Advances in Breeding Techniques for Genetic Improvement in Ashwagandha [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal]

Year 2025, Volume: 11 Issue: 1, 25 - 36, 31.01.2025

Rajesh Kumar Arya Krishan Kumar Somveer Nimbal Ganesh Kumar Koli Surya Kant

Abstract

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) is a medicinal plant, also known as winter cherry or gooseberry. The Indian
subcontinent, North-Western and Central parts of Africa, and the Mediterranean region are the native palaces of
ashwagandha. The dry and subtropical climate is best suited for its growth and development. Its roots are mainly
consumed as a health tonic for fitness, longevity and vitality. It is an important stimulant of the human immune system
cells, phagocytes, and lymphocytes: and it is also able to relieve the effects of stress and improve health. It is also utilized
to treat COVID-19, flu, insomnia, asthma, bronchitis, emaciation, dementia, inflammation, neurological disorders, and
Parkinson's disease. It has 12 types of withanolides, five unknown alkaloids, several free amino acids, glycosides, tannins,
chlorogenic acid, glucose, and several flavonoids in the leaves. The availability of Ashwagandha as a natural vegetation
is reduced drastically due to its constant uprooting for utilization. Therefore, it is an insistent need to evolve the high
yielding varieties of ashwagandha. Even today its cultivation relies on wild, semi-wild plants or primitive cultivars, which
have not acquired genes for high productivity. There is enormous scope to improve its yield and quality. Ashwagandha is
generally grown under harsh climatic conditions; therefore, identification of the superior genotypes for drought and hightemperature
tolerance is essential for genetic manipulation through breeding techniques. Nowadays, plant phenomics is
a good technique for analyzing plant biomass, development and growth rate, as well as leaf chlorophyll, carbohydrates,
protein, and water content. The male and female parts are present in the same flower and pistil is surrounded by anthers
and both mature at same time, which favors self- pollination. But natural out-crossing is also observed in some conditions,
thus hybridization is a possible way to utilize heterosis through transgressive segregants. Therefore, any breeding methods
may be applied as per suitability and availability of plant genetic resources. In addition, molecular breeding is an excellent
way to enhance the specific biomolecules through marker assisted technique, suitable for any kind of genetic improvement
related to biotic and abiotic resistance.

Keywords

Withania somnifera, Ashwagandha, breeding aspects, root yield, biomolecules

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