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Phytosociological patterns along a soil nutrient gradient in sacred groves of Haryana Cover

Phytosociological patterns along a soil nutrient gradient in sacred groves of Haryana

Open Access
|Jun 2026

Figures & Tables

Figure 1:

Map showing the location of Haryana in India and the SGs selected for the present study.

Figure 2:

Climograph of the selected districts of Western Haryana showing mean average temperature, precipitation, and humidity (www.worldweatheronline.com).

Figure 3:

Proportion of families covering encountered plant species during the present study (left) and graphs comparing the species-family richness in the four SGs (right).

Figure 4:

Frequency class distribution of plant species across the selected SGs.

Figure 5:

Stand density (per hectare) of trees, shrubs, herbs and climbers in the four SGs.

Figure 6:

Raincloud plots representing the values of diversity indices i.e., Shannon Weiner diversity index (H’), Simpson’s concentration of dominance (CD), Pielou index of evenness (E) and Margalef index of species richness (d) in the four SGs.

Figure 7:

Boxplot (Tukey post-hoc analysis) showing the comparative analysis of soil properties in selected SGs. Different letters above the box plots indicate statistically significant differences among sacred groves at p < 0.05, based on Tukey’s HSD post-hoc test.

Figure 8:

Correlation of the selected parameters (floristic and edaphic) in the study. F = Frequency; D = Density; A = Abundance, BA = Basal Area; H’ = Shannon Wiener Index; CD = Simpson Index; E = Pielou Index, d = Margalef index, EC = Electrical conductivity, BD = Bulk density, N = Soil Nitrogen content, P = Soil Phosphorus content, K = Soil Potassium content, OC = Soil Organic Carbon.

Analytical characteristics of plant species encountered in Makrana Johra SG_

S. N.Name of Plant speciesDFAA/FBAIVI
Trees
1Acacia nilotica56.6730.450.2747.4994
2Acacia senegal8.3313.32.50.190.73817.137
3Acacia tortilis296.710011.8670.121.474122.22
4Anogeissus pendula3.336.6720.30.1745.8668
5Azadirachta indica56.6730.450.02234.2244
6Pongamia pinnata3.336.6720.30.000083.6046
7Prosopis cineraria3.336.6720.30.2657.0532
8Salvadora oleoides178.3808.91670.114.744132.39
Total503.3 35.283 7.693300
Shrubs
1Abutilon indicum2558012.750.160.00542.82
2Calotropis procera103.373.35.63640.080.00527.328
3Capparis decidua15566.79.30.141.086105.76
4Capparis sepiaria106.6760.90.12811.453
5Grewia tenax3.3336.6720.30.0072.3968
6Gymnosporia senegalensis23.3326.73.50.130.11916.814
7Maytenus emarginata71.6753.35.3750.10.01120.057
8Opuntia dillenii156.6791.350.0486.2927
9Parthenium hysterophorus408.346.7350.750.02450.285
