Comparative evaluation of cytomorphological studies on 27 accessions of “Indian Ginseng” Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal from North India

Abstract

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal. (Solanaceae) is a highly valued and one of the most extensively used herbal tonic, health food in Ayurvedas and is considered as “Indian Ginseng”. The objective of the present study was to investigate the cytomorphological variations of germplasm from different study areas of North India. Among 27 collected and studied accessions, two cytotypes: diploid (2n = 2x = 24) and tetraploid (2n = 4x = 48) at anaphase were found; the tetraploid cytotypes showed highly abnormal microsporogenesis i.e. (cytomixis, bridges and laggards). Interestingly, diploid cytotypes (2n = 2x = 24) were meiotically normal with equal distribution of chromosomes at A-I, normal microsporogenesis and high pollen fertility. Numbers of morphotypes were further identified on the basis of morphometric analysis within the tetraploid cytotypes. The present study is aimed at identification of accessions of wild populations and their distribution in North India linking the phenotypic variability with the cytological relatedness of accessions. Even though the genus is medicinally so important, it has failed to attract the attention of the researchers regarding the comparative study of both cytomorphological parameters on different populations of W. somnifera from North India. Therefore, as a part of our investigation i.e. exploration of cytomorphological diversity and chemical characterization of selected medicinal plants from North India, this research communication is a pioneer attempt to provide first record about the cytomorphological status comprises with cytological abnormalities based on 27 different populations of W. somnifera, a naturally grown medicinally important plant species from different regions of North India, which were previously undescribed in different populations of this species from study areas.