Browsing by Author "Sangeetha, K S"

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    Propagation studies in Rue (Ruta graveolens L.)
    (Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, College of Agriculture, 2024-03-19) Abhijith Sasi.; Sangeetha, K S
    Ruta graveolens L., commonly rue plant belongs to Rutaceae family. This greyish-green-coloured shrub has a sharp, unpleasant odour and grows to a height of about one metre. Originating from the arootha areas of the Idukki and Wayanad districts of Kerala. Local people in these areas are using it to cure many diseases. Around the globe, it is used in conventional medical systems to cure ailments such as rheumatic pain, varicose veins, and skin disorders such as psoriasis and dermatitis. The extracts from rue have been used to cure snake and scorpion venom. Some contemporary findings show that rue has a selective inhibitory action on gram (+) bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus subtilis. The primary component, Rutin, present in it has potential to generate neuroprotective effects. However, the utilization of rue to its potential has a major constraint, i.e., the availability of planting material. Currently, no standard procedure for the propagation of rue is followed. Propagation studies in Rue (Ruta graveolens L.) formulated and carried out in the Department of Plantation Spices Medicinal and Aromatic Crops during 2022-23, which comprised three experiments viz., Standardization of suitable vegetative propagation methods in Standardization of rooting medium for the propagation of propagation method using stem cuttings and Plant Growth Regulator treatment, and suitable rooting media. Apart from the vegetative propagation, the morphological characterization of rue accessions was done along with the quantitative estimation of Rutin content using HPTLC technique as the third experiment. The first experiment evaluated vegetative propagation using two types of cuttings (terminal and semi-hardwood cutting) and eight different PGR concentrations including control (distilled water), IBA, NAA, combinations of IBA and NAA together and Keradix (commercial rooting powder). The single effects of type of cutting, PGR concentrations used and their interaction effects on the shoot, root and general parameters were studied up to 120 days after planting (DAP). Regarding the single effect of type of cuttings, the minimum number of days taken for sprouting was in semi-hardwood cuttings (16.40). Terminal cuttings showed the highest sprouting percentage of 90.37 percentage. The highest number of new sprouts, leaves, adventitious roots and primary branch of roots were found in terminal cuttings (3.22, 3.12, 26.67, 261.85, respectively) at 120 DAP. The shoot and root length were also high in terminal cuttings (25.60 cm and 13.85 cm at 120 DAP). The fresh and dry weight of shoots, roots and total biomass production was also higher in terminal cuttings (20.85, 2.93, 2.91, 1.04 and 3.98 g, respectively) at 120 DAP. Terminal cuttings gave the highest rooting percentage of 51.85, a root volume of 2.88 cm3, and the highest root-to-shoot ratio of 0.38. The terminal cuttings had the highest survival of 51.85 percentage. The effects of PGR concentrations showed that Indole-3-Butyric Acid (IBA) 250 ppm showed the lowest number of days to sprout (14.33). The combination of IBA 250 ppm and NAA 250 ppm gave the highest number of new sprouts, dry weight, rooting percentage, number of adventitious roots, number of primary branch of roots, fresh weight of roots, dry weight of roots, total biomass production and survival percentage (4.00, 3.66 g, 58.33%, 29.00, 255.17, 3.21 g, 1.11 g, 4.77 g and 58.33%, respectively) at 120 DAP. Naphthalene Acetic Acid (NAA) 500 ppm gave the highest sprouting percentage (88.33%) and root volume (3.23 cm3) at 120 DAP. The most extended shoot length was observed in IBA 500 ppm, having 26.10 cm at 120 DAP. IBA 250 ppm recorded the highest number of new leaves (3.41) and fresh shoot weight (21.73 g) at 120 DAP. The root length was highest in NAA 250 ppm (15.82 cm) at 120 DAP. The highest root to shoot ratio (0.43) was observed in IBA 250 ppm at 120 DAP. The interaction of type of cutting with PGR showed that terminal cutting × IBA 250 ppm + NAA 250 ppm (C1T6) with highest sprouting percentage (100%), highest number of sprout (4.67), fresh weight of shoot (26.64 g), rooting percentage (86.67%), number of adventitious roots (33.00), fresh weight of root (3.51 g), dry weight of root (1.16 g) and survival percentage (86.67%) at 120 DAP. Semi-hardwood × control (C2T1) took the least days to sprout (14.00). Terminal × NAA 250 ppm (C1T5) gave the highest shoot length (30.48 cm) and root volume (3.57 cm3). Semi-hardwood × IBA 250 ppm (C1T2) gave the highest number of new leaves (4.31) and fresh weight of shoots (23.86 g) at 120 DAP. The most extended root length was observed in semi hardwood × NAA 250 ppm (C2T4). The second experiment evaluated the rooting media to be standardized for rue propagation. Potting mixture (sand, soil and FYM in 1:1:1 ratio) alone, and treated separately with