Collection and evaluation of Hedychium species of Manipur, Northeast India
NE India is considered as one of the centre of diversity of gingers having a total account of 24 species out of the 65 valid species found in the world. Manipur is one of the seven states of NE India with a mere area of 0.7% out of the total area of India. This paper focuses on the distribution, classification and evaluation of Hedychium species collected from Manipur. A total of 11 species were collected, identified and classified based on their morphological characteristics. The species are identified as Hedychium rubrum A.S. Rao et Verma, H. coronarium Koenig, H. chrysoleucum Hook., H. coccineum Buch.-Ham., H. thrysiforme Ker-Gawl., H. flavescens Carey ex Roscoe, H. stenopetalum Lodd., H. urophyllum Lodd., H. marginatum Clarke, H. villosum Wall. and H. elatum R. Brown. Evaluation of its botanical characteristics are also conducted. Analytical hierarchy process method is used in this paper to address the possibility of analysing the potential of these diverse Hedychium resources based on their ornamental, adaptability and utilisation potential which was evaluated on 12 indicator points. H. elatum scored the highest overall index making it the most potential species for sustainable exploitation followed by H. coronarium while H. villosum ranked the lowest.
Phylogenetic analysis and genetic mapping of Chinese Hedychium using SRAP markers
In the present study, using the SRAP markers, we analyzed the interspecific phylogenetic relationship of 22 species of Chinese Hedychium to find out fine mapping population. Using the same technique, maps of two species selected by morphological characters were constructed. Phylogenetic analysis showed that 22 species were grouped into three clusters. The mapping parents selected were in one cluster, with a similarity coefficient of 0.31, which is lower than the mean value of 22 species. Two maps with medium-density were constructed. The maternal parent contained 139 loci and spanned 917.1 cM. These loci were distributed in 18 linkage groups. The paternal parent contained 203 loci and spanned 1386.8 cM, which spread over 23 linkage groups. Unfortunately, the number of loci with a segregation ratio of 3:1 was not sufficient for us to link two maps together. For parental selection, we suggested that the phylogenetic relationship as well as complements of characters should be considered. Moreover, our study showed that two species with similarity around or higher than the mean level tend to produce fine mapping population in Hedychium.
In-vitro pediculicidal activity of Hedychium spicatum essential oil.
The essential oil extracted from rhizomes of Hedychium spicatum was evaluated for in-vitro pediculicidal activity. At 5%, 2% and 1% concentration the essential oil showed more significant activity than 1% permethrin based product.