Augmentation of photosynthesis, crop productivity, enzyme activities and alkaloids production in Sadabahar (Catharanthus roseus L.) through application of diverse plant growth regulators

Exogenous application of plant growth regulators (PGRs) has vital impact on the growth and productivity of plants. Foliar application of selected PGRs, viz. indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), kinetin (KIN), thidiazuron (TDZ), gibberellic acid (GA3), salicylic acid (SA), homobrassinosteroids (HBR), and triacontanol (TRIA), were carried out in order to assess the effects on growth of two cultivars (Rosea and Alba) of Catharanthus roseus L. G. Don. The Rosea and Alba plants were sprayed with PGRs (10−7 M) at 60 days after planting (DAP). Shoot and root lengths, plant fresh and dry weights, leaf-area index, total chlorophyll and carotenoids content, net photosynthetic rate, nitrate reductase and carbonic anhydrase activities, and leaf essential nutrients (N, P, and K) were analyzed at 150 DAP while yield attributes and total alkaloids of leaves and roots, contents of vincristine and vinblastine alkaloids were measured at 210 DAP. The results showed that HBR significantly improved most of the growth attributes. Application of HBR, KIN, and GA3 resulted in the ameliorative effects on plant productivity, physiological and biochemical parameters as compared to the unsprayed (control) plants. The effect of TDZ was not significantly different than the control plants. GA3 application significantly increased the vincristine content (7.3%) while TDZ exhibited reduced vincristine content. The effect of other PGR was insignificant towards vincristine and vinblastine contents. The response of Rosea toward exogenous PGRs application was better than Alba in terms of crop productivity, physiological and biochemical parameters, and alkaloid production.