This study documents the ecological significance and medicinal uses of sand dune flora in Odisha and West Bengal, India. A total of 50 plant species were identified. The plants were found to possess medicinal properties. Traditional uses of these plants include treating various ailments. The study highlights the significance of these sand dune plants in traditional medicine and their potential for pharmaceutical applications. Among the enumerated species, some provide food sources, and few help with nitrogen fixation.
Dalbergia latifolia popularly known as Indian Rosewood, is one of the CITES listed forestry timber species often found illegally logged and marketed. One of the promising techniques for identification and authentication of the same is forensic investigation, which requires DNA with amenable quality and quantity. Here, we describe a modified C-TAB protocol for extracting DNA from different tissues of D. latifolia, and also the effect of sample storage at - 20°C for different period of time on the DNA yield. The DNA was initially isolated from leaf and branch samples on 2nd day after collection and storage, and then extracted at every 20 days interval of sample storage until 200 days, and later at 100 days interval up to 500 days. DNA yield was comparatively more in branch tissues, isolated after the different durations of storage, than in leaf tissues. The quantity and quality of DNA during initial 200 days was better compared to later period of sample storage, though sufficient quantity of DNA with amenable quality was obtained even up to 500 days of storage. However, the DNA band quality for leaf and branch tissues showed smeared pattern depicting DNA damage or shearing, as the storage period increased. Hence, it is better to isolate DNA within lower duration of sample storage, and the method reported herein can be utilised for DNA isolation from woody tissues of D. latifolia for further molecular investigations.
A detailed survey of aquatic macrophytes in Kadambakulam wetland was made during the period of two years (January-2019 to December-2020). A total of 263 species of plants falling under 194 genera and 68 families. Aquatic plants play a vital role in the life of human beings as food, fodder and medicine. The knowledge about utilization of aquatic resources is lacking among the common people and students, in order to make them aware about types of aquatic plants. This baseline data will provide documentation of naturally existing plants in the aquatic ecosystem and to enlighten the risks from invasive aquatic plants in future.
