Nutrient Analysis of Rhizospheric and Non-Rhizospheric Soil of Saussurea obvallata (DC.) Edgew. (Brahma Kamal) from Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, India
Keywords:
Brahma Kamal, Kedarnath Valley, Micro-Nutrients, Macro-Nutrients, Non-Rhizospheric, Rhizospheric Soil.Abstract
Saussurea obvallata (DC.) Edgew. (Brahma Kamal) is an endangered medicinal herb of the high altitude
Himalayan region with immense cultural significance. This study is on the analysis of micro and macro nutrients
in the rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soils from S. obvallata. The amount and availability of nutrients
absorbed through the plant roots is an important factor affecting growth and development. The macro-elements
and micro-elements are essential for healthy plant growth. For the present study, soil samples were collected
from four sites where this species was known to be present as well as from area where the plant was introduced
in recent times. The results indicated that soil nutrients, including Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn ranged from 0.22 – 2.02, 0.56
– 1.27, 0.00 – 19.23, and 0.00 – 2.02 ppm, respectively. The amount of available carbon, potassium, and
phosphorus ranged from 0.64 – 0.99 %, 99.83 – 301.35, and 8.93 – 26.90 Kg/hectare, respectively. This
investigation gives baseline information about the nutrients in rhizospheric and non-rhizospheric soil of S.
obvallata. Such data are expected to be helpful for developing conservation and restoration strategies for this
endangered plant.
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