Morphological Diversity and Nomenclature of Swertia chirayita (Gentianaceae)—Recovery of Endangered Medicinal Plant Population in North Eastern Himalaya (original) (raw)
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American Journal of Plant Sciences, 2016
Swertia chirayita is a highly endangered and very well known medicinal plant enlisted in the IUCN list of endangered plants in the world. The plant is currently having a very low population in eastern Himalayan region due to its very low germinability in its own natural habitat. The plant population was found to have a range of diversity in morphological observations and some of the morphovariants were found to be very low among the variant populations which created a concern due to its diminishing range of genetic base in this region. A basic group of 5 morphovariants and 24 sub variants were identified and separately maintained. It is a pluriannual plant and reproductive or flowering stage was observed after completion of two years of vegetative stage from the time of seed germination. A range of morphovariant diversity was observed in the populations of Neora Valley and Lava region of eastern Himalaya in our investigation. Diversity was critically observed in some of the parameters of different morphovariants in the population. Conservation practices were generally done by not making groups or sub groups of this endangered plant while we proposed the way of conservation by making groups for proper conservation of this vulnerable plant.
Medicinal Plants - International Journal of Phytomedicines and Related Industries
Chirayita (Swertia chirayita) is a medicinal herb from the Himalaya region, classified as critically endangered by the IUCN. Both formal and traditional medical systems have traditionally employed the use of the entire plant to cure a variety of ailments. Six exploration and collections trips were carried out from four districts of Sikkim and two districts of West Bengal in between the years 2016 to 2019 to explore the natural population and to conserve the variability in the field and seed gene bank. The collections were divided into three elevation strata: 1200-1700m, 1800-2300m and above 2400m mean sea level. Among the collected accession, the highest plant height (125.50 cm), number of branches per plant (8.0), number of infloresences per plant (203.6), number of flowers per plant (671.67), fresh weight (113.80 g) and dry weight (57. 28 g) was observed in accession KSC-8 and lowest plant height (62.67cm) was recorded in accession KSC-10. The accession KSC-4 recorded the highest number of leaves per plant (190). However, the lowest number of leaves per plant (92) was recorded for KSC-22 and number of branches per plant (3.33) for KSC-24. The number of inflorescences per plant, root length and diameter significantly varied with altitude among all the collected accessions. The array of accessions that has been identified will act as a base for future breeding programmes, genetic improvement, and commercial cultivation as well as prospective sources of high-quality germplasm to raise the standards of herbal products and ease pressure on threatened wild populations.
2008
Swertia L., a morphologically diverse but taxonomically distinct genus’s circumscription has often been debated. Four problems still need to be solved: species delimitation, section delimitation, and relation with allied genera and domestication of the species for economic benefits. In the present paper an attempt has been made to prepare a checklist of Swertia species, and documentation of distribution patterns, existing ethnobotanical uses and conservation practices in Nepal. Some integrated measures, which might help to fill up the gaps in our knowledge, are also recommended.
In-vitro propagation and genetic stability analysis of Swertia chirayita, 2019
Swertia chirayita, an endangered medicinal plant of Himalayas, is under constant threat of over-exploitation. In our study, it was propagated under in-vitro conditions. The established shoots of Swertia chirayita were multiplied on MS medium fortified with different growth regulators showing maximum 79.29% multiplication with BAP (1.50 mg/l), KIN (0.10 mg/l) and NAA (0.20 mg/l). With progressive sub-culturing, an increase in a number of microshoots per explant (16.53) along with highest microshoot length (6.94 cm) was found. While, the highest 82.14% rooting, 6.26 maximum number of roots per shoot and 3.23cm maximum root length was observed on half strength MS medium fortified with IBA (1.50 mg/l) and activated charcoal (0.02%). The maximum survival rate of 63.31% was obtained in potting mixture of cocopeat and sand (1:1). Genetic fidelity of in-vitro propagated plants was assessed using RAPD and ISSR markers which confirmed the potential of micro-propagation protocol for its mass propagation and conservation.
Phytotaxa, 2015
The genus Swertia in South India is revisited based on field and herbarium studies. A brief history of the genus, detailed descriptions, photo plates, nomenclature, distribution and key to the identification of south Indian species are provided. Seven names viz., Swertia beddomei, S. trichotoma, S. affinis, S. lawii, S. minor, Ophelia elegans and O. umbellata are lectotypified. A new species, Swertia raveendrae, endemic to South India is also described here. The new species is similar to S. lawii but differs by its cordate-orbicular leaves, dense paniculate cymes, small (0.3–1 cm long), ovate-elliptic bracts and the calyx not exceeding the corolla in bud.
Owing to the high demand, Swertia chirayita populations in the wild are being depleted beyond its regeneration capacity. S. chirayita is one of the most valuable medicinal plants of Nepal in trade. Present Molecular investigation was undertaken to understand the level of genetic diversity in five S. chirayita populations of Nepal using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique. Thirty four accessions of S. chirayita along with six outlier accessions were analyzed using 26 arbitrary primers. Of the total 285 amplified bands scored for S. chirayita, 263 bands (92.28%) were polymorphic. Two major clusters were revealed in the phenogram generated from cluster analysis using NTSYS-PC software (version 2.21i) for the geographic populations under study. Principal Coordinate Analysis further substantiated the results of the phenograms. Swertia chirayita populations from Sankhuwasabha and Terathum were found to be genetically closest (68%, similar) whilst Nagarjun and Terathum were found to be most distant (33%, similar).The high genetic polymorphism reflected in S. chirayita populations indicates the good survival potentiality and adaptability in changing environmental scenario. The results thus produced might be helpful to plant breeders for elite cultivar development. The RAPD-PCR technique is found to be the rapid and effective tool for genetic diversity assessment in S. chirayita populations and generated insights for the formulation of conservation strategy of this vulnerable species together with its phytochemical distinctiveness.
Assessing the impact of threats, identifying favorable growing conditions, and predicting the future population scenarios are vital for the conservation and management of threatened species. This study investigated the availability, microhabitat characteristics, threat status, and community associations of Swertia chirayta, a highly threatened Himalayan medicinal herb, in 22 populations in Sikkim, India, using the vertical belt transect method. Of the 14 microhabitats identified, open grassy slope emerged as the most favorable and wet grassy slope as the least favorable for S. chirayta. The species was dominant in 8 of 10 major plant communities identified. Among 9 major of disturbance identified, human movement and collection non-timber forest products appeared as the biggest threats S. chirayta. Disturbances significantly affected the availability of the species. S. chirayta, though under anthropogenic threat, maintains high microhabitat pliability, which is vital for its conservation and management, provided immediate conservation measures are taken.