10Phyllanthus reticulatus202040.20.000746.651
11Solanum incanum11.67202.33330.120.000575.8734
12Ziziphus nummularia11.6713.33.50.260.000324.2688
Total1088 98.395 1.436300
Herbs
1Achyranthes aspera518.386.723.9230.275930.004311.09814
2Aerva javanica68.332013.6670.683350.00192.89221
3Alternanthera sessilis71.6713.321.51.616540.00021.38994
4Amaranthus spinosus51.6726.77.750.290260.00434.78379
5Boerhavia diffusa26080130.162500.00188.04561
6Chenopodium album11.676.6771.049480.00020.67410
7Cleome viscosa3.3336.6720.299850.00010.54906
8Commelina benghalensis656.78032.8330.410410.005011.64586
9Corchorus olitorius356.773.319.4550.265420.00509.88787
10Croton bonplandianus38.3313.311.50.864660.00031.30901
11Cynodon dactylon9065100362.63.626000.005547.59270
12Cyperus rotundus16526.724.750.926970.00012.71134
13Dactyloctenium aegyptium281.726.742.251.582400.00113.79964
14Digera muricata3013.390.676690.00141.94341
15Digitaria ciliaris256.733.330.80.924920.00033.69364
16Eragrostis tenella112353.384.251.580680.00028.61657
17Erigeron bonariensis202040.200000.00011.60290
18Euphorbia granulata10520211.050000.00001.91009
19Euphorbia hirta48.3313.314.51.090230.00021.27070
20Evolvulus alsinoides11.676.6771.049480.00020.68625
21Evolvulus nummularius356.67213.148430.00000.64220
22Glinus lotoides541.720108.335.416500.00164.65364
23Heliotropium strigosum5513.316.51.240600.00011.26424
24Indigofera linnaei5026.77.50.280900.00012.24357
25Mollugo nudicaulis63.3333.37.60.228230.00032.88887
26Pedalium murex6.66713.320.150380.00031.19237
27Peristrophe bicalycualta4153100166.131.661300.116595.08587
28Perotis indica448.333.353.81.615620.00024.40616
29Phyllanthus fraternus63.3346.75.42860.116240.00033.86710
30Poa annua333.353.3250.469040.00166.29142
31Portulaca pilosa56.672011.3330.566650.00021.79981
32Pupalia lappacia433.38021.6670.270840.00188.78697
33Setaria viridis503780251.833.147880.002627.96850
34Sida cordifolia1013.330.225560.00011.06030
35Trianthema portulacastrum6.6676.6740.599700.000020.53182
36Tribulus terrestris1054010.50.262500.00043.60216
37Triumfetta rhomboidea6.66713.320.150380.00011.07693
38Verbesina encelioides11.676.6771.049480.00221.85880
39Xanthium strumarium18.3313.35.50.413530.00423.60920
40Zaleya pentandra6.66713.320.150380.00011.06709
Total24584.7 1484.897 0.1646300
Climbers
1Citrullus colocynthis6.66713.320.150380.00012.150
2Coccinia grandis76.67407.66670.191670.00057.859
3Cucumis callosus191.793.38.21430.088040.00688.309
4Ipomoea pes-tigridis16546.714.1430.302850.000814.447
5Ipomoea triloba3.3336.6720.299850.00002.300
6Mukia maderspatana9566.75.70.085460.00025.786
7Pergularia daemia53.3333.36.40.192190.00036.593
Total591.7 46.124 0.0088300

