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R & D Area > Plant Biodiversity & Conservation Biology

Conservation Biology & Molecular Taxonomy (CBMT)

DU - 1	DP - 1
Group Leader	Dr. K. Narayanan Nair, Sci 'EI'
Contact	Work	91-522-2205832, Ext. 236
	Home	91-522-2398106

Other Scientists of the Group

Dr. Tikam Singh Rana, Sci 'EI' (Project Leader)
Dr. Lal Babu Chaudhary, Sci 'C' (Project Leader)
Dr. Satya Narayan Jena, Sci 'B'

Group works on

Taxonomic revision, molecular taxonomy, cyto-taxonomy, conservation biology of threatened and wild plant resources of India.

Objectives

To undertake creative taxonomic revision/monograph on selected genera and species complexes of Indian flowering plants for identification and prioritization of candidate species for molecular taxonomic and conservation biological studies.
To study infra-specific and inter-specific variability and phylogenetic relationships among and between taxonomically interesting taxa through morpho-taxonomic and molecular marker-based techniques.
To carry out conservation biological and conservation genetic studies on endemic, rare, endangered and threatened plant species for assessing their conservation status and genetic diversity.
To collaborate with other R&D Groups/Divisions of NBRI and similar institutions to facilitate long-term, medium-term and short-term conservation of elite germplasm materials in seed bank, in vitro bank, including cryo bank and multidisciplinary characterization of species.

Expertise / Achievements

The group has expertise on the following R&D areas: Systematics and related aspects of Indian Rutaceae, Trifolieae, Loteae, Genesteae, Thermopsideae and Astragalus, Oxytropis (Leguminosae), Tricholepis (Asteraceae), Aconitum (Ranunculaceae), Podophyllum (Podophyllaceae) and Phyllanthus (Euphorbiaceae); Genetic diversity assessment through DNA marker techniques especially plant species of the Western Himalayan region; Conservation genetics of threatened plants of India. The group is currently pursuing its research activities in revisionary studies and multidisciplinary characterization of selected species of taxonomic, conservation and economic interests at morphological as well as molecular (DNA) level. The studies on significant genera like Astragalus, Trigonella, Oxytropis (Leguminosae), Citrus, Atalantia, Murraya (Rutaceae), Punica (Punicacae), Trichosanthes (Cucurbitaceae) are in progress.

The group has published about 3 books and more than 100 research papers in various National and International journals.

Ongoing Projects

Molecular Taxonomy and Assessment of Genetic Diversity in wild species of Citrus and Atalantia in India.

The group in collaboration with Genomics and Phytochemistry Groups of the Institute undertake this project, supported by DBT, Govt. of India. The specific objectives of this project are (1) to study intraspecific variability and inter-specific relationships/affinities in selected wild and indigenous species/varities of Citrus and Atalantia at morpho-taxonomic, phytochemical and cytogenetic levels (including ploidy levels) (2) to study the supposed hybrid origin of the Indian wild orange, Citrus indica (3) to document genetic variants of the target taxa in herbaria at NBRI, NBPGR and BSI. This study has been initiated in August 2003.

Investing in Nature India (IIN- India): National Conservation Programme on Threatened Plants of India.

The Group is coordinating a national programme on conservation of threatened plants of India through the initiation of the Small Grant Project Scheme under a new National Network Project on Conservation of Threatened Plants of India and Establishment of an Indian Botanic Garden Network, under the aegis of a global partnership programme - Investing in Nature (IIN). The Botanic Garden Conservation International (BGCI) launched IIN with financial support from one of the world’s largest financial services organization, the HSBC (please also visit http//www.ibgn.org for more details of IIN- India).

Systematic and diversity study of Oxytropis DC. (Leguminosae – Papilionoideae) in India.

This is an NBRI supported project for 3 Years (April 2004 to March 2007) with a main focus on systematic and diversity study of the genus Oxytropis by employing both morphological and molecular parameters.

Molecular analysis of genetic diversity of pomegranates (Punica granatum L. Punicacae) in India.

This is also an NBRI supported project for 3 years (April 2004 to March 2007) with an objective to study the genetic diversity in different genotypes of the genus Punica in India. This project is being investigated in collaboration with Genomic group of the Institute.

Developing a comprehensive information system for monitoring access to and transfer plant genetic resources with special reference to indigenous, endemic and economically important plant species of India.

The group in collaboration with Scientists of Pharmacognosy Division of this Institute has initiated this project since May 2004. The Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India, New Delhi sponsors this project for 2 Years (May 2004 – April 2006). The main objective of this project is to develop a comprehensive information system with regard to plant genetic resources of indigenous, endemic and economically important species of the country.

