Scope and Importance of Genetic Diversity in Sustainable Management of Medicinal Plants My dissertation work in my college

1. BIRSAAGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF FORESTRY
MALOTHSURESH
Registration No – F/BAU/6441/2018
Scope and Importance of Genetic Diversity in Sustainable Management of Medicinal
Plants
SUPERVISOR: - Dr. Jai Kumar

2. INTRODUCTION
 Plant genetic diversity is the key component of agricultural system & genetic improvement of crops can be
accelerated when broad genetic diversity is available.
 Most of the medicinal plants are collected from forests without practicing any scientific resource management
system leading to their vulnerable status and gradually threatened with extinction.
 In general the common sustainable management practices include good harvesting techniques, proper
harvesting time, regulating the quantity of collection /harvest, removal of harmful agents from the targeted
area, domestication and cultivation of medicinal plants, avoiding collection / harvesting of reproductive
propagules, site protection and education the stakeholders with harmful effect of unsustainability
 The only realistic solution of the continuing loss of plant germplasm is the collection and systematic
preservation of germplasm in gene resources centres with a wide representation of genetic resources of the
species as practicable (Thakur and Thakur, 2015).
 According to Frankel (1983), an essential prerequisite for a species to survive against environmental pressures
is the availability of a pool of genetic diversity and in the absence of that extinction would appear inevitable.
 Use of crop genetic resources in crop improvement programme should be the ultimate objective of germplasm
resource management and improvement in both qualitative and quantitative characters of a crop should be the
main aim of any breeding programmes (Simmonds, 1962).

3. Importance of genetic diversity
 Genetic diversity is the base for survival of plants in nature and for crop improvement. Diversity in
plant genetic resources provides opportunity for plant breeders to develop new and improved cultivars
with desirable characteristics, which include both farmer-preferred traits (high yield potential, large
seed, etc.) and breeder-preferred traits (pest and disease resistance and photosensitivity, etc.).
 For ever-changing breeding goals, different genes need to be reserved in cultivated and cultivable crops
species in the form of germplasm resources.
 Presence of genetic diversity within and between crop plant species permits the breeders to select
superior genotypes either to be directly used as new variety or to be used as parent in hybridization
programme.
 Diversity is also important with respect to adaptability of crop plants to varied environments with
special reference to changing climatic conditions.
 Consequently, domestication reduces the genetic diversity when compared to the diversity in wild.
Natural selection also affects the genetic diversity considerably, Directional and stabilizing selection
decreases while disruptive selection increases the genetic diversity, Mutation is also reported to
increase genetic diversity.
 Inbreeding reduces while out breeding increases genetic diversity. Genetic drift can lead to loss of rare
alleles thereby reduces genetic diversity.
 Gene flow within population increases the genetic diversity as new alleles are introduced.

4.  Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. Ex Kurz, commonly known as Sarpagandha (Indian snakeroot), Chota-
Chand, Chandrabhaga and Chandrika is critically endangered medicinal plant species. It is an important
medicinal plant found in Indian subcontinent and south East Asian countries. Sarpgandha is low-diverse,
endangered and red-listed plant species because of over exploitation.
 The species selected for research activities was Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC, belongs to the family
Fabaceae, sub family Papilionaceae. Genus Mucuna includes approximately 150 species of annual and
perennial legumes. It is widespread in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. Other physical
properties like high nitrogen fixing capability, aggressive growth habit and high productivity of
vegetative matter make it an excellent soil improving crop, pasture crop, green manure cover crop, source
of food and weed controller (Padmesh et al., 2006).
 Gymnema sylvestre R.Br. commonly known as "Gudmar" or "Madhunashini", is slow growing,
perennial, woody climber in nature, having potential anti diabetic properties belonging to family
Asclepiadaceae. Due to increase in demand and destructive harvesting, the plant has become vulnerable.
Therefore, the only way to meet the increasing demand and reduce the pressure of harvest from wild is its
large-scale cultivation.

5. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
 Ansari (1993) has stated that genetic erosion has affected the species greatly and populations left in India have very
poor alkaloid content. It was found to be endangered in Southern Western Ghats of India (Nayar, 1996). Biswas
(1956) observed positive correlation between number of branches and root yield per plant in clonal population of
Rauvolfia serpentina. Kandalkar er al. (1993) studied genotypic association and path coefficient analysis in
Ashwagandha. Path coefficient analysis showed highest positive direct and indirect effect of plant height and stem
branches on root yield.
 Constraint reported from west Africa include difficulties in planting on time (for adequate biomass to accumulate
during intercropping), losses of biomass due to bushfires and animals during the dry season as well as snakes under
the Mucuna pruriens var. utilis canopy (Galiba et al., 1998). It is unclear whether Mucuna's L-DOPA (an uncommon
substance in plants which is also found in smaller quantities in faba beans, Vicia faba) content, palatability, or other
reasons have caused Mucuna to remain a minor food crop despite the fact that its proximate composition is similar to
common beans and other grain legumes.
 Gymnemic acid formulations have been found useful against diabetes and obesity (Yoshikawa et al, 1993). The
"destroyer of sugar" is a traditionally used term for Gymnema sylvestre because chewing the leaves will abolish the
taste of sweetness. Gudmar leaves are used in food additives against obesity and caries (Nakamura et al., 1997). Leaf
shape, shape of the leaf apex and base length of the leaf, following the method of Ash et al. (1999). The shapes of leaf
apex and base were also determined following the criteria as per Ash et al. (1999).

6. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
 Kandalkar et al. (1993) reported about highest positive direct and indirect effect of plant height and stem
branches on root yield in Ashwagandha.
 Rahane (2012) found highest direct effect of root length followed lowed by number of secondary branches per
plant on dry root yield at the same root length also had significant and positive correlation with dry root yield
per plant in Ashwagandha.
 Misra et al., (1998b) had studied genetic divergence among 37 accessions of Ashwagandha quantified for six
metric traits and classified them in eight clusters showing substantial divergence. Cluster I was largest
comprising 14 genotypes followed by cluster II, III & IV having 13, 4 and 2 genotypes respectively, and rest
having single genotype.
 Jain et al., (2007) assessed genetic divergence among 55 Ashwagandha accession of different geographic origin
using Mahalanobis's D' statistics. They reported the genotypes were classified into ten clusters. Cluster I was
the largest with fifteen genotypes followed by II & III clusters which have nine genotypes.

7. Qualitative parameters of Mucuna pruriens germplasm
SI.
NO.
Parameters Particulars No. of
germplasm
Name of germplasm
1. Flower
colour
Creamy White 4 IIHR MP1, DMAPR MP1,
DMAPR MP8, Ranchi MP8
white 4 IIHR MP2, DMAPR MP4, DMAPR MP5, Ranchi MP5,
Dark Purple 10 IIHR MP4, IIHR MP5, IIHR MP6, IIHR MP7, IIHR MP8,
DMAPR MP6, Ranchi MP1, Ranchi MP2, Ranchi MP3, Ranchi
MP6
Light Purple 6 IIHR MP3, DMAPR MP2. DMAPR MP3, DMAPR MP7,
Ranchi MP4, Ranchi MP7
2. Bearing
habit
Basal node (9th to
14th node)
5 IIHR MP8, DMAPR MP3, DMAPR MP6, Ranchi MP1, Ranchi
MP8
Intermediate
node (14th-19th
node)
18 IIHR MP1, IIHR MP2, IIHR MP4, IIHR MP5, IIHR MP6, IIHR
MP7, DMAPR MP1, DMAPR MP2, DMAPR MP4, DMAPR
MP5, DMAPR MP7, DMAPR MP8, Ranchi MP2, Ranchi MP3,
Ranchi MP4, Ranchi MP5, Ranchi MP6, Ranchi MP7,
Top node (19th to
24th node)
1 Ranchi MP3
3. Colour of
immature
pod
Light green 15 IIHR MP1, IIHR MP2, IIHR MP3, IIHR MP4, IIHR MP8,
DMAPR MP1, DMAPR MP2, DMAPR MP4, DMAPR MP8,
Ranchi MP1, Ranchi MP5, Ranchi MP6, Ranchi MP8
Black 7 IIHR MP5, IIHR MP6, IIHR MP7, DMAPR MP3, DMAPR
MP6, Ranchi MP4, Ranchi MP7,
Greenish-yellow 1 Ranchi MP2
Light yellow 3 DMAPR MP5. DMAPR MP7, Ranchi MP3
 From the perusal of data
related to flower colour it
may be concluded that large
variability was found as
regards to flower colour of
different Mucuna pruriens
germplasm.
 However, maximum
germplasm of Mucuna
pruriens shows dark purple
flower colour.
o Flower colour, bearing habit
and colour of immature pod of
different Mucuna pruriens
germplasm