Analytical characteristics of plant species encountered in Dhingsara SG_

S. N.Name of Plant speciesDFAA/FBAIVI
Trees
1Ailanthus excelsa11.66713.333.50.260.70310.735
2Acacia leucophloea106.66760.90.6867.9981
3Acacia nilotica21.66746.671.8570.040.74824.354
4Acacia tortilis58.33353.334.3750.081.87538.222
5Azadirachta indica6.6667201.3330.070.59911.937
6Casuarina equisetifolia3.33336.66720.30.3575.1201
7Dalbergia sissoo3.33336.66720.30.3635.1599
8Ficus religiosa6.666713.3320.151.80217.254
9Prosopis cineraria3.333313.3310.080.256.8664
10Prosopis juliflora743.336049.560.832.891124.94
11Salvadora oleoides13.33333.331.60.055.22647.409
Total881.67 75.22 15.507300
Shrubs
1Abutilon indicum61.667406.1670.150.0035932.573
2Calotropis procera6.666713.3320.150.000898.0534
3Capparis decidua118.33607.8890.130.24119135.65
4Grewia tenax3.33336.66720.30.007676.5329
5Maytenus emarginata21.667204.3330.220.0013814.363
6Opuntia dillenii23.3336.667142.10.0118911.88
7Parthenium hysterophorus248.3326.6737.251.40.0195167.891
8Phyllanthus reticulatus28.33326.674.250.160.0000918.436
9Ziziphus nummularia3.33336.66720.30.002154.6186
Total515 79.89 0.28836300
Herbs
1Achyranthes aspera548.3373.3329.910.410.0025611.194
2Aerva javanica46.66733.335.60.170.003175.5104
3Alternanthera pungens56.66730.450.000070.6483
4Alternanthera sessilis41.6676.667253.750.000240.9805
5Anisomeles indica16.66713.3350.380.000261.4229
6Argemone maxicana56.66730.450.000210.7525
7Cenchrus biflorus118.3326.6717.750.670.001143.7877
8Cenchrus ciliarias41.6676.667253.750.000060.8407
9Chenopodium album7533.3390.270.000223.4147
10Chenopodium murale6013.33181.350.000051.5024
11Commelina benghalensis43533.3352.21.570.0106313.312
12Convolvulus prostratus16.66713.3350.380.000031.2536
13Corchorus aestuans1513.334.50.340.000121.3111
14Croton bonplandianus601.6773.3332.820.450.0105417.568
15Cynodon dactylon5651.7100226.12.260.0032141.852
16Cyperus rotundus88.33313.3326.51.990.000431.9458
17Dactyloctenium aegyptium1153.386.6753.230.610.0041916.882
18Digera muricata523.338026.170.330.0011910.584
19Digitaria ciliaris46553.3334.880.650.000537.4898
20Echinochloa crus-galli251.674025.170.630.0070510.158
21Eragrostis tenella731.6753.3354.881.030.00038.7709
22Erigeron bonariensis18.3336.667111.650.000070.7235
23Euphorbia granualata24026.67361.350.000023.6018
24Heliotropium strigosum23.33313.3370.530.000131.3665
25Indigofera linnaei16.6676.667101.50.000080.7168
26Oxalis corniculata38.3336.667233.450.000010.7808
27Paspalidium flavidum21.6676.667131.950.000030.7065
28Peristrophe bicalyculata6293.386.67290.53.350.0732897.599
29Physalis minima46.667209.3330.470.002533.8854
30Poa annua16.6676.667101.50.00010.7331
31Portulaca pilosa56.66730.450.000010.6049
32Pupalia lappacea19040190.480.001085.271
33Setaria viridis13020261.30.000092.4867
34Sida cordifolia196.6746.6716.860.360.004348.3613
35Solanum xanthocarpum36.66713.33110.830.001312.3375
36Tephrosia purpurea68.3332013.670.680.000182.2165
37Trianthema portulacastrum152030.150.000221.9576
38Triumfetta rhomboidea31.667206.3330.320.000752.4473
39Verbesina encelioides11.6676.66771.050.000771.22
40Xanthium strumarium8.3333201.6670.080.000071.8015
Total18300 1200 0.13128300
Climbers
1Citrullus colocynthis1013.3330.230.0004444.47
2Cucumis callosus223.3393.339.5710.10.00064175.72
3Ipomoea pes-tigridis26.667205.3330.270.0001229.301
4Merremia aegyptia8.333313.332.50.190.0000615.207
5Momordica diocia13.3336.66781.20.0000310.231
6Mukia maderspatana23.33326.673.50.130.0000325.075
Total305 31.9 0.00132300

