ISHS Acta Horticulturae 188: V International Symposium on Medicinal, Aromatic and Spice Plants
EFFECT OF AGE AND TOP REMOVAL ON ALKALOID BIOSYNTHESIS OF CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS ROOTS |
| Authors: | S. Mandal, S.S. Virk, M.L. Maheshwari, V.K. Srivastava, R. Gupta |
| Abstract:
Proportion of ajmalicine and serpentine varied consisderably with age in the root of the Catharanthus roseus. Root yield, the percentage of total alkaloid and ajmalicine increased progressively up to 210 days, such that ajmalicine and serpentine were found almost in equal proportion in the root. The accumulation of serpentine continued further with age and the combined percentage was maximum in 300 day old plants. Removal of measured portions (2, 4 and 6 cm) of the tops at 50 percent flowering stage increased total alkaloids, ajmalicine and serpentine content. It is noted that top removal has a significant positive interaction with increased level of nitrogen supply in the synthesis of the major root alkaloids. | |
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