Germplasm: Germplasm of V. jatamansi from 29 sites spread in mid and high hill zones of Himachal Pradesh was collected and maintained at Shilly farm (UHF, Solan) for domestication and other studies. The valepotriate content in both wild as well as domesticated samples was evaluated. In wild population the valepotriate ranged between 2.0 to 6.4 % whereas in domesticated samples it was from 1.4 to 4.3 % respectively 

Table 2.16. Germplasm evaluation of V. jatamansi

 Progeny studies: This species is characterized by the phenomenon of Gynodioecism hence seeds were harvested both from female and bisexual plants separately and sown. The progeny was evaluated on the basis of segregation pattern of ratio of female to bisexual plants in each progeny and results are summarized in Table 2.17.

 Table 2.17. Progeny studies

 Micropropagation: In V. jatamansi, nodal segments were used for initiation of aseptic shoot cultures (Table 2.13).  These were inoculated on MS medium supplemented with varying concentrations of BAP (5.0 mM) and IAA (1.0 mM).  Axillary bud proliferation took place within 8-10 days of inoculation.  Rooted plants ready for transfer to pots developed after about 2 months.  Roots also developed from leaf explants (Table 2.18) inoculated on MS supplemented with TDZ (0.5 mM) and/or BAP (5.0 mM).  

Table 2.18. Effect of different PGRs on root induction from leaf explants in V.  jatamansi on MS) medium

 Short term storage of cultures: The tissue culture raised plants of V. jatamansi and P. kurroa were assessed for short term storage at low temperature (10⁰C). It was observed that plants remained healthy and resumed growth upon transfer to culture lab conditions after 50 days. Low temperature also favoured increased stem thickening and subsequent hardening and acclimatization under greenhouse. In another set of experiment, the cultures were grown under mineral oil overlay. Such cultures remained fresh for 40 days.

In continuation to our work on collection and domesticaton of V. jatamansi, ten Accs. from different locations were collected, domesticated and evaluated for growth and valepotriate content.

 Growth, yield and valepotriate content of Valeriana Accessions  

On the basis of morphological characters seven distingushed types were found in a population. These types varied in terms of root length, yield and valeportriate content was recorded

Different morphotypes of V. jatamansi  

Further studies on 7 morphotypes of V. jatamansi (Valerianaceae), the valepotriate content was evaluated. In rhizomes, it was maximum (5.18%) in morphotype II and minimum (4.15%) in morphotype VI. In roots, it was maximum in morphotype I (5.20%) and minimum in morphotype IV (4.08%). The data was recorded after 6 months of planting in May (2004) (Fig. 2.7). Valeriana officinalis Roots and rhizomes of V. officinalis are used as mild sedatives. Its nursery was raised in polyhouse in May (2004) by seeds for growth evaluation. Germination initiated in polyhouse within 10-15 days and continued up to 45 days. Seedlings were transplanted in open field after 3 months at a spacing of 45 ´ 30 cm and growth observations were recorded. At the onset of winter, crop growth seized and aerial parts withered (Fig. 2.8).