Podophyllum hexandrum Royle, an important alpine herb, is the source of highly valued podophyllot... more Podophyllum hexandrum Royle, an important alpine herb, is the source of highly valued podophyllotoxin. The effect of some plant growth substances (GA3, BAP & ABA), uniconazole (an inhibitor of GA biosynthesis), and a combination of GA3 and uniconazole were examined in respect to influence on sprouting in rhizomes of P. hexandrum and on induction of flowering at a lower altitude. Amongst the various chemicals tested, GA3 had a marked effect resulting in uniform sprouting and also induced flowering in about half of the treated rhizomes. While BAP also promoted early sprouting, delayed sprouting was seen in rhizomes treated with ABA. Uniconazole treatment, either alone or with GA3 was found to inhibit flowering and also resulted in reduced plant height. GA3 treatment of rhizomes from plants that was maintained for up to 30 months at a lower altitude also induced flowering thus replacing the normal chilling requirement of plants. These results suggest that treatment of GA3 could be effectively used for inducing uniform sprouting and flowering in rhizomes of P. hexandrum grown at lower altitudes.
Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth., a high value medicinal herb of alpine Himalaya and a source o... more Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth., a high value medicinal herb of alpine Himalaya and a source of hepatoprotective picrosides, is listed as ‘endangered’ due to heavy collection from its natural habitat. The present report deals with successful propagation of this species using both conventional and in vitro techniques. Vegetative propagation was achieved by rooting runner cuttings with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or α-naphtheleneacetic acid (NAA) treatment before planting. Nearly 87% rooting success was achieved by treatment of cuttings with 50.0 μM IBA. Seeds were given a presoaking treatment with gibberellic acid (GA3), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) or a combination of both to influence germination. More than 11-fold improvement in germination was recorded in seeds treated with 250.0 μM GA3. In vitro shoot multiplication was achieved through sprouting of axillary buds using nodal segment. Multiple shoots were formed following culture for 3 weeks on Murashige and Skoog (MS; 1962. Physiologia Plantarum 15: 473–497) medium containing 1.0 μM BAP. Cent percent rooting success, without basal callus formation, was observed when individual microshoots were placed in MS medium supplemented with IBA. The plantlets raised using conventional as well as tissue culture methods were hardened and successfully established in the experimental field located at 2450 m elevation. In addition, strategies have been discussed to encourage cultivation and in situ conservation of this highly valued medicinal herb so as to reduce pressure on its natural populations.
Podophyllum hexandrum Royle, an important alpine herb, is the source of highly valued podophyllot... more Podophyllum hexandrum Royle, an important alpine herb, is the source of highly valued podophyllotoxin. The effect of some plant growth substances (GA3, BAP & ABA), uniconazole (an inhibitor of GA biosynthesis), and a combination of GA3 and uniconazole were examined in respect to influence on sprouting in rhizomes of P. hexandrum and on induction of flowering at a lower altitude. Amongst the various chemicals tested, GA3 had a marked effect resulting in uniform sprouting and also induced flowering in about half of the treated rhizomes. While BAP also promoted early sprouting, delayed sprouting was seen in rhizomes treated with ABA. Uniconazole treatment, either alone or with GA3 was found to inhibit flowering and also resulted in reduced plant height. GA3 treatment of rhizomes from plants that was maintained for up to 30 months at a lower altitude also induced flowering thus replacing the normal chilling requirement of plants. These results suggest that treatment of GA3 could be effectively used for inducing uniform sprouting and flowering in rhizomes of P. hexandrum grown at lower altitudes.
Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth., a high value medicinal herb of alpine Himalaya and a source o... more Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth., a high value medicinal herb of alpine Himalaya and a source of hepatoprotective picrosides, is listed as ‘endangered’ due to heavy collection from its natural habitat. The present report deals with successful propagation of this species using both conventional and in vitro techniques. Vegetative propagation was achieved by rooting runner cuttings with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or α-naphtheleneacetic acid (NAA) treatment before planting. Nearly 87% rooting success was achieved by treatment of cuttings with 50.0 μM IBA. Seeds were given a presoaking treatment with gibberellic acid (GA3), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) or a combination of both to influence germination. More than 11-fold improvement in germination was recorded in seeds treated with 250.0 μM GA3. In vitro shoot multiplication was achieved through sprouting of axillary buds using nodal segment. Multiple shoots were formed following culture for 3 weeks on Murashige and Skoog (MS; 1962. Physiologia Plantarum 15: 473–497) medium containing 1.0 μM BAP. Cent percent rooting success, without basal callus formation, was observed when individual microshoots were placed in MS medium supplemented with IBA. The plantlets raised using conventional as well as tissue culture methods were hardened and successfully established in the experimental field located at 2450 m elevation. In addition, strategies have been discussed to encourage cultivation and in situ conservation of this highly valued medicinal herb so as to reduce pressure on its natural populations.
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Papers by Bhuwan Chandra