Seed as major gizmo in ret medicinal and aromatic plants conservation- a perspective

Abstract

Seed quality comprises of genetic and physiological characters that govern successful reproducibility by conserving genetic information from one generation to other. Seed is the pivotal input for the conservation of Rare, Endangered and Threatened medicinal and aromatic plants. The fundamental objective of genetic resources conservation is the maintenance of broad-based genetic diversity within each of the species. Further, genetic diversity and attainment of homozygosity of the individual or the population of plants selected for conservation lay the ultimate footstone. Selection of suitable strategies keeping the seed developmental biology offers a great means for conserving RET species. Prominent among these are provenance, genetic diversity, appropriate seed bearing in self and cross-pollinated species, seed polymorphism, the presence of inhibitors is also a primary source of seed dormancy and germination, and tissue culture methods are the key features of employing seed as the chief source to accomplish successful conservation.