doi : 10.5958/0975-6892.2023.00051.

5
Medicinal Plants
Vol. 15 (3), September 2023, 511-520

Research Article

Exploration, collection and conservation of genetic resources of Swertia

Chirayita in Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas

Bandan Thapa1,6*, Binoy Chhetri2, Suresh Kumar Mahato3, Pushkar Sharma4, Sarad Gurung5 and Sibdas Baskey6
1,6
AICRP on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants & Betelvine, Regional Research Station, Hill Zone, Uttar Banga Krishi
Viswavidyalaya, Kalimpong-734301, West Bengal, India
2,3,4,5
Regional Research Station, Hill Zone, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalimpong-734301, West Bengal, India

Received: May 21, 2023; Accepted: August 22, 2023

ABSTRACT

Chirayita (Swertia chirayita) is a medicinal herb from the Himalaya region, classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.
Both formal and traditional medical systems have traditionally employed the use of the entire plant to cure a variety of
ailments. Six exploration and collections trips were carried out from four districts of Sikkim and two districts of West Bengal
in between the years 2016 to 2019 to explore the natural population and to conserve the variability in the field and seed
gene bank. The collections were divided into three elevation strata: 1200-1700m, 1800-2300m and above 2400m mean sea
level. Among the collected accession, the highest plant height (125.50 cm), number of branches per plant (8.0), number of
infloresences per plant (203.6), number of flowers per plant (671.67), fresh weight (113.80 g) and dry weight (57. 28 g) was
observed in accession KSC-8 and lowest plant height (62.67cm) was recorded in accession KSC-10. The accession KSC- 4
recorded the highest number of leaves per plant (190). However, the lowest number of leaves per plant (92) was recorded for
KSC-22 and number of branches per plant (3.33) for KSC-24. The number of inflorescences per plant, root length and
diameter significantly varied with altitude among all the collected accessions. The array of accessions that has been
identified will act as a base for future breeding programmes, genetic improvement, and commercial cultivation as well as
prospective sources of high-quality germplasm to raise the standards of herbal products and ease pressure on threatened
wild populations.

Keywords: S. chirayita, IUCN, exploration, germplasm, conservation

INTRODUCTION temperate Himalayas, the plant can be found there between

Swertia chirayita (Roxb.) Buch.-Ham. ex C.B.Clarke belongs
to the family Gentianaceae order Gentianales is a medicinal
herb from the Himalaya region known as chirayita. It is
primarily found in mountainous parts of Tropical Asia,
Europe, America and Africa. However, the Indian Himalayan
Region is home to 32 of the 40 Swertia species that have
been recorded in India (Anonymous, 1982). Native to the
1,200 and 3,000 meters above sea level from Kashmir to
Bhutan and between 1,200 and 1,500 meters in the Khasi
highlands (Clarke, 1885; Kirtikar and Basu, 1984; Bhatt et
al., 2006). According to Bhattarai and Shrestha (1997), the
species prefers an altitude between 2000 and 2300 meters
in the Sikkim Himalayas and between 1800 and 2300
meters in Nepal. Moreover, this medicinal herb species is
classif ied as critically endangered by the IUCN

