Deciphering the morphological, phytochemical, genetic diversity, and niche distribution of Allium stracheyi Baker (Amaryllidaceae): An economically important culinary herb of Western Himalaya, India.

• This is the first report on morphological, phytochemical, and genetic diversity assessment along with ENM for Allium stracheyi Baker in Uttarakhand, western Himalaya. • The species have important ethnomedical value such as being used as an appetizer, cardioactive, carminative, expectorant, cordial, and stomach troubles. • Correlation studies revealed a strong positive relationship among studied parameters. • Population structure and UPGMA analysis separated the 103 accessions into two sub-populations (ΔK=2). • Population attributes and ecological niche modeling (ENM) displayed suitable habitats for conservation strategies. Allium stracheyi Baker (Himalayan Allium spice) is an economically important herbaceous plant commonly known for its unique flavor and therapeutic potential. The species is distributed from 2000 to 4000 m above sea level in the western Himalayan region. A. stracheyi is used as an appetizer, cardioactive, carminative, expectorant, cordial, in curing stomach troubles, and in treating constipation. However, systematic information on the diversity and distribution of A. stracheyi species is not available to date. In this study, 14 populations of A. stracheyi gathered from Uttarakhand were subjected to morphological, phytochemical, genetic diversity assessment and mapping potential habitat areas through ecological niche modelling tools. Considerable differences (p < 0.05) were recorded in plant height, fresh weight, dry weight, leaf diameter, and stem diameter of species. Maximum total phenols (3.93 mg GAE/g) and flavonoids (6.17 mg QE/g) content were observed in the Kailashpur population, while total tannin content (1.84 mg TAE/g) was higher in the Malari population. The HPLC analysis enabled the identification of five phenolic constituents, namely, gallic acid, catechin, naringin, salicylic acid, and p-coumaric acid, and recorded high variations among the populations. A total of 53 clear and reproducible fragments were recorded using 15 inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) markers. The highest (He = 0.338; Pp = 90.57 %) genetic diversity was recorded in the Kailashpur population, and the lowest (He = 0.185; Pp = 47.17 %) in the Niti population. UPGMA and a Bayesian-based population structure analysis unanimously grouped A. stracheyi populations into two sub-populations (ΔK = 2). It is observed that A. stracheyi possesses high antioxidant activity and genetic diversity. The study also identified and predicted Niti, Mana, and Jawar valley of Uttarakhand as highest suitability areas under the current climate scenario. These findings can be helpful in planning effective conservation strategies and breeding programs for A. stracheyi. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]