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  • Exploring Seed Bank in Mahuva Taluka of Bhavnagar District: A Comprehensive Survey

  • Photo Piyush Nakum* 1 Photo Bhavna Singh 2 Photo Hitesh Solanki 3

  • 1M.Sc. student, Department of Botany, Bioinformatics and Climate Change Impacts Management, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad-380009, Gujarat, India.
    2PhD Scholar, Department of Botany, Bioinformatics and Climate Change Impacts Management, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad-380009, Gujarat, India.
    3Professor, Department of Botany, Bioinformatics and Climate Change Impacts Management, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad-380009, Gujarat, India 

Abstract

In order to protect plant biodiversity, improve ecological resilience, and ensure agricultural sustainability, seed banks are essential. This study explores how to conserve and store seeds from various habitats of Bhavnagar district (Gujarat, India). Seeds are collected, categorized, and stored. The study investigates the ecological significance of these seeds, the conservation strategies used, and the possible advantages for ecological restoration, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity preservation. The study emphasizes the critical role of seed banks in reducing the effects of climate change, fostering food security, and aiding in habitat restoration by analyzing more than 100 seed samples from grasslands, woods, wetlands, desert regions, and agricultural fields. Additionally, the study looks at different seed storage techniques and talks about how important they are for long-term conservation initiatives.

Keywords

Biodiversity preservation, Ecological restoration, seed bank

Introduction

A seed bank is a structure or holding area created to preserve plant seeds for future generations.  In the face of habitat loss, climate change, and overexploitation, seed banks are crucial to preserving genetic variety, which is necessary for plant species to survive.  They guarantee the preservation of seeds from economically significant, rare, and endangered plants so that they can be reintroduced into ecosystems as needed (National Research Council, 1993). Furthermore, seed banks are an essential tool for reforestation, habitat restoration, and preserving agricultural biodiversity (Hawkins et al., 2007).  By providing resistance to environmental disruptions, these collections can also act as insurance against the extinction of plant species in the future. Mainly 3 types of seed bank such as Ex Situ Conservation Seed Banks, In Situ Seed Banks and Community Seed Banks

Significance of Seed bank

By preserving genetic variety and storing plant seeds, seed banks aid in the preservation of uncommon and endangered plant species.  Seed banks help protect species that might be endangered by habitat destruction, climate change, and human activity by preserving seeds of native plants (Smith et al., 2003). In ecological restoration, they are crucial to efforts to restore habitat, particularly in regions impacted by land degradation, desertification, and deforestation.  The seeds required for grassland rehabilitation, wetlands restoration, and reforestation can be obtained via seed banks (FAO, 2021). The agricultural sustainability also based on seed banks, it promotes sustainable agricultural methods by keeping a variety of crop seed collections, especially traditional and indigenous types.  These cultivars are resistant to pests and diseases and are well suited to regional climates (Harlan, 1992).  Thus, by offering a resource for robust crops, seed banks support food security (Lamb, 2017). Seed banks are essential for preserving seeds from species that can withstand drought and flooding, as climate change intensifies extreme weather events. (According to Robinson et al.2018), these seeds are crucial for bolstering agriculture's and ecosystems' resistance to shifting climatic trends. This study was conducted in Gujarat, India's Nana Asrana, Mahuva, Bhavnagar, which has a variety of ecosystems, including wetlands, grasslands, woodlands, riverbanks, desert areas, and agricultural plains.  With rare species that represent both arid and semi-arid environments, the region is biologically rich.  In order to support the larger goals of biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management, the study focuses on the gathering of seeds from these diverse habitats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Study Sites

The natural richness of the area was taken into consideration when choosing the study locations.  An excellent place to study seed variety across different habitats is Nana Asrana, Mahuva, Bhavnagar, which offers a diverse range of coastal plains, dry zones, and agricultural fields.  The area's plant species' biological richness and significance offered a solid foundation for seed collection, which is essential to the goals of the study.

