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Morphological and chemical variation in 25 collections of the Indian medicinal plant, Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae)

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Abstract

Six phenotypic characters and three withanolide markers were assessed in 25 accessions of Withania somnifera collected from different states of India for studying genetic variability. The variability ranges observed at phenotypic and chemotypic levels were polymorphic. Based on D2 values and PCA (Principal Component Analysis) of phenotypic traits like plant height, no. of branches/plant, no. of seeds/berry, root length, root diameter and root yield, these 25 accessions were grouped in five clusters. The relative contribution of each character towards genetic divergence was worked out. Five accessions–AGB002 (Rajasthan), AGB003 (J&K), AGB004 (Madhya Pradesh), AGB006 (J&K) and AGB009 (Punjab) representing clusters 2 and 4 exhibited maximum intra and inter-cluster divergence. Cluster 5 representing accession AGB053 (Andhra Pradesh) was having mixed traits. Chemically most of the accessions in cluster 3 showed uniformity in presence of three marker withanolides Withaferin A, Withanone and Withanolide A in the leaves.

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Acknowledgement

The authors are grateful to Dr G.N.Qazi, Director, RRL Jammu for valuable suggestions and interest in the works and also acknowledge the technical assistance by Sh. Madan Lal in the field work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biodiversity & Applied Botany, Regional Research Laboratory (CSIR), Jammu, 180001, Jammu & Kashmir, India

    Arun Kumar, M. K. Kaul, M. K. Bhan & Punit K. Khanna

  2. Natural Products Chemistry Division, Regional Research Laboratory (CSIR), Jammu Tawi, 180001, India

    K. A. Suri

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  1. Arun Kumar
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  2. M. K. Kaul
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  3. M. K. Bhan
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  4. Punit K. Khanna
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  5. K. A. Suri
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Correspondence to M. K. Kaul.

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Kumar, A., Kaul, M.K., Bhan, M.K. et al. Morphological and chemical variation in 25 collections of the Indian medicinal plant, Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae). Genet Resour Crop Evol 54, 655–660 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-006-9129-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10722-006-9129-x

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