EFFECT OF PLANT GROWTH REGULATORS ON GROWTH AND ESSENTIAL OIL CONTENT IN PALMAROSA (CYMBOPOGON MARTINII)

 Objective: The aim was to examine the responses viz., herbage yield, essential oil content and oil composition to varying levels of gibberellic acid(GA3), kinetin and indole acetic acid (IAA) in Palmarosa (Cymbopogon martinii).Methods: Essential oils were obtained by hydro-distillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus and oils composition was analyzed by gaschromatography-mass spectrometry. Nitrate reductase (NR) activity was evaluated by in-vivo assay. Protein content was evaluated by Lowry method.Chlorophyll was estimated by Arnon method.Results: Plant growth was improved by GA3 significantly, and the increase was maximum at 100 ppm concentration in plant height, leaf area, tillernumber and herbage yield. Chlorophyll content, protein content, NR activity and oil content increased in the plants due to GA3 treatment comparedto untreated plants, and the increase was maximum at 100 ppm concentration. Effect of IAA and kinetin was similar to GA3 but maximum effect wasobserved at 50 ppm concentration. Geraniol content of the essential oil of Palmarosa increased due to GA3 and kinetin treatment while percentage ofgeranyl acetate decreased.Conclusion: On a comparative basis, among the three promotional hormones, GA3 was most effective in stimulating growth, essential oil content, leafarea, tiller number and metabolic parameters (protein content, chlorophyll content and NR activity).Keywords: Cymbopogon martinii, Essential oils, Plant growth regulators, Oil compositon.Â

Phytochemical Evaluation, Antimicrobial Activity, and Determination of Bioactive Components from Leaves of Aegle marmelos

The therapeutic value of Aegle marmelos Correa (Rutaceae), commonly known as ‘‘Bael,’’ has been recognized as a component of traditional medication for the treatment of various human ailments. The plant, though, being highly explored, still lacks sufficient evidences for the best variety possessing the highest degree of medicinal values. The present study is focused on phytochemical screening of aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of 18 varieties/accessions of A. marmelos. The crude extracts of A. marmelos revealed the presence of several biologically active phytochemicals with the highest quantity of alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenols in Pant Aparna variety. The antibacterial efficacy was investigated against pathogenic bacterial strains and the highest inhibitory activity of aqueous extract was obtained against S. epidermidis, whereas methanolic extract was found to be most potent against S. aureus at 40 mg/mL concentration. However, in aqueous : ethanol, the best results were observed against E. aerogenes followed by K. pneumonia and S. epidermidis. The MIC of aqueous and methanol extract of Aegle marmelos ranged from 10 mg/mL to 40 mg/mL whereas in aqueous : ethanol it ranged between 40 mg/mL and 160 mg/mL. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of many bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alcohols, aldehydes, aromatic compounds, fatty acid methyl esters, terpenoids, phenolics, and steroids that can be postulated for antibacterial activity