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@article{192026,
        author = {Prof. Mr. Dnyanoba R. Awad and Prof. Pranjali V. Kumbhar and Prof. Pratima B. Gore and Mr. Pratik Dasud and Ms. Harshika Pardeshi},
        title = {A Floristic Diversity, Distribution and Ecological Importance of Roadside Grasses in Latur District, Maharashtra (India)},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {9},
        pages = {140-145},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=192026},
        abstract = {Grasses constitute the foundation of global food systems, all the major cereal crops belong to the family Poaceae, one of the most economically important monocotyledonous plant families. Beyond their agricultural significance, grasses perform vital ecological functions, including soil stabilization, regulation of water dynamics, moderation of local microclimates, and facilitation of nutrient cycling through the decomposition of plant litter. They also provide essential food resources and habitats for a wide range of animal species.
Roadside grass communities play an important role in maintaining ecological balance along transportation networks. These grasses, whether naturally occurring along rural roads, trunk roads, and national highways, contribute to soil conservation through their dense fibrous root systems and spreading growth forms, which effectively minimize erosion. In addition, roadside grasses serve as an important fodder source for livestock and wild herbivores, thereby supporting local livelihoods and sustaining roadside ecosystems.
The family Poaceae encompasses more than 10,000 species across approximately 600–700 genera and is recognized as one of the most evolutionarily advanced groups of angiosperms, characterized by reduced floral structures adapted primarily for wind pollination. The present study focuses on the diversity, adaptive traits, and ecological functions of roadside grasses, highlighting their significance in biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability, and rural socio-economic systems.},
        keywords = {Poaceae, roadside grasses, grass diversity, soil conservation, ecosystem services, biodiversity},
        month = {February},
        }