*Corresponding author e-mail: bandhan.thapa@gmail.com

512 Bandan Thapa et al.
(International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural
Resources), and it is also listed as endangered in the Indian
Red Data Book and vulnerable in the Darjeeling and Sikkim
Himalayas (Thapa et al., 2021).
The plant favours cool, humid climates and wet habitats
that face north and northwest in forests, grasslands and next
to cultivated lands. The plant can be grown in a range of
soils, including sandy loam that is rich in humus and
carbon. The plant loves to grow in acidic soil conditions
with a pH range of 4.7 to 5.5 and it prefer moist or wet soil
(Bhattarai and Shrestha, 1997; Kumar et al., 2010). It is an
erect, densely branched plant with a height range of 3 to
5.5 feet, a dark green to purple stem, and roots that are
yellow in colour (Bentley and Trimen, 1880; Joshi and
Dhawan, 2005). It is a pluri-annual that only blooms once
every third year. It is a very slow growing plant that takes
3–4 months to germinate after sowing and has a vegetative
stage that lasts for more than 2 years. Large radical leaves
(20–25 cm in length) that last for more than two years are
indicative of the vegetative stage. Leaves are lanceolate,
in opposite pairs, no stalks, acuminate, cordate at the base,
sessile, five to seven nerved and 4 cm long (Scartezzini and
Speroni, 2000). These leaves begin to deteriorate and dry
out until the stem emerges, which occurs only three years
after seeding. Small cauline leaves and a profusion of
flowers are borne on a leafy panicle after the stem emerges.
The root is simple, yellowish, oblique or geniculate,
tapering and short, and usually half an inch thick (Bentley
and Trimen, 1880; Scartezzini and Speroni, 2000). Flowers
are small, numerous, tetramerous, large leafy panicles,
green-yellow, and tinged with purple and green or white
hairs (Scartezzini and Speroni, 2000; Joshi and Dhawan,
2005). In the third year, from late September to early
October, flowers bloom, followed by fruiting from late
October to November. Cross pollination is the mode of
pollination for the 2n=26 diploid chromosomes (Khoshoo
and Tandon 1963; Sammadar et al., 2014; Chaudhari 2007;
Verma et al., 2020).
Both formal and traditional medical systems have
traditionally employed the species. Traditional Chinese
medicine uses the entire plant of S. chirayita to cure a variety
of ailments, including diarrhoea, intestinal worms, intestinal
worm fever, cough, cold, and stomach aches (Badola and
Pradhan, 2013; Pradhan and Badola, 2008). It is because
of S. chirayita has a variety of metabolites, including
Xanthones and their derivatives, alkaloids, secoiridoid
glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids and other volatile
chemicals. Being a rich source of iridoid glucosides,
xanthones, and flavonoids has earned it a reputation for
having medical and pharmacological benefits (Phoboo et
al., 2010; Joshi and Dhawan, 2005; Brahamachari et al.,
2004; Negi et al., 2011; Pant et al., 2000). Among them
swertiamarin is the most prevalent active component of
these, while additional active substances include sweroside,
amaroswerin, amarogentin, bellidifolin, swertianolin,
pseudonolin, isoorientin, isovitexin, swertiajaponin, and
swertisin (Wang et al., 2008). The most bitter of these is
amarogentin (Inoue et al., 1966), which possesses anti-
proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects (Saha et al., 2006).
According to Joshi and Dhawan (2005) and Phoboo and Jha
(2010), S. chirayita is growing at a 10% yearly pace and is
popular on both the national and international markets. The
National Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB) has prioritised this
species among the 32 medicinal species for intense
cultivation and has also provided farmers with a 75%
subsidy to encourage its cultivation because to the high
domestic and international demand for its raw material (Kala
and Sajwan, 2007). The projected Annual Trade (MT) of
Swertia chirayita is 500–1000 (MT), with the current
market price of its rhizome being Rs. 300 per kg (e-
charak.in), according to statistics from the NMPB, Ministry
of AYUSH.
S. chirayita is still not grown despite the fact that it is
in high demand and used extensively in Indian traditional
medicine and Ayurveda. Since medicinal plants’ efficacy
of formulation is directly correlated with location, despite
any other characteristics they may have, identifying elite
germplasm and locations representing the best
environments for the production is the main challenge in
breeding. Therefore, it is necessary to create high yielding
cultivars with desirable quality in order to increase
production and productivity. S. chirayita’s varied germplasm
serves as the essential raw material for improvement. In this
context, current exploration was created with this
background in mind and was intended to collect diverse
germplasm from the Himalayan region of Sikkim and
Darjeeling hills for conservation and breeding purposes.
Medicinal Plants, 15 (3) September 2023
 Exploration, collection and conservation of genetic resources of Swertia Chirayita in Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study area
The study and conservation activity was conducted at
Regional Research Station, Hill Zone, UBKV, Kalimpong
during the years 2016 to 2019. The seeds were gathered for
ex-situ regeneration and multiplication and kept at the
Regional Research Station, Hill Zone and Darjeeling Krishi
Vigyan Kendra, Dalapchand Farm at an altitude of 1100 and
1400 mean sea level respectively in the form of seed banks
and field gene banks.
Exploration and collection site
Collection and exploratory research was carried out in
between the years of 2016 to 2019. Based on the local flora
and a review of literature of several authors such as Rai and
Sharma (1994); Hussain and Hore (2007); Pradhan and
Badola (2008); Yonzone et al. (2012a,b) the exploration’s
location was selected accordingly. The collection and
exploration site was selected from Darjeeling and
Kalimpong district of West Bengal and Sikkim state (Figure
Figure 1: Exploration sites and locations undertaken to collect
different germplasm accessions of Swertia chirayita from Sikkim
state, Darjeeling and Kalimpong District of West Bengal
Medicinal Plants, 15 (3) September 2023
513
1). Among the six exploration site visits total twenty five
accession were collected from Sikkim and West Bengal. In
Sikkim, East district (04), West district (02), South district
(02) and North (01) and in West Bengal, district Darjeeling
(10) and Kalimpong (06) (Figure 1). The collections were
divided into three elevation strata: 1200-1700m, 1800-
2300m and above 2400m mean sea level (Table 1). During
exploration, altitude, longitude, latitude and distribution
co-ordinates were determined by a handheld of GPS (Garmin
etrex Vista HCx) system and recorded every site. To prevent
population dwindling in the natural, each population was
marked with the aid of GPS, and the seeds will be collected
from the wild during their mature fruiting stage and if
necessary in future the germplasm is damaged.
Morphological observations
Five plants were randomly selected from each elevation
strata of the exploratory collection site to collect data on
the morphological traits based on the Minimal descriptors
of Agri-horticultural Crops IV: Medicinal and Aromatic
Plants. The data on morphological traits such as plant
height (cm), leaf length (cm), leaf width (cm), number of
leaves per plant, number of veins per plant, number of
branches per plant, number of inflorescence per plant,
number of flowers per plant, root length (cm), root diameter
(cm), fresh weight (g) were recorded at the collection site
during active vegetative growth and reproductive stages
(flowering till senescence) during the months of July to
November with frequent field visits and dry weight (g) was
recorded later at the RRS, HZ, UBKV, Kalimpong.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Germplasm collection is critically required to maintain the
genetic variety of a plant species and its wild relatives
(William, 1991). It is also a requirement for any plant
breeding programme to be successful. Exploration and
collection efforts followed by ex-situ conservation are the
only option because it is better to keep some species than
to let all of them become extinct. The advantage of ex-situ
conservation strategies is that genetic material can be
readily available when required for the creation of new
cultivars or superior species (Adisoemarto, 2002; Maxted
and Kell, 2003).
514 Bandan Thapa et al.

