due to the presence of several bioactive compounds. The people inhabiting in the forest areas are often affected with several skeleton-muscular disorders especially with rhematic problems, hence the present study was undertaken to document the plants used to treat such diseases. Methods: The present study was carried out to document the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used in treating rheumatism by Kani tribes who live in the KMTR region in the Southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. Extensive field studies were conducted in five hamlets of Kani tribes focusing on the plants used in treating rheumatism. The data was collected using questionnaires, interviews and discussions among the traditional practitioners and other people of the hamlet. Results: The present ethnobotanical survey has led to the documentation of 59 species of medicinal plants belonging to 33 families. Of these, 26 species are the major utilized plants while 33 plant species are used in least quantity. Leaves are widely utilized against rheumatic problems. The medicinal formulations are prepared in the form of decoction, paste and powder which are administered topically or orally based on the disease condition. Conclusion: The medicinal plants were documented with the focus on conserving the ethnic knowledge of Kani tribes as documentary evidence for plant-based natural product research. Among the documented plants, Cardiospermum halicacabum, Elettaria cardamomum, Elephantopus scaber, Cymbopogon citratus, Allium cepa, Sida acuta, Pergularia daemia, and Lawsonia inermis were frequently cited and requires further pharmacological studies to develop an effective drug against chronic illnesses. Keywords: Ethnic community, Folk medicine, Rheumatism, Western Ghats

Carbon management Index under different land uses of Conoor region of Western ghats in Tamil Nadu

The increased land-use change (LUC) from native lands to other land use at the Conoor region of western ghats in Tamil Nadu has severely declined soil carbon concentration. Therefore to quantify this decline, Carbon Management Index (CMI) was worked out under major land uses {(Forest (FOR), cropland (CRP), tea plantation (TEA)} using total organic carbon (TOC) and carbon pools under varying degrees of lability {a) NLC (non-labile carbon) b) VLC (very labile carbon) c) LC (labile carbon) d) LLC (less labile carbon)}. Results portray that the carbon pools were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in FOR than in TEA and CRP. The contribution of active pools {(very labile carbon (VLC) and labile carbon (LC)} towards TOC was higher in TEA and CRP, whereas in FOR, the passive pool {(less labile carbon (LLC) and non-labile carbon (NLC)} was higher. TOC (0-45 cm) was concentrated on the surface soils of FOR (32.88 g kg-1), CRP (11.87 g kg-1) and TEA (18.84 g kg-1) and it gradually declined with the increase in depth. The decline in TOC was maximum between 0 – 15 and 15 – 30 cm depth in CRP (30.62%) and FOR (22.17%), whereas it was maximum (37.16%) between 15 -30 and 30 -45 cm depth in TEA. Therefore, LUC spotlights the degradation of carbon pools and its extent was quantified using the carbon management index (CMI). The CMI (0 – 45 cm) recorded at CRP (12.93) and TEA (32.62) signals the need for an implementation of carbon management strategies at Conoor to keep the soils alive and protect biodiversity.

Investigation of phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of Plectranthus bourneae Gamble - an endemic plant species of western ghats of Tamil Nadu, India

Investigation of phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of Plectranthus bourneae Gamble - an endemic plant species of western ghats of Tamil Nadu, India

EUGENIA PACHAKUMACHIANA (MYRTACEAE), A NEW SPECIES FROM THE WESTERN GHATS, INDIA

Eugenia pachakumachiana Arum. & Murugan, a species from Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary, southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India, and new to science is described and illustrated. The species is compared with its closely allied species Eugenia rottleriana Wight & Arn. and incorporated into a key of Indian Eugenia species.

First record of Phallocaecilius Lee & Thornton, 1967 (Psocodea: ‘Psocoptera’: Pseudocaeciliidae) from India, with the description of a new species from the Southern Western Ghats

Phallocaecilius indicus sp. nov., from the Southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, India, is here described and illustrated. This is the third known species in the genus, which is here reported from the Indian subcontinent for the first time.

