Nelumbo - The Bulletin of the Botanical Survey of India

S. C. Pandeya ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, University School of Sciences, Ahmedabad-9, IN

Abstract

The paper aims to demonstrate the role of the biological environment in shaping a plant species. Genetically and physiologically controlled demands and range of tolerance and their interactions produce a mosaic of populations. It is in these populations that 'ecads' and 'ecotypes are distinguished.

The paper gives suitable examples of adaptations, ecads and ecotypes.

This has opened a new line of work in taxonomic studies. Slight differences in morphological or even physiological characters of otherwise similar species should not be taken to separate the spécies taxonomically. Only ecological experimentation will provide the final answer.

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S. C. Pandeya ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, University School of Sciences, Ahmedabad-9, IN

Abstract

Paper describes how autecology can, (i) distinguish between species which are genetically different but otherwise look similar, (ii) species which have been given different latin names on the basis of morphology alone and which are only ecological variants of a particular species ; and (iii) the distribution of a species.

Suitable examples have been described for each study.

A tentative scheme has also been given for Biological Flora studies for unification of the work.

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S. C. Pandeya ¹, N. K. Jain ²

Affiliations
1 Gujarat University, School of Sciences, Ahmedabad, IN
2 Government Science College, Jabalpur, IN

Abstract

The paper describes the foliar analysis of sal (Shores robusta Gaertn. f.) and the physico-chemical status of soils under the respective sal forests of Madhya Pradesh.

The soils are fresh, immature to leached down ones. The best growth of sal, as determined by Relative Growth Index (RGI-a new concept) is base poor, leached-down sandy loams. Coarse, fresh and thin soils under sal climate have poor growth of the species; and medium growth is registered in comparatively base richer soils.

The soils are discussed to have been derived so by the process of 'laterisation' under the forest floor and the existing climate.

Further, foliar analysis confirms the chemical status of the soils and reveals that sal is not a heavy demander of soil bases.

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