The essential oil from the dried leaves of Eupatorium odoratum Linn. was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major components were α-pinene (9.64 %), β-pinene, (4.85 %), germacrene D (20.27 %) , geijerene (25.10 %), trans-βcaryophyllene (10.04 %), and other components were presents in trace quantities. The leaf oil was screened for in vitro antibacterial activity and was tested against both gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains.The essential oil was found to be more active against E. coli (MIC = 125 μg/ml) and B .Subtilis (MIC = 62.5 μg/ml) respectively.
The collection of medicinal and aromatic plants from the wild has been declining during the last decade; therefore it is necessary to develop highly productive cultivars, combined with appropriate cultivation and intensive agricultural techniques. Majority of the improved cultivars of medicinal and aromatic plants under cultivation have been created by conventional selection methods including individual, mass or special selection methods. Furthermore, outstanding results have been reported through hybridization and mutation. Highly productive cultivars of Mentha spicata, Ocimum americanum and Salvia officinalis have been developed through selection. Improved strains of Cymbopogon flexuosus, Melissa officinalis, Solanum laciniatum and Thymus vulagaris through intraspecific crossing resulting in changes in their active agents have been developed. Mutation breeding using physical and chemical mutagens have been successfully employed in Jasminum grandiflorum and Mentha arvensis. Hybrids of Thymus vulgaris and Artemisia annua have been developed through hybridization. According to Directorate of medicinal and aromatic plants research (DMAPR), twenty five new improved varieties of medicinal plants of fourteen species and seven varieties of aromatic plants of six species have been developed under different research institutes and Agricultural Universities in the country. Thus, improved cultivars with useful characters, resistance to biotic and abiotic stress, increased yield and early maturity have been developed through different conventional genetic improvement methods. Also hybrids with increased productivity, wider adaptability, wider application and better resistance to environmental factors have been produced through hybridization.
Harar (Terminalia chebula), a large deciduous tree belongs to family combretaceae. It grows naturally in greater part of India up to 1500 m elevation. Due to several alkaloids present in fruit, it is used as laxative, purgative and astringent for curing a number of ailments. Keeping in view its medicinal and tanning properties, the authors have been working for the last two decades on various aspects like propagation and development of promising strains of harar. Grafting/budding techniques have been standardized to produce true to type precocious plants which bear flower in two to three years. However, flowering has been observed in three months old seedling, which can be ascribed to biochemical and/or cellular changes. Early flowering is a rare incidence in tree seedlings which otherwise could be very useful for breeding and early evaluation of fruit species.
The present investigation on the status of Sandalwood (Santalum album Linn.) in low hills of Himachal Pradesh was carried out in the Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry in the laboratory at the main campus of the Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan and in the field at Bilaspur and Jawala Mukhi varying in altitude from 500–850 m. The growth behavior of sandals was studied through the selection of 10 ha sampling plot at Bilaspur and 5 ha sampling plot at Jawala Mukhi based on tree density. The investigations revealed that the trees have covered an area of 15 ha at Bilaspur and 30 ha at Jawala Mukhi. The total number of trees growing at Bilaspur and Jawala Mukhi was found to be 1076 and 815, respectively. Further, average oil content was about 3.86 and 3.90% in the heartwood of S. album growing at Bilaspur and Jawala Mukhi. Phytosociological parameters of vegetation in sandal stand at Bilaspur revealed Santalum album as the dominant tree species with its maximum IVI value which corresponds to its higher frequency, basal area, and density.
Terminalia chebula Retz. commonly known as ‘Harar’ belongs to the family Combretaceae. It is found in deciduous forests throughout the greater part of India, China, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Bangladesh, etc. In India, it is distributed throughout the greater part except in arid zones. The fruits are common constituent of ‘Triphala’, capable of imparting youthful vitality and receptivity of mind and sense and are extensively used for clinical research, tanning and furniture purposes and also contain 1.73% nitrogen and 2.75% Calcium. The demand for its fruit has increased tremendously, because of its medicinal value; its fruits are sold at a price of ` 10-60 kg-1. However, the poor germination capacity, lack of natural regeneration and knowledge regarding its propagation are the limiting factors for its adoption in agroforestry systems. There is need of more productive planting stock with lower juvenile period and comparatively large fruit size.
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