Assisted regeneration for mass multiplication and conservation of vulnerable Myristica andamanica Hook f. from Bay Islan
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Assisted regeneration for mass multiplication and conservation of vulnerable Myristica andamanica Hook f. from Bay Islands, India Ajit Arun Waman
. Pooja Bohra
Received: 2 April 2020 / Accepted: 10 June 2020 Ó Springer Nature B.V. 2020
Abstract Myristica andamanica Hook f., an economically and ecologically important member of the Myristicaceae family, is endemic to Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It has been categorized as vulnerable by IUCN and hence, conscious efforts for conservation are required. In the present study, assisted regeneration through nursery raising was standardized. Studies revealed that water-sinking and nonrattling seeds should be used for propagation. Highest seed germination (76.3%) and seedling vigour index (2944.8) were observed when hull was retained and seeds were soaked in water for 24 h prior to sowing. Ex situ conservation and habitat enrichment activities undertaken have been discussed. Keywords Andaman and Nicobar Islands Endemic Germination Myristicaceae Seedling vigour index
A. A. Waman (&) P. Bohra Division of Horticulture and Forestry, ICAR- Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, P.B. No. 181, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744101, India e-mail: [email protected]
Introduction Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI) comprises of 572 tropical islands and islets distributed between 6°– 14°N and 92°–94° E in the Bay of Bengal. These islands are known to hold rich diversity of flora and ca. 300 species have been reported to be endemic to these islands (Murugan et al. 2016). The islands harbor good diversity of wild nutmeg species (Myristicaceae) and species belonging to Myristica, Knema and Horsfieldia genera have been reported from here (Singh et al. 2016). Myristica andamanica Hook. f. is an endemic species, trees of which can grow 8–25 m high. The species has been reported to be one of the dominant species in evergreen forests of Andaman Islands (Reddy et al. 2010). Flowering coincides with rains (July–August) and fruiting (Fig. 1a) season extends from October to March. Fruits are large (4.5–6.5 cm 9 2.5–3.5 cm), yellowish with brown scurf (De Wilde 1997). Each fruit generally contains single seed, weighing about 12.5–16.2 g. The species is valued for a variety of purposes locally. Nut decoction is used to cure fever by Nicobarese tribe (Kumar et al. 2006). Its nuts are also used for creating body heat and for curing cough and cold (Ahlawat et al. 2001). Leaves and twigs of this species are used to prepare garlands which are worn during sickness by the aboriginal Jarawa tribe of these islands (Sharief and Panda 2017), probably indicating its potential in aromatherapy. Methanolic extract from
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Genet Resour Crop Evol Fig. 1 Myristica andamanica in Andaman Islands. a Developing fruits; b twin seed; c occurrence of polyembryony and d seeds of previous year showing damage due to pathogens and abiotic factors
leaves had shown wound healing activities in Swiss albino mice (Arunachalam a
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