Trichoderma, AMF and Phosphobacterium were utilized. Besides, coirpith-compost and perlite in the ratio of 3:1 alone, and in combination treated separately with Trichoderma, AMF and Phosphobacterium were also used in this experiment. The potting mixture treated with AMF gave sprouts in fewer days (13.00). Potting mixture treated with Phosphobacterium gave higher number of sprout (1.00), sprouting percentage (88.89), number of leaves (1.67), length of new shoot per cutting (29.46 cm), fresh weight of shoot (26.45 g), dry weight of shoot (3.56 g), percentage of cuttings rooted (84.44), fresh weight of root (4.98 g), total biomass production (5.08 g) and survival percentage (84.44) at 120 DAP. Coirpith-compost and perlite in the ratio (3:1) treated with Trichoderma gave a higher number of adventitious roots (46.33) and a higher number of primary branches of roots (344.17) at 120 DAP. Coirpith-compost and perlite in the ratio (3:1) alone gave the highest root-to-shoot ratio (0.83), dry weight of root (1.81 g) and length of longest root (21.58 cm) at 120 DAP. The third experiment studied the morphological variations present within four rue accessions maintained in the Department of Plantation Spices Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, and the accessions were named RG 1, RG 2, RG 3 and RG 4 based on the location of the collection. There was variability among stem and leaf characters along with slight variation in the leaf colour. The HPTLC analysis showed variability in Rutin present in the accessions. The highest percentage of Rutin was found in RG 4 with 0.56% of Rutin, followed by RG 2 having 0.43% of Rutin, RG 3 having 0.28% of Rutin and RG 1 having 0.24% of Rutin. Terminal cutting treated with IBA 250 ppm + NAA 250 ppm was the best method of vegetative propagation in rue, owing to its high survival percentage, higher biomass production and higher percentage of cuttings rooted. The media consisting of potting mixture treated with Phosphobacterium was the better medium for rooting since it gave a higher survival percentage, higher percentage of rooted cuttings and total biomass production. Hence, the ideal propagation method for rue was found to be terminal cuttings treated with a combination of IBA 250 ppm + NAA 250 and planted in media consisting of potting mixture treated with Phosphobacterium. In the evaluation of four accessions for morphological parameters and Rutin content, it was found that the accession RG 4 was best performing with respect to higher rutin content (0.58 %), erect plant growth habit and dense foliage. However, further studies on evaluation of genotypes having large population is require.
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    Variability studies in Bhringaraj(Eclipta prostrata L.)
    (Department of Plantation ,Spices, Medicinal And Aromatic Crops, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, 2024-12-23) Anite Titus.; Sangeetha, K S
    Eclipta prostrata L. (Bhringaraj), a member of the Asteraceae family, stands out as a well-known medicinal plant, popularly surged due to its historical therapeutic use in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha formulations and acknowledged pharmacological properties. Bhringaraj is popularly known as the king of hairs due to its immense potential to promote hair growth. Furthermore, it is renowned for its hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, immunostimulant, antitumor, memory- enhancing, and anti-diabetic properties. Eclipta prostrata L. (vernacular names: false daisy, Bhringaraj, Keshraj, Karisalankanni, Kayyonni) is a herbaceous plant with diminutive branches and clusters of white axillary or terminal inflorescences, flourishes as an annual plant in moist habitats, where the whole plant holds substantial economic value. Despite its classification as Least Concern by the IUCN in 2016, there is a pressing necessity for the exploration and conservation of E. prostrata germplasm due to heightened demand for natural products leading to unsustainable harvesting practices. Scientific investigation is essential to elucidate the morphological characteristics, agronomic properties, and sustainable harvesting practices necessary for the conservation of its ecosystems, mainly focusing on the variability of genotypes suitable for commercial cultivation in India, especially in Kerala, where wild habitats are a primary source for medicinal plants. In this framework, the present investigation entitled “Variability studies in Bhringaraj (Eclipta prostrata L.)” was taken up with the objective of assessing the variability in morphological, yield, and quality parameters of Bhringaraj genotypes. The study was conducted at the experimental farm of the Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal, and Aromatic Crops, College of Agriculture, Vellanikkara, from 2023 to 2024. The study encompassed a total of twenty-five genotypes, which comprised collections from the ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station, Thrissur, as well as local collections sourced from various districts within Kerala, including