Chapter-9 Results and Discussion

T he IUCN Committee (2000) for threatened has identified 23 factors as possible threats to natural populations. In the study area traditional destructive practice of commercial exploitation of wild plants for medicinal purpose is a major threat and it affects the existence of many species.

The major threat for Chhatarpur district is human interference during festive season. The tallest peak of the Deora forest, were the

Dhubelamuseum, Jhan-jhan Devi and near ken bridge is situated is and important pilgrimage spot. Every year thousands of devotees from

Chhatarpur district and other part of the country visit this place.

Mostly bamboos as out by almost every pilgrim for using or walking sticks for climbing hills. Many shrubs culled and burn by village to keep themselves warm during the cold, winter night.

Unemployment and low labour wage problem lead the tribal for the heavy exploitation of plants for medicinal purpose, which provide some sort of income for their daily needs. A significant amount of medicinal plant are collected from district and sold in local market at

Maharajpur, Bameetha, Bijawar of district, without entering major market places and tribal co-operative societies. More than 50 sp. including many endemic, rare and vulnerable plant species are commercially exploited for sale, were recorded during the present study which include , shrubs, herbs, epiphytes and climbers. It was observed that harvesting the fruit, branches were lopped and for

Dr. Hari Singh Gour Central University, Sagar (M.P.) 103 Chapter-9 Results and Discussion some species the under ground parts were collected. Hens this destructive extraction of plant species will effect the population and regeneration of the plant species being harvested.

To reduce the pressure of over exploitation on wild endemic and medicinal plants and to avoid the adulteration of crude drugs, cultivation of endemic and medicinal plants can be encouraged with the participation of local tribes. To be little the negative impact of over exploitation, the tribal who are involved in the collection of plant species should be given sufficient training in the scientific way of collection. Collection programmes should be planned properly and restricted to a particular season. Cutting of branches to harvest its fruit should be avoided. Annual herbaceous plant species can be continued to be collected by leaving enough propagates for next season's growth. Thus by rationalizing the collection of the plant species a sustained yield from the forests and conservation can be achieved.

Secondary cause of biodiversity exploration is developmental planning, because day by day each an every natural resources like mountain, forest, water bodies are destruction for developmental planning's like Rail way, road development, forelane development, thousands of plant species are of 100-200 years old are distention for road.

Development and destruction have integral relationship with each other, for development of any area there are destruction of

Dr. Hari Singh Gour Central University, Sagar (M.P.) 104 Chapter-9 Results and Discussion natural resources. Chhatarpur district is also comes under developing district, for railway line, forelane, colony development and many other accommodation. There are direct destruction of mountains and forest.

The biodiversity of the district is effecting by natural factor and by human being. So the present work mainly have seen done conserve biodiversity of plants. benghalensis key stone species so present work mainly focused on F. benghalensis .

Plant Description :

Botanical Name : Ficus benghalensis Linn,

Family : Moraceac,

Synonyms : Ficus Inida

Vernacular Names : Eng; tree, Sanskrit: Vata

Bahupada, Hindi : Bar, Bargad, Bengali:

Bot, Bar, Gujarati: Vad, Vadlo, Kannada:

Alada, Mara, Malayalam: Ala, Vatam,

Marathi: Vada, Tamil: Alam, Telugu: Marri

No village was found in without the Banyan tree. There are so many legends about Banyan tree in ancient Hindu scripts. The childless couple usually offers prayers to this venerable tree during the month of 'Jyesta' to fulfill their desire. According to

Mahabhagavata, Savitri worshipped Banyan for saving her husband

Satyavan from Yamaraj. Hindus believe that Lord Mahavishnu sleeps on the Banyan leaf at the end of creation when the earth completely

Dr. Hari Singh Gour Central University, Sagar (M.P.) 105 Chapter-9 Results and Discussion submerged under water during Jalapralaya, Lord Srikrishna known as

'Vatapatrasai' as he slept on Banyan leaf during his childhood. The popular lore is that the name "Banyan tree derived from Hindi word

"Baniya" which means "merchant". In ancient days, the members of

Indian merchant class used to carryout trade in Persian Gulf, with pearl, diamonds and textile products. These Baniyas frequently sit under this tree to discuss about business. Hence Europeans named the tree as Banyan. Hindus usually plant the trees near the temples, shrines and burial ground and seen with respect. In villages, Banyan trees forms the club-houses and rallying points because of its cool shade during hot day. Much gossip will be exchanged on politics under the Banyan tree in rural areas. The trees should not be planted near the homes and buildings. The long roots grow both vertically and horizontally and penetrate into the foundations. After few years, the walls and verandahs will be cracked.

The plant is one of the giant trees of the world. Under prop roots born on the branches enter into the ground and form mighty pillars.

