Environmental Influences on Alkaloid Production

Abstract

Although the level of alkaloid biosynthesis is gene-governed, there are remarkable fluctuations in the concentrations and the amounts of alkaloids produced per plant due to environmental influences (Mika, 1962). Environmental conditions affect the general growth of the plant as well as the formation of alkaloids. Because most alkaloids are formed in young, actively growing tissues, factors affecting the growth of this tissue, such as influence of light, supply of nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and other minerals, temperature, moisture of the soil, and height above sea level will affect the production of alkaloids. Given that alkaloid production involves several different metabolic pathways, many of which are not fully known, only a generalized approach seems appropriate. An environmental factor may alter the biosynthesis or degradation of alkaloids of various origins; this same factor will increase the alkaloid production in one species and decrease it in another species. Consequently, the present discussion will be an enumeration of the available data to give an outline of the problems that have been solved and to point out those that remain unclear because of contradictory findings.