AN ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITIVE VALUE, RARITY AND CONSERVATION OF MONSONIA HELIOTROPIOIDES (CAV) BOISS. — A THREATENED PLANT OF NORTH-WEST RAJASTHAN, INDIA

摘要

Monsonia heliotropioides (Mayur Shikha) is a rare herbaceous fodder plant of north-west Rajasthan whose population has been continuously decreasing. It was observed only from a few localities having calcarious cankar land with a very scanty population. Protection of habitat may be an effective control measure for the conservation of this species. From the leaves 23.77% crude proteins, 58.79% carbohydrates, 5.36% crude fat and only 5.89% crude fibres were estimated. All plant parts had an appreciableamount of minerals. Tannins were present in all the parts with a maximum concentration in leaves, whereas alkaloids and saponins were not detected. Seed germination was observed only under mechanical scarification. Besides poor germination percentage other reason observed for rarity, were specific habitat and its disappearance, easy grazing of whole umbellate inflorescence consequently low seed production and dispersal mechanism of fruit.