8. Leaf colour, Seed coat Colour and Seed coat
pattern of different Mucuna pruriens
germplasm
From the perusal of data related to leaf
colour it may be concluded that large
variability was found as regards to leaf
colour of different Mucuna pruriens
germplasm. However, maximum germplasm
of Mucuna pruriens showed deep green and
green leaf colour.
Studies reported that the leaves of different
species of the genus are pinnately trifoliate
with deciduous stipules while as flowers are
large usually dark purple or greenish in
colour turn black when dried (Hooker, 1876;
Kirtikar and Basu, 1935). IIHR MP11 has
flowers creamish white in colour on long
raceme borne on top nodes of the plant,
smooth green pods with seeds creamy white
seed coat (Annual report, IIHR, 2008-09).
SI.
NO.
Parameters Particulars No. of
germplasm
Name of germplasm
1. Leaf colour Deep green 10 IIHR MP1, IIHR MP2, IIHR MP3, IIHR MP4, IIHR MP5, IIHR
MP8, DMAPR MP5, DMAPR MP7, DMAPR MP8, Ranchi MP8
Light green 4 IIHR MP6, DMAPR MP7, DMAPR MP2, Ranchi MP5,
Green 10 IIHR MP7, DMAPR MP3, DMAPR MP4, DMAPR MP6,
Ranchi MP1, Ranchi MP2, Ranchi MP3, Ranchi MP4, Ranchi
MP6, Ranchi MP7
2. Seed coat colour
Black 4 IIHR MP1, IIHR MP2, IIHR MP5, IIHR MP7, DMAPR MP₁.
DMAPR MP4, DMAPR MP5, DMAPR MP8, Ranchi MP2,
Ranchi MP3, Ranchi MP5, Ranchi MP8
Brownish
white
8 IIHR MP3, DMAPR MP2, DMAPR MP7, Ranchi MP6,
3. Seed coat pattern Plain 15 IIHR MP1, IIHR MP2, IIHR MP3, DMAPR MP1, DMAPR
MP2,
DMAPR MP4, DMAPR MP5, DMAPR MP6, DMAPR MP7,
DMAPR MP8, Ranchi MP2, Ranchi MP4, Ranchi MP5, Ranchi
MP6, Ranchi MP8
Mottled 9 IIHR MP4, IIHR MP5, IIHR MP6, IIHR MP7, IIHR MP8,
DMAPR MP3, Ranchi MP1, Ranchi MP3, Ranchi MP7

9. Genetic diversity in Mucuna pruriens germplasm
Sources of genetic diversity in Mucuna pruriens germplasm with their
percentage contribution.
Perusal of data indicated that L-Dopa content in seeds (40.22%) of
Mucuna pruriens germplasm contributed maximum diversity followed by
pod yield/plant (11.59%) and seed length (11.23%). Rest of the parameters
shown minimum impact on genetic diversity in Mucuna pruriens
germplasm namely number of flowers/inflorescence (9.06%) > plant
length (8.33%) > number of pods/bunch (5.80%) seed breadth
inflorescence length (3.99%) > number of seeds/pod-pod width (1.45%)
pod length (1.09%) >100 seed weight-seed yield/plant (0.72%) > weight
of 10 dried pods (0.36%).
SI.
NO.
Source Percentage
Contribution
Rank w.r.t.
%
contribution
1. Plant length 8.33% 5
2. No. of pods/bunch 5.80% 6
3. No. of seeds/pod 1.45% 8
4. Pod length 1.09 9
5. Pod width 1.45% 8
6. Seed length 11.23% 3
7. Seed breadth 3.99% 7
8. Inflorescence length 3.99% 7
9. No. of
flower/inflorescence
9.06% 4
10. Weight of 10 dried
pods
0.36% 11
11. 100 seed weight 0.72% 10
12. Pod yield/plant 11.59% 2
13. Seed yield/plant 0.72% 10
14. L-Dopa content 40.22% 1
0.00%
5.00%
10.00%
15.00%
20.00%
25.00%
30.00%
35.00%
40.00%
45.00%
8.33%
5.80%
1.45%
1.09%
1.45%
11.23%
3.99%
3.99%
9.06%
0.36%
0.72%
11.59%
0.72%
40.22%
PERCENT
CONTRIBUTION
PARAMETERS

