Wild Harvest Research Articles

Natural and Cultural History of Xanthorhiza simplicissima

Yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima Marshall, Ranunculaceae) is a low-growing deciduous shrub native to hardwood forests in the eastern United States. This review synthesizes existing knowledge about yellowroot's natural and cultural history including traditional uses, contemporary applications, and future implications. Emphasis is placed on the southern Appalachian mountain region, which is the core of its cultural importance. Natural history and ethnobotanical knowledge about yellowroot were collected from published literature, oral histories, and field observations. While it was first described by botanists in the 18th Century, yellowroot was already a well-established and culturally significant plant to the Native peoples of southern Appalachia for centuries. At least 34 Indigenous medicinal and craft uses are documented, confirming that yellowroot was, and to an extent still is, a culturally significant plant for Indigenous people in the southern Appalachian region. European and African American settlers to the region also incorporated the plant into many of their folk traditions, and wild harvesting and cultivation continues to this day. Modern analytical techniques have identified key phytoactive compounds in yellowroot extracts, lending credence to its traditional medicinal uses and potential applications in modern medicine.

First Report of Growth Rate Juvenile Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko Linnaeus, 1758) during Twenty-four Weeks in Captive Breeding Facility

As a conservation strategies to reduce the wild harvest of tokay geckos, captive breeding becomes one of the solution to fulfill demand market. To achieve this goal, scientific data on biological information on the growth of tokay gecko in captive breeding facility is needed to support management conservation of tokay gecko. A total of seven individual juveniles tokay gecko consisting of four males and three females were observed during 24 weeks old. We feed the juvenile of tokay gecko with 10-15 crickets every three days. We collected the growth rate data by weekly measuring Snout-vent Length (SVL), head length (HL), head width (HW) and body weight. Newly hatched tokay gecko have an SVL of 48.08 mm (44.70-53.24 mm) and weight 2.40 gram (1.90- 2.70 gram). Juvenile at the age of one to three months have a special characteristic in having a black and white bands on the tail. This characteristic fades when entering the age of more than twelve weeks. Female individuals were recorded to have smaller hatching sizes than males, but have faster growth rate (p=0.9536). For 24 weeks, male and female individuals have SVL of 70.77 mm (64.35-76.74) and 73.02 mm (67.11-80.35), respectively. Sexual dimorphism in males and females show significant results in the HW/SVL ratio (p=0.02697). Further study on the observation of growth rate during life span are needed to describe whole process of growth stage tokay gecko which is very useful for captive breeding management of this species.

Perspectives and Attitudes towards the Functional and Safety Aspects of Seaweeds for Edible Applications in India.

Seaweeds are inevitable resources of nutrition bearing favorable rheological characteristics, which has resulted in their inclusion in a variety of daily consumer products. India, with its vast coastline and over 1000 species of seaweeds, presents tremendous potential to bring this resource into nutraceuticals and the food sector. The present survey was designed for the Indian population, which was further classified according to diet preferences, age groups, gender and various occupations. Their perceptions regarding nutritional aspects, sensory views, safety hazards and resource reliability were recorded. Among all groups studied, gender represented significant differences upon the various safety opinions recorded (p < 0.001) compared to the occupations, age groups and diet preferences studied. In addition, the dataset revealed the pro-phycological behavior of consumers subjected to vital concerns about bioresource reliability and pre-processing to avoid health hazards related to wild harvest or on-shore cultivated samples. In addition, consumer responses also revealed potential inhibitory factors in edible applications such as taste and smell. This study suggests that collaborative efforts among media, culinary experts and phycologists could play a pivotal role in promoting seaweeds in the rapidly expanding food sector industry of India.

Nature’s “Free Lunch”: The Contribution of Edible Insects to Food and Nutrition Security in the Central Highlands of Madagascar

