Download Appraisal of ecological significance of Ricinus communis

BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN) 2011, 57 (1&2), 97-103
PK ISSN 0006 - 3096
Appraisal of ecological significance of Ricinus communis
Linn. in the wasteland of Lahore, Pakistan
*FERHAT MEHMOOD1, AMIN UL HAQ KHAN2 & ZAHEER UD DIN KHAN3
1,3
Botany Department, G.C. University Lahore, Pakistan,
Department of Sustainable Development, G.C University Lahore, Pakistan.
2
ABSTRACT
The objectives of this work was to document the ecological significance of
Ricinus communis Linn., which is generally considered a wasteland plant. The ecological
significance in terms of productivity and production of organic and inorganic minerals
indicates that Ricinus communis Linn., is an ideal plant for restoring disturbed soil
because such disturbed habitat appears to be ideal for achieving maximum growth as
compared to undisturbed soils. Its biomass production and nutrient supplying power could
make it an ideal plant for colonization of wasteland. Similarly it is a plant of great
consumptive and productive value on marginal agricultural land. Planned promotion of
Ricinus communis Linn., on wasteland would not only restore poor soils but at the same
time it would provide subsistence economy to the poor farmers.
Key words: Ricinus communis, wasteland, disturbed soil
INTRODUCTION
Ricinus communis Linn., commonly called as Castor Oil plant, is wide
spread on waste places. Ecologically, it is generally regarded as a good colonizer
of waste places (Roger & Rix, 1999). Economically it is important because it
yields oil, with a wide range of uses including its most popular medicinal use as
an effective laxative (Kamal & Joshi, 2006). World and national conservation
strategies are attempts to find balance between ranges of attitudes toward the
natural world. Conservation of a wide variety of plant species can be justified on
the grounds that they are of direct economic importance to humans. As available
natural resources may place a serious constrain on future consumption and
utilization, conservation is necessary consideration for sustainable development.
Conservation of resources is increasingly major concern of both conservationist
and developers (Mc Nelly, 1988). The costs and benefits must be assessed for
various types of nature reserves (Hanemann, 1988). Plant harvested as raw
products for drugs have productive use value, this is related to the value of end
product (Principe, 1988; Devendra & Raghavan, 1978). In developing countries
the contribution of wild plants is greatest in direct economic terms (Mc Neely,
1988). Ricinus communis Linn., is a common colonizer of marginal lands and
waste places (James & Harden, 1990). It’s ecological significance as a colonizer
plant (Anonymus, 2006) could be of great value, but has not much been
appraised. Ricinus communis Linn., is a very important plant both ecologically
and can be assigned the status of biological resource. In this work ecological
aspects have been focused upon.
*Corresponding author: [email protected]
98
F. MEHMOOD ET AL
BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN)
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Ecological valuation of Ricinus communis Linn.,
Estimating the return of organic matter did ecological valuation of the
species and inorganic minerals in the form of above and below ground biomass
of the plant growing at different sites where it is naturally colonized. The
objective was to estimate the contribution of plant in increasing the fertility of
disturbed soil.
The experiment was planned in the following steps:
1. Preliminary observations to select appropriate sites for detailed
investigation:
Ten different sites were identified for this purpose as per location
of site, percent cover of R. communis, percent litter on the
ground, type of litter, topography and soil texture Three sites
were finally selected v.i.z GOR I Shadman, Lawrence garden
and Near Saggian Bridge at River Ravi Lahore, keeping in mind
habitats supporting monoculture of R. communis.
2.
Detailed productivity analyses of sites were done by:
a. Plant harvest (Seasonal)
Seasonal productivity was determined above and below the
ground at different sites. For this purpose destructive harvests
were carried out at the three selected sites. Root, shoot length,
weight along with number of leaves, inflorescence and seeds
were recorded for interpretation of results. Plant material was
stored for further chemical analyses.
b. Litter and soil sample collection
Similarly all the litter above the soil was removed and 3 cm
topsoil thus exposed was collected and kept in plastic bags and
stored for chemical analyses.
