Original Paper

Ecological Study of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae L.) in Mustang and Manang Districts, Nepal

Khilendra Gurung and Vimal N P GuptaCentral Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

AbstractSeabuckthorn (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.

IntroductionSeabuckthorn (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. and Hippophae rhamnoides L. However, only two species of Hippophae viz, Hippophae salicifolia and Hippophae tibetana are identified in the high

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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.

Materials and MethodsStudy AreaThe study area extends from Ghansa to Thengar, lying between 280 36’ 77”–290 15’ 2” N latitude and 830 35’ 701” – 830 58’ 45” E longitude in Mustang district. Similarly, in Manang district, the study area extends from Tache, Dharapani to Lattar, lying between 280 31’ 52”– 280 44’ 17” N latitude and 830 54’ 23”–840 28’ 28” E longitude.

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).

DensityDensity is calculated by using the following formula according to Zobel et al. (1987)

FrequencyFrequency is calculated as follows according to Zobel et al. (1987)

Soil AnalysisSampling Technique

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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.

Soil Organic Matter (SOM)The percentage of organic matter was analyzed by Walkley-Black method and calculated by using formula according to PCARR (1980).

O.M. (%) =

Where, S = ml of ferrous solution required for blankT = 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).

Percentage N in soil =

Where,T = Sample titration, ml of standard acidB = Blank titration, ml of standard acidN = Normality of standard acidS = Oven-dry weight of sample in mg

Available Phosphorus (P2O5)It was measured using modified Troug's Method (Ayres-Hagihara). Spectrophotometer was used in this method (PCARR, 1980).

Phosphorus (P) kg /ha. = F x R

Where, F = Coefficient factor from blank solutionR = Reading in Spectrophotometer

Exchangeable Potassium (K2O)It was tested by using flame Photometer method (PCARR, 1980).

Potassium (K) kg/ha = F x R

Where,F = Dilution factorR = Reading in Photometer

ResultsRange of DistributionHippophae salicifolia occurred naturally between 2000m- 2800m, from Ghansa to Yamkin khola in Mustang. The luxuriant growth of H. tibetana

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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 SeabuckthornThe density of species, H. salicifolia and H. tibetana were calculated as given in figures (1, 2, 3 and 4).

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Frequency of Associated SpeciesCommon Associates from Mustang and Manang are as follows:

Ecology of Hippophae salicifolia The plant species occurred on the fragile lands with weak soil composition and unfertile river fords. Newly emerging plants were grown abundantly along the fords 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.

Ecology of Hippophae tibetana This species occurred frequently in alpine tundra habitats ranging from altitudes of 2900 m to 4200 m. Excluding few exceptions, all the plants were recorded within the periphery of 100 m apart on either side from the water sources.

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Similar to H. tibetana in habit but with more prostrate structure, lower plant population, and distribution limited to southerly exposed riversides were also recorded (H. rhamnoides L.?). But in this study, it is considered under H. tibetana. Generally, they are distributed in barren, least fertile open fields, landslide zones near water sources, mostly on south west facing slopes of high altitudes in Mustang and Manang.

Soil AnalysisTable 1: Soil Analysis of H. salicifolia growing area of Mustang District

SN Location Organic matter (%)

Nitrogen (%)

Phosphorus kg/ha

Potassium kg/ha

1 Ghansa 1.21 0.070 36.49 1752 Lete

Khola3.48 0.203 35.03 136

3 Larjung 0.13 0.127 24.81 1364 Barren

land0.10 0.059 21.51 129

Table 2: Soil Analysis of H. tibetana growing area of Mustang District

SN Location Organic matter (%)

Nitrogen (%)

Phosphorus kg/ha

Potassium kg/ha

1 Jharkot 1.14 0.083 23.35 7782 Ghami 2.01 0.127 58.38 1753 Chhoser 0.67 0.051 63.26 7674 Barren

land0.10 0.012 12.15 127

Table 3: Soil Analysis of Hippophae salicifolia growing of Manang District

SN Location Organic matter (%)

Nitrogen (%)

Phosphorus kg/ha

Potassium kg/ha

1 Bagarchhap

1.34 0.064 46.13 343

2 Surkikhola

2.01 0.121 37.95 175

3 Chame 5.03 0.941 170.77 2924 Barren

land1.03 0.039 37.17 162

Table 4: Soil Analysis of Hippophae tibetana growing area of Manang District

SN Location Organic matter (%)

Nitrogen (%)

Phosphorus kg/ha

Potassium kg/ha

1 Humden 1.07 0.051 19.77 1862 Khangsar 0.27 0.076 18.97 6523 Lattar 0.13 0.025 13.18 1474 Barren

land0.12 0.021 17.51 134

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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.

Discussion and ConclusionGeographical and climatic factors seem to greatly affect the distribution and morphological characteristics of Seabuckthorn. Variations in the distribution of Seabuckthorn in Mustang and Manang districts were associated to differences in micro-climatic conditions. The study indicated that Manang has higher individual of H. salicifolia forest compared to Mustang, which may be due to the moist climate reflecting abundance of high altitude forest in Manang. But individuals of H. tibetana scrub was found more in Mustang than in Manang district due to windy and drier habitats of Mustang. The organic matter content and Nitrogen were higher in H. salicifolia growing habitats than that of H. tibetana growing habitats in both Mustang and Manang districts. However, the exchangeable Potassium was found comparatively higher in H. tibetana growing sites of both districts. But the amount of available Phosphorus varies considerably in both districts. In general, soil analysis indicates that major nutrient contents in Seabuckthorn available sites were more than that of barren land without it. Rongsen (1992) identified the symbiotic mycorrhizal/actinorrhizal associations as Frankia found in Seabuckthorn root. This symbiosis between the association and Seabuckthorn results in root nodule formation that can fix the maximum amount of atmospheric Nitrogen to soil. Quangzhong et al. (1989) and Daiqiong et al. (1995) reported the same results in North and North and Northwestern China. Hence, Seabuckthorn is Nitrogen fixing plant and therefore considered potential for soil fertility improvement.

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.

AcknowledgementWe are thankful to TISC/NARMSAP for technical support and members of ecological survey team for their painstaking assistance during the field visit.

References Barbour, M.G.J.H. Burk and W.D. Pitts (1980). Terrestrial Plant

Ecology. Benjamin Cummings Publ. Co. Inc., London.

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Daiqiong, L., L. Yimin and C. Xinhai (1995). Benefits and Prospects of Arial Sowing of Seabuckthorn on the Loess Plateau of China. In: L. Shunguang and L. Min (Eds.), Proceedings of International Workshop on Seabuckthorn, Beijing. 139-150.

Gupta, V.N., V.P. Nepal, D.P. Poudyal, S. Ghimire, K. Adhikari and C.K. Subedi (2001). Ecology and Distribution of Seabuckthorn (Hippophae spp.) Resources in Northwest Nepal. A Report Submitted to TISC/NARMSAP, Hattisar, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Kershaw, K.R. (1973). Quantitative and Dynamic Plant Ecology. Edward Arnold Limited, London.

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Quangzhong, L., W. Zhengmin and L. Min (1989). Multiple Effects of Artificial Common Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) Forests in Western Liaoning. In: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), Xian, China. 288-297.

Rongsen, L. (1992). Seabuckthorn: A Multipurpose Plant Species for Fragile Mountains. Occasional Paper No. 20, ICIMOD, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Shrestha, T.B. (1999). Nepal Country Report on Biological Diversity. IUCN, Kathmandu, Nepal.

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