Screening of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum L.) Germplasm Lines for Diosgenin Potential

Fenugreek seeds were evaluated for diosgenin content and productivity which can be useful for pharmaceutical industries and farmers. Statistical significance was tested by ANOVA (n=5) followed by comparisons of means by DMRT (p≤0.05). Fenugreek seeds were grown in the experimental fields of Vegetable Research Center, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India for cropping year 2014. Two local varieties Pant Ragini (PR), Pusa Early Bunching (PEB) and eight accessions PM(C)1, PM 2, PM 3, PM 4, PM 5, PM 6, PM 7 and PM 8 were selected to evaluate high diosgenin content and productivity. Results indicate that fenugreek is a good source of diosgenin with high productivity, ranging from 0.40 to 0.60 g/100 g and 7.78 to 14.95 Kg ha-1, respectively. Significant differences (p≤0.05) were observed among the accessions and local varieties with respect to diosgenin content and productivity. The higher diosgenin content was recorded in local variety, PEB (0.60%) and PR (0.59%), followed by accession PM 7 (0.59%) and PM2 (0.50%) respectively. The highest diosgenin productivity was recorded in PR (14.95 Kg ha-1) followed by PEB (14.54 Kg ha-1), PM 7 (14.46 Kg ha-1) and PM (C)1 (13.90 Kg ha-1). The maximum seed yield was recorded in accession PM(C)1 (2.98 T ha-1) followed by PR (2.52 T ha-1). Fenugreek seeds, used as functional foods or pharmacology industry due to bioactive substance diosgenin, contribute nutraceutical and pharmacological attributes. Fenugreek may be a feasible alternative for diosgenin production because of lower production costs in a short growing period, ease of cultivation and consistent seed yield. Variation in genotype as well as plant species bioactive compound composition has been contradictory for their availability and commercial use. This study may be useful in selecting superior fenugreek genotypes for targeted pharmaceutical purposes and also for a breeding program, further facilitate the development of more reliable genotype for industrial use.