Desai, N: Physiological studies in a valuable medicinal plan

The physiological status of Morinda leaves and fruits is important in determining the nutritional quality. Though people are crazy about Noni, there is frivolous work on the developmental physiological apects has been carried out. The present study reveals some of the biochemical features that will enrich the knowledge about physiology of Noni plant. While, the data on the developmental physiology and biochemical aspects is likely to provide a valuable information regarding the safe effective use of this nutritionally important medicnal plant. Morinda is evergreen miracular tree noted for its extremely wide range of environmental tolerances. The screening of salt tolerant plants is considered as a prime approach to deal with a serious problem of salt affected soils. In order to overcome such problems of soils, it is necessary to screen and study the salt tolerance potential of Morinda species. Morinda citrifolia is one such hardy plant species which grows as coastal saline environment while Morinda pubescens grows along the fields, roadsides and also on dry land areas.