Systematic Study of Four Cash Crop Taxa of Piper L. From South West Bengal, India Based on Morphometric Analysis

By : Santanu Dash, Sayantan Tripathi, Amal Kumar Mondal

Page No: 50-61

Abstract
A comparative study on the basis of detailed morphological characters of four species of Piper L., viz. - Piper betle L., Piper nigrum L., Piper longum L. and Piper retrofractum Vahl., from southern districts of West Bengal, India was performed to draw a systematic conclusion. Both qualitative and quantitative morphological traits were considered. The usefulness of potential morphometric features was identified. Principle Component Analysis (PCA) and Multivariate Cluster Analysis (UPGMA) were used in establishing a systematic interrelationship among the taxa under study. In this study, potential morphometric traits were identified which were valuable in classifying these taxa. This study found highest level of similarity between P. longum L. and P. retrofractum Vahl., whereas, Pnigrum L. has least affinity with other three taxa.

Authors:
Santanu Dash: Plant Taxonomy, Biosystematics and Molecular Taxonomy Laboratory, UGC-DRS-SAP & DBT-BOOST-WB Supported Department, Department of Botany & Forestry, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, India.
Sayantan Tripathi: Plant Taxonomy, Biosystematics and Molecular Taxonomy Laboratory, UGC-DRS-SAP & DBT-BOOST-WB Supported Department, Department of Botany & Forestry, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, India.
Amal Kumar Mondal: Plant Taxonomy, Biosystematics and Molecular Taxonomy Laboratory, UGC-DRS-SAP & DBT-BOOST-WB Supported Department, Department of Botany & Forestry, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal, India.
 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.32381/JPSR.2024.40.01.7