IN-VITRO CULTURE OF ETHNOMEDICINAL ENDANGERED PLANT CALLIGONUM POLYGONOIDES (PHOG) LINN.

This study mainly focusses on survey, conservation and awareness of ethno-medicinal plants in the Thar desert area of Barmer. Calligonum polygonoides Linn was collected from Thar Desert region of Malana village of Barmer district, locally known as “PHOG” and “PHOGRA” and belongs to Polygonaceae family. The rareness of the plant showed need for its micropropagation. Survey was conducted in specific region of Thar Desert of Barmer District. Ethnomedicinal values of maximum plants were seen and Calligonum was selected for mass multiplication. In-vitro culture was done in Calligonum polygonoides with different hormonal concentration in MS media with BAP (6-Benzylaminopurine) as cytokinin and IAA (Indole-3-acetic acid), IBA (Indole-3-butyric acid) 2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid), NAA(1-naphthaleneacetic acid) as auxin. In results good amount of callus induced in NAA 4mgL, shooting and callus in 2mg/L NAA with 1mg/L BAP, and rooting in IAA 1.5mg/L. This plant requires conservation via ex-situ or in-situ protocols, but in our study, in-vitro micro-propagation was performed for its conservation and their further research. The enhanced deforestation, with huge demand for wood and fruit, has lead to requirement of more amounts of trees adapted to present climatic conditions and, thus, improvement of genetic traits and quality of plants.