Tariq Saiff Ullah

Understanding soil organic carbon dynamics is crucial for climate change mitigation and developing strategies for sustainable land management. This research aimed to quantify SOC, analyze the effect of physicochemical properties on SOC, and evaluate different statistical models to identify the effective predictors for SOC. A total of 280 soil samples were analyzed for physicochemical properties using standard protocols. The study applied several statistical models, including Linear Mixed, Random Forest, Bayesian Linear, Generalized Additive, Multivariate Regression models, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Undisturbed soils exhibited significantly higher SOC stocks, averaging 74.71±8.65 Mg ha⁻1, compared to 53.58±7.13 Mg ha⁻1 in disturbed soils. The LMM and GAM indicated a significant baseline SOC but showed no notable effect of altitude on SOC (p = 0.703 and 0.62-0.93, respectively). RFR identified bulk density as the strongest predictor, with the highest node purity (2269.57). PCA accounted for 78.35% of the variance, showing the critical role of soil texture in stabilizing SOC. Altitude showed a minimal effect; soil bulk density is the key factor in SOC variability, while clay content is crucial for SOC stabilization. Advanced models like RFR provide better SOC predictions, aiding sustainable land management while incorporating additional variables that could further enhance SOC forecasting.

Morels are edible fungi growing naturally in the wild and cultivated for food and medicines worldwide. They have been collected and consumed by people since ancient times. In the present study, fruiting bodies of Morchella elata were collected from the field during the years 2020–22 through consecutive field visits. Identification was carried out through a morpho-anatomical and phylogenetic study that confirmed the collected morel species as Morchella elata. The metabolic analysis was conducted using Ultra High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC/MS) and FTICR/orbitrap techniques. The study revealed the presence of 159 organic compounds and 435 peptide sequences in the ascocarp. Different bioactive and significant compounds have been identified in the fruiting bodies of M. elata. This mushroom is highly nutritious, and the presence of these bioactive compounds contributes to its health benefits, making it a potential functional food in nutraceuticals. From the current study, it is concluded that M. elata is an edible, highly nutritive fungus and contains many bioactive contents. It could be used in the screening of bioactive substances useful in the preparation of anticancer drugs.

An ethnobotanical survey was conducted to document the traditional and medicinal uses of wild flora of Samror and Khuiratta, District Kotli Azad Kashmir. Traditional uses of different plant species were recorded using a semi-structured questionnaire, interviews, and direct observations during fieldwork. A total of 100 medicinal plants belonging to 48 plant families were recorded. The most dominant plant families were Lamiaceae with 9 species followed by Poaceae and Asteraceae with 6 species respectively. Leaves were the most frequently used part of a plant against common diseases. Plants with high use value were Oxalis corniculata L, Mentha royleana Benth, Cannabis sativa L and Malva sylvestris L. There is a need to record overall diversity, ethnomedicinal applications and traditional knowledge of medicinal plants of the area.

The genus Ramaria is globally distributed, inhabiting different substrates. In the present study, samples of R. barenthalensis were collected during a fungal survey from Neelum valley AJK, Pakistan. Identification was carried out through combined morpho-anatomical and molecular data from nrITS region, which confirmed the identification as R. barenthalensis. The taxon is a new record for fungi of AJK, Pakistan.

The genus Ramaria is a globally distributed genus inhabiting different substrates. In the present study samples of Ramaria barenthalensis, were collected during a fungal survey from Neelum Valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Identification was carried out through combined morpho-anatomical and nuclear ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence analysis that confirmed its position as Ramaria barenthalensis. The taxon is a new record to fungi of Kashmir, Pakistan.