These pillars support the heaviness of branches. Some of the oldest venerable trees are found in Royal Botanical Garden, Sibpur near

Calcutta, Adayar Theosophical Society near Chennai, Gopper in Bihar and Kampto with some state. The Banyan tree, which is present in

Kampto, spread in two-hectare field.

The original stem of Sibpur () Banyan reached to a girth of 16M. The number of prop roots was 480 and the circumference of

Dr. Hari Singh Gour Central University, Sagar (M.P.) 106 Chapter-9 Results and Discussion crown was 40m. The Banyan of Satara in Maharashtra is still larger and reached more than 500 meters. The spread is so surprising that one battalion of army can take shelter under the crown of tree. These trees are principal attractions to be foreign tourists.

It is a sacred tree for Hindus and Buddhists. Lord Buddha got his enlightenment after long meditation under a Banyan tree. The

Banyan tree is symbolic, because it sends sap from above to the earth.

This resembles the function of the world, as it also needs sap or energy for its survival from above, God. Married Hindu ladies worship the Banyan tree for nuptial prosperity. It is a member of the

Naalpamara, a set of four trees to be planted around temples. The tree enjoys a highly esteemed position in the Indian culture and society.

(Purohit and Vyas, 2004).

The tree is broadly scattered throughout the forest of India mainly in deciduous and semi-evergreen forests and planted extensively, in avenue plantations or for shade in village and

Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and some Asian countries.

Taxonomic Description:

The plant is a large milky, evergreen tree with aerial roots and large leaves. Leaves are simple, alternate, and broadly elliptic to ovate, sub-cordate at base, lamina 10-30 cm long, 7-20 cm wide, very coriaceous, pubrulous beneath, lateral veins 5-7 pairs the basal pairs reaching 1/3 of lamina length, petiole 1.5-7 cm long, 5mm wide, puberulous, stipules thick1-1.5 cm long and wide puberulous, figs

Dr. Hari Singh Gour Central University, Sagar (M.P.) 107 Chapter-9 Results and Discussion paired, Sessile. puberulous, depressed globular, 1.5-2 cm diam, maturing orange to red; ostiole broadly unbonate, enclosed by 3 flat apical bracts; basal bracts 3, foliaceous, obtuse, 3-7 mm long, 10-15 mm wide, puberulous. Male flowers pedicellate, tepals 2 or 3. Female flowers sessile, tepals 3 or 4. Gall flowers pedicellate tepals 3 or 4,

(Chew, 1989).

Pollination :

The fruit (Syconium or Fig) and reproduction systems of species in the genus Ficus are unique. Each species of Ficus has an associated species of agaonid wasp (Hymenoptera: Chalcoidea: Agaonidue). Ficus species can only be pollinated by their associated agaonid wasps and in turn, the wasps can only lay eggs within their associated Ficus fruit. For successful pollination and reproduction of Ficus species to occur, its associated pollinator wasp must be present. Conversely, for successful reproduction of aganoid wasp to occur, their associated

Ficus species must be present (Janzen, 1979). The pollinator wasp for

Ficus benghalensis is Eupristina masoni saunders (Nadel et al., 1991).

Propagation :

Ficus seed can not germinate directly it can germinate after eating birds. Because there is one enzyme which is found in insects alimentary canal it break seed dormancy of Ficus benghalensis. Ficus species propagate from seed and many can be propagated from cuttings. Trees can begin life as epiphytes on other trees.

Dr. Hari Singh Gour Central University, Sagar (M.P.) 108 Chapter-9 Results and Discussion

Dispersal :

Plant are initially spread by humans who grows the plant for ornament and use the trees in reforestation. Because the pollinator wasp is not yet present, Ficus benghalensis seeds are not viable. Other species of Ficus that do have wasps present are spread by fruit eating birds. Various birds observed by the authors foraging and roosting in

Ficus benghalensis trees on mani include mynah birds (Acridotheres tristis tritis), blue faced doves (Geopelia striata), lace necked doves

(Streptopelia chinensis) and house sparrows passer domesticus).

Pest and diseases:

Brickell and Zuk (1997) report the following pests associated with Ficus species: mealybugs scale insects, spider mites, root knot nematodes, and thrips occur under most environmental conditions, fungal and bacterial leaf spots, crown gall, twig dieback, and southern blight.

During study period of phytosociological data shows tremendous changes because in rainy season there is heavy rain in the month of July and August. So there are more frequent flora of herbaceous plants but in summer season with temperature ranging up to 41ºC no such herbaceous plant can be seen, only few parts of plants are present. In winter season both type of plants herbaceous and tree can be seen.

In the present phytosociological work have been done during study period shown in table 5.1.