3.
Chemical analyses of Plant, litter and Soil Samples:
Chemical analysis of plant material, litter and soil was done. Plant
material and litter were subjected to estimation of Nitrogen by Kjeldal
method (AOAC, 1990), Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium and
Carbon by Flame photometer method (Moore & Chapman, 1986).
Similarly soil samples were analysed for Phosphorus by Rapid and
sensitive colorimetric method, exchangeable calcium determined by
substracting exchangeable Na and K from cation exchange capacity.
4.
Statistical analyses:
Applying ANOVA using Two-way ANOVA through statistical soft
ware SPSS 13.0 did statistical analysis of the data obtained.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
There is a significant difference of shoot length of individual plants
between plants growing near drainage channel (Shadman) compared to plants
growing on the two well-drained sites (Lawrence & Saggian). The shoot height
was much shorter in Shadman compared with that of Lawrence and Saggian,
although there was little difference between the total numbers of plants. This
Vol. 57 (1&2)
Ecological significance of Ricinus communis Linn.
99
trend is also significantly reflected in the shoot weight of individual plant. The
shoot weight per meter square area, although not very significant, is much higher
in Lawrence and Saggian compared to Shadman. When the shoot weight per
meter square area is combined, inclusive of the three harvests, per site the
results become more variable but still the trend persists (Table I).
Table I. Statistical analyses of attributes of Ricinus communis Linn.
Sites/Plant parts
Shoot height (cm)
Root length (cm)
Shoot weight (g)
Root weight (g)
No. of leaves
No. of Inflorescence.
No. of fruits
No. of seeds
GOR-1
Shadman
Lawrence
Garden
Sagian
Bridge
0.570.20
0.160.12
249.6
7.55.4
10.055.96
4309
44.6033.19
132.0100.24
1.450.78
0.220.10
5228.4
9.94.6
10.233.41
2.51.73
2816.75
8450.25
1.660.75
0.20.057
52.624
123.29
12.956.15
2.081.24
22.5813.70
67.7541.12
*Values indicated are of MeanS.D
Root length difference is more significant between the sites. At the
Shadman the root length is generally less than that of Saggian and Lawrence.
The difference between Saggian and Lawrence is less significant though the
trend is of longer roots at Lawrence as compared to Saggian. The root weight of
individual plant is more variable though a general trend observed in the root
length persists. No significant difference or trend is seen regarding number of
leaves. But as far as number of inflorescence and fruits is concerned, there is
great deal of variability. In spite of variability it appears that there is slight trend of
higher number of inflorescence and fruits in Shadman and Lawrence as
compared to Saggian. Results of the experimental plots showed that out of five
plants established in plot 1, two plants reached upper limits of heights as
observed in wild plants, whereas the other three were of average height. The
taller plants also had above and below the ground biomass comparable to the
shorter plants. The above and below the ground biomass of the taller plants was
equal to the upper limits of the plants harvested from their natural habitat. Plot 2
and 3 having three plants each, had average height and biomass as compared to
the plants of their natural habitat.
The statistical analysis clearly suggests that time of harvest has not
much effect on the plant variables and the differences due to the site factors
which are much more important. In spite of more favorable moisture regime,
being close to the sewage channel, the shoot height and length is significantly
less as compared to the sites, which are located on more disturbed and welldrained sites. This indicates that although the species might form greater cover
on many sites but it prefers sites, which are more disturbed and well drained. The
significant longer root length at well-drained sites indicates that it is probably the
texture (disturbed), which allows the roots to penetrate deeper, compared to
100
F. MEHMOOD ET AL
BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN)
more stable less disturbed Shadman site. The soils of Shadman has higher
values of N, P and K (Fig., 1 – 5), compared to Saggian and Lawrence but it
appears that the amount in various tissues is more or less similar on the three
++
sites. Whereas Ca content at Saggian and Lawrence are in some cases higher
than that of Shadman. It appeared that less fertile soils could be turned fertile
where Ricinus communis Linn., is established. This is probably the reason that its
products are used as fertilizers (Sastri, 1972)
GOR I SHADMAN
LAWRENCE
SAGGIAN
25000
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
SOIL
LITTER
ROOT
STEM
LEAF
Fig., 1: Comparison of Nitrogen (mg/kg) soil, litter and plant Tissue
GOR I SHADMAN
LAWRENCE
SAGGIAN
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
SOIL
LITTER
ROOT
STEM
LEAF
Fig., 2: Comparison of Phosphorus (mg/kg) soil, litter and plant Tissue
Vol. 57 (1&2)
Ecological significance of Ricinus communis Linn.
