Lucknow's CIMAP sets up a DNA bank of medicinal plants to promote research

The Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Lucknow has developed a DNA bank of 128 medicinal plants, to serve a three-fold purpose of preservation, research promotion and new hybrid cultivations. With this project, the authorities are trying to support multifaceted research and the development of improved varieties at the institute. In addition to this, the bank will also fucntion as a safe repository for critical and endangered species.

A simple & systematic method of information preservation

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Prabodh Kumar Trivedi, the Director, said: "We have made a DNA bank of 128 medicinal plants, including lemongrass and palmarosa. We will further extend the collection to provide large-scale benefits in research, save plants on the verge of extinction and also come up with new varieties, through which farmers can cultivate and earn more profit." He further added that the bank is a simple and sytematic measure to safegard the the genetic details for a long period of time.

All information to be provided on virtual platforms

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Notably, the genetic material sourced from the highly beneficial plants ensures extensive information about the innate constitution of each species. Further, this information obtained from the bank will be made available on virtual platforms. Therein, the details about each plant will be provided, in a bid to aid researchers, flora ethusiasts and others.

Additionally, CIMAP also aims to institute a larger DNA bank, where a higher number of medicial plants can be housed and protected. This centre will be etablished on the lines on a national DNA facility, to propel high qaulity research.

- With inputs from IANS