Propagation and conservation of Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth.:: An endangered himalayan medicinal herb of high commercial value

Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth., a high value medicinal herb of alpine Himalaya and a source of hepatoprotective picrosides, is listed as 'endangered' due to heavy collection from its natural habitat. The present report deals with successful propagation of this species using both conventional and in vitro techniques. Vegetative propagation was achieved by rooting runner cuttings with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or alpha-naphtheleneacetic acid (NAA) treatment before planting. Nearly 87% rooting success was achieved by treatment of cuttings with 50.0 mu M IBA. Seeds were given a presoaking treatment with gibberellic acid (GA(3)), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) or a combination of both to influence germination. More than 11-fold improvement in germination was recorded in seeds treated with 250.0 mu M GA(3). In vitro shoot multiplication was achieved through sprouting of axillary buds using nodal segment. Multiple shoots were formed following culture for 3 weeks on Murashige and Skoog (MS; 1962. Physiologia Plantarum 15: 473-497) medium containing 1.0 mu M BAP. Cent percent rooting success, without basal callus formation, was observed when individual microshoots were placed in MS medium supplemented with IBA. The plantlets raised using conventional as well as tissue culture methods were hardened and successfully established in the experimental field located at 2450 m elevation. In addition, strategies have been discussed to encourage cultivation and in situ conservation of this highly valued medicinal herb so as to reduce pressure on its natural populations.