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Molecular approaches for improvement of medicinal and aromatic plants

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Abstract

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) are important sources for plant secondary metabolites, which are important for human healthcare. Improvement of the yield and quality of these natural plant products through conventional breeding is still a challenge. However, recent advances in plant genomics research has generated knowledge leading to a better understanding of the complex genetics and biochemistry involved in biosynthesis of these plant secondary metabolites. This genomics research also concerned identification and isolation of genes involved in different steps of a number of metabolic pathways. Progress has also been made in the development of functional genomics resources (EST databases and micro-arrays) in several medicinal plant species, which offer new opportunities for improvement of genotypes using perfect markers or genetic transformation. This review article presents an overview of the recent developments and future possibilities in genetics and genomics of MAP species including use of transgenic approach for their improvement.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks are due to the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) for award of an INSA Honorary Scientist Position to PKG, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for providing financial support to J.K., and to the Head, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut for providing the facilities.

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  1. Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Ch. Charan Singh University, Meerut, 250004, India

    Jitendra Kumar & Pushpendra Kumar Gupta

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  1. Jitendra Kumar
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  2. Pushpendra Kumar Gupta
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Correspondence to Pushpendra Kumar Gupta.

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Kumar, J., Gupta, P.K. Molecular approaches for improvement of medicinal and aromatic plants. Plant Biotechnol Rep 2, 93–112 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11816-008-0059-2

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