Table 1: Passport information of the germplasm accessions of Swertia chirayita

Accession Village District State Type of Material Alt. (m) Latitude Longitude
No.
1 Pokhriabong Darjeeling West Bengal Whole plant/Seeds 1655 27.95000ºN 88.18000ºE
2 Timbure Darjeeling West Bengal Whole plant/Seeds 2058 27.12749ºN 88.06905ºE
3 Srikhola Darjeeling West Bengal Whole plant/Seeds 1895 27.13399ºN 88.08016ºE
4 Tiger Hill Darjeeling West Bengal Whole plant/Seeds 2590 29.9967ºN 88.2944ºE
5 Maneybhangyang Darjeeling West Bengal Whole plant/Seeds 2310 27.01594ºN 88.25734ºE
6 Alubari Darjeeling West Bengal Whole plant/Seeds 2262 27.01960ºN 88.25731ºE
7 Palmajua Darjeeling West Bengal Whole plant/Seeds 1910 27.07057ºN 88.09060ºE
8 Gurdum Darjeeling West Bengal Seeds 2268 27.05334°N 88.02949°E
9 St Mary’s hill Darjeeling West Bengal Whole plant/Seeds 1895 26.8947°N 88.2820°E
10 Mirik Darjeeling West Bengal Seeds 1495 26.8853°N 88.1828°E
11 Lava Kalimpong West Bengal Whole plant/Seeds 2200 27.0863°N 88.6615°E
12 Algarah Kalimpong West Bengal Whole plant/Seeds 1780 27.1172°N 88.5837°E
13 Gitdabling Kalimpong West Bengal Whole plant/Seeds 1156 27.0504°N 88.5988°E
14 Kafer Kalimpong West Bengal Whole plant/Seeds 1675 27.0042°N 88.59029°E
15 Pedong Kalimpong West Bengal Whole plant/Seeds 1240 27.1594°N 88.6157°E
16 Rishop Kalimpong West Bengal Whole plant/Seeds 2591 27.0345°N 88.1856°E
17 Yuksom West Sikkim Seeds 1780 27.3724°N 88.2230°E
18 Pitamchen East Sikkim Seeds 2438 27.2124°N 88.6205°E
19 Zuluk East Sikkim Seeds 2865 27.2518°N 88.7775°E
20 Namchi South Sikkim Seeds 1315 27.1670°N 88.3652°E
21 Pangthang East Sikkim Whole plant/Seeds 1760 27.3849°N 88.6582°E
22 Rabongla South Sikkim Whole plant/Seeds 2300 27.3066°N 88.3640°E
23 Dzongu North Sikkim Whole plant/Seeds 1700 27.5098°N 88.4375°E
24 Rumtek East Sikkim Whole plant/Seeds 1500 27.2887°N 88.5615°E
25 Pelling West Sikkim Seeds 2150 27°.1805°N 88°.1465°E

