Co-Authors:
Levy, A., Div. of Medicinal and Spice Crops, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Milo, J., Div. of Medicinal and Spice Crops, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Ashri, A., Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel
Palevitch, D., Div. of Medicinal and Spice Crops, Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan, Israel
Abstract:
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. © 1983 Veenman B.V., Wageningen.