Summary
The development of the vegetative yield components and ajmalicine content in the roots was studied in three pure lines of Catharanthus roseus and their hybrids. A significant interaction was found for the various components between the genotypes and the developmental stages of the plant. The F1 hybrids performed generally better than the parents in leaf and root weight but not in ajmalicine content. Significant genetic and environmental correlations were found between the leaf and the root dry weights but not between the vegetative components and the ajmalicine content of the roots. The breeding of pure line cutivars for dual exploitation of the roots and the leaves for their alkaloids seems to be more appropriate than the use of hybrid cultivars.
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Contribution from the Agricutural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, No. 606-E, 1982 series.
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Levy, A., Milo, J., Ashri, A. et al. Heterosis and correlation analysis of the vegetative components and ajmalicine content in the roots of the medicinal plant-Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don . Euphytica 32, 557–564 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00021468
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00021468