Evaluation of growth response for mass production and accumulation of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde in endangered Hemidesmus indicus by an aeroponic system

Abstract

Hemidesmus indicus, popularly known as ‘Anantmul’, is valued for its magical root-an ingredient used in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic industries. Owing to high market demand, overexploitation has threatened the natural population of this endangered species deserving conservation and sustainable utilization. In this study, a tissue culture based aeroponics assisted system was developed to produce quality fragrant roots of Hemidesmus indicus for the first time. Suitable aeroponics system was designed by optimizing aeromist intervals and droplet size. A comparative study of soilless and soil-based systems was conducted and it was revealed that propagation via aeroponic system was found significantly superior both for above and underground plant parts. The plants generated through aeroponic were taller and producing larger no. of leaves with broader leaf area and higher quantity of photosynthetic pigments than soil grown plants. The most prospective observation was achieved in belowground parts, using a simple digital imaging platform which can be an alternative to manual root phenotyping, were shown to promote root growth with higher root no., length and its surface area in aeroponic cultivation. These resulted in formation of greater quantities of root biomass along with augmented levels of lead root metabolite 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde.