ISSN 2348 – 0319 International Journal of Innovative and Applied Research (2015), Volume 3, Issue (3): 9- 12

Journal home page: http://www.journalijiar.com INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE AND APPLIED RESEARCH

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Myriostachya wightiana (Nees ex Steud.) Hook. f. (): ecology, distribution and economic importance in mangrove swamps

*S.C. Sahu1, N.K. Dhal2 and N.H. Ravindranath1 1. Centre for Sustainable Technologies, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012. 2. Environment & Sustainability Department, CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar-751013. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Abstract: Myriostachya wightiana (Nees ex Steud.) Hook. f. is one of the important salt marsh grass in mangrove areas belonging to the family Poaceae. It plays a vital role in soil conservation, phytoremediation, provides habitat for fishes and other organisms and livelihood to local rural people in and around mangrove areas. We have conducted few case studies to explore the uses of by local people. This information was collected through opened/structured/participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methods. This paper describes morphology, distribution, ecology and process of craft products preparation.

Key Words: Salt marsh grasses, distribution, ecology, craft products preparation. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Introduction Salt marsh grasses and mangrove trees are foundation species that control ecosystem dynamics and, in stressful and highly dynamic environments, provide the structural properties needed by other species. Hence, the ecological and conservation implications of these plants could be large in coastal wetlands. Myriostachya wightiana (Nees ex Steud.) Hook. f. is one of the important salt marsh in mangrove areas belonging to the family Poaceae. It is a perennial grass grows along the muddy creeks and channels in inter‐ tidal mangrove swamps of Ganges Delta of and Bangladesh and extending into , Malaysia and Vietnam. In India it is mainly distributed in east coast of Bay of Bengal, South India. It shows a wide range of distribution throughout saline swampy mangrove area due to its anatomical adaptive features like thick epidermis (stem, leaf and root), development of sclerenchyma tissues in vascular system, salt secretary glands in the leaf, prominent metaxylem and large phloem area in stem and leaf, thick cortex and lignification of exodermis in the root (Rashid and Ahmed 2011). Due to its ecological and economic significance, it is pretty worthy to explore this for conservation perspectives.

Materials and methods Plant specimens were collected from different sites of Mahanadi Delta Area, of Odisha. All specimens were identified [Gamble and Fischer (1915-35); Haines (1921-25); Saxena and Brahmam (1996)], processed and preserved in the Herbarium (RRL-B) of CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar. Information on this plant was collected through Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) method, open ended and structured interviews during 2014-15. During PRA study different groups of rural people were interviewed independently and each group was asked some questions regarding the uses of plants and technical methods of preparation for final handicraft products.

Description: Perennial, large, densely tufted grass upto 1-2 (-3) m tall. Leaves basal, linear, 1-1.5 m long, 10-20 mm wide, acuminate, smooth, sheaths very long, ligule reduced to very narrow rim. Inflorescence a long narrow panicle 15-20 (-30) cm by 4-10 cm wide; rachis smooth, branches many crowded, fascicled and whorled. Spikelet smooth, pedicelled, 6-8mm long, 4-8 flowered. Glumes unequal 1 & 2, 1-nerved keeled with a long awn, stamens 3. Caryopsis with pericarp attached, ovoid, laterally compressed. Embryo disseminated comprising a spikelet

Ecology: Estuarine grass in mud or soil influenced by the tides. Often occurring together with Acanthus ilicifolius, Nypa friticans, Porteresia coarctata etc. mangrove associate species (Fig. 1). Provides habitat for many fishes and other 9

ISSN 2348 – 0319 International Journal of Innovative and Applied Research (2015), Volume 3, Issue (3): 9- 12 organisms. It favours more saline water than fresh water for it growth and development. It can be vagetatively propagated from one area to another with whole plants transplantation, which takes 15 days to establish in new areas. Fig.1 Myriostachya wightiana (Nees ex Steud.) Hook. f. in nature’s view

Distribution: From South (India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka) to Southeast Asia. It has been also recorded in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia (Sumatra). In India it is mainly distributed in east coast of Bay of Bengal (Odisha, West Bengal) and South India.

Economic importance: Commonly used as fodder grass and thatching material. Ecologically very important for phytorememediation and checks soil erosion effectively. Besides some case studies were done in mangrove areas embracing Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha, India to document the local uses. Mature plants culms are collected, rubbed with soil and dry in sunlight for one week. Some leaves are painted with different colours. Generally dry culms are boiled in water and then add colours followed by immediate drying in shade. After drying 3 days again it has to be kept in water for three hours. Removing from water dry in open place over night time and now the material is ready for making handicraft products like, flower vases, rice and fish washing pots, asana, sera, vegetables keeping pots etc. They are following the traditional handicraft methods for making products. They use some equipment for these purposes and products are shown in fig.2. These products are appreciated in local markets with good market value. Some of them make it as a profession for livelihood. But the problem is available of raw grasses, because Forest Dept. Of Odisha abandoned mangrove areas for firewood collection and also any non-timber forest products collection. Hence, local people depending upon this grass are losing their occupation. We strongly recommend to Forest Department of Odisha to implement few sustainable and participatory policies to help rural people for their livelihood security as well as conserving mangrove forests to save our rich bio resources.

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ISSN 2348 – 0319 International Journal of Innovative and Applied Research (2015), Volume 3, Issue (3): 9- 12

Fig.2 Handicraft products preparation and final products

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ISSN 2348 – 0319 International Journal of Innovative and Applied Research (2015), Volume 3, Issue (3): 9- 12

Acknowledgement We would like to thank SERB, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India for funding the carbon sequestration project on mangroves of Odisha.

References

Gamble JS, Fischer CEC. (1915-1935): Flora of Presidency of Madras. Vols 1-3. Adlard and Son Ltd, London, UK.

Haines HH. (1921-25): The Botany of Bihar and Orissa. Arnold & Sons & West Nirman, London.

Rashid P, Ahmed A. (2011): Anatomical adaptation of Myriostachya wightiana Hook. f. to salt stress. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci., 20(2), 205‐ 208.

Saxena HO, Brahmam M. (1996): The Flora of Orissa. Vols I-IV. Orissa Forest Development Corporation Ltd, Bhuabneswar, India.

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