Screening of traits for higher biochemical constituents production in Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata) plants harvested at pre-flowering stage

Abstract

In case of various medicinal plants, understanding the association of biochemical constituents with its contributing component is of paramount importance for utilizing the best use of their relationship because it is a complex character and depending upon several components, polygenic in inheritance and prone to influenced by the environment. In this regard, an experiment was conducted to know the traits relation and impact of various traits on andrographolide, neo-andrographolide and diterpenoid yield from the plants of Kalmegh harvested at pre-flowering stage. Highly significantly positive correlation of andrographolide % and neo-andrographolide % was observed with andrographolide yield (0.634 and 0.599 respectively) and diterpenoid lactones yield (0.523 and 0.766 respectively) in Kalmegh plants harvested at pre-flowering stage. Multiple regression analysis of biochemical parameters showed that andrographolide yield and neo-andrographolide yield contributed significantly towards higher diterpenoid lactones yield in Kalmegh plants at pre-flowering stage. Path value analysis of biochemical parameters showed maximum direct positive effect by neo-andrographolide yield (0.572) on diterpenoid lactones yield in plants of Kalmegh at pre-flowering stage. Principal component analysis of biochemical characters in Kalmegh plants at before flowering stage showed that neo-andrographolide, diterpenoid lactones and andrographolide yield had maximum genetic advance (111.34%, 90.66% and 79.81% respectively), which indicates further scope of improvement in Kalmegh for higher biochemical production and indicating its significance to be selected as important biochemical parameters for its crop improvement programme.