Dr. Hari Singh Gour Central University, Sagar (M.P.) 109 Chapter-9 Results and Discussion

Data reveals Abrus-precatorius L., Achyranthes-aspera L.,

Acorus-Calamus L., Andrograhis-paniculata, Andrographis-echioides (L.)

Nees, Andropogon-hirtiflous Hook F., Aristida-adcen-sionis L., Aristida- funiculata Trin Rupr., Aristida reducta staf., Arthraxon-lancifulius,

Amaranthus-caudatns L., Bauhinia-Varigata L., Bidens-bitemata (Lour.),

Boerhavia-diffusa L., Bombax-ceiba L., Calonyction-muricatum, G.Don.,

Chenopodium-vulgaris, Chenopodium-mural L., Cessus-auriculata wall,

Cissus-guadrangularis, Croton-roxburghii, Cuscuta-reflexa Roxb.,

Cappairs-pachylla, Dermodium-gangeticum (L.), Dermodium-betrocarpon

(L.), Desmodium-laxiflorum, Dermodium-polycarpum (poir), Desmodium- triflorum L., Eragrostis-minor Host., Euphorbia-hypericifolia, Euphorbia- milii, Euphorbia-pilulifera, Eugenia-floceosa, Ficus-benghalensis L.,

Ficus-glomerata Roxb. Ficus-hispida, Ficus-palmata, Ficus-virens Ait,

Fimbrirtylis-littoralis Gaud., Flacourtia-indica (Burnf.), Gloriosa-superba

L., Leucas-cephaloter, Mortynia-annua L., Momordica-pigra, Nelumbo- nucifera Guerth, Nelumbium-speciosus willd, Nymphaca-nouchali Burm

F., Nymphoides-cristatum, Panicum-flavidum, Panicum-punctatum,

Polygala-chinensis auct. non L., Polygala-arvensis willd, poa-aspera, potomogeton-crispus L., Potomogeton-indicus L., Polyathea-rufescens,

Ranunculus-scleratus L., Rorippa-Indica, Sagittaria-guayanensis,

Sagittaria-sagittifolia L., Scirpus-barbatus Rottb., Scirpus-cyperoides L.,

Strychnus-nuxvomica L., Shorea-robusta, Syzygium-myhandrae,

Syzygium-baurdillenii, Syzygium-manii, Syzygium-parames woranii,

Tinospora-cardifolia, Tndex-procumbens. L., Triyolium-alexandrianum

Dr. Hari Singh Gour Central University, Sagar (M.P.) 110 Chapter-9 Results and Discussion

L., Vanda-tessellata L., Verbesina-prostrata L., Vetiveria-zizanioides

Nash., Vitex-rotundifolia, Xanthium-stramanium L., Zizyphus- nummularia Lamk.

In the present research phytosociological studies were done on

72 plant species in different plant diversity at all sites of Chhatarpur district (Table 5.1). Out of 72 species belonging are as - 30 endangered, 5 critical endangered and 37 species recorded vulnerable.

The phytosociological data most frequent species include as

Achyranthus-aspera, Andrographis-echioides, Aristida adcensionis,

Amaranthus caudatus, Boerhavia diffusa, cuscuta reflexa, Euphorbia- hypericifolia, Euphorbia-milii, Momordica charautia, Ranunculus scleratus,

Sagittaria guayanensis, Tridex procombense, Trifolium alexandrianum,

Vitex nirgundo, Xanthium strumarium and the less frequent species are

Arthraxun lancifolius, Bidens-bitemata, Cissus auodrangularis, Croton- roxburghii, Desmodihium triflorum L., Ficus benghalensis L., Ficus glomerata, Ficus hispida, Ficus palmate, Ficus virens, Finbristylis littoralis, Flacourtia indica, Martynia annua L., Mucuna puriens L.,

Mukia arn, Guerth, Nymphaea nouchali, Polygala arvensis, Poa aspera, Rorippa indica, Scripus barbotus, Scripus cyperoides, Tinospora cardifolia, Vanda tessellata, Verbesina prostrata,

Vetiveria zizanioides, Zizyphus nummularia. On the basis of our data, it is possible to affirm that there is high diversity of medicinal plants at the district. On the basis of above phytosociological data maximum

Dr. Hari Singh Gour Central University, Sagar (M.P.) 111 Chapter-9 Results and Discussion density recorded in Abrus precatorius, Andographis peniculata,

Andographis echioides, Cuscuta reflexa, Euphorbia hypericifolia,

Euphorbia pilulifera, Penicum flavidum, Panicum punctatum, Polygala arvensis are dominant species at the district and Acorus calamus L.,