The seedlings and seeds of collected accessions after
exploration, were ex-situ regenerated using the agronomic
package and practices advised by the National Medicinal
Plants Board in order to generate a successful and consistent
crop. The collected seedlings were ex-situ conserved in the
f ield gene bank at Darjeeling Krishi Vigyan Kendra,
Dalapchand Farm. The seeds were sown in portrays and
transplanted in polybags during the first year of the plants
life cycle at Regional Research Station, Hill Zone, UBKV,
Kalimpong, and later transplanted at Darjeeling Krishi
Vigyan Kendra, Dalapchand Farm as the plants couldn’t
acclimatize at Kalimpong altitude. For additional research
and use, the samples were replicated (Figure 2-8).
The data on morphological traits were collected at the
collection site (in-situ) during active vegetative growth and
reproductive phases until senescence, for speedier screening
of germplasms for variety, as this plant takes three years to
complete its life cycle from seed to seed. Also, plants
acquired from different altitudes also require time to
acclimatize and adapt. All the traits under study showed
significant variation for different germplasm collected. The
preliminary characterized data for simple measures of
variability like range, mean and SD (standard deviation) are
presented in Table 2. However, germplasms differed
morphologically in terms of plant height, number of leaves
per plant, number of inflorescences per plant, number of
flowers per plant, root length, root diameter, fresh weight
and dry weight demonstrating the presence of germplasm
diversity. The result on the observation on collected
germplasm in the present study is summarized below.