Edible insects are a healthy, sustainable, and environmentally friendly protein alternative. Thanks to their quantitative and qualitative protein composition, they can contribute to food security, especially in Africa, where insects have been consumed for centuries. Most insects are still harvested in the wild and used for household consumption. So far, however, little attention has been paid to insects’ real contribution to food security in low-income countries. Entomophagy, the human consumption of insects, is widespread in many rural areas of Madagascar, a country, at the same time, severely affected by chronic malnutrition. This case study was carried out in a region where entomophagy based on wild harvesting is a common practice and malnutrition is pervasive. The data were obtained in 2020 from a survey among 216 households in the rural commune of Sandrandahy in the central highlands of Madagascar. Descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis were used to show the relative importance of insects for the local diet and to test various hypotheses related to food security. Results show that insects contribute significantly to animal protein consumption, especially in the humid season, when other protein sources are scarce. They are a cheap protein source, as much esteemed as meat by the rural population. There are no significant differences in the quantities of insects consumed by poorer versus richer households, nor between rural and urban households. Insect consumption amounts are strongly related to the time spent on wild harvesting. The importance of edible insects for poor, food-insecure rural areas and how entomophagy can be promoted for better food and nutrition security are discussed.

Unity in diversity\u2014food plants and fungi of Sakartvelo (Republic of Georgia), Caucasus

BackgroundThe Republic of Georgia is part of the Caucasus biodiversity hotspot, and human agricultural plant use dates back at least 6000 years. Over the last years, lots of ethnobotanical research on the area has been published. In this paper, we analyze the use of food plants in the 80% of Georgia not occupied by Russian forces. We hypothesized that (1) given the long tradition of plant use, and the isolation under Soviet rule, plant use both based on home gardens and wild harvesting would be more pronounced in Georgia than in the wider region, (2) food plant use knowledge would be widely and equally spread in most of Georgia, (3) there would still be incidence of knowledge loss despite wide plant use, especially in climatically favored agricultural regions in Western and Eastern Georgia.MethodsFrom 2013 to 2019, we interviewed over 380 participants in all regions of Georgia not occupied by Russian forces and recorded over 19,800 mentions of food plants. All interviews were carried out in the participants’ homes and gardens by native speakers of Georgian and its dialects (Imeretian, Rachian, Lechkhumian, Tush, Khevsurian, Psavian, Kakhetian), other Kartvelian languages (Megrelian, Svan) and minority languages (Ossetian, Ude, Azeri, Armenian, Greek).ResultsThe regional division was based primarily on historic provinces of Georgia, which often coincides with the current administrative borders. The total number of taxa, mostly identified to species, including their varieties, was 527. Taxonomically, the difference between two food plant groups—garden versus wild—was strongly pronounced even at family level. The richness of plant families was 65 versus 97 families in garden versus wild plants, respectively, and the difference was highly significant. Other diversity indices also unequivocally pointed to considerably more diverse family composition of wild collected versus garden plants as the differences between all the tested diversity indices appeared to be highly significant.The wide use of leaves for herb pies and lactofermented is of particular interest. Some of the ingredients are toxic in larger quantities, and the participants pointed out that careful preparation was needed. The authors explicitly decided to not give any recipes, given that many of the species are widespread, and compound composition—and with it possible toxic effects—might vary across the distribution range, so that a preparation method that sufficiently reduces toxicity in the Caucasus might not necessary be applicable in other areas.ConclusionsRelationships among the regions in the case of wild food plants show a different and clearer pattern. Adjacent regions cluster together (Kvemo Zemo Racha, and Zemo Imereti; Samegrelo, Guria, Adjara, Lechkhumi and Kvemo and Zemo Svaneti; Meskheti, Javakheti, Kvemo Kartli; Mtianeti, Kakheti, Khevsureti, Tusheti. Like in the case of the garden food plants, species diversity of wild food plants mentioned varied strongly. Climate severity and traditions of the use of wild food plants might play role in this variation. Overall food plant knowledge is widely spread all-across Georgia, and broadly maintained.

Swoon over the moon: The influence of environmental factors on glass eels entering Mediterranean coastal lagoons

The European eel (Anguilla anguilla, Linnaeus 1758) is a critically endangered species that completes its life cycle between the freshwaters of Europe (and North Africa) and spawning grounds in the Sargasso Sea. Its marine larvae are planktonic and metamorphose into post-larval glass eels near the coast. The relationship between environmental variables and the migration of glass eels into brackish water and estuaries is not well understood, but has important implications for European eel conservation and management.Using linear mixed effects (LME) models, we investigated the combined role of meteorological (wind direction and strength and rainfall), oceanographical (tide amplitude), astronomical (moon phase and illumination), temporal and water quality variables on the timing and magnitude of glass eel migration from marine to brackish waters in the Comacchio Lagoon, Northern Adriatic Sea. We used this site as a test case because it was historically prominent in glass eel wild harvest for extensive aquaculture in the Mediterranean region.We found that meteorological factors and tide amplitude had a weak effect on the migration of glass eels into the lagoon. On the contrary, astronomical variables strongly influenced glass eel movement, with waxing phases and intermediate illumination enhancing movement towards the lagoon. We also identified at least two distinct migration pulses during our study period, which were not affected by temporal and water quality variables. Temporal and water quality variables affected body size of glass eels, with bigger glass eels caught later in the season. Identifying the importance of environmental variables affecting glass eels recruitment to brackish waters can help promoting eel stocks restoration through local management.

