Joginder Singh , R. Raina , A. Rajasekaran

Abstract

Hypericum perfortaum L. (Family: Hypericaceae), commonly known as "St. John's Wort" is an important medicinal plant valued for its anti-depressant activity. In the present work role of GA₃ application and time of seed sowing on seed germination of Indian populations of Hypericum perforatum growing in Himachal Pradesh was studied. Seeds were sown on four different dates viz D₁ (February 13), D₂ (March 1), D₃ (March 15) and D₄ (April 1) and treated with different concentration of GA₃ solution. The results showed that seeds sown on 15th March (D₃) gave the maximum germination of 57.15 per cent, shortest peak germination period of 21.55 days (D₃), the earliest germination initiation of 14.4 days and the shortest seed germination period of 33.55 days (D₃). Seeds treated with 150 ppm GA₃ (T₄) gave the highest seed germination percentage (45.63), which is significantly higher than 29.19 per cent seed germination in untreated seeds. The results suggested that time of sowing have a positive effect on seed germination and seedling vigour in Hypericum perforatum L.

Keywords

, Time of Sowing, Himachal
Pradesh

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T. S. Mehra , R. Raina , Puran Chandra , Romesh Chand

Abstract

The medicinal properties of Gloriosa superba, a perennial herb reproducing both by seed and tuber, are due to presence of colchicine in its seeds and tubers. The weak stemmed aerial part is annual which dries off after setting seed. Harvesting its tubers for medicament leads to destructive harvesting. Using seeds for drug purposes (with higher colchicines content as compared to tuber) has the advantage of annual harvest and also avoiding destructive harvesting. However, seed production under natural condition is quite low and uneconomical. It has been found that seed setting in the species is pollen limited. Results obtained have revealed that although the species is both self as well as cross compatible but seed setting is significantly influenced by pollination methods used. Controlled selfing between different flowers on the same plant have given significantly higher seed setting as compared to other methods tried. There was considerable increase in number of seeds produced per capsule (42.26) and dry seed weight per plant (1.13 g). It is suggested that for increasing seed set different flowers on the same plant should be selfed (Gnetonogamy) at stigma receptive stage.

Keywords

Gloriosa superba, Pollination, Fruit Set, Seed Set, Colchicine

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T. S. Mehra , R. Raina , Puran Chandra , Y. P. Sharma , Romesh Chand

Abstract

Effect of different concentrations and dipping time periods of growth regulators IAA, IBA, NAA and GA₃ on ischolar_maining, field survival and ischolar_mainstock biomass yield in important endangered alpine medicinal plant Picrorhiza kurroa revealed that pre-planting treatments of stolon cuttings by IBA 100ppm for 24 hrs resulted in maximum sprouting percentage (88.89 %), field survival (77.18 %) and dry ischolar_main-stock (economic part) biomass yield of 7.8 g/plant after two years. Treated cuttings can be directly field planted which can reduce the cost. An estimated yield of approximately 577 kg of dry ischolar_mainstock per hectare can be obtained after two years of field growth.

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V. Kaul , R. Raina

Abstract

The paper records the phenological data of fifty most common trees and shrubs of Srinagar vis-a-vis the various seasons that the solar year is divided into. Most of the species show floral bud development in March, some in February and some others in April. The anthesis in majority of cases initiates in April and March. The fruiting als is pbasic and spreads from the last week of April or the first week of May to the onset of October. The low temperature and day-length of the winter seem to have a definite impact on the breaking of dormancy of both buds, foliar and floral, and seeds.

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R. Raina , T. S. Mehra

Abstract

Approach to conserve biodiversity for sustainable development should be targetted at different levels, from improving living standards to changing the attitude of people. If Himalayan medicinal plants are to continue to serve the needs of the people without being reduced to a dangerously unstable resource base, they have to be considered in the perspective of sound ecological management that also has economic benefits to the local people. From the concept of in-situ conservation we need to move to In-situ cultivation.

Keywords

Medicinal Plants, Biodiversity, Conservation, In-situ, Cultivation

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Joginder Singh , A. Rajasekaran , R. Raina , R. Rana

Abstract

The present study evaluated different collections of Hypericum perforatum L. growing in Himachal Pradesh for biomass yield and hypericin content. The maximum fresh weight (49.98 g/plant) and dry weight (16.04 g/plant) was recorded in Hyp-V collected from Dochidhar area of Shimla District while Hyp-Vl collected from Koftdhar had maximum height (59.46 em). The maximum hypericin (0.109 percent) was recorded in Hyp-II and Hyp-VlI collections.

Keywords

Medicinal Plant, Hypericin, Fresh and Dry Weight

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Puran Chandra , R. C. Rana , T. S. Mehra , R. Raina

Abstract

Mucuna pruriens, commonly known as Konch or Cowhedge is a traditionally used medicinal plant. Seeds of the species contain high percentage of active principle L-DOPA, which is used for curing Parkinson disease. There is a great variation in the seed colour of the species, and in the present study twenty eight black mottled with brown (collected locally) and creamish white (procured form NBPGR New Delhi) seeds were evaluated for morphological parameters as well as for L-DOPA content. Black seeded collections were found to contain high level of L-DOPA ranging 6.36 to 7.30. But, the seed yield and consequently L-DOPA yield was low ranging 38.40-65.86g and 2.35-4.69g per plant respectively Moreover, pods of these collections contain itching trichomes which puts workers in commercial cultivation Among black seeded collections regarding seed yield, L-DOPA content and L-DOPA yield collections Panba, Nagrota, Jwalaji Hilltop and Jwalaji excelled over all other collections. L-DOPA content in white seeded collections was low ranging 5.41-5.78 per cent. But, the seed yield and consequently L-DOPA yield was very high ranging 4.30-697.20g and 23.38-39.73g respectively. Also, pods of these collections are devoid of itching trichomes. Among white seeded collections regarding seed yield, L-DOPA content L-DOPA yield collection IC127363 and IC 127362 excelled over other collections. Exotic collection EC 144945 performed below par for all the parameters studied.

Keywords

Mucuna Proriens , Cowhedge, L-dopa, Medicinal Plant

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Rajesh Chauhan ¹, R. Raina ¹, Dharam Chand ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Forest Products, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP), IN

Abstract

No Abstract

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T. S. Mehra ¹, R. Raina ², Puran Chandra ³, Romesh Chand ²

Affiliations
1 College of Horticulture and Forestry, CAU, Pasighat (Arunachal Pradesh), IN
2 Depertment of Forest Products, Dr. Y.S.Parmar UHF, Nauni-Solan (HP), IN
3 Division of Agroforestry, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Regions, Umiam (Meghalaya), IN

Abstract

No Abstract.

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