Non-destructive harvesting of oleo-gum resin in Commiphora wightii (Arnott) Bhandari-A critically endangered plant

Commiphora wightii (Arnott) Bhandari is an immense medicinal important plant. It yields a valuable oleo-gum-resin which is widely used in Ayurvedic medicines. The traditional destructive method for guggul gum harvesting was one of the causes for its population decline and making this plant critically endangered. Present study was conducted on two sites viz. Jodhpur, Rajasthan and Bhuj, Gujarat. It describes the effect of season, cut size, cut orientation and girth on gum yield. Monthly observation revealed winter season (November to February) as best period for guggul gum harvesting when average gum yield was 4.22 ± 0.44 g per plant. A significant variation was found in gum yield due to different cut sizes (F = 5.076, P < 0.01) and different cut orientations (F = 5.106, P < 0.01). Gum yield increased with cut size and horizontal cut was the best for gum harvesting. Regression analysis between gum yield and girth class at two sites was positively correlated (R2 = 0.239, F = 2.430, P < 0.01). Some putative high gum yielder genotypes were also identified through regression analysis. There were no casualties in any of the experimental plants irrespective of treatments given even after three years at Jodhpur and two years at Bhuj site. Injuries were healed up within two months and plants remained as healthy as non-treated plants.