UGC sanctions funds to VU for study on coastal plant

15 May 2013

biswabrata goswami
MIDNAPORE, 15 MAY: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has sanctioned about Rs 15 lakh to Vidyasagar University to conduct a study on how ipomoea pes-caprae, a coastal plant that protects coastal shores from erosion, are striving for survival through mutualism with various types of ants which directly or indirectly protect the plant.
It is for the first time in the country a self-styled unique adaptive capability through mutualism has been detected on this plant which is common in the coastal areas of West Bengal and Odisha.
While ipomoea pes-caprae, which plays an immense role in dune stabilisation and restoration, is on the verge of extinction due to rampant construction of hotels, roads, human establishments and vegetation in areas like Mandarmoni, Tajpur and New Digha in West Bengal and adjacent sea-beaches in Odisha.
Dr Amal Kumar Mondol, associate professor of Botany and Forestry department, VU, said: “Amidst rampant destruction, ipomoea pes-caprae is trying to survive through self-developed mutualism with different types of ants. It has its own defence mechanism against herbivore predators feeding on it. This is due to the presence of extrafloral nectary glands.”
“The extrafloral nectar attracts organisms that remove, attack or prey upon, or parasitise plant herbivores. This protective role of extrafloral nectar has long been a matter of discussion, but many studies have now proven that it can play an important role in plant’s indirect defence against herbivores. Many ants have been found to forage preferentially on plants with extrafloral nectarines (EFNs) and the presence of these ants have been found to reduce the number of herbivorous insects on these plants, thus lessening the damage by herbivores,” Dr Mondol said.
A research study headed by Dr Mondol and his team has revealed that secretion from EFNs contains protein, carbohydrate, amino acid and fats which attract different types of ants, but the chemical compositions of the EFNs secretion is yet unknown.
The UGC, on its letter (No 42-917/2013-SR), has sanctioned funds to conduct study on the protective efficacy in species with extrafloral nectarines in the flora in Midnapore on hopes to conserve this type of plants in future, said Dr Mondol.
At the International Botanical Congress held at Melbourne in Australia from 23 to 30 July in 2011 Dr Mondal had discussed this in the plenary session which was later adopted by the Australian government in the sea coasts to protect the species.
“This year, UGC has geared up to conduct a study on this particular plant in collaboration with the Zoological Survey of India and Lady Brabourne College on hopes to protect and conserve the species living in coastal areas of West Bengal and Odisha. If the government takes proper plan to protect this plant, a huge amount of money that is spent every year to protect sea coasts from erosion will also be saved,” said Dr Mondol.
He also said: “These types of coastal flora which are under tremendous anthropogenic pressure due to rapid elimination of sand dunes and associated vegetation are gradually diminishing. Such sensitive and useful ecosystems need immediate restoration, conservation and sustainable use of the phyto-resources.”