Analytical characteristics of plant species encountered in Bidola SG_

S. N.Name of Plant speciesDFAA/FBAIVI
Trees
1Acacia nilotica51020.20.1587.19
2Acacia tortilis432.510017.30.1730.84589.1
3Azadirachta indica51020.20.0254.31
4Balenites aegyptiaca17.51070.70.0345.58
5Dalbergia sissoo51020.20.1957.99
6Prosopis cineraria132.55010.60.2121.79667.08
7Prosopis juliflora367.530491.6330.86960.65
8Salvadora oleoides13040130.3250.36132.41
9Ziziphus jujuba20302.6670.0890.21216.33
Total1115 105.6 4.495300
Shrubs
1Abutilon indicum332.56022.170.3690.010336.90
2Calotropis procera187.56012.50.2080.0017226.62
3Capparis decidua3509015.560.1730.49046131.46
4Capparis sepiaria32.5206.50.3250.012689.23
5Maytenus emarginata82.5704.7140.0670.0036923.14
6Parthenium hysterophorus50040501.250.0104342.03
7Ziziphus nummularia172.56011.50.1920.0290630.61
Total1657.5 122.9 0.55833300
Herbs
1Achyranthes aspera837.510033.50.3350.0147820.52625
2Alternanthera sessilis7020140.70.000251.56365
3Alysicarpus vaginalis177.52035.51.7750.001973.35079
4Amaranthus palmeri17.5203.50.1750.001082.03256
5Amaranthus roxburghianus1753023.330.7780.001683.65783
6Argemone maxicana352070.350.000421.56828
7Boerhavia diffusa412.59018.330.2040.002268.31589
8Boerhavia erecta5020100.50.000181.43202
9Cenchrus ciliaris35040350.8750.001054.36089
10Chenopodium album12.51050.50.000140.70905
11Chenopodium murale5858029.250.3660.000737.18756
12Cleome viscosa51020.20.000140.68078
13Commelina benghalensis622.59027.670.3070.005411.63029
14Corchorus aestuans82.52016.50.8250.001642.72751
15Corchorus olitorius65308.6670.2890.001192.84946
16Croton bonplandianus3503046.671.5560.001464.14083
17Cyanthillium cinereum277.57015.860.2270.0071210.61259
18Cynodon dactylon8160100326.43.2640.0045339.89737
19Cyperus rotundus112540112.52.8130.000696.99343
20Dactyloctenium aegyptium752.55060.21.2040.000726.16265
21Digera muricata18040180.450.000082.94068
22Digitaris ciliaris52.510212.10.000050.78755
23Eragrostis tenella1697.59075.440.8380.0008312.01151
24Euphorbia granulata412.550330.660.000044.33453
25Euphorbia hirta232.530311.0330.000282.74984
26Euphorbia prostata7020140.70.000932.10997
27Evolvulus alsinoides10520211.050.000021.51082
28Heliotropium strigosum102.52020.51.0250.000051.5255
29Indigofera linnaei47.5209.50.4750.000151.39849
30Launaea nudicaulis17.5203.50.1750.000051.20505
31Mollugo nudicaulis12.51050.50.000010.60461
32Pedalium murex57.510232.30.001572.02758
33Peristrophe bicalyculata298570170.62.4370.0368744.72128
34Physalis minima302060.30.000141.32448
35Poa annua427.55034.20.6840.002076.02199
36Portulaca pilosa10520211.050.000291.72774
37Pupalia lappacia712.58035.630.4450.0122216.89938
38Setaria viridis381090169.31.8810.0012120.28098
39Sida cordifolia1253016.670.5560.000442.4731
40Spergula arvensis25020502.50.000422.37884
41Trianthema portulacastrum101040.40.000020.60322
42Tribulus terrestris603080.2670.000071.93079
43Verbena officinalis1853024.670.8220.000092.41811
44Verbesina encelioides267.54026.750.6690.0095610.88685
45Withania somnifera101040.40.000260.79604
46Xanthium strumarium312.550250.50.0077910.18392
47Zaleya pentandra85408.50.2130.001533.74747
Total26525 1710.1 0.12447300
Climbers
1Cucumis callosus145708.2860.1180.00101137.4887
2Momordica charantia55405.50.1380.0000535.26089
3Mukia maderspatana207.58010.380.130.0001999.35883
4Pergularia daemia252050.250.0001827.89157
Total432.5 29.166 0.00143300

