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Abstract
Seabuckthorn (Hippophae L.), or Dalechuk, as known at local level, is a multipurpose
plant species of high Himalayan habitat. There are two species of Seabuckthorn viz
Hippophae salicifolia D. Don and Hippophae tibetana Schlecht., found frequently in the
high Himalaya. They are known to bear root nodules and fix nitrogen. Similar to H.
tibetana in habit but with more prostrate structure, lower plant population, and
distribution largely limited to southerly exposed riversides was also found (H.
rhamnoides L.?). In this study, they are included under H. tibetana.
Based on quadratic measurements ecological studies on Seabuckthorn were carried
out in Mustang and Manang districts. Range of distribution, density, and frequency
of associated species were also recorded. Composite sampling of soil was also done
and the samples were analyzed for major nutrients (NPK). Comparison between
NPK content and organic matter were studied for the habitats with and without
Seabuckthorn.
Results showed that H. salicifolia occurred between 2,000 m to 2,800 m in Mustang
and 2,100 m to 3,600 m in Manang. Associated species of plants were Pinus
wallichiana, Salix sp., Arundinaria falcata, and Berberis aristata. H. tibetana occurred in
relatively drier habitats with elevations between 2,900 m to 3,950 m in Mustang,
while in Manang the range appeared to be pushed above i.e. between 3,300 m to
4,200 m. As usual to the high altitude central Himalayan habitats, the associated
species were found to be Berberis erythroclada, Caragana brevispina, Lonicera spinosa,
Rosa sericea and Juniperus indica.
Organic matter content varied as 0.1 to 5.03, Nitrogen content-ranged from 0.012% to
0.941%, Phosphorus from 12.15 kg/ha to 170.77 kg/ha and Potassium from 127 kg/ha
to 778 kg/ha. In general, soil analysis indicates that nutrient contents in
Seabuckthorn available sites were more than that of barren mountain lands. They are
nitrogen-fixing plants and therefore, considered potential for soil fertility
improvement.
Introduction
Seabuckthorn (Hippophae L.), locally known as Dalechuk is native to mountain region
of Nepal. It is a multipurpose plant species suited for soil conservation and well
known for its nutritional and medicinal values. National Herbarium and Plant
Laboratory, Plant Research Division; Nepal at Godawari has specimens of three
species of Hippophae, namely Hippophae salicifolia D.Don, Hippophae tibetana Schlecht.
1
and Hippophae rhamnoides L. However, only two species of Hippophae viz, Hippophae
salicifolia and Hippophae tibetana are identified in the high mountain areas of Nepal
(Rongsen, 1992; Shrestha, 1999 and Gupta et al., 2001).
The plant has a very strong tap and horizontal root system. A symbiotic association
has been found on roots of Seabuckthorn resulting root nodule formation. Soil
requirement of Seabuckthorn is sandy and silt loam with good drainage (Rongsen,
1992). Characters such as wide ecological adaptation, fast growth, strong coppicing
and suckering habits coupled with efficient Nitrogen fixation (60-180 kg/ha per year)
make Seabuckthorn well suited for soil conservation, soil improvement and
marginal land reclamation (Rongsen, 1992; Khosla et al., 1994).
Though Seabuckthorn is a multipurpose plant species, it is one of the least known
and unexplored species in Nepal. Thus, this work attempts to study the ecology and
range of distribution of Seabuckthorn in Manang and Mustang districts of Nepal.
Analytical Study
Quadratic studies of Seabuckthorn were done based on well-established methods
(Kershaw, 1973). Requisite size of the quadrat was determined by species area curve
method (Barbour et al., 1980). Appropriate size of the quadrat for the study of
Hippophae salicifolia was 400 m2 (20 m x 20 m) and Hippophae tibetana was 25 m2 (5 m x
5 m). Plant specimens were identified with the help of National Herbarium and
Plant Laboratory, Plant Research Division, Godawari (KATH).
Density
Density is calculated by using the following formula according to Zobel et al. (1987)
Frequency
Frequency is calculated as follows according to Zobel et al. (1987)
2
Soil Analysis
Sampling Technique
About 1kg of soil was collected from Seabuckthorn growing areas and from the
barren lands from the depth of 10 cm and collected samples was packed in a clean
polythene bags tightly. NPK and Organic matter content were analyzed in NARC,
Khumaltar.