Seed collection and documentation

The gathering of mature and viable seeds, seed collecting was done during each ecosystem's busiest time of year. The name of the plant species, the kind of environment, and the growth conditions were all included in the complete information labeled on each seed sample.  Geographic coordinates and environmental information were also labeled. To prevent contamination, all seeds were put in the proper containers, like glass jars or paper envelopes (Lamb,2017;Sharma et al.,2020;Smith et al.,2003).

 

 

 

 

                    Fig 1a Map of Gujarat

           Fig 1b Map of Mahuva (Nana Asarana)
     

Seed storage techniques

After being gathered, the seeds were kept in a number of ways:

 

 

1.Dry storage: Seeds were stored in glass containers and plastic bottles, clay pots to keep them dry and stop them from absorbing moisture.

2.Desiccants: To further lower humidity and preserve seed viability, silica gel and other desiccants were employed

3.Cold storage: To ensure their long-term preservation, some seeds—especially those from delicate species—were kept in storage at temperatures between 4°C and -20°C.

Fig.2 Seed collection and stored

RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The natural seed variety was collected in various environments in Nana Asarana, Mahuva, Bhavnagar (Gujarat, India).  This area is perfect for researching seed collection and conservation since it offers a distinctive blend of semi-arid regions, coastal plains, productive farmlands, and forest sections.  Throughout the fieldwork, I saw how the indigenous vegetation adjusts to a variety of environmental circumstances, from the dry, sandy expanses of desert-like regions to the lush riverbanks.

No

Scientific Name

Family

Common Name

Type

1

Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Okra)

Malvaceae

Bhindi

Herb

2

Abelmoschus manihot (L.)

Malvaceae

Jangali Bhindi

Shrub

3

Abrus precatorius L.

Fabaceae

Chanothi

Climber

4

Abutilon indicum (L.)

Malvaceae

Indian Mallow

Shrub

5

Acacia concinna DC.

Mimosaceae

Shikakai

Tree

6

Achyranthus aspera L.

Amaranthaceae

Aghedo

Herb

7

Adansonia digitata L.

Malvaceae

Rukhdo

Tree

8

Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth.

Fabaceae

Siris

Shrub

9

Alkanna tinctoria (L.) Tausch

Boraginaceae

Ratanjyot

Small Tree

10

Allium ceppa (L.)

Amaryllidaceae

Onion

Herb

11

Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Br. Ex DC.

Amaranthaceae

Sessile Joyweed

Herb

12

Amaranthus faudatus (L.)

Amaranthaceae

Rajgira

Herb

13

Anethum graveolens (L.)

Apiaceae

Dill Weed

Herb

14

Annona squamosa L.

Annonaceae

Sitafal

Tree

15

Antigonon leptopus Hook & Arn.

Buckwheat

Icecream Well

Climber

16

Arachis hypogaea L.

Fabaceae

Moongphali

Herb

17

Bignonia fluviatilis Aubl.

Bignoniaceae

Pink Poul

Tree

18

Bixa orellana L.

Bixaceae

Sinduri

Small Tree

19

Brassica juncea L.

Cruciferae

Rai (Mustard)

Herb

20

Bryonia laciniosa Linn.

Cucurbitaceae

Shivlingi

Climber

21

Cajanus cajan (L.)

Fabaceae

Tuver, Pigeon Pea

Shrub

22

Capsicum annum L.

Solanaceae

Chilli

Herb

23

Carica papaya Linn.

Caricaceae

Papaya

Small Tree

24

Cassia fistula L.

Fabaceae

Garmalo

Tree

25

Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn.

Malvaceae

Safed-Shimlo

Tree

26

Cicer arietinum L.

Fabaceae

Chana

Herb

27

Cleome viscose L.

Cleomaceae

Pili Talavani

Herb

28

Clerodendrum aculeatum (L.) Schltdl

Fabaceae

White Chana

Herb

29

Corchorus olitorius L.

Malvaceae

Nalta Jute

Shrub

30

Corchorus tridens L.

Malvaceae

Horn Fruited Jute

Herb

31

Coriandrum sativum L.

Apiaceae

Dhania (Coriander)

Herb

32

Cucumis callosus (Rottl.)

