Cytomorphological and Molecular Characterization in Isabgol

Plantago ovata Forsk. commonly known as "Isabgol" in Hindi and "Blond Psyllium" in English is an important medicinal plant of the Indian subcontinent. Cytological abnormalities during PMCs meiosis presence of B-chromosomes and point mutations in the mitochondrial genome seem to be the cause of male sterility. Therefore, morphological, cytological and molecular tools could be successfully utilized to characterize male sterility in P. ovata. The combination of above studies may give new impetus to research efforts directed towards the improvement of Isabgol through conventional plant breeding methods vis--vis newer techniques of plant biotechnology.