Effect of indol-3-ylbutyric acid, kinetin and gibberellic acid on alkaloid content inNicotiana rustica stem cuttings

Abstract

The effect of the growth substances indol-3-ylbutyric acid (IBA), kinetin (Kn) and gibberellic acid (GA3) on the alkaloid content and recovery from the stress induced by removal of roots inNicotiana rustica L. plants have been studied. All treatments, mainly GA3, overcome the stress more effectively than the controls. The alkaloid content was increased 2.5fold with GA3. Treatment with Kn also increased the alkaloid content, but only in the absence of roots. In contrast, treatment with IBA slightly reduced the alkaloid content. The results of this investigation indicated that a degradation of stored alkaloids did not occur in spite of the stress.