European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

CONSERVATION OF PSORALEA CORYLIFOLIA AN ENDANGERED IMPORTANT MEDICINAL PLANT THROUGH TISSUE CULTURE AND COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ORGANIC FARMING

Nelofar Gulam Nabi* and Mukta Shrivastava

ABSTRACT

Psoralea corylifolia L. commonly known as 'Babachi' is an important endangered medicinal plant (Indian bread root) belongs to family Fabaceae (Leguminosae). Due to its versatile properties the plant is in tremendous demand but due to its overexploitation and poor seed germination ability it has been depleted in its natural environment. The plant is propagated by seed germination but because of hard seed coat it shows low rate of seed germination. An alternative method for its conservation and efficient rapid mass propagation is thus need of the hour. Therefore, the present work was aimed to develop an efficient in vitro propagation protocol for its rapid and large scale production. Different combinations of growth regulators in MS media were used to promote its shoot and root formation. Maximum (80.0%) shoot induction of Psoralea corylifolia through mature meristem was observed on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l BAP and 0.5 mg/l NAA. While as induced shoots shows highest (85.0%) and profused shoot multiplication rate on medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/l BAP with 0.5 mg/l NAA. Regenerated and multiplied shoots shows maximum (75.5%) root induction on MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mg/l IBA within 20 days. Hence the present study will help to propagate the medicinal plant for industrial herbal extraction of valuable pharmaceutical substances to be used in different diseases. The present research also focused on the methods and benefits of organic farming of the medicinal plant prevalent nowadays, although more better and profitable techniques can be introduced by carrying out further research in this regard. Hence it Concludes that application of organic and biofertilizers acts as substitute of inorganic fertilizers. in order to grow the medicinal and aromatic plants, should not be considered as a simple objective and short term benefits, but as a mean to improve the environmental conditions and human health. Therefore the present investigation was undertaken with the aim to prescribe the panacea by developing an effective method for rapid and large scale multiplication with protocol for effective organic farming to boost the vigour and other quantitative traits of the plant.

Keywords: Psoralea corylifolia, in vitro propagation, endangered, conservation, growth regulators and organic farming.