Identification of potential accessions of Bacopa monnieri L. for herbage yield and bacosides A content

Bacopa monnieri is well recognized medicinal herb for promoting mental strength, longevity, life energy, and sleep. Conservation and cultivation of overexploited species like Brahmi are the key factors for the restoration of diversity. The diversity in species can be implied to screen the elite accessions. Morphological, chemical, and genetic parameters of five elite accessions were studied and evaluated for sustainable cultivation as well as industrial uses. The evaluated accessions varied in quantitative, qualitative, and molecular characters. Accession DBM-5 (Directorate Bacopa monnieri-5), exhibited maximum herbage yield, while the accession DBM-4 was rich in Bacoside A content. DBM-2, DBM-4, and DBM-5 accessions were most diverse, therefore, can be used in crop improvement programs. Overall, DBM-4 is suitable accession for commercial cultivation as an alternative to traditional rice-wheat cropping system under low-lying conditions. The accession DBM-4 is also suitable for product development or pharmaceutical industries due to rich quality parameters viz., total chlorophyll, carotenoids, bacosides A content, low in drying/ash, and high in water and alcohol extractive. [Display omitted] •All accessions are diverse in quantitative, molecular and qualitative parameters.•The accession DBM-4 is rich in quality parameters.•DBM-4 is also suitable for product development or pharmaceutical industries.•DBM-5 and DBM-4 are also suitable for commercial cultivation.•Jal brahmi in general is alternative to traditional rice-wheat cropping system.