Introduction to the special edition on overabundant macropods

Introduction to the special edition on overabundant macropods

Use Patterns, Knowledge Diversity and Drivers for the Cultivation of the Miracle Plant [Synsepalum dulcificum (Schumach & Thonn.) Daniell] in Benin and Ghana.

Despite the growing interest in the miracle plant worldwide due to its numerous applications, the threats and the wild harvest of the species hamper its sustainable utilisation. Moreover, traditional knowledge so far documented on the species is limited to a narrow geographical coverage of its natural distribution range, which is West and Central Africa. This study analysed the use variation and knowledge acquisition pattern of the miracle plant among West African sociolinguistic groups and deciphered the drivers of populations’ willingness and readiness to engage in cultivating the species. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 510 respondents purposively selected from nine sociolinguistic groups in Benin and Ghana using the snowball sampling approach. Information was collected on respondents’ socio-demographic profile, miracle plant ownership, plant parts used and preparation methods, knowledge of the species bioecology, perceived threats on the species, willingness to cultivate, maximum acreage to allocate to the species and maximum price to pay for a seedling. Descriptive statistics, generalized linear models, classification and regression tree models were used for data analysis. The miracle plant ownership mode depended on the age category. Sociolinguistic affiliation, level of schooling, migratory status and religion significantly affected the number of trees owned. We recorded 76 uses belonging to six use categories. The overall use-value of the miracle plant significantly varied according to the respondent sociolinguistic affiliation, main activity and religion. Men were the main source of knowledge and knowledge is mainly acquired along the family line. Knowledge related to food and social uses was mostly acquired from parents and people of the same generation, while magico-therapeutic and medicinal use-related knowledge were inherited from parents and grandparents. Sociolinguistic affiliation, awareness of taboos and market availability were the most important drivers of respondent willingness to cultivate the miracle plant. While the respondent’s level of schooling and perception of plant growth rate determined the maximum acreage they were willing to allocate to the species in cultivation schemes, their main activity, sociolinguistic affiliation and knowledge of the species time to fruiting drove the maximum purchase price they were willing to offer for a seedling of the species. Our findings provide key information for the promotion of miracle plant cultivation in the study area.

3-D Culture of Marine Sponge Cells for Production of Bioactive Compounds.

Production of sponge-derived bioactive compounds in vitro has been proposed as an alternative to wild harvest, aquaculture, and chemical synthesis to meet the demands of clinical drug development and manufacture. Until recently, this was not possible because there were no marine invertebrate cell lines. Recent breakthroughs in the development of sponge cell lines and rapid cell division in improved nutrient media now make this approach a viable option. We hypothesized that three-dimensional (3-D) cell cultures would better represent how sponges function in nature, including the production of bioactive compounds. We successfully cultured sponge cells in 3-D matrices using FibraCel® disks, thin hydrogel layers, and gel microdroplets (GMDs). For in vitro production of bioactive compounds, the use of GMDs is recommended. Nutrients and sponge products rapidly diffuse into and out of the 3-D matrix, the GMDs may be scaled up in spinner flasks, and cells and/or secreted products can be easily recovered. Research on scale-up and production is in progress in our laboratory.

Australian native seed sector characteristics and perceptions indicate low capacity for upscaled ecological restoration: insights from the Australian Native Seed Report

The Australian Native Seed Sector survey was conducted in 2016–2017 under the auspices of the Australian Network for Plant Conservation. Respondents self‐selected into a seed supply (Seed Collector, Seed Production Area Grower) or seed demand (Seed Purchaser, Other User) group category. Issue statements facing the sector with respect to limiting opportunities for ecological restoration were presented to survey respondents who ranked them in order of importance. Findings revealed that the order of statement importance varied depending on the primary role (Group) of the respondent in the sector. When combined across groups, the issues of most importance were: future seed demand will be difficult to meet from wild harvest; the seed market is unwilling to pay for the true cost of seed collection/seed production; there is a lack of available seed from a broad range of species; and demand for seed is inconsistent and/or unpredictable. The survey also revealed that the native seed sector is underpinned by a remarkably small and underresourced workforce, composed primarily of sole or small operators, which presents a clear concern to all users of native seed, not only in terms of current capacity for ecological restoration, but also to meet any large and rapid increases in future demand.

