Conservation of Swertia chirata through direct shoot multiplication from leaf explants

Swertia chirata is an endangered gentian species that prefers to grow at higher altitudes. This ethnomedicinal herb is known primarily for its bitter taste caused by the presence of important phytochemicals that are directly associated with human health benefits. Due to a continuous loss of habitat and inherent problems of seed viability and seed germination, alternative strategies for propagation and conservation are urgently required to prevent the possible extinction of this species. We have formulated a reproducible protocol for the rapid propagation and conservation of this plant using leaves taken from in vitro shoot cultures. Direct induction of more than seven shoot buds per explant was achieved for the first time when the explants were placed on MS medium supplemented with $2.22{\mu}M$ N-6-benzyladenine, $11.6{\mu}M$ kinetin, and $0.5{\mu}M$ ${\alpha}-naphthalene$ acetic acid. Direct organogenesis was noted exclusively from the adaxial surface of the basal segments of leaves. Leaves closer to the apical meristem were more responsive than those farther away from the meristem. Plants raised through direct organogenesis were evaluated for their clonal fidelity by chromosomal analysis and DNA fingerprinting. Complete plants were successfully transferred to the field condition and produced viable seeds. Given the enormous potential of this age-old medicinal plant in terms of potential health-benefitting drugs, this protocol can be used for commercial propagation purposes and to initiate future genetic improvement studies.