Cucurbitaceae

Kothimba

Climber

33

Cuminum cyminum Linn.

Apiaceae

Jeera (Cumin)

Herb

34

Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.)

Fabaceae

Guvar

Shrub

35

Delonix regia (Hook.)

Fabaceae

Gulmohar

Tree

36

Dolichos lablab (L.)

Fabaceae

Indian Bean

Climber

37

Ehretia laevis Roxb.

Boraginaceae

Dantranga

Small Tree

38

Emblica officinalis Linn.

Phyllanthaceae

Amla

Tree

39

Foeniculum vulgare P. Mill.)

Apiaceae

Saunf (Fennel)

Herb

40

Gossypium arborium L.

Malvaceae

Cotton

Shrub

41

Hibiscus micranthus L.f.

Malvaceae

Tiny Flower Hibiscus

—

42

Hyptis suaveolens (L.)

Lamiaceae

Bushmint

Shrub

43

Indicum nigrum Linn.

Pedaliaceae

Black Til

Herb

44

Indigofera suffruticosa Mill.

Fabaceae

Indigo

Herb

45

Indigofera tictonia L.

Fabaceae

True Indigo

Herb

46

Ipomoea obscura (L.)

Convolvulaceae

Morning Glory

Climber

47

Ipomoea pestigridis (L.)

Convolvulaceae

Tiger’s Toot

Herb

48

Ipomoea triloba L.

Convolvulaceae

Morning Glory

Herb-Shrub

49

Leptadenia reticulata (Retz.) & Arn.

Apocynaceae

Malti Dodi

Shrub

50

Leycaena leucocephala Lamk.

Fabaceae

Subabul

Small Tree

51

Linum usitatissimum L. (Flax)

Linaceae

Alsi (Flax)

Herb

52

Luffa acutangula (L.)

Cucurbitaceae

Turia

Climber

53

Malvastrum coromandelianum (L.)

Malvaceae

Falls-Mallow

Herb

54

Manilkara hexandra dubard (Roxb.)

Sapotaceae

Rayan

Tree

55

Martynia annua L.

Martyniaceae

Kaknasa, Vinchchuda

Herb

56

Mitragyna parvifolia Roxb.

Rubiaceae

Kadamb

Tree

57

Momordica charantia L.

Cucurbitaceae

Karela

Climber

58

Morinda citrifolia (L.)

Rubiaceae

Noni

Tree

59

Mukia maderaspataanus (L.)

Cucurbitaceae

Mukia

Climber

60

Murraya koenigii L.

Rutaceae

Curry Leaf Tree

Tree

61

Ocimum basilicum L.

Lamiaceae

Basil, Damro

Herb

62

Ocimum sanctum L.

Lamiaceae

Tulsi

Herb

63

Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.)

Fabaceae

Tamrshing

Tree

64

Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R Br.

Poaceae

Bajra

Herb

65

Pergularia daemia (Forssk.)

Apocynaceae

Uttran, Uthamani

Climber

66

Phoenix ductylifera L.

Arecaceae

Khajuri

Tree

67

Pithecellobium dulce (Roxb)Benth.

Fabaceae

Manila Tamarind

Tree

68

Pongamia pinnata (L.)

Fabaceae

Karanj

Tree

69

Prosopis juliflora (Sw.) DC.

Momosaceae

Gando Baval

Tree

70

Psoralea corylifolia L.

Fabaceae

Bavchi

Herb

71

Putranjiva roxburghii (Wall.)

Putranjivaceae

Putranjiva

Tree

72

Rhynchosia minima (L.) DC.

Fabaceae

Jumby-Bean

Climber

73

Ricinus communis L.

Euphorbiaceae

Castor Bean

Shrub

74

Sapindus trifoliatus L.

Sapindaceae

Soapnut

Tree

75

Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken

Sapindaceae

Kusum

Tree

76

Semecarpus anacardium Linn.

Anacardiaceae

Bhilawa

Tree

77

Senna occidentalis L.

Fabaceae

Coffee Senna

—

78

Senna tora L.

Fabaceae

Sinhala

Herb

79

Sesamum indicum L.