UHPLC Analysis of Reynoutria japonica Houtt. Rhizome Preparations Regarding Stilbene and Anthranoid Composition and Their Antimycobacterial Activity Evaluation.

Reynoutria japonica Houtt. is a critical invasive alien plant in Europe and North America with a drastic impact on native flora. However, R. japonica has medicinal potential, especially as a source of stilbenes. In order to explore the potential of simple extractions of R. japonica, we conducted qualitative and quantitative analyses of fresh R. japonica rhizome infusion, decoction, and macerates with ethanol by UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn and UHPLC-DAD, with a focus on major constituent groups of stilbenes and anthranoids. Since R. japonica rhizome extracts showed antimicrobial potential in the past, we also evaluated the antimycobacterial effect of raw R. japonica extracts for the first time against Mycobacterium smegmatis. Of thirty-four characterized substances, six were stilbenes and twelve anthranoids. The main constituents, four trans-stilbenes and eight anthranoids, were quantified in a validated UHPLC-DAD method. The 38% ethanol macerate showed high stilbene (155.078 mg/100 g fluid extract) and low anthranoid content (5.420 mg/100 g fluid extract), while decoction showed the highest anthranoids. Antimycobacterial testing gave good results for all macerates (MIC 256 µg/mL) and trans-resveratrol (64 µg/mL). Extraction and enrichment of stilbenes from fresh plant material by simple extraction methods with food-grade solvents might encourage consideration of wild harvest of rhizomes over classic means of eradication of R. japonica.

Meta-analysis of growth and mortality rates of net cultured sea scallops across the Northwest Atlantic

Scallops are one of the most heavily traded and widely consumed seafood in the world and the vast majority of production comes from aquaculture. In 2018, the global value of scallop aquaculture was over $5.8 billion USD with farms producing nearly three times the biomass as the entirety of the wild harvest. North American (specifically U.S. and Canadian) scallop aquaculture lags far behind the rest of the world. The U.S. is home to a valuable Atlantic sea scallop (Placopecten magellanicus) fishery. Yet demand for scallops far outstrips supply and the U.S. imports an almost equal amount, by value, of farmed scallop products. To capitalize on this trade imbalance, U.S. and Canadian aquaculturists have been developing a farmed sea scallop (hereafter scallop) industry, employing the Japanese practices of suspended net culture and the sale of whole and “roe-on” products. We examined the combined effects of culture method and environment on scallop shell growth and mortality. We compiled all published net cultured scallop shell growth and mortality rates recorded in the last 45 years in the Northwest Atlantic. Using generalized additive models (GAMs), we identified significant nonlinear interactions between growth, mortality, environmental conditions, and culture methods applicable from Maine, USA to Newfoundland, Canada. Optimum shell growth occurs within a temperature window of 10–15 °C. Growth is higher in pearl nets than in lantern nets, and is also highly sensitive to stocking density, which has large implications for farm sizes and thinning practices. Maximum mortality occurs at the highest temperatures in our dataset (~17 °C), while stocking density is only a significant predictor of product loss at high densities. Scallops are also more susceptible to mortality at shell heights under 25 mm. Both mortality rates and shell height growth rates were lower in the late spring and early summer after accounting for temperature effects. Careful temperature based site selection and proactive low density stocking can mitigate the effects of intraspecific competition and reduce handling related mortality. Identifying lease sites that provide both optimal environmental conditions and adequate space for low density net culture will be an important step in expanding scallop aquaculture in the Northwest Atlantic.

