Influence of Filtered and Unfiltered Solar Radiation on the Growth Pattern and Secondary Metabolite Synthesis in Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don - A Preliminary Study
Randomized trial evaluates solar radiation effects on growth and secondary metabolites in Catharanthus roseus, suggesting implications for cultivation strategies.
Key Points
This study aims to assess how different types of solar radiation affect the growth and secondary metabolite production in Catharanthus roseus.
Seedlings were grown for 50 days under three light environments: ambient high solar radiation, low solar radiation (40-50% filtration), and UV-B-filtered radiation.
Growth assessments included shoot length, leaf area, and fresh/dry weight measurements.
Plants under filtered radiation showed improved vegetative growth compared to ambient high solar radiation.
Total epicuticular wax content was highest in plants under ambient high solar radiation at 345.6 +/- 28 ug/g fresh weight, with lower amounts in filtered conditions.
Vincristine content was highest under ambient low solar radiation at 830.4 +/- 32 ug/g leaf dry weight, significantly reduced under UV-B-filtered conditions (316.2 +/- 27 ug/g).