Pedaliaceae

White Til

Herb

80

Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Poir.

Fabaceae

Agathiyo

Tree

81

Setaria italic (L.) Beauv.

Poaceae

Kangani

Herb

82

Solanum lycopersicum L.

Solanaceae

Tomato

Herb

83

Sorghum bicolor (L.)

Poaceae

Jowar

Herb

84

Tecoma stans (L.) Juss.ex Kunth

Bignoniaceae

Yellow Elder

Shrub

85

Tecomella undulate (Sm) Seem.

Bignoniaceae

Rohida

Tree

86

Tectona grandis L.f.

Lamiaceae

Teak

Tree

87

Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers.

Fabaceae

Purple Tephrocia

Herb

88

Tephrosia villosa (L.) Pers.

Fabaceae

Wild Indigo, Sarpankho

Herb

89

Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn.

Combretaceae

Arjun

Tree

90

Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb.

Combretaceae

Bahera

Tree

91

Trachyspermum ammi (L.)

Apiaceae

Ajwain

Herb

92

Tribulus terrestris L.

Zygophyllaceae

Gokhru

Herb

93

Tridax procumbens (L.)

Asteraceae

Cotbatans

Herb

94

Trigonella foenum-graecum L.

Papilionaceae

Methi

Herb

95

Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq.

Malvaceae

Diamond Barbark

Shrub

96

Vicia faba L.

Fabaceae

Broad Bean

Herb

97

Vigna mungo (L.)

Fabaceae

Udad

Herb

98

Vigna radiate (L.) R.

Fabaceae

Mung

Herb

99

Vigna unguiculata subsp.

Fabaceae

Choli, Long Bean

Climber

100

Waltheria indica L.

Malvaceae

Sleepy Morning

Herb

101

Xanthium strumarium l.

Asteraceae

Gadardi

Herb

102

Zea mays L.

Poaceae

Maize (Corn)

Herb

103

Ziziphus jujube Mill.

Rhamnaceae

Jujube, Bordi

Shrub

The existence of native plants that flourish in spite of severe weather conditions was one of the most important findings.  I discovered traditional crop kinds that have been grown for many generations in agricultural fields, and I discovered a number of tree species that are essential to maintaining ecological balance in wooded areas.  Numerous aquatic and semi-aquatic plants, which are crucial for stabilizing soil and conserving water, were found in wetlands and along riverbanks.  In addition to assisting me in gathering and categorizing a wide variety of seeds, this research expanded my knowledge of the ways in which these plants support regional biodiversity, soil health, and environmental sustainability. More than 100 seeds samples in all were successfully gathered and arranged into different plant families.  The biological roles of the various habitat types—grasslands, woods, marshes, deserts, and agricultural lands—were used to categories the seeds.  The ecological relevance of these seeds and their possible application in restoration initiatives were investigated (Jodha, 2005; Singh et al., 2012; Noble et al., 2013; Tockner & Stanford, 2002).

CONCLUSION

Numerous plant species that support agriculture, ecology, and traditional medicine were discovered throughout the study.  The gathered seeds came from a variety of types, such as drought-resistant species, fodder crops, medicinal plants, and nutrient-rich grains.  The following are some important plant groups and their meanings (Hawkins et al., 2007; Smith et al., 2003; Robinson et al., 2018). Ragi (Eleusine coracana) and Bajra (Pennisetum glaucum), two millets renowned for their high nutritional content and resistance to drought, were gathered.  These grains are an important dietary source in dry areas because they are high in fiber, iron, and necessary amino acids.  Because of their deep roots, they also contribute to soil conservation by halting erosion. In agricultural lands, a variety of pulses and legumes were discovered, including Chana (Cicer arietinum), Kathol (Lablab purpureus), and Moong (Vigna radiata).  These legumes are frequently sprouted for human consumption and are high in protein.  They are useful for sustainable farming since they also improve soil fertility by fixing nitrogen