Cultural ecosystem services enabled through work with shellfish

Cultural ecosystem services are understudied relative to other types of ecosystem services. This is especially true as they relate to bivalve shellfish. Approaching cultural services through shellfish-based livelihoods, this study utilized ethnographic field methods to detail the benefits received and enabled by individuals through work with shellfish. A total of 218 shellfish growers, wild harvesters, and others working in roles that support shellfisheries in the United States regions of Chesapeake Bay, Gulf of Mexico, and New England were interviewed to create a list of shellfish-enabled cultural, provisioning, regulating, and supporting ecosystem services as well as their related benefits. Results illustrated that individuals involved in both wild and aquaculture shellfisheries perceive and receive similar benefits, though the interpretation of these benefits may vary depending on industry role. In addition to describing benefits overall, attention was given to linked services as well as how services may be enhanced or diminished with a changing social-ecological system. The comprehensive dataset is useful for understanding the myriad benefits associated with shellfisheries and provides the foundation necessary for continued research and analysis of shellfish-associated services. Findings underscore the importance of cultural services relative to their noted absence in shellfish management and policy discussions and, ultimately, policy decisions. Beyond shellfisheries, the study showcases the combined utility of a participatory approach and flexible framework with which to describe cultural services.

Marine biomass for a circular blue‐green bioeconomy? A life cycle perspective on closing nitrogen and phosphorus land‐marine loops

AbstractA blue‐green bioeconomy revolution is underway in Europe, with particular attention being paid to the development of new or underutilized marine biomass resources. The wild harvest and mariculture of low‐trophic non‐fed species of marine biomass may be contributing to circular economies, the mitigation of environmental problems such as eutrophication and climate change through the uptake of nutrients and carbon, while also recovering finite phosphorus from marine coastal environments, thus contributing to food security. The present study provides a cradle‐to‐gate life cycle perspective on seven established or innovative/emerging marine biomass utilization cases in Sweden: mariculture of sugar kelp, blue mussels, and ascidians and the harvest of invasive Pacific oysters along the Skagerrak coast, the mariculture of blue mussels in the Baltic sea, the harvest of common reed in the Stockholm archipelago, and the harvest of beach‐cast seaweed in Gotland. Results showed that the mariculture cases were found to contribute to eutrophication and climate impact mitigation (at gate). All cases were found to contribute to closing the loop on phosphorus by enabling recovery from marine or coastal environments, bridging marine–land flows, all while performing well from an environmental perspective with a relatively low cumulative energy demand and low carbon and nutrient footprints. This highlights the potential of low‐trophic biomass to contribute to phosphorus security in the future, and demonstrates the value of industrial ecology tools such as LCA in support of this imminent Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

Current status of sea grapes (Caulerpa spp.) farming and wild harvesting in the Philippines

Current status of sea grapes (Caulerpa spp.) farming and wild harvesting in the Philippines

The influence of photoselective shade netting on vegetative growth and bioactivity of Myrsine africana L. for cosmeceutical production

As the global desire for natural remedies derived from botanicals increases, the pressure on plant populations and biodiversity intensifies. Therefore, to conserve biodiversity as a valuable genetic and biochemical resource, sustainable utilisation and commercial production should be prioritised. Myrsine africana L. (MA), has recently been found to possess significant cosmeceutical properties, such as elastase inhibition (anti-wrinkle) and anti-tyrosinase (skin even tone) activity. However, this species is relatively slow growing, recalcitrant to adventitious root (AR) development, and has slightly insufficient bioactivity in raw extracts. These factors reduce the economic feasibility of producing this commercially valuable indigenous species. Consequently, this may enhance wild harvesting of this species, placing pressure on wild populations. Manipulation of light is a common practice in plant production to exploit plant growth and development, as light quantity and quality effectively influence the primary and secondary metabolism of plants. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the influence of selected photoselective shade net on vegetative growth and metabolites of MA shoot material. Results displayed significantly enhanced growth (p < 0.001) under green (50 % density), black (50 %) and red (80 %) shade net in comparison to the control (cultivation under full sun) and inhibited growth under blue (50 %) shade net. Shade net effectively influenced starch and soluble carbohydrate content. Furthermore, significantly higher elastase inhibition was observed under green and red shade net treatments in comparison to the control in autumn, with IC50 values of 18.59 μg/mL, 19.28 μg/mL and 37.93 μg/mL, respectively. In addition, bioactivity was significantly higher in autumn (p < 0.001) under green, red and control treatments. It can be concluded that photoselective shade net may be used to enhance plant growth and bioactivity of MA.

