Bridging gaps: A holistic approach to conservation and propagation of Artemisia amygdalina Decne. In the face of climate change and human influence

Artemisia amygdalina Decne. ‘Asteraceae’ is a critically endangered medicinal plant species of the Himalaya. Using ecological niche modeling we estimated its distribution in the present and future scenarios (2050, 2070), for effective restoration and conservation. The highly suitable distribution of the target plant was estimated to be 38,055 km², with a predicted reduction of 4.64% in 2050 to 6.15 in 2070 (RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5, respectively). We identified the precise zones within the predicted suitable habitats for priority conservation to endure the impact of climate change and growing human pressures. To meet the conservation goals and increased demand an efficient in vitro propagation of the target plant was established. Leaf explants were cultured on Murashige and Skoog basal medium fortified with different concentrations of BAP and NAA (0.5–5.0 mg/l) individually and in combination. The highest shoot regeneration on leaf explant with mean shoot number 3.66 ± 1 was obtained on 2.0 mg/l of BAP plus 2.0 mg/l NAA in 45% of cultures. However, the maximum percentage (65%) of shoot response was found on 1.5 mg/l concentration of both BAP plus NAA. Furthermore, the highest percentage (26%) of callusing was found on 3 mg/l of Kn plus 3 mg/l of NAA. The rhizome cutting of the target plant also shows varying results when subjected to different plant growth regulators. The concentration of 1 mg/l of IAA showed the highest sprouting (70.28%) of rhizomes. It is pertinent to mention that the survival rate in natural conditions was mostly achieved in plants grown from rhizome cuttings. These approaches, if executed skilfully, have the potential to be instrumental in successfully conserving and reviving endangered species.