GOR I SHADMAN
LAWRENCE
101
SAGGIAN
400000
350000
300000
250000
200000
150000
100000
50000
0
SOIL
LITTER
ROOT
STEM
LEAF
Fig., 3: Comparison of Potassium (mg/kg) soil, litter and plant Tissue
GOR I SHADMAN
LAWRENCE
SAGGIAN
250000
200000
150000
100000
50000
0
SOIL
LITTER
ROOT
STEM
LEAF
Fig., 4: Comparison of Calcium (mg/kg) soil, litter and plant Tissue
102
F. MEHMOOD ET AL
GOR I SHADMAN
LAWRENCE
BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN)
SAGGIAN
1200000
1000000
800000
600000
400000
200000
0
SOIL
LITTER
ROOT
STEM
LEAF
Fig., 5: Comparison of Carbon (mg/kg) soil, litter and plant Tissue
CONCLUSION
Appraisal of ecological value clearly suggests that this plant would help
to improve the structure and stability of the disturbed soil. The results clearly
point out that disturbed soil with good drainage and under natural climate
conditions are more responsive to the growth of the R. communis Linn., Biomass
production of individual plants of R. communis Linn., is higher as compared to
other waste land species like Achyranthus aspera , Abutilon indicum, Cassia
occidentalis and Withania somnifera (Rahat, 1996).
REFERENCES
Anonymus, 2006. National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) &
IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)
AOAC, 1990. Official method of analysis,JAOAC. Ed. Sidney William. North
Nineteenth st. Suitte 210, Virginia U.S.A. 70: 970
Devendra, C. & Raghavan, G.V., 1978. Agricultural by-products in South East
Asia: availability, utilization and potential value. World Rev. Anim. Prod.,
14(4):11–27.
Hanemann, W.M., 1988. Economics and the preservation of biodiversity. In
biodiversity, Ed. E.O.Wilson Washington, D.C. National Academy of
Sciences 193-199.
James T A & Harden, G. J., 1990 Flora of New South Wales. National herbarium
N S W. Royal Botanic Garden, Sydmey, Australia.
Kamal, K.J. & Joshi, S.D., 2006. Medicinal and Aromatic plants used in Nepal,
Tibet and Trans- Himalayan Region.Author House, Indiana, USA.pp 166167.
Vol. 57 (1&2)
Ecological significance of Ricinus communis Linn.
103
McNeely, J.A., 1998. Economics and biological diversity; Developing and using
economic incentives to conserve biological resources, Gland,
Switzerland:IUCN.p.119.
nd
Moore, P. D. & Chapman, S. B., 1983. Methods in plant ecology, 2 sd.
Blackwell Scientific Publication, Oxford, p 285-336.
Principe, P.P., 1988. The Economic value of biological diversity among medicinal
plants, Paris, Environment Directorate, Organization of an Economic
Cooperation and Development.p.106.
Rahat, I., 1996. Observations on the growth strategies of 5 colonizers species of
wasteland. (M.Sc. Thesis, Govt. College Lahore)
Rojer, P. & Rix, M., 1999. Annuals and Biennials. London: Macmillan. 106 pp.
Sastri, B. N., 1972. Wealth of India A dictionary of Indian raw material and
industrial products Vol. Ix, Rh-So. Council of Scientific & Industrial
Research, New Delhi. p. 24-40.
104
BIOLOGIA (PAKISTAN)