Evaluation of Picrorhiza kurrooa accessions for growth and quality in north western Himalayas

Different accessions of Picrorhiza kurrooa were evaluated for growth and marker compound accumulation pattern under field conditions at village Chuner, Sub Tehsil, Holi, Distt. Chamba (HP) located at an elevation of 2538 m during 2006 to 2010. Six accessions with higher Picroside content and vegetative growth were identified for further multiplication. Accession IHBT-PK-8 recorded higher leaf numbers/plant (250), length of 6th leaf (5.4 cm) stolon girth (7.5 mm) and plant spread in N-S direction (50.0 cm). Picroside content in leaf and rhizome of different accessions was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). It was found that leaves of P. kurrooa are good source of picrosides. Picroside-I (P-I) content in leaf was higher in IHBT-PK-2 (3.89%) followed by IHBT-PK-11 (3.72%) and IHBT-PK-21 (3.70%). Picroside -II (P-II) content in leaf was higher in IHBT-PK-5 (4.82%). P-I content in rhizomes of P. kurrooa varied from 0.20 to 4.14% and P-II varied from 0.83 to 7.29% in different accessions. Higher P-I in rhizome was found in IHBT- PK-16 (4.14%). Rhizomes showed higher amount of P- II as compared to P-I.