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Understanding Tecomella undulata: an endangered pharmaceutically important timber species of hot arid regions

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Title Understanding Tecomella undulata: an endangered pharmaceutically important timber species of hot arid regions
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Creator Rajwant K. Kalia • Manoj K. Rai • Ramavtar Sharma • R. K. Bhatt
 
Subject Agroforestry Bioactive constituents Micropropagation Rohida Tecomella undulata Threatened species Vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza
 
Description Not Available
Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem (family Bignoniaceae) is an economically and pharmaceutically important
small tree of arid regions of India, Pakistan and Arabia. It is well known as ‘Desert teak’ or ‘Marwar teak’
being the main source of timber amongst the tree species of desert region of Rajasthan, India. T. undulata has
occupied a reputed position of having valuable medicinal properties in both folk and classical streams of
indigenous medicinal systems. Plant is well-known for its wide range of therapeutic activities like
hepatoprotective, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-termite, immunomodulatory, anticancer,
cytotoxic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, etc. Rohitakaarishta, an ayurvedic drug obtained from
T. undulata, is the classical compound which is being prescribed in liver and spleen diseases, oedema and
anaemia. This well accepted agroforestry tree of the arid regions is heading towards extinction due to its
increasing demand in timber and pharmacological industries coupled with negligible conservation efforts.
This species has now been designated as “threatened” in Rajasthan, India. Susceptibility to many pathogens
and pests is one of the major problems and detrimental factor in successful establishment and growth of this
tree. Conventionally, it is propagated through seeds; however, natural regeneration of plants is poor due to
air dispersal of seeds to remote areas, extreme environmental conditions during seed dispersal, improper
harvest and storage of seeds, and short seed viability. The tree is very slow growing and suitable vegetative
propagation methods are not available for its rapid multiplication. Alternatively, attempts have been made to
propagate this tree through in vitro approaches; however, it also has many limitations including difficulties
in culture establishment, slow growth, low rooting rates as well as field establishment rates. Moreover, little
information is available regarding genetic diversity in this species using morphological and molecular
markers. Efforts to undertake breeding programs for improvement of T. undulata have not been initiated yet.
Some literature is available regarding cytology, role in agroforestry and silviculture, association with vesicular
arbuscular mycorrhiza and application of biotechnological tools in T. undulata, however, an exponential
increase in research publications on identification of bioactive constituents and verification of
pharmacological effects has been recorded in the recent past. In this communication, we emphasize the
research progress made in T. undulata on various aspects and suggest some future directions of research.
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Date 2018-11-14T11:37:45Z
2018-11-14T11:37:45Z
2014-01-01
 
Type Research Paper
 
Identifier Not Available
Not Available
http://krishi.icar.gov.in/Publication/handle/123456789/11293
 
Language English
 
Relation Not Available;
 
Publisher Not Available