Exploration and Collection of Genetic Resources of Salparni (Desmodium gangeticum L.) in India

Abstract

Salparni (Desmodium gangeticum L.) is an important medicinal plant used in various indigenous systems of Medicine in India. Roots are the economic parts used astringent, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, laxative and nervine tonic and in the preparation of Dasmoolarista, an important ayurvedic medicine. Developing cultivars with high root yield and quality are the important breeding objectives in salparni. Lack of germplasm accessions forms an impediment to the improvement of salparni. The main objective of the study is to explore the natural population and to conserve the variability in the gene bank. An exploration and collection mission for wild populations of salparni was carried out during 2008 to 2011 in India. Four exploration missions were undertaken and forty-three accessions were collected and regenerated ex situ for conservation. Morphologically accessions showed distinct variability for leaf size, leaf shape, leaf weight and plant height. The accessions will form a base for improvement yield and quality of salparni.