Genetic Resources and Variations in Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Bentham

Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth is an important medicinal herbaceous plant belonging to the Scrophulariaceae/Plantaginaceae family. This species is native to the Himalayan regions of India, China, Nepal, and Pakistan. Numerous phytochemical and pharmacological research studies have investigated several bioactive substances and their respective uses during the past two decades, leading to increase in its demand. The underground parts (stolons and roots) of this species have various ethnopharmacological properties due to picrosides, picroliv, kutkoside, kutkin, cucurbitacins, and apocynin. The plant populations of P. kurroa have an abundant amount of genetic diversity over different geographical regions. Several molecular markers, i.e., RAPDs, SSRs, ISSRs, and AFLPs, were used for analysing the considerable genotypic variability; whereas, HPLC/LC–MS, RPHPLC–PDA, TLC, FTIR, SDS-PAGE techniques were used for phytochemical diversity in this species. The P. kurroa species is listed as an endangered medicinal plant because of continuous and ruthless harvesting of its stolons in natural habitats to fulfil its demand. Germplasm conservation, in vitro mass multiplication, and genetic enhancement are priority needs for sustainable consumption and organized cultivation in this species. Therefore, this plant requires substantial research on its genetic diversity, germplasm resources, and the development of agrotechnologies. The information provided here may facilitate future research programmes for management and improvement of this species.