Current Research On Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. Ex D. Don And The Need For Its Conservation

Abstract

Myrica esculenta Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don is a dioecious evergreen tree found along the Indian Himalayan region and extends from Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand through Assam, Khasi, Jaintia and Naga Hills to Lushai hills of Mizoram and Manipur. The tree has immense importance nutritionally, in traditional medicine and pharmacologically. The species have also found its role in nanoscience and biosorption of heavy metals as established from recent studies. Myrica esculenta, being nodulated by Frankia can help in regeneration of nitrogen depleted soils which makes it recommendable for afforestation programmes. However, the presence of an impermeable seed coat which imparts physical dormancy and the poor rate of regeneration of the species in their natural habitat combined with the effects of high anthropogenic activity could pose a threat of extinction of the species from the wild. Steps such as micropropagation and germplasm conservation could be employed for propagation along with sustainable utilization by the indigenous people in order to conserve the species. Hence, in this article, the morphology, nutritional values and phytochemistry of the species has been discussed. Also, the studied techniques for increase in germination rate and successful micropropagation have been reviewed.