Medicinal Plants, 15 (3) September 2023

 Exploration, collection and conservation of genetic resources of Swertia Chirayita in Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas
Figure 2: Seedlings raised through seeds collected
Figure 3: Eight months old seedling transplanted in pots
From the data it was revealed that all the morphological
traits showed significant variation within species, seasonal
variation and altitude (Figure 9-11). The differentiation and
genetic diversity of the population are substantially
influenced by height, which is a crucial ecological aspect.
Plant growth and development are influenced directly by
the high altitude (Royer et al., 2005). Kofidis et al. (2007)
also reported that plant height is negatively correlated with
altitude. However, the accessions from our observations
showed higher morphological traits from altitude above
2000m. Among the twenty five collected accession from
different location and altitudes, the highest plant height
Medicinal Plants, 15 (3) September 2023
515
Figure 4: Seedlings transplanted after collection at KVK
Dalapchand farm in polyhouse
Figure 5: Seedlings transplanted after collection at KVK
Dalapchand farm in polyhouse
(125.50 cm), number of branches per plant (8.0), number of
inflorescence per plant (203.67), number of flowers per plant
(671.67), fresh weight (113.80 g) and dry weight (57. 28 g)
was observed in the altitude of 2268 m mean sea level
(accession KSC-8) (Gurdum village, Darjeeling). This
inference is consistent with the findings of Badola and
516 Bandan Thapa et al.
Figure 6: Seedlings transplanted after collection at KVK
Dalapchand farm at open bed
Figure 7: Seedlings transplanted after collection at KVK
Dalapchand farm at open bed
Pradhan (2011), who discovered that plant height and root
length were identical when grown in an open f ield.
Elevation, latitude, longitude, soil pH, species richness,
species diversity, and degree of slope had little to no impact
on S. Chirayita, according to Pradhan and Badola’s (2015)
findings in a separate study. Giorgi et al. (2005) found that
while altitude had no effect on plant height in yarrow
(Achillea millefolium L.), it had a substantial effect on other
variables. The fresh and dry weight of medicinal plants like
Caralluma spp. and Mentha spp. are subject to change due
to different altitudinal ranges (Mahmood et al., 2010;
Shinwari et al., 2011). Verma et al. (2020) indicated that
an accession obtained from Kalimpong at an elevation of
1247 m performed best for traits observed such as plant
height, leaves per plant, fresh weight, and dry weight, which
were comparable to our findings for accession KSC-15
(Pedong, 1240m). Increase in number of flower per plant and
number of inflorescence per plant might be due the
Figure 8: Mature plant during third year of life cycle at KVK,
Dalapchand farm
significant increase in the plant height and number of
branches per plant which ultimately enhances the fresh
weight and dry weight. These results are in conformity with
the findings of Verma et al. (2020). An accession, KSC-10
(altitude 1495 m mean sea level, Mirik, Darjeeling)
recorded the lowest plant height (62.67cm) and number of
branches per plant (3.33) for accession KSC -24 (Pangthang,
East Sikkim with an altitude 2000m mean sea level).
Leaf length and leaf width also showed significant
variation among the different germplasm. Accession KSC-
12 (Algarah, Kalimpong, altitude 1780 mean sea level)
recorded the highest leaf length (9.01cm) and leaf width
(3.56 cm). Root is an important factor that significantly
affects the differentiation and genetic variation among the
different germplasm. However, highest root length (19.21
cm) was recorded in accession KSC-25 (Pelling, West
Sikkim altitude 2150 mean sea level) but the highest root
diameter (3.95 cm) was observed an accession KSC-16
Medicinal Plants, 15 (3) September 2023
 Table 2: Variability among the accessions for various morphological characters of Swertia Chirayita
Accessions Plant Leaf Leaf No. of No. of No. of Root Root No. of No. of Fresh Dry
height length width leaves/ veins / branches/ length diameter infloresence/ flowers/ weight weight
plant plant plant plant plant
KSC 1 96.03 6.72 3.41 111.33 5.00 4.33 13.17 3.24 158.33 664.33 62.19 19.76
KSC 2 98.53 7.73 1.72 115.67 5.00 5.67 10.42 3.50 100.00 154.33 82.89 37.15
KSC 3 79.08 7.40 1.23 113.44 5.00 5.00 11.73 3.13 98.00 413.67 73.16 29.89
KSC 4 105.30 7.14 3.04 190.00 5.00 7.67 17.41 3.19 134.67 416.00 84.32 39.53
KSC 5 75.18 8.64 3.28 184.00 5.00 7.00 14.73 3.37 71.67 467.67 72.59 26.23
KSC 6 90.20 7.25 1.96 138.11 5.00 6.67 18.24 2.60 68.67 300.67 85.49 38.44

