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Factors affecting podophyllotoxin yield in the ex situ grown Podophyllum hexandrum, an endangered alpine native of the western Himalayas

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Abstract

This study reports an appreciable yield of podophyllotoxin (PDT) in P. hexandrum plants grown ex situ under polyhouse conditions of a temperate locale. The PDT content of below-ground parts was affected by both plant age and growth period. However, only the effect of plant age on PDT content was significant. Thus, the highest amounts of PDT were recorded in the below-ground parts of 2-year-old plants harvested during the late-growth period (LGP). High total soluble sugars in the below-ground parts during the early growth period (EGP) and the highest nitrate and nitrate reductase in the leaves of 2-year-old plants during the peak-growth period (PGP) indicated higher mobilization and assimilation of starch and nitrate. Probably the surplus carbon and nitrogen gained during the PGP were diverted from aerial parts to below-ground parts during the LGP and in turn contributed to the synthesis of higher amounts of PDT. This study shows that commercial cultivation of P. hexandrum is possible under ex situ temperate conditions.

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Abbreviations

C:

Carbon

EGP:

Early growth period

LGP:

Late growth period

LMA:

Leaf mass area

LMR:

Leaf mass ratio

N:

Nitrogen

NEDD:

N-(1-naphthyl) ethylene diamine dihydrochloride

NR:

Nitrate reductase

PGP:

Peak growth period

RMR:

Root mass ratio

RS:

Reducing sugars

SMR:

Shoot mass ratio

TSS:

Total soluble sugar

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Director, IHBT and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India, for providing the necessary facilities for carrying out the work and also acknowledge the National Bioresource Development Board, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, for the financial assistance provided in the form of research grant. The kind help of Mr. Ramdeen Prasad, Technical Officer A, with carbon and nitrogen estimation is also acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Biotechnology, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, 176 061, HP, India

    Amita Bhattacharya

  2. College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky, Room no. 434, Plant Science Building 1405, Veterans drive, Lexington, KY, 40546-0312, USA

    Rekha Kushwaha

  3. Division of Natural Plant Products, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, 176 061, HP, India

    Bikram Singh

  4. Division of Biodiversity, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, 176 061, HP, India

    R. D. Singh

Authors
  1. Rekha Kushwaha
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  2. Amita Bhattacharya
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  3. Bikram Singh
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  4. R. D. Singh
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Correspondence to Amita Bhattacharya.

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IHBT Publication no.: 1089.

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Kushwaha, R., Bhattacharya, A., Singh, B. et al. Factors affecting podophyllotoxin yield in the ex situ grown Podophyllum hexandrum, an endangered alpine native of the western Himalayas. J Nat Med 66, 1–7 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-011-0541-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-011-0541-y

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