Application of Molecular Markers in Assessment of Genetic Diversity of Medicinal Plants

Medicinal plants are precious sources of different products that are crucial component of contemporary medicines used to cure a broad range of illnesses and diseases. Nowadays, many species of medicinal plants are facing high risk of annihilation due to anthropogenic factors such as premature harvesting, deforestation, habitat destruction, rapid industrialization, overgrazing by animal and many more. Monitoring and assessment of genetic diversity of medicinal plants are essential as they provide information about different germplasms prevalent and also help environmentalists in framing a blueprint for conservation. Numerous morphological, cytological, biochemical and molecular markers can be used to evaluate the diversity of these medicinal plants for future conservation as well as for the plant improvements. This chapter describes in brief about diverse uses of medicinal plants, importance of diversity, conservation strategies and different markers employed for assessment of diversity stating with some classical examples.