Abstract
The phenological study provides an idea about the plant reproductive success and is a key bio-indicator providing temporal and spatial information concerning climate change. The present study recorded phenophases of 14 wild edible vegetables from different forest of Aizawl district, Mizoram Northeast India. Five healthy individuals of each species were selected to make out the timing and duration of various phenological events for three years consecutively. The study revealed that maximum plant species undergoing leaf initiation were highest during March and April for all the three years under investigation. The longest new leaf development period was observed in Acacia pennata, Solanum torvum and Crotalaria tetragona which lasted for 17 weeks each in three consecutive years. The leaf fall was observed in nine species which coincided with the dry seasons. The longest period for flower bud formation was observed in Dyxosylum excelsum lasting for 18 weeks in 2015. The flowering peak was observed during August 2016 (50%) and alternative small peak in April for the three consecutive years. The duration of the flowering period for all the species was between 33 days (Azadirachta indica) to 139 days (Solanum torvum). 57.14% of plant species showed maximum fruiting during October 2017. Comparing three years of data, the maximum seed formation was observed during December 2017 (50%). Among the species investigated, maximum seed fall was observed during the month of February 2015, February 2017, and November 2016. Rainfall and temperature were significantly correlated (P < 0.01) with the phenological events. This investigation will provide baseline information in understanding the stability and timing of their biological events, which could also be a significant tool for the management and conservation of wild edible vegetables.
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Authors are thankful to the Department of Botany, Mizoram University, Department of Agriculture, Government of Mizoram and Pachhunga University College for supporting the work.
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Lalmuanpuii, R., Zothanpuia, Zodinpuii, B. et al. Phenological observations of selected wild edible vegetables from tropical and subtropical forest of Mizoram, Northeast India. Vegetos 33, 409–419 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42535-020-00123-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42535-020-00123-8