Aristida adcensionis L., Aristida Funiculata Trin, Arthraxun lancifolius,

Bidens bitemata (Lour.), Chenopodiun valgaris, Cissus auodrangularis,

Croton roxburghii, Cuscuta reflexa Roxb., Desmodium gangeticum (L.),

Desmodium hetrocarpon (L.), Desmodium laxiflorum, Desmodium polycarpum (poir), Desmodium triflorum L., Euphorbia hypericifolia,

Euphorbia pilulifera, Ficus benghlensis L., Ficus glomerata Roxb., Ficus hispida, Ficus palmata, Ficus virens Ait, Fimbristylis littoralis Craud,

Flacourtia indica (Bum F.), Gloriosa superba L., Leucas cephalotes,

Momordica charantia, Momordica dioica Roxb, Mucuna puriens L.,

Mukia arn, Nelumbo nucifera Guerth, Nelumbium speciosum willd,

Nymphaea nouchali Burmf, Nymphoides cristatum, Potomogeton indicus

Roxb, Ranunculus seleratus L., Rorippa indica, Sagittaria sagittifolia L.,

Scirpus barbotus Rottb., Scirpus cyperoides L., Strychnus nuxvomica L.,

Shorea robusta, Tinospora cardifolia, Trifolium alexandrianum L.,

Vanda tessellata (Roxb.), Verbesina prostrata L., Vetiveria zizanioides

Nash, Vitex rotundifolia, Xanthium strumarium L., Zizyphus nummularia Lamk are co-dominant species at the district.

The soil parameters were appropriately related with the type of vegetation. Therefore, we must know the composition of soil of that

Dr. Hari Singh Gour Central University, Sagar (M.P.) 112 Chapter-9 Results and Discussion area (Chhatarpur district) by which we would increase the programmes like aforestation, re-forestation, Social forestry, agro- forestry and reduce environmental problems.

Anthelmintic activity of Ficus-benghalensis stem and roots are confirmed by examination the time taken for paralysis and death of earthworms were reported in above table. The essay was performed on adult Indian earthworm, Pheretima posthuma due to its anatomical and physiological resemblance with the intestinal roundworm parasite of human being (Nirmal et al., 2007 and Vaishali et al., 2009; Aswar et al., 2008) because of easy availability earthworm have been used widely for the initial evaluation of anthelmintic compound in vitro

(Shivkar et al., 2003).

As shown in Table 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 concentrated leachet of leaves of

Ficus benghalensis also give effect on earthworm at more time interval.

So we can say that leaves are also effective but stem and roots have more effective, from the result, it is conclude that the leachet of Ficus benghalensis stem and root showed significant anthelmintic activity, when compared with the drug may be further exploited for its phytochemical profile to identity the active constituent responsible for anthelmintic activity.

Phenological observation in Ficus benghalensis is very important because it is member of family , the seeds of family Moraceae can not germinate directly they can germinate with the help of birds

Dr. Hari Singh Gour Central University, Sagar (M.P.) 113 Chapter-9 Results and Discussion because there is one enzyme which is responsible for breaking seed dormancy of these members. So from germination till fruit maturation this plant shows much variations. In Ficus benghalensis there are no leaf fall in dry deciduous forest.

On the basis of above observation we can say that the plant of

Ficus benghalensis which was situated near water body have different phenological observation than forest. Because the plant which situated near water body is rich in nutrients and there is much diversity of birds, the diversity and dispersal rate of seed is higher near water body and forest but less in road side plant. Due to pollution, population exploitation and Industrialization the bird diversity are lesser on road side so this plant sows different phenological observation.

India has an ancient heritage of traditional medicine. The material medica of India provides a great deal of information on the folklore practices and traditional aspects of therapeutically important natural products. Indian traditional medicines based on various systems including Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathy. The evaluation of these plants drugs is primarily based on phytochemical pharmacological and allied approaches including various instrumental techniques. With the emerging worldwide interest in adopting and studying traditional system and exploiting their potential based on different health care systems, the evaluation of the rich heritage of

Dr. Hari Singh Gour Central University, Sagar (M.P.) 114 Chapter-9 Results and Discussion traditional medicine is essential. In this regard, on such plant is Ficus benghalensis Linn. Syn. Ficus banyana Oken (Family - Maraceae).

Medicinal importance of F. benghalensis show very effective and valuable plant because this is not only holly plant but Leucorrhoea,

Toothache, Improving memory, Dysentery, Pimple, Piles, Arthritis,

Hair falling and Gyanic disorder can be cured by Ficus benghalensis.

Each and every part, stem, roots, leaves, bark, milky latex, flower bud, fruits, aerial roots are important. This is ever green plant. Beside ethnomedicinal importance it is also known as antibacterial antifungal, antiviral, antinemeticidal activity.

Dr. Hari Singh Gour Central University, Sagar (M.P.) 115