Effect of dikegulac on biomass and alkaloid production in <i>Catharanthus roseus</i>(L)<i> </i>G. Don under <i>tin vitro </i>condition

Abstract

Callus culture of <i>Catharanthus roseus </i>in LS medium was treated with different concentrations of sodium dikegulac (DK). Maximum growth was obtained in cultures with 50 μg/ml after 25 days and in 100 μg/ml after 30 days of every culture .cycle whereas 150 and 200 μg/ml exhibited an increase in biomass only in second and first culture cycle respectively, followed by a decline. There was an increase in total alkaloid content, RNA, amino acid, soluble carbohydrate and tryptophan levels at 50 μg/ml of dikegulac over control. Dikegulac at

lower concentration (50 μg/ml)seems to be a potent chemical for higher biomass and alkaloid production in long term treatment of <i>C</i>. <i>roseus </i>under tissue culture.