Ecological Studies on Two Endangered Medicinal Plants Bacopa monnieri L and centella asiatica L

Abstract

The present paper on Ecological Studies on Two Endangered Medicinal Plants- Bacopa monnieri L. and Centell asiatica L. was carried out in Hazaribag district of Jharkhand. Due to some similar medicinal values both the plants Bacopa monnieri and Centella asiatica are known as Brahmi in spite of belonging to different families. An attempt was made to fill up the gap in knowledge regarding their ecology along with morphology, anatomy and biochemistry of these two plants. Samples of both the plants were collected from different ecological habitats of Hazaribag. Thereafter their morphometric data were recorded and soil test was done to know the quality of soil at different places. Result shows that both the plants require good amount of moisture and alkaline soil for their proper growth. Along with them, availability of nutrients such as organic carbon, Na, K, Ca and P also promote their growth. Anatomical features of root, stem and leaves were studied. Thickness of different layers was recorded to see whether there is any difference or not. Phytochemical studies were also done which suggested greater concentration of them at Vinoba Bhave University campus area. For cultivation purpose the samples were procured from NBPGR, Delhi and grown in botanical garden of Vinoba Bhave University, Hazaribag, under different cultivation conditions and few cuttings were also grown without any manipulations which acted as control and replica were being maintained by providing three different doses of compost- vermicompost, mixture of vermicompost and farm yard manure and only farm yard manure. It was found that both the plants require different doses of compost for optimal growth. Centella asiatica grows well in farm yard manure whereas Bacopa monnieri was well suited to vermicompost. So the present study will fill up some lacuna regarding ecological aspect of these two plants.