A New Species of Large-Bodied Gecko of The Genus <I>Hemidactylus</i> Goldfuss, 1820 from Southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India

A new species of large-bodied Hemidactylus is described from the southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. The species is a member of the prashadi group of Indian Hemidactylus and can be distinguished from all other members of the group by a combination of several morphological diagnostic characters. Based on preliminary phylogeny, using a partial fragment of mitochondrial cytochrome b (cyt b ) gene, the new species appeared to be closely allied to H. acanthopholis Mirza & Sanap, 2014; however, the species can be distinguished from H. acanthopholis by its much lower femoral pore count, besides 8% uncorrected sequence divergence for the cyt b gene.

Notes on the taxonomy, typification, extended distribution and red list assessment of Bulbophyllum nodosum — an endemic and endangered orchid from India

ABSTRACT Bulbophyllum nodosum (Rolfe) J.J. Sm. [Orchidaceae-Epidendroideae-Malaxideae-Dendrobiinae], an Indian endemic species, discovered originally from the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu and later from the Eastern Himalayas in Arunachal Pradesh, has been recorded from Sikkim Himalaya for the first time, thereby extending its distribution further in the Himalayan region. This species resembles with Bulbophyllum helenae (Kuntze) J.J. Sm. and the two can be easily confused due to morphological similarities. However, the characteristic swollen nodes in the rhizome and a long compact tube formed by the lateral sepals (by cohering along their upper and lower margins) make Bulbophyllum nodosum unique and distinct from B. helenae. Further, a lectotype has been designated for Bulbophyllum nodosum in the present communication from the available original materials of the name. The species has been assessed as “Endangered” by applying the IUCN guidelines. A detailed description, photographic illustration, and information on its phenology, habitat, distribution and threats have been provided for easy recognition and taking the necessary conservation action of this threatened species. Additionally, a photo-plate of Bulbophyllum helenae is also provided to help in identifying these two closely looking species.

Distribution of Acmella radicans (Asteraceae) in Western Ghats, India

The extended distribution of Acmella radicans (Jacq.) R.K. Jansen, to the southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu is reported here. Detailed description, notes and photographs are provided.

Characterization of Acacia caesia Bark Fibers (ACBFs)

ABSTRACT The stem bark of Acacia caesia, or Senegalia caesia, richly available in the Western Ghats of Tamilnadu and Kerala, India, does potentially offer a ligno-cellulosic fiber, which was characterized in this work, studying its chemical composition, morphology, and thermal degradation. The as-received fibers, which were extracted as technical fibers with diameters ranging between 100 and 150 µm, had a density of 1200 kg/m3. Their composition included 37% cellulose, 20% hemicellulose and 18% lignin, not very dissimilar, among other fibers, from alfa esparto and particularly coir. Their thermal degradation onset was at 308°C, which suggested a potential in composite application with traditional oil-based matrices and possibly also in the long run on bio-based ones. However, their high roughness and easy splitting of the fibers suggested that possible use as the filler for composites would require fiber treatment, namely, to remove undesired loose parts, hence regularizing their geometry. This would also serve to reduce the likeliness of longitudinal splitting, which is a widely recognized occurrence during stripping of bark fibers.

Musa kattuvazhana (Musaceae): Rediscovery and additional notes on a critically endangered species from Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India

AbstractA wild banana species, Musa kattuvazhana K.C.Jacob, belongs to Musa sect. Rhodochlamys. It is now rediscovered in Tamil Nadu, India after an interval of 67 years since Nayar's first identification in 1952, Musa banksii (F.Muell) var. singampatti T.G.Nayar. This critically endangered species was first collected from the type locality in the Tirunelveli hills of Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India. In the present study, it is described on the basis of the morphological characteristics as observed in the field. In addition, photographs, relevant taxonomic notes and ethnobotanical uses of M. kattuvazhana are provided.