Agricultural Plant Diversity of the Orchards along the Bank of Chao Phraya River and Ko Kret Areas in Nonthaburi Province

Abstract

A survey of the agricultural plant diversity in the orchards on the bank of Chao Phraya river and Ko Kret areas of Nonthaburi province was conducted in the year 2005. The soil in these areas was Banglen Series : (Bl, clay and silty clay loam) and pH was between 4.2-6.6. Soil fertility was considered to contain high plant nutrients, ranging form good to very good level, and the quality of water was also good. The total plant diversity of 48 orders, 96 families, 246 genera and 429 species of agricultural plants was recorded. The majority of plants was ornamental plants, 52.57 percent. Agricultural crops were categorized into 3 groups, i.e. native species, threatened species and extirpated species. Variability in cultivars of durians and rose apples were decreased. The threatened species were Kruai (Horsfieldia irya Gaertn Warb), Chomphu Mamiao (Syzygium mallacsense L. Merr. & L.M. Perry ST), Somsa (Citrus aurantium L. var. aurantium ExST), Reo (Alpinia nigra gaertn. Burtt H), and Dipli (Piper retrofractum Vahl C). The extirpated species were Chanthet (Myristica fragrans Houtt. ExS), Clove (Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr.& L.M. Perry ExST), Langsat (Landsium domesticum), Raksorn (Calotropis giganted R.Br.), Payom (Shorea roxburghii), and purple Chabasorn (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.). The results of this survey should be further used as the base line for plant genetic conservation policy and for environmental conservation.