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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Griffin, Georgia » Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #236763
Title: Characterization of Medicinal Senna genetic resources

Author
item Morris, John - Brad

Submitted to: Plant Genetic Resources: Characterization and Utilization
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/25/2009
Publication Date: 4/15/2009
Citation: Morris, J.B. 2009. Characterization of Medicinal Senna genetic resources. Plant Genetic Resources: Characterization and Utilization.DOI: 10.1017/s1479262109344111 7(3):257-259.

Interpretive Summary: Senna plants, roots, and seeds contain many useful chemicals for use as pharmaceutical products. Forty seven accessions of 18 Senna species are curated at the Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Unit, Griffin, GA. Little information for growing Senna species in Georgia is known. Senna species produce quality plants and up to 21, 215 seed at Griffin, GA. Literature shows that many Senna species contain chemicals with many health uses. The literature indicated that chemicals found in Senna species have been shown to fight cancer as well as viruses in humans. Quality production and healthy chemicals exists in Senna species for use in the southern U.S.A.

Technical Abstract: Coffee Senna, [Senna occidentalis(L.)] and its wild allied species are underutilized legumes. The USDA, ARS, PGRCU curates 47 accessions of 18 Senna species. Coffee senna and its wild allied species were transplanted from about 30-day-old seedlings to the field at Griffin, GA around 01 June 1996, 2002, and 2004-2007. At 50% maturity, 14 accessions of coffee senna and 8 accessions from its wild relatives were characterized for morphological traits, seed reproduction, and evaluated for regeneration ability. High quality plants regenerated from all accessions produced 1,018 to more than 21,000 total seeds per accession. Coffee senna and several of its wild allies can be successfully grown and regenerated in Griffin, GA. Coefficients of variation and principal component analysis revealed considerable variability among coffee senna accessions for morphological and reproductive traits. Senna species have potential to produce pharmaceutical products and can be grown as ornamental flowering and medicinal plants as well. The flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol found in Senna species have been clinically shown to have an anti-pacreatic cancer property.