In vitro propagation of Aegle marmelos (L.) Corr., a medicinal tree

Abstract

Plants are the resources of foods, pharmaceuticals and pesticides. Plant based medicines have served the human race over the ages for various ailments and number of medicinal plants have become important raw material for pharmaceutical industries. The great popularity of herbal drugs has to do with their effectiveness, minimal side effects in clinical experience and moderate prices. The use of medicinal plants in the health care management programme has been recognized internationally. World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that the global market for medicinal herbs and herbal products is about 62 billion dollars and by the year 2050 will reach 5 trillion dollars. Therefore, there is a need to make an intensive study on medicinal and aromatic plants for their genetic improvement, conservation and cultivation methods.