Exploring the Unique Regenerative Potential of Drimia indica (Roxb.) Jessop: A Sustainable Approach to Conservation and Propagation
摘要
Drimia indica (Roxb.) Jessop (syn. Urginea indica (Roxb.) Kunth), commonly known as Indian squill, is a rare and medicinally valuable bulbous plant widely used in traditional medicine. Due to excessive harvesting and limitations in conventional propagation methods, natural populations of this species are declining, highlighting the need for alternative and sustainable propagation strategies. The present study investigates the regenerative potential of D. indica bulb scales as a novel approach for its conservation and large-scale propagation. Bulb scales were subjected to dark storage to induce adventitious bud formation, and the influence of seasonal variation on regeneration was evaluated. Adventitious buds appeared within 25–30 days and fully developed within 50–60 days. The highest regeneration was observed during the summer, followed by winter, whereas rainy-season samples showed reduced performance due to fungal infections. The regenerated buds were successfully established as plantlets after transplantation to a soil-compost medium. A comparative assessment with the cultivated onion (Allium cepa) confirmed that this regenerative ability is unique to D. indica. The findings demonstrate that bulb-scale regeneration offers a simple, effective, and sustainable method for the conservation and propagation of this endangered medicinal plant.