Crop-ecology and nutritional variability influence growth and secondary metabolites of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni.

Background: Plant nutrition and climatic conditions play important roles on the growth and secondary metabolites of stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni); however, the nutritional dose is strongly governed by the soil properties and climatic conditions of the growing region. In northern India, the interactive effects of crop ecology and plant nutrition on yield and secondary metabolites of stevia are not yet properly understood. Thus, a field experiment comprising three levels of nitrogen, two levels of phosphorus and three levels of potassium was conducted at three locations to ascertain whether the spatial and nutritional variability would dominate the leaf yield and secondary metabolites profile of stevia.

Spatial and temporal variation of secondary metabolite profiles in Ginkgo biloba leaves.

Terpene trilactones (TTLs) are the main bioactive constituents of Ginkgo biloba used for the preparation of drugs for several ailments. Flavonoid glycosides (FGs) are the significant group of compounds found in Ginkgo leaves used in food and healthcare products. The variation in the content of bioactive constituents, as well as antioxidant activity, with respect to change in altitude and the time of sample collection was investigated.

Natural resources assessment and their utilization: analyses from a Himalayan state.

The present paper quantifies and reviews the natural resource use in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh (HP). Twenty-five percent of the geographical area of HP is under forests and harbour ca. 3,400 plant species.