Kottayam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Idukki, Trivandrum, Kasaragod, and Kollam. Significant variations in morphological, yield, and quality characters were identified through the examination of both qualitative and quantitative attributes. Qualitative traits, encompassing growth patterns, stem morphology, leaf and inflorescence characters, and seed attributes, weresystematically recorded, with the leaf attachment, leaf margin, inflorescence shape, and seed colour exhibiting no variability. Furthermore, considerable variations were noted in the quantitative characters pertaining to plant, leaf, inflorescence, and yield parameters. The biochemical metrics, encompassing total alkaloid, phenol, and saponin concentrations, exhibited a range of 0.60 to 6.20 per cent, 41.35 to 180.29 milligrams per gram, and 1.20 to 3.25 per cent, respectively, demonstrating notable variations. The comparative study of different solvents, comprising aqueous, ethanol, and methanol, in the preliminary phytochemical screening of E. prostrata demonstrated that ethanol was the most efficacious solvent for phytochemical extraction, followed by methanol for optimal yield. The evaluation of genotypic and phenotypic variance coefficients (GCV and PCV), alongside heritability and genetic advancement in E. prostrata accessions, indicated significant genetic diversity, as reflected by elevated GCV and PCV values across various traits such as plant height, number of primary and secondary branches per plant, number of nodes per plant, internodal length, leaf dimensions, days to first and 50 per cent flowering, and yield metrics. Thus, it suggested a broad genetic base with notable heritability and genetic gain, underscoring the significance of additive gene effects. Correlation analyses utilizing Pearson’s correlation coefficient indicated a noteworthy positive association between fresh whole plant yield per plant and various morphological traits, including plant height, internodal length, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, and inflorescence diameter. Additionally, the total alkaloid content showed a substantial positive correlation with plant height, internodal length, leaf length, leaf width, leaf area, days to first flowering, and days to 50 per cent flowering. In contrast, a negative correlation was observed with the number of primary branches per plant. The evaluation and ranking of 25 E. prostrata genotypes based on yield-correlated traits led to the recognition of nine elite genotypes: EP 24, EP 7, EP 4, EP 11, EP 12, EP 16, EP 17, EP 20, and EP 15. Chemo profiling of methanolic extracts from selected nine superior genotypes and prostrate type, EP 23, through GC-MS analysis demonstrated a diverse range of phytochemicals, with n-hexadecanoic acid predominating in seven out of 10 genotypesWhile EP 15, EP 24, and EP 11 were characterized by major compounds including 6- [[5-(Hydroxymethyl)-2,5,8a-trimethyl-1,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydronaphthalen-1-yl]methyl] -3-methylidene-7-oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptane-2, 2-Hydroxy-3,5,6-trimethyl-benzo-1,4- quinone, and Quinic acid, respectively. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of quantitative traits identified 19 principal components, where the leading five components collectively explained 78.39 per cent of the variance with eigenvalues greater than one, alongside with significant clustering in the second and third quadrants and a scattered distribution of accessions across all quadrants. Further, the K prototype cluster analysis utilising the Gower distance and Ward D2 clustering methods grouped the genotypes into five clusters based on 16 qualitative and 19 quantitative traits. The majority of accessions were classified within Cluster II (12), with lesser representation in Cluster III (6) and Cluster V (4). Conversely, Cluster I (1) and Cluster IV (2) exhibited the lowest number of accessions. The current study revealed substantial diversity in 41 traits, comprising 12 qualitative, 22 quantitative, and three biochemical, associated with morphological, yield, and quality characteristics among 25 genotypes of E. prostrata. Ethanol is the most efficient solvent for phytochemical extraction, with methanol being the second most effective. The nine superior genotypes were identified as superior with a noteworthy positive correlation between fresh whole plant yield and yield-associated morphological traits, combined with distinct phytochemical profile variations among accessions identified through GC-MS analysis. These genotypes could be pivotal in advancing crop enhancement and breeding high-yielding varieties through selective breeding, thus facilitating the commercial cultivation of the crop. Further evaluation may be done on the vegetative propagation of E. prostrata for quick enhancement of elite types. Comprehensive chemo profiling and molecular characterization of genotypes, alongside the assessment of their pharmacological properties and potential clinical trials involving animal experimentation, as well as screening for downy mildewresistance, may be conducted.