10. Cluster
Mean Performance of clusters
Cluster Means
Plant
Length
(m)
No.
Of
Pods/
Bunch
No. of
Seeds/
pod
Pod
Length
(mm)
Pod
Width
(mm)
Seed
Length
(mm)
Seed
breadth
(mm)
Inflorescence
Length
(cm)
No. of
Flowers/
inflorescenc
e
Weight
of 10
dried
Pods
(g)
100
Seed
Weight
(g)
Pod
Yield/
Plant
(Kg)
Seed
yield/
plant
(Kg)
L-
Dopa
Cont
ent
(Kg)
I 8.59 6.14 4.36 89.25 17.05 15.70 12.26 10.86 10.42 64.21 84.83 0.24 0.14 3.35
II 8.38 11.36 3.21 66.10 15.03 13.83 11.50 21.86 36.59 27.36 41.08 0.02 0.01 3.79
From the perusal of
data, it may be inferred
that for higher the
means values of plant
length, number of
pods/bunches, number
of seeds/pods, L-Dopa
content was higher.
However, higher mean
values of pod length,
pod width, seed length,
seed breadth yield lesser
L-Dopa content.
o Sreelathakumary and Rajamony (2004) studied nature and magnitude of genetic divergence in thirty-five chilli genotypes of
different geographical origin using Mahalanobis D2 statistics and grouped them into six clusters. The cluster-II was the largest with
16 genotypes followed by cluster-III with six and cluster-V with five genotypes.
o Jain et al., (2007) assessed genetic divergence among 55 Ashwagandha accession of different geographic origin using
Mahalanobis's D² statistics. They reported the genotypes were classified into ten clusters. Cluster 1 was the largest with fifteen
genotypes followed by II & III clusters which have nine genotypes. Rahane (2012) through D2 analysis showed that, there was
considerable divergence among the genotypes of Ashwagandha. Genotypes under study were grouped into six different clusters.
The cluster-I has accommodated highest number (23) of genotypes, followed by cluster-III (7), cluster-IV (3), however, cluster-II,
cluster-V and cluster-VI were observed to be monogenic.

11. o Out of 22 populations, six populations (GS.3, GS.5, GS.6, GS.16, GS.17, and GS.20) showed ovate shape while 18 populations
recorded oblong shape. The leaf apex shape in the collected accessions varied from acuminate to acute. Only two populations (GS.2
and GS.20) recorded acuminate and others recorded acute apex. The leaf base shape in the collected accessions varied from obtuse to
cordate.
o The populations GS.2, GS.3, GS.5, GS.6, GS.16, GS.17 and GS.20 had obtuse leaf base while others recorded cordate leaf base
shape. The collected accessions recorded all three types of leaf pubescence.
o Thamburaj et al. (1996) studied morphological diversity among 12 accessions of G. sylvestre collected from Tamil Nadu and Kerala
states of India. They recorded lanceolate and ovate leaf shapes, blunt and pointed leaf apex shapes and two types of leaf base shapes
as obtuse and cordate.
o Nair and Keshava Chandran (2006) studied 93 accessions of G. sylvestre of Kerala and recorded elliptic-oblong, ovate, ovate-
lanceolate, and cordate types of leaf shapes, acute and acuminate leaf apex shapes and four base shapes such as truncate, obtuse, sub-
cordate and rounded. They also reported non-hairy to very hairy leaves.
o The genetic diversity analysis revealed high genetic differentiation among the populations of G. sylvestre [GST = 0.35 (RAPD); GST =
0.41 (ISSR)]. The population under study were well spread over nine districts along the Western Ghats of Maharashtra.
o Lowe et al. (2005) reported that pollination and seed dispersal mechanism contributesto high level of genetic differentiation.
Leaf morphological variation analyses of G. sylvestre

12. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
EB MAR A M JN
Genetic variability in Sarpgandha germplasm -
 Among the sources of genetic diversity in Sarpgandha germplasm, maximum percentage contribution was shown by seed yield/plant (51.33%) followed by
inflorescence length (19.33%) and number of flower/inflorescence (11.67%). Seven clusters were formed through genetic divergence analysis, out of which
cluster I contains maximum 9 number of germplasms, however cluster IV, V, VI, VII contains only one germplasm.
 On the basis of dry root yield/plant, three germplasm namely BRS, followed by BRS23 & BRS, may be selected as superior germplasm because they
produced maximum 83.32, 78.25 & 77.97 g dry root yield/plant respectively, which was significantly superior to rest of the germplasm.
 On the basis of seed yield /plant, three germplasm namely BRS followed by BRS21 & BRS12 may be selected as superior germplasm because they produced
maximum 21.89, 21.06 & 20.79 g seed yield/plant respectively, which was significantly superior to rest of the germplasm.
 Maximum genetic divergence was shown by seed yield/plant (51.33 %). inflorescence length (19.33%) & number of flowers /inflorescences (11.67 %).
Number of primary branches /plant & root diameter shown 0% contribution towards genetics divergence of Sarpgandha while low percentage contribution
towards genetics divergence was shown by plant height (1.67%), stem diameter (1.33%), number of leaves/plant (1.33 %) and root length (2.00%)
 Rest of the parameters showed moderate to low heritability. Maximum genetic advance was shown by seed yield/plant (129.13%), followed number of
fruits/inflorescences (75.59%). Low genetic advance was shown by dry root (16.21%) & plant height (26.60%).

