Ethnonutraceutical Resource Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex. Benth: Strategic Approaches for Its Sustainable Management Toward Conservation and Healthcare Benefits

Picrorhiza kurroa, traditional Himalayan herb popularly known as kutki, had been emerged now as the most promising plant for National/ International trade commodity. Excessive usages of this particular herb in various formulations made it vulnerable. Thus, its propagation through micro/macro propagation methods for its further better conservation has been realized. Owing to its large demand in the local and global market for its established pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals potential are well recognized at present. In view of the described fact, we access its availability from the grower’s field from mid Himalaya of Kumaun region of Uttarakhand (India). During rearing of accessed kutki plants from grower’s fields which were maintained at biotech product testing facilities (green house facilities) as well as under laboratory in vitro practices, these were nurtured and established in pots for further in vitro establishment. Thus, pot containing soil: sand: compost in the 1:1:1 ratio where field grown plants were nurtured and nourished. Powdery mildew caused by the fungus stressed these plants. However, this stress could be managed by foliar application of 0.2% (w/v) sulfur in water and 0.2% (v/v) mild (Tween-20) aqueous detergent solutions. Imidacloprid (0.2% v/v) was also required to spray to avoid sucking pests (Aphids and Thripes) infestations. The data of explants after control of infection and infestation and prior to control were compared. While establishing explants in vitro, our data showed better establishment on infection and infestation under control. However, molecular characterization for infection and infestation behavior yet is underway. Murashige and Skoog medium while supplemented with 0.5mg/L Thidiazuron (TDZ) and 0.5mg/L Indole butyric acid (IBA) based on our previous studies and checker board for identifying suitable concentrations of growth regulators, showedgood callus induction rate. Callus growth was maintained through subsequent sub-culturing based on callus growth conditions. It is worth mentioning that the use of soluble Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) 0.03-0.05% w/v significantly removed phenolics exudates and sufficient for maintaining callus growth and viability. Beside, orientation of molecules is important to assess their promising biological activities. In view of this particular fact Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis offering valuable insights for the molecules extracted from the induced callus for various functional groups. This will provide some understanding of bioactivities from this important ethnic plant resource too.