REFERENCE

  1. Harlan, J. R. (1992). Crops and Man (2nd ed.). Madison, WI: American Society of Agronomy.
  2. Hawkins, J. D., Russell, S. R., & Schofield, R. M. (2007). "Seed Banks in the Conservation of Biodiversity." Biological Conservation, 131(3), 535-544.
  3. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). (2021). "Global Seed Bank Report." FAO.
  4. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). (2021). "Global Seed Bank Report." FAO.
  5. Jodha, N. S. (2005). "Dryland Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods in South Asia." Economic and Political Weekly, 40(3), 123-135.
  6. Lamb, D. (2017). "Agrobiodiversity and Sustainable Development." Nature Sustainability, 3(1), 53-65.
  7. National Research Council. (1993). Managing Global Genetic Resources: The U.S. National Plant Germplasm System. National Academy Press.
  8. Robinson, D. A., Williams, D. L., & Moosavi, A. (2018). "Climate Resilience and Agricultural Sustainability." Environmental Science & Policy, 15(3), 103-112.
  9. Sharma, P., Verma, K., & Singh, R. (2020). "Seed Conservation Strategies in India: A Review." Journal of Biodiversity Studies, 15(3), 45-60
  10. Singh, S., Kumar, S., & Sharma, P. (2012). "Forest Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation in India." Environmental Conservation, 38(4), 302-312.
  11. Smith, R. D., Williams, D. P., & Taylor, B. (2003). "Seed Bank Conservation in the Era of Climate Change." Biodiversity and Conservation, 12(6), 1001-1012.
  12. Tockner, K., & Stanford, J. A. (2002). "Riverine Flood Plains: Present and Future." Ecological Applications, 12(4), 1107-1122

Reference

  1. Harlan, J. R. (1992). Crops and Man (2nd ed.). Madison, WI: American Society of Agronomy.
  2. Hawkins, J. D., Russell, S. R., & Schofield, R. M. (2007). "Seed Banks in the Conservation of Biodiversity." Biological Conservation, 131(3), 535-544.
  3. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). (2021). "Global Seed Bank Report." FAO.
  4. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). (2021). "Global Seed Bank Report." FAO.
  5. Jodha, N. S. (2005). "Dryland Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods in South Asia." Economic and Political Weekly, 40(3), 123-135.
  6. Lamb, D. (2017). "Agrobiodiversity and Sustainable Development." Nature Sustainability, 3(1), 53-65.
  7. National Research Council. (1993). Managing Global Genetic Resources: The U.S. National Plant Germplasm System. National Academy Press.
  8. Robinson, D. A., Williams, D. L., & Moosavi, A. (2018). "Climate Resilience and Agricultural Sustainability." Environmental Science & Policy, 15(3), 103-112.
  9. Sharma, P., Verma, K., & Singh, R. (2020). "Seed Conservation Strategies in India: A Review." Journal of Biodiversity Studies, 15(3), 45-60
  10. Singh, S., Kumar, S., & Sharma, P. (2012). "Forest Restoration and Biodiversity Conservation in India." Environmental Conservation, 38(4), 302-312.
  11. Smith, R. D., Williams, D. P., & Taylor, B. (2003). "Seed Bank Conservation in the Era of Climate Change." Biodiversity and Conservation, 12(6), 1001-1012.
  12. Tockner, K., & Stanford, J. A. (2002). "Riverine Flood Plains: Present and Future." Ecological Applications, 12(4), 1107-1122

Photo
Piyush Nakum
Corresponding author

M.Sc. student, Department of Botany, Bioinformatics and Climate Change Impacts Management, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad-380009, Gujarat, India.

Photo
Bhavna Singh
Co-author

PhD Scholar, Department of Botany, Bioinformatics and Climate Change Impacts Management, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad-380009, Gujarat, India

Photo
Hitesh Solanki
Co-author

Professor, Department of Botany, Bioinformatics and Climate Change Impacts Management, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad-380009, Gujarat, India

Piyush Nakum*, Bhavna Singh, Hitesh Solanki, Exploring Seed Bank in Mahuva Taluka of Bhavnagar District: A Comprehensive Survey, Int. J. Sci. R. Tech., 2025, 2 (3), 192-197. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15009906

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