Medicinal Plants, 15 (3) September 2023

KSC 7 107.28 5.78 2.51 148.11 5.00 6.00 13.37 2.31 99.33 411.33 100.97 44.26
KSC 8 125.50 4.72 3.53 145.67 5.0 8.00 10.40 2.69 203.67 671.67 113.80 57.28
KSC 9 116.60 5.43 2.88 120.56 5.00 6.33 14.35 2.94 75.67 566.33 89.89 48.63
KSC 10 62.67 6.61 2.63 169.78 5.00 6.67 15.58 1.98 96.33 636.33 60.58 18.99
KSC 11 105.73 7.72 3.54 108.00 7.67 5.33 13.75 1.99 74.33 473.00 72.71 35.06
KSC 12 97.86 9.01 3.56 119.80 6.00 6.33 13.64 2.35 89.00 466.33 70.29 27.17
KSC 13 118.05 6.83 2.67 112.41 5.33 6.00 11.24 3.04 72.33 392.00 90.33 37.62
KSC 14 89.37 8.38 3.20 106.24 5.33 4.67 10.27 2.52 95.67 523.00 79.72 31.27
KSC 15 99.68 7.73 3.22 125.00 5.00 5.33 11.94 2.00 46.00 644.33 77.00 31.18
KSC 16 91.71 6.51 2.66 117.81 4.00 7.00 14.15 3.95 30.67 328.67 56.00 18.96
KSC 17 88.15 7.27 2.17 119.41 5.33 7.00 12.50 2.80 71.00 204.33 71.41 26.77
KSC 18 111.27 8.32 2.99 98.52 6.33 4.33 17.67 3.65 109.00 408.67 87.48 40.61
KSC 19 101.16 5.60 2.67 121.51 5.00 5.00 12.93 2.34 83.33 462.67 59.88 22.62
KSC 20 87.95 7.32 2.94 116.18 4.67 6.67 14.58 2.40 78.67 312.00 64.75 22.74
KSC 21 82.46 7.46 2.43 93.33 5.67 7.33 16.02 2.47 65.33 244.33 71.70 22.71
KSC 22 96.38 7.52 2.89 92.00 6.33 7.00 18.92 2.55 74.67 402.33 66.33 25.91
KSC 23 112.60 6.51 2.59 97.33 5.33 4.00 16.60 1.95 94.67 597.00 77.07 34.73
KSC 24 101.49 8.30 2.72 98.33 5.00 3.33 13.77 2.30 99.33 454.67 73.74 31.15
KSC 25 86.35 7.97 3.06 110.00 6.33 5.33 19.21 2.59 69.00 386.67 58.55 25.32
Mean 97.06 7.19 2.79 122.90 5.33 5.92 14.26 2.71 90.37 440.09 76.11 31.76
Exploration, collection and conservation of genetic resources of Swertia Chirayita in Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas

Range 62.67- 5.43- 1.23- 92.00- 4.00- 3.33- 10.27- 1.95- 30.67- 154.33- 56.00- 18.96-
125.50 9.01 3.56 190.00 7.67 8.00 19.21 3.95 203.67 671.67 113.80 57.28
SD 14.40 1.05 0.59 26.34 0.73 1.22 2.65 0.55 34.88 139.69 13.73 9.65
517
518 Bandan Thapa et al.

Figure 9: Variation in leaf morphology and color of Chirayita seedlings at different altitude

Figure 10: Variation in number

of leaves and Branches in a
single plant

Figure 11: Variation in number

of inflorescence

Medicinal Plants, 15 (3) September 2023

 Exploration, collection and conservation of genetic resources of Swertia Chirayita in Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas
(Rishop, Kalimpong, altitude 2591 m mean sea level). This
might be owing to the microhabitat on plant growth and
altitude. The accession KSC- 4 (altitude 2590, Tiger hill,
Darjeeling) recorded highest number of leaves per plant
(190). However, plant height and leaf number provide a
measure of photosynthetic and transpiration area and are
indicators of plant quality (Ritchie, 1984). The lowest
number of leaves per plant (92) was recorded in accession
KSC-22 (altitude 2300m, Rabongla, South Sikkim). This
was due to the several environmental factors such as light,
space and competition with other plant species as reported
by (Tesitel and Stech, 2007). The number of leaves per plant
significantly varied amongst all the collected accessions
as presented in Table 2. The highest number of veins per
plant was found in accession KSC11 and the lowest was
found in KSC 16. These morphological traits will be used
to characterize and utilize germplasm for further breeding
program (Manivel et al., 2019).
CONCLUSION
During six explorations, twenty-f ive accessions were
collected and regenerated for ex-situ conservation and
breeding purposes. Plant height, number of branches per
plant, number of leaves per plant, number of flowers per
plant, fresh weight, and dry weight were all different
between accessions. Selecting and developing genotypes
with desirable traits from wild or managed populations can
promote the economic growth of medicinal plant species
as crops. The array of accessions that have been identified
will act as a base for future breeding programmes, genetic
improvement, and commercial cultivation as well as
prospective sources of high-quality germplasm to raise the
standard of herbal products and ease pressure on threatened
wild populations.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors would like to thank AICRP on Medicinal and
Aromatic Plants & Betelvine at UBKV and ICAR-DMAPR
Gujarat for funding the experiment and explorations. The
help received from the Regional Research Station, Hill zone
and Darjeeling KVK Dalapchand farm, UBKV, Kalimpong
for the conduction of the exploration and field experiments
is duly acknowledged.
Medicinal Plants, 15 (3) September 2023
519
Conflicts of interest
The authors declared no conflict of interest.
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Medicinal Plants, 15 (3) September 2023