Analytical characteristics of plant species encountered in Sultanpur SG_

S. N.Name of Plant speciesDFAA/FBAIVI
Trees
1Acacia nilotica1208060.0751.5286650.57
2Acacia tortilis18573.33310.10.1380.3096854.898
3Azadirachta indica3.336.666720.30.000062.3202
4Ficus beghalensis3.336.666720.30.766996.199
5Ficus religiosa3.3313.33310.0750.641737.2604
6Melia azedarach6.6713.33320.150.01044.6925
7Mimosa hamata11.676.666771.050.013383.9501
8Morus alba1033.3331.20.0360.000510.352
9Prosopis cineraria5533.3336.60.1980.4484121.055
10Prosopis juliflora100606.670.1110.2038235.035
11Salvadora oleoides28.3353.3332.130.0415.841698.991
12Syzygium cumini3.336.666720.30.006792.3543
13Ziziphus jujuba3.336.666720.30.000422.3221
Total533.3 50.7 19.7725300
Shrubs
1Abutilon indicum10546.66790.1930.0155434.855
2Calotropis procera121.746.66710.40.2230.0013925.132
3Capparis decidua113.366.6676.80.1020.0772189.714
4Capparis sepiaria3026.6674.50.1690.0107419.106
5Maytenus emarginata106.666760.90.000493.2597
6Parthenium hysterophorus823.366.66749.40.7410.0169396.392
7Phyllanthus reticulatus73.3313.333221.650.0021811.471
8Ziziphus nummularia51.67405.170.1290.004420.069
Total1328 113 0.129300
Herbs
1Achyranthes aspera45573.33324.80.3380.032626.339
2Aerva javanica10526.66715.80.5910.000853.1068
3Alternanthera sessilis21013.333634.7250.000852.4833
4Amaranthus viridis1513.3334.50.3380.000031.164
5Anagallis arvensis96.6713.333292.1750.000051.5344
6Argemone maxicana1254012.50.3130.003755.9076
7Arnebia hispidissima3.3336.666720.30.000310.7283
8Boerhavia diffusa236.72047.32.3670.002143.8685
9Cenchrus ciliaris166.72033.31.6670.000262.5006
10Centaurea sp.248.34024.80.6210.00064.6741
11Chenopodium album19520391.950.00032.6476
12Chenopodium murale381.74038.20.9540.003947.1473
13Convolvulus arvensis363.353.33327.30.5110.004898.6822
14Coronopus didymus154833.3331865.5740.0242523.201
15Croton bonplandianus38066.66722.80.3420.005039.9146
16Cyanthillium cinereum111.74011.20.2790.000293.8966
17Cynodon dactylon40881001641.6350.0020927.301
18Cyperus rotundus483.326.66772.52.7190.000984.8464
19Datura innoxia61.6713.33318.51.3880.001041.938
20Eclipta alba91.676.6667558.250.000331.1303
21Erigeron canadensis188.32037.71.8830.001283.1721
22Euphorbia dracunculoides18.336.6667111.650.000150.7079
23Euphorbia granulata518.36034.60.5760.000867.6311
24Euphorbia prostrata148.313.33344.53.3380.000291.8965
25Evolvulus nummularius308.36.666718527.750.000061.9332
26Fagonia indica6.6676.666740.60.000090.6205
27Glinus lotoides169546.6671453.1130.0160220.288
28Gnaphalium purpureum158.34015.80.3960.001074.5426
29Heliotropium strigosum113.313.333342.550.000471.8482
30Launaea nudicaulis121.746.66710.40.2230.001415.1151
31Malvastrum coromandelianum141.76.66678512.750.000921.6861
32Orobanche aegyptiaca6.6676.666740.60.000080.6173
33Oxalis corniculata168.36.666710115.150.001011.8513
34Paspalidium dilatatum656.6667395.850.000150.9104
35Polygonum aviculare42824042810.70.0091527.269
36Pupalia lappacea6.6676.666740.60.00010.6286
37Ranunculus sceleratus348033.33341812.530.0252532.274
38Rumex dentatus258.32051.72.5830.002244.0205
39Sida cordifolia256.6667152.250.000941.1832
40Sissymbrium irio651.753.33348.90.9160.000487.467
41Solanum nigrum3.3336.666720.30.000460.8171
42Solanum virginianum88.332017.70.8830.008286.6828
43Sonchus oleraceus3.3336.666720.30.000060.5908
44Spergula arvensis233.326.667351.3130.000223.313
45Vernonica anagallis-aquatica378.36.666722734.050.00263.675
46Withania somnifera8520170.850.0159310.979
47Zaleya pentandra176.733.33321.20.6360.003175.2682
Total22697 2929 0.17731300
Climbers
1Citrullus colocynthis8.3336.666750.750.0000590.886
2Momordica dioica1513.3334.50.3380.00019209.45
Total23.333 9.5 0.00024300
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3986/hacq-2025-0024 | Journal eISSN: 1854-9829 | Journal ISSN: 1581-4661
Language: English
Page range: 25 - 45
Submitted on: Mar 1, 2025
Accepted on: Aug 20, 2025
Published on: Jun 3, 2026
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 2 issues per year

© 2026 Aman Mahla, Himanshi Dhiman, Harikesh Saharan, Anita Rani Sehrawat, published by Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.