SPATIO-TEMPORAL VARIATIONS IN PHYSIOCHEMICAL ATTRIBUTES OF ADIANTUM CAPILLUS VENERIS FROM SOONE VALLEY OF SALT RANGE (PAKISTAN)

In this study, spatio-temporal variations in biochemical and physicochemical parameters of Adiantum shoots during different seasons and sites of Soone Valley in Salt Range were investigated. Adiantum was located only at two sites i.e. at Knotty Garden during all the four seasons and at Dape Sharif site only during spring. All the parameters studied varied significantly during different seasons and at both sites. It was observed that dry matter, fiber and total mineral contents were the maximum during winter whereas, moisture, fat and protein contents were the highest during autumn at Knotti Garden. In contrast, NFES and NFE were found higher during spring at Dape Sharif. Among the ionic contents studied, Ca, P and Fe were higher during spring at Dape Sharif where as N and K contents were more during autumn at Knotti Garden. Mg and Zn were the maximum during summer and spring at Knotti Garden respectively. Partial RDA of the data revealed that phenols and flavonoids were associated with spring at Knotti Garden where as, alkaloids were associated with spring at Dape Sharif. It was concluded that association of phenolics and falvonoids with Knotti Garden was due to low temperature stress, where that of alkaloids with Dape Sharif with high pH and EC of the site.