Abstract

Influence of some heavy metals on growth, alkaloid content and composition in Catharanthus roseus L.

Author(s): NK Srivastava, AK Srivastava
Department of Plant Physiology, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, P.O. CIMAP, Kukrail Picnic Spot Road, Lucknow-226 015, India

Correspondence Address:
N K Srivastava Department of Plant Physiology, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, P.O. CIMAP, Kukrail Picnic Spot Road, Lucknow-226 015 India E-mail: nk.srivastava@cimap.res.in


Shoot biomass production, alkaloid content and composition as influence by cadmium, manganese, nickel and lead at uniform dose of 5 mM were investigated in Catharanthus roseus plants grown in sand culture. Treatment with Mn, Ni, and Pb significantly enhanced total root alkaloid accumulation. Cd and Ni treatment resulted in two-fold where as Pb treatment resulted in three fold increase in serpentine content of roots. The non-significant affect on biomass suggests that plants can withstand metal stress at the level tested with positive affect on root alkaloid content.

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