Molecular taxonomic studies of the Astragalus rhizanthus complex (Fabaceae)

This project has been sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi for three years (Oct 2005 to Sept 2008) with the following objectives: 1. Collection of Astragalus species especially those included in A. rhizanthus complex from NW Himalayas 2. Molecular marker analysis of all species in Astragalus rhizanthus complex in order to study inter and intra-specific variability and to identify species-specific markers 3. Assessment of genetic diversity in Astragalus rhizanthus using any or all of the following mehtods: Amplification and Sequencing of ribosomal and/or organelle (mt/cp) DNA regions of phylogenetic significance; RAPD, ISSR, DAMD and/or AFLP methods. The final choice of the methods will be influenced by taxonomic and phylogenetic resolution power of that method as applicable to Astragalus species and 4. To decide the taxonomic limit or the status of the species using molecular markers and the morphological analysis.

Establishment of a germplasm conservation/augmentation cum training center for rare, endangered and threatened (RET) plants at NBRI.

This is a recently initiated project supported by Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India for three years (March, 2006 to Feburary 2009). The main objectives are: (1) Establishment/Enrichment of a Field Gene Bank (5 acres) for selected RET species and their associates of the Gangetic Plains at Banthra Research Station of NBRI, (2) Development of protocols for micro-propagation and cloning of 2 or 3 selected RET species through tissue, organ, embryo, seed culture and their long-term preservation through proliferating shoot culture and regenerative excised root cultures, (3) Undertaking conservation biological studies on 2 selected RET plant species, (4) Developing descriptors and passport data (with morphological and molecular data) for at least 10 selected RET species of ecological and economic importance as per NBPGR and IPGRI standards and creating a DNA bank of the target species for further evaluation and documentation, (5) Providing hands-on training to other botanic gardens/germplasm resource centres staff in India (Capacity Building) in ex- situ conservation as well as germplasm augmentation programmes. (The training would cover various aspects of ex situ conservation and plant reintroduction methods and strategies). The project will be implemented in collaboration with Tissue Culture, Field Gene Bank and Seed Biology Groups of NBRI.

Recently Completed Projects

Biodiversity Assessment and Taxonomic Revision of the genus Astragalus L. (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) in India.

DST, Government of India, New Delhi sponsored this project for 3 years from September 2001 to August 2004. The main objective of the project was to bring out a taxonomic revision of Indian Astragalus. In India the genus has about 90 species, distributed in the higher reaches of Himalayas especially in the cold- desert of Lahul –Spiti and Leh- Ladakh. The taxonomic study on Indian Astragalus has been carried out based on extensive field studies and critical examination of specimens housed in major Indian as well as foreign herbaria. Several field exploration and plant collection trips have been made to different areas of Lahul - Spiti, Leh & Ladakh, Simla, Deoban, Gangotri, etc. Several new records for India and new species have been described.
Molecular taxonomy of Trigonella L. (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae).

This was a collaborative research programme with the Plant Molecular Biology Group of National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune. The main aim of this work was to study inter and intra-specific variability and to identify and analyze species-specific markers in Trigonella species complex in India. Scientist of CBMT group has considerable expertise in the systematics of Indian Trigonella and organizes the field exploration, collection, morpho-taxonomic characterization, and documentation of potential variants of species for molecular profiling studies by NCL.
Studies on non-conventional legume resources of Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal:
Taxonomy, Distribution, Utilization, Cultivation and Conservation.

This was an NBRI supported project, which has been carried out since September 2001. The study has resulted in an up to date inventory of about 485 legume species of Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal States. About 93 species pertaining to non-conventional legumes have been documented along with their diagnostic features, up to date nomenclature, synonyms, distribution and uses. The work has been completed.

Inventorying, Characterization, Preliminary Evaluation and Ex-situ Conservation of wild genetic resources of Citrus fruit trees and their close wild relatives in India.

Initiated since April 2002, this was an NBRI-supported project with a focus on taxonomic characterization, documentation and ex situ conservation of wild species of Citrus and its wild relatives in India. The project was completed in March 2005. During the course of this study the project team carried out the preparation of a resource inventory and morpho-taxonomic characterization, and ex situ conservation of the Citroid genetic resources and their wild relatives of India. About 150 accessions of 10 species of Citrus including wild species and indigenous cultivars were collected from different phytogeographic centers, including N. D. India, which is considered one of the primary centers of origin and diversity of the genus Citrus. Seed sampled of as many as 35 accessions of the target taxa were collected and stored at -20^oC. Viability and germination behavior of the seed collections are being studied and monitored. An ex situ live collection of 30 accessions of seedlings\saplings of 7 Citrus taxa is maintained at the garden site of NBRI Preparation of the Final Technical Report is in progress.

Feedback required

Scientists working in the areas of Conservation Biology and Molecular Taxonomy are welcome to interact with this Group for exchange of new ideas and information.