Phytodiversity using Microscopic Characterization in Potohar Plateau Pakistan

Abstract

This Project is the systematics exploration of floral diversity of Potohar Plateau Pakistan using quantitative and qualitative micro-morphological characterization. Floral diversity of the study area is first time documented systematically with comprehensive qualitative and quantitative micromorpholgical analysis. Field trips were conducted in different areas of Potohar Plateau including Attock, Chakwal, Mianwali, Soon sakesar, Miani Village, Uchali Lake, Kabbaki Lake, Kalla Chitta Hills, Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The plants were collected, identified, pressed, dried, preserved and deposited in the Herbarium of Pakistan (ISL), Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad. The highest number of species belongs to family Asteraceae (29 species), Fabaceae (22 species),Amaranthaceae (17 species), Poaceae (15 species) and remaining species belongs to different families. The first section is confined to Palyno morphological characters studied by Light Microscope (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) . The Pollen micro-morphological variations observed during this study include pollen shape and size, Polar and equatorial diameter, pore size,P/E ration, apertures, Length and width of spines and exine thickness. Similarly remarkable variations regarding pollen exine sculpturing was reported among various families from reticulate,microechinate, scabrate, verrucate, microechinate-aerolate types. The Second section is confined to Seeds morphological characters studied by Light Microscope (LM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The Seeds micro-morphological variations observed during this study include Length and width of seed, L/W ratio, color, shape, anticlinal wall pattern, periclinal wall thickness, anticlinal wall protuberance, periclinal wall elevation, surface sculpturing. Total 103 plant species were studied for palynological description via light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In family Asteraceae largest pollen size was found in Bidens pilosa (97.5um), while the lowest pollen size was observed in Carthamus lanatus (12.5um). In family Amaranthaceae largest pollen was found in Amaranthus gracizens (81um), while the lowest pollen size was observed Digeria muricata (11.50um). In Fabaceae largest pollen is observed in Lespedeza juncea (38um), while lowest size in Prosopis cineraria (14.3um) Based on systematics exploration of various macro and micro characters (LM and SEM), the diagnostic palynological characters includes exine sculpturing, shape of pollen, number of colpi and spines. DRSML QAU Seed micromorphology was studied in 40 species belong to two families Asteraceae and Fabaceae. Seed shape in asteraceous and fabaceous species observed was Linear, Linear fusiform, curved-ring shaped, oblanceolate, obovoid, cylindrical, Pointed and Linear lanceolate. The highest seed length observed in Ageratum conyzoides that is 7.56 While lowest in Erigeron Canadensis 1.6. The Highest seed width observed in Parthenium hysterophorus 3.9, While lowest in Erigeron bonariensis 0.5. Taxonomic keys based on palynological and seed morphological characters were developed for identification of different species belongs to different families. The taxonomic keys developed on the basis of Palynology and seed morphology were useful for classification and delimitation of selected taxa within families. This study further recommends to work on these plants with respect to their conservation status and write monograph on these plants of Potohar-Plateau based on Palyno morphological and seeds morphological characters in addition to advanced systematics tools and features. The study further recommends correlating this data with phylogenetic information in order to use at global perspective for systematic of different families.