10 ( S − T ) x 0.0069 100
O.M. (%) = x
S Weight of soil
Where,
S = ml of ferrous solution required for blank
T = ml of ferrous solution required for sample
Nitrogen (N)
The organic Nitrogen in the form of ammonium was analyzed by using modified
Kjeldahl method (PCARR, 1980).
(T − B ) x N x 14
Percentage N in soil = x 100
S
Where,
T = Sample titration, ml of standard acid
B = Blank titration, ml of standard acid
N = Normality of standard acid
S = Oven-dry weight of sample in mg
Where,
F = Coefficient factor from blank solution
R = Reading in Spectrophotometer
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Where,
F = Dilution factor
R = Reading in Photometer
Results
Range of Distribution
Hippophae salicifolia occurred naturally between 2000m- 2800m, from Ghansa to
Yamkin khola in Mustang. The luxuriant growth of H. tibetana was recorded between
3450m- 3950m from Jhongkhola to Thengar in Mustang.
In Manang, Hippophae salicifolia were observed at the altitudes between 2100m-
3660m from Tache and Dharapani to Tijilon. Similarly, H. tibetana were recorded in
between the altitude of 3300m - 4200m from Pisang to Lattar.
Density of Seabuckthorn
The density of species, H. salicifolia and H. tibetana were calculated as given in figures
(1, 2, 3 and 4).
Figure1: Density of H. salicifolia in M ustang
3000
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
Altitude (m) Density (no/ha)
50000
40000
30000
20000
10000
0
Altitude (m) Density (no/ha)
4
Figure 3: Density of H. salicifolia in Manang Tache
4000 Dharapani
3500 Thonche
3000 Bagarchhap
2500 Tilche
2000
Latamarang
1500
Thanchow k
1000
Surki khola
500
0 Chame
Altitude (m) Density (no/ha) Tijilon
20000 Manang
Khangsar
15000
Gunsang
10000
Yakkharka
5000 Tilichobasecamp
0 Lattar
Altitude (m) Density (no/ha)
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
P inus wallichiana Salix sp. Berberis arist at a Arundinaria falcat a Alnus nepalensis
Species
Manang
Mus tang
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Berberis C aragana Lonicera Ephedra Rosa sericea Cotoneaster Artemisia sp. Clematis sp. J uniperus indica
erythroclada brevispina spinosa gerardiana microphyllus
Species
Manang
Mus tang
5
where the associated species were lacking. The plant species invade the barren lands
as the pioneer species of secondary succession. This species grown and flourishes
with a short interval from altitudinal point of view with occurrence in temperate
regions at elevations ranging from 2000 m to 3600 m.
Soil Analysis
Table 1: Soil Analysis of H. salicifolia growing area of Mustang District
Organic matter Nitrogen
SN Location Phosphorus kg/ha Potassium kg/ha
(%) (%)
1 Ghansa 1.21 0.070 36.49 175
2 Lete Khola 3.48 0.203 35.03 136
3 Larjung 0.13 0.127 24.81 136
4 Barren 0.10 0.059 21.51 129
land
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Organic matter Phosphorus Potassium
SN Location Nitrogen (%)
(%) kg/ha kg/ha
1 Humden 1.07 0.051 19.77 186
2 Khangsar 0.27 0.076 18.97 652
3 Lattar 0.13 0.025 13.18 147
4 Barren land 0.12 0.021 17.51 134
The result showed that organic matter content varied as 0.1% to 5.03%,
Nitrogen content ranged from 0.012% to 0.941%, Phosphorus from 12.15 kg/ha
to 170.77 kg/ha and potassium from 127 kg/ha to 778 kg/ha in the study site.
Recommendations
• The role of local people is quite important for the conservation and management
of Seabuckthorn. The plans for the development and promotion of Seabuckthorn
must justify the following facts:
• Importance of Seabuckthorn on soil conservation, soil improvement and soil
reclamation should be transferred to local people directly, in order to reduce the
resource loss and the barren land reform.
• Intercropping practices of Seabuckthorn with horticultural varieties should be
encouraged for soil fertility improvement.
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Acknowledgement
We are thankful to TISC/NARMSAP for technical support and members of ecological
survey team for their painstaking assistance during the field visit.
References
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