A wide array of medicinal plants in India, primarily used by locals for health care, have found wide acceptance and adoption globally (either directly or processed) due to distinct advantages of good results, low or no side-effects and ease of access to general public. Indigenous and traditional systems of medicine in practice since historical times have shown potential (direct or indirect as immune-boosters) against many dreaded ailments including the recent global pandemic of COVID-19. With prediction of sixth mass extinction, there is worldwide concern as majority of these plants, collected from natural stands, are also facing threat of extinction. Since 1990s concerted efforts have been directed towards assessment of threat status, the basic requirement for prioritizing conservation activity to various species of plants and animals. In literature there is staggered information regarding list of threatened plants, including medicinal plants of India, compiled at either state level or national or international level. Analysis of these publications led to collation of a consolidated list of 84 species and the same is presented here. A brief account of conservation efforts in India at national level and supportive policy framework is also included. This compilation is aimed to serve as a comprehensive reference especially for beginners, researchers, conservationists, foresters, pharmaceutical professionals as well as policy makers.

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Background: Pigeon pea is an important dietary protein source for humans but the production was constrained by various biotic and abiotic factors. Breeding strategies were followed to improve yield and developing high yielding varieties but at the same time utilization of genetic resources have declined. Pigeon pea is native to India with huge natural genetic variability in the local germplasm and its wild relatives. So it is necessary to identify and select breeding material from germplasm with considerable genetic and morphological variability to utilize in breeding programmes. As an initial study, 200 pre-breeding lines developed were evaluated for morphological variability patterns.Methods: A total of two hundred lines selected from F4 generation of pigeon pea developed at ICAR-NBPGR were evaluated in Randomized Block design (RBD) during 2014-2015 kharif season under Indo-Swiss collaboration in Biotechnology at Agricultural College and Research Institute, Madurai (TNAU). The accessions found to be superior in seed yield than the local check APK1were forwarded to the next generation (2015-2016) for assessment of genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance and association studies.Result: Qualitative traits were evaluated and variation in leaflet shape, stem colour, pattern of streaks and base seed colour were observed. All tested lines expressed greater variability for most of the traits. Maximum coefficient of variation was observed for number of pods per plant followed by number of primary branches per plant. Selection of traits with moderate heritability coupled with high genetic advance like number of pods per plant, number of primary branches per plant could help in crop improvement program. Seed yield was positively correlated with number of seeds per pod, number of pods per plant and hundred seed weight. Potential genetic stocks and donors for high yield were selected based on hundred seed weight and seeds per pod. The accessions superior in number of pods and seed yield than check were forwarded to next generation for assessment. The identified trait-specific accessions will help in future breeding program.

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