The exploration, identification and documentation of ethnobotanical resources is important in conservation of plant species for greater interest of human society. In the present study an ethno-botanical survey was conducted to document the traditional and medicinal uses of common plants of Sarsawa, District Kotli (AJK). Ethno medicinal data was collected by the mean of questionnaire method, interviews and direct observation. A total of 103 plant species belonging to 53 plant families were collected and identified. Plants species Verbascum thapsus, Justicia adhatoda, Verbascum thapsus, Terminalia chebula, Chenopodium ambrosioides, Mentha piperita and Solanum nigrum were most commonly used plants in the study area. Family Malvaceae, Poaceae and Rosaceae were the dominant plant families with 6 species respectively. Leaves were the most frequently used part of plants against different ailments

Background: Wild edible mushrooms (WEM) are economically significant and used in traditional medicines worldwide. The region of Jammu and Kashmir (Western Himalayas) is enriched with the diversity of edible mushrooms, collected by the rural people for food and income generation. This is the first detailed study on diversity and ethno-medicinal uses of mushrooms from the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Methods: Consecutive surveys were conducted to record ethnomycological diversity and socio-economic importance of wild edible mushrooms value chain in rural areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir during 2015–2019. Ethnomycological data were collected with a semi-structured questionnaire having a set of questions on indigenous mycological knowledge and collection and retailing of wild edible mushrooms. A total of 923 informants from the study area provided the results identifying the gender, type of mushroom species, medicinal uses, and marketing of mushrooms. Diversity of mushrooms was studied by using quadrat and transect methods. Principal component analysis (PCA) and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) were also applied to the dataset to analyse the relationship between species distribution, the underlying environmental factors, and habitat types. PCA identified the major species-specific to the sites and put them close to the sites of distribution. Results: A total of 131 mushroom species were collected and identified during 2015–2019 from the study area. Ninety-seven species of mushrooms were reported new to the State of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The dominant mushroom family was Russulaceae with 23 species followed by Agaricaceae, 16 species. Major mushroom species identified and grouped by the PCA were Coprinus comatus, Lactarius sanguifluus, Amanita fulva, Armillaria gallica, Lycoperdon perlatum, Lycoperdon pyriforme, and Russula creminicolor. Sparassis crispa, Pleurotus sp, and Laetiporus sulphureus were recorded most edible and medicinally significant fungi. Morels were also expensive and medicinally important among all harvested macro-fungal species. These were reported to use against common ailments and various health problems. Conclusions: Collection and retailing of WEM contribute to improving the socio-economic status, providing alternative employment and food security to rural people of the area. These mushrooms are used as a source of food and traditional medicines among the rural informants and could be used as a potential source of antibacterial and anticancer drugs in the future.

Wild edible mushrooms (WEM) are economically significant and used in traditional medicines worldwide. The region of Jammu and Kashmir (Western Himalayas) is enriched with the diversity of edible mushrooms, collected by the rural people for food and income generation. This is the first detailed study on diversity and ethno-medicinal uses of mushrooms from the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Methods: Consecutive surveys were conducted to record ethno-mycological diversity and socio-economic importance of wild edible mushrooms value chain in rural areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir during 2015-2020. Data were collected with a semi-structured questionnaire having a set of questions on indigenous mycological knowledge and collection and retailing of wild edible mushrooms. A total of 923 informants from the study area provided results identifying the gender, type of mushroom species, medicinal uses, and marketing of mushrooms. Principal component analysis (PCA) was also applied to the data set to analyse the relationship between species distribution, the underlying environmental factors and habitat types. PCA identified the major species specific to the sites and put them close to the sites of distribution.Results: A total of 131 mushroom species were collected and identified during 2015-2020 from the study area. One hundred and one species of mushrooms were reported new to the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The dominant mushroom family was Russullaceae with 23 species followed by Agaricaceae, 16 species. Major mushroom species identified and grouped by the PCA were Coprinus comatus, Lactarius sangufulus, Amanita fulva, Armillaria gallica, Lycoperdon perlatum, Lycoperdon pyriforme, and Russula creminicolor. Sparassis crispa, Pleurotus sp and Laetiporus sulphurous were recorded most edible and medicinally significant fungi. Morels were the most expensive and medicinally important among all harvested macro-fungal species. These were reported to use against the common ailments and various health problems. Conclusions: Collection and retailing of WEM contribute to improve the socioeconomic status, providing alternative employment and food security to rural people of the area. These mushrooms are used as a source of food and traditional medicines among the rural informants and could be used a potential source of antibacterial and anticancer drugs in future.