13. Genetic divergence analysis of Mucuna pruriens germplasm
 Among the sources of genetic diversity in Mucuna pruriens germplasm, maximum percentage contribution was recorded by L-Dopa
content in seeds (40.22%) followed by pod yield/plant (11.59%) and seed length (11.23%).
 Two clusters were formed through genetic divergence analysis, out of which cluster I contained 22 germplasm and cluster II contained 2
germplasm. Significantly high inter cluster distance was observed between cluster I and cluster II (123.52). Average intra-cluster distance
was recorded more in cluster II (50.53) than cluster I (34.96).
 The principal component analysis of Mucuna pruriens germplasm indicated that the germplasm such as IIHR MP3, Ranchi MP6, DMAPR
MP2, Ranchi MP2, DMAPR MP4, and DMAPR MP1, created maximum genetic diversity among studied germplasm.
 For maximum production of L-Dopa content in seeds (IIHR MP3, DMAPR MP6 & DMAPR MP3)
 For maximum production of seed yield /plant (Ranchi MP7, IIHR MP1, & IIHR MP7)
 Principal component analysis of Mucuna pruriens germplasm shows that IIHR MP3, Ranchi MP6, DMAPR MP2, Ranchi MP2, DMAPR
MP4, DMAPR MP1, created maximum diversity, so may be selected for crop improvement through hybridization programme,
 Maximum genetic divergence was shown by L-Dopa content in seeds (40.22 %).
 So, parents may be selected for hybridization program from these clusters i.e., cluster I (22 germplasm) and cluster II (2 germplasm)
(IIHR MP3, DMAPR MP2).

14. The considerable level of genetic variability in Gymnema sylvestre
 In the present study, morphological and biochemical markers were employed for characterizing 93 germplasm accessions of
Gymnema representing different geographical regions of Kerala. Seven vegetative traits and total saponin concentrations in the
leaves were studied on three-year-old plants. The results indicate high variations in morphological and biochemical characters.
Saponin concentration ranged from 0.6% for ‘Pambadi’ to 5.4% for ‘Kottayi’.
 For instance, leaf shapes included elliptic oblong, ovate, ovate-lanceolate, lanceolate, and cordate. Average leaf length ranged
from 1.84 cm for ‘Pambadi 116’ to 7.14 cm for ‘Panniyur’ and the average leaf width varied from 0.82 cm for the accession
‘Thenkurussi 38’ to 5.78 cm for ‘Valiyathovala’. Out of the 93 accessions studied, 49 were non-hairy.
 Similar observations were made earlier by Thamburaj et al. (1996) in a study involving 12 germplasm accessions. They observed
lanceolate and ovate shapes with the leaf tip being either blunt or pointed and 50% of their genotypes were highly pubescent
while the others were non-hairy.
 The considerable level of genetic variability in G. sylvestre along the Western Ghats of Maharashtra can be exploited further to
screen the populations for higher level of active medicinal principal.

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17. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First Of All, To Our God Almighty for Giving the Strength, Patience, Guidance, And for The Continuous Blessings and
Undying Love.
I Would Like to Take This Opportunity to Express Our Heartfelt Gratitude to Our Honourable Dr. Onkar Nath Singh,
Vice-Chancellor, Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi and Dr. M. S. Malik, Dean, Faculty of Forestry, Dr. P. R. Oraon,
Assistant registrar, Faculty of Forestry for Project work and Dissertation.
First and foremost, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to my Supervisor Dr. Jai Kumar for his dedicated help,
advice, inspiration, encouragement and continuous support, throughout my Project work and Dissertation.
Special thanks to my seniors Miss Isha Thakur, Miss Jyoti Kumari, Miss Rashmi Bakhla, for encouragement and moral
support.
Immeasurable Appreciation and Deepest Gratitude to My Batchmates Deepak Kumar, Rupesh Kumar, Hassan
Shafique, Amit Kumar, Sandeep Kumar, Gulam Murtaza, Balram Kumar. Along With Juniors for Their Needful Suggestions
and Encouragement Throughout the Preparation of Reports.
I Would Like to Thank My Dear Parents for Their Untiring Support, Financial Assistance, For Their Love, Care,
Advice, And Encouragement to make this report complete on time.
-Maloth Suresh

18. THANK
YOU