Conservation of medicinal plants of Western Ghats,India and its sustainable utilization through <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> technology |
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Authors: | Peringattulli Narayanan Krishnan S W Decruse R K Radha |
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Institution: | (1) Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Division, Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Palode, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 562, India |
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Abstract: | Climate change, alien species, and use of land for intensive farming and development are causing severe threat to the plant
genetic diversity worldwide. Hence, conservation of biodiversity is considered fundamental and also provides the livelihoods
to millions of people worldwide. Medicinal plants play a key role in the treatment of a number of diseases, and they are only
the source of medicine for majority of people in the developing world. The tropical regions of the world supply the bulk of
current global demand for “natural medicine,” albeit with increasing threat to populations in the world and its genetic diversity.
India is a major center of origin and diversity of crop and medicinal plants. India poses out 20,000 species of higher plants,
one third of it being endemic and 500 species are categorized to have medicinal value. The Western Ghats is one of the major
repositories of medicinal plants. It harbors around 4,000 species of higher plants of which 450 species are threatened. Currently,
the number of species added to the red list category in this region is increasing, and the valuable genetic resources are
being lost at a rapid rate. Demand for medicinal plants is increasing, and this leads to unscrupulous collection from the
wild and adulteration of supplies. Providing high-quality planting material for sustainable use and thereby saving the genetic
diversity of plants in the wild is important. During the last 25 years of intensive research, Tropical Botanic Garden and
Research Institute has developed in vitro protocol for rapid regeneration and establishment of about 40 medicinally important rare and threatened plants of Western
Ghats. In situ conservation alone would not be effective in safeguarding these important species. Thus, utilizing the biotechnoligical approach
to complement ex situ conservation program is becoming vital. Propagating biotechnology tools in plant conservation program is a prerequisite to
succeed in sustainable use and to complement the existing ex situ measures. In addition to propagation, storage of these valuable genetic resources is equally important. In vitro slow growth of 35 species and cryopreservation using embryo/meristem/seed in 20 different species of rare medicinal plants
of this region is accomplished. Plants developed in vitro of ten medicinal plants, which have restricted distribution, were reintroduced in the natural habitat as well. |
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