Dipak Lamichhane’s research while affiliated with The National Tropical Botanical Garden and other places

Seed germination is a fundamental process in plant development, influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Light and dark have quite diverse effects on seed germination in different plant species under different environmental conditions. This study aimed to determine the lag period and germination speed (t50) of seeds of 37 plant species under light and dark conditions with a standard temperature of 25°C in light/alternating dark at 15°C with a 12-hour alternating photoperiod and 75% relative humidity in a plant growth chamber. The statistical analysis did not reveal any significant impact of light treatment on seed germination percentage across different plant life forms. However, a higher percentage of species (52%) exhibited the germination class >75% in light, compared to 43% in dark. The lag period of 38% of species was very short (<8 days), and 30% of the species had very fast (<8 days) germination speed (t50). In addition, the lag period and germination speed (t50) values were found to be comparable. This study may contribute to unveiling the viability and regeneration potential of seeds, which is a prerequisite for storage in the seed bank.

Seed germination is a fundamental process in plant development, influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Light and dark have quite diverse effects on seed germination in different plant species under different environmental conditions. This study aimed to determine the lag period and germination speed (t50) of seeds of 37 plant species under light and dark conditions with a standard temperature of 25°C in light/alternating dark at 15°C with a 12-hour alternating photoperiod and 75% relative humidity in a plant growth chamber. The statistical analysis did not reveal any significant impact of light treatment on seed germination percentage across different plant life forms. However, a higher percentage of species (52%) exhibited the germination class >75% in light, compared to 43% in dark. The lag period of 38% of species was very short (<8 days), and 30% of the species had very fast (<8 days) germination speed (t50). In addition, the lag period and germination speed (t50) values were found to be comparable. This study may contribute to unveiling the viability and regeneration potential of seeds, which is a prerequisite for storage in the seed bank.

Haplanthus laxiflorus (Blume) Gnanasek., G.V.S.Murthy & Y.F.Deng is reported here as a new generic record for the flora of Nepal. A detailed description, along with notes on habitat, distribution, photographs and a herbarium image have all been provided. This species can be easily distinguished by its distinctly pouched filaments inserted at the base of subactinomorphic corolla.

Field and herbarium-based studies have revealed that Musa nepalensis Wall. should be recognised as a species distinct from Musa glauca Roxb. (=Ensete glaucum (Roxb.) Cheesman), rather than a synonym as it has usually been assumed since the 1890s. Musa nepalensis is lectotypified, and a new combination Ensete nepalense (Wall.) G.Parmar & Trias-Blasi is made. Diagnostic characters, distribution, a key to related species, habitat and phenological data are provided for E. nepalense.

Field and herbarium-based studies have revealed that Musa nepalensis Wall. should be recognised as a species distinct from Musa glauca Roxb. (=Ensete glaucum (Roxb.) Cheesman), rather than a synonym as it has usually been assumed since the 1890s. Musa nepalensis is lectotypifed, and a new combination Ensete nepalensis (Wall.) G.Parmar & Trias-Blasi is made. Diagnostic characters, distribution, a key to related species, habitat and phenological data are provided for E. nepalensis.

Seed banks are the important means for the ex-situ conservation of plant genetic diversity. Though the seeds of domesticated varieties have been preserved for a long time, wild seed conservation is a noble concept in Nepal. Seed Bank of National Botanical Garden, Godawari, Lalitpur (NBG) is a major initiative for the conservation of wild plant seeds in Nepal. In the present study, a standardized seed banking procedures practiced at the Seed Bank of NBG, from seed collection to storage including germination test has been included. Currently, seeds of 84 wild species belonging to 77 genera of 47 families are preserved in the NBG. Alongside preserving wild genetic resources, NBG Seed Bank also provides materials for restoration, reintroduction and research that supports broader plant conservation goals, as well as contributes to education and public awareness about plant conservation.

Ex-situ conservation refers to the conservation of components of biological diversity outside their natural habitats. Since biodiversity is currently being lost at an unprecedented rate in their natural habitats, ex-situ conservation has become a suitable approach in their conservation. Botanical gardens are institutions or places that provide a suitable environment for the survival of threatened plant species. Through living plant collection, the botanical gardens have done tremendous contribution to ex-situ conservation of plant diversity which is in dire need for their conservation. With the establishment of National Botanical Garden (NBG) in Nepal in 1962, ex-situ conservation and protection of wild and threatened plant species has been properly addressed. A total of 547 taxa (542 species), 334 (331 species) of which are exotic and 213 (211 species) of which are native, have been preserved by NBG. NBG harbors 1 extinct in the wild, 1 critically endangered, 6 endangered, 5 vulnerable and 3 near threatened plant species according to the IUCN Red List categories, while 5 are endemic species to Nepal. It has also conserved CITES listed plant species (Appendix I- 1 species, Appendix II- 38 species and Appendix III- 2 species). Therefore, NBG plays a crucial role in the conservation of threatened species, educating the public and supporting them in understanding that conservation is a shared responsibility.