The Measurement of Antioxidant Capacity and Colour Attributes in Wild Harvest Samphire (Tecticornia sp.) Samples Using Mid-infrared Spectroscopy

The Measurement of Antioxidant Capacity and Colour Attributes in Wild Harvest Samphire (Tecticornia sp.) Samples Using Mid-infrared Spectroscopy

Clonal Reproduction and Low Genetic Diversity in Northern Australian Santalum lanceolatum (Santalaceae) Populations Highlights the Need for Genetic Rescue of This Commercially Significant Species

Genetic diversity and the extent of clonality in a plant species can significantly influence its reproductive success. Whilst clonality can be an effective life-history strategy, in harsh environments it can lead to low levels of diversity and sexual reproductive failure. Santalum lanceolatum (Santalaceae) is a hemi-parasitic shrub endemic to the monsoonal dry tropics of northern Australia, which was harvested for its oil-rich heartwood from natural populations in Cape York, Australia. Despite wild harvesting ending over 70 years ago, populations in the region are currently declining. The aims of this study were to examine genetic variation, population genetic structure, inbreeding and clonality of six S. lanceolatum populations from this northern margin of the species range. Analyses of twelve microsatellite markers showed S. lanceolatum had low genetic diversity (AR = 2.776, HE = 0.409), evidence of regional differentiation (FST = 0.307–0.424) and negligible inbreeding levels (F = −0.052). Clonality investigations revealed 135 genets among 200 samples, suggesting that the clonal structure of S. lanceolatum may be limiting the potential for sexual reproduction and natural recruitment. We recommend a conservation strategy involving genetic rescue to prevent the further decline and potential local extinction from a variety of environmental pressures and human activities.

Controlled spawning and rearing of the sea cucumber, Parastichopus tremulus

AbstractThe red sea cucumber, Parastichopus tremulus, a cold water species with commercial potential, has recently attracted attention for wild harvest as well as for potential use in integrated multi‐trophic aquaculture in Scandinavian countries. Overharvesting has put natural stocks of sea cucumbers at risk in several countries. Our goal was to develop a rearing protocol for P. tremulus to enable sustainable production of this species. This study presents results from spawning and larval rearing conducted in both Norway (NO) and Sweden (SWE) during May–August 2019. We describe spawning induction and behavior, fertilization success, embryonic and auricularia larval development rate for this species under laboratory conditions. The larvae were fed a mixture of three species of live microalgae (SWE) and algal paste (NO). Larval development rate and survival were monitored at four different temperatures (7, 10, 13, and 16°C). Results showed faster development with increasing temperature. Daily food consumption rate was highest at the highest temperature. The combined effects of temperature and food availability on survival were investigated for the same four temperatures and three different feed concentrations. Only food availability affected the mortality rate, with the highest mortality in the low feeding regime of 1,000–2,000 cells ml−1 day−1.

Biology and bulb production of Eleutherine bulbosa (Iridaceae), a native species from Borneo, Indonesia

Abstract Eleutherine bulbosa is a known ornamental plant of the Iris family, which originated from Central Borneo, Indonesia. The bulbs of E. bulbosa have long been used as a medicinal source by the local people of Borneo. Despite its known medicinal and other values, studies on the morphology and efficiency in bulb production of this species are limited. The aims of our study are to examine the vegetative and reproductive morphology of E. bulbosa, and to determine the effect of various dosages of NPK fertilizer on flowering and bulb production. The plants were grown in pots using potting mix consists of equal volume of burnt rice hulls, cocopeat, and organic manures (1:1:1). Our study showed that E. bulbosa has a cymose rhipidium inflorescence with 25-50 mm long peduncles, have 3-4 umbel on the secondary axis, each consists of 10-12 florets that opens in turn every day. Florets are 20-30 mm long, 20 mm in diameter, 10-15 mm pedicels, and short-lived. The perianth is white, about 25 mm wide with yellow anthers and stigma. Fruits were not formed during the duration of the study. NPK fertilizer application at the lowest dose of 1 g per pot had promoted earlier shoot emergence and vegetative growth, including plant height, leaf number, leaf size, number of tillers, and bulb production compared to control (no fertilizer). Application of fertilizer at 1 and 2 g per plant significantly promoted earlier flowering, whereas application at 3 g per plant delayed and reduced the proportion of flowering plants. The results of this study can aid in taxonomic identification and efficient cultivation of this plant for uses as potted flowering ornamentals or bulb production for different purposes. Higher cultivation and reduced wild harvesting can result in the conservation of this species.