Application of gibberellin to Pogostemon cablin plants: growth, photosynthetic pigment content and oil yield

Abstract

Foliar application of gibberellin (GA3) to patchouli (Pogostemon cablin Benth.) increased the plant height, number of nodes per plant, leaf fresh mass and photosynthetic pigment contents. The content of chlorophyll (Chl)b increased faster than that of carotenoids (Car), Chl (a+b) and Chl a. This was reflected in a decline in Chl a/b and Chl (a+b)/Car ratios. There was a GA3 concentration dependent variation in the number of branches, leaves, total leaf area, and leaf area index. These growth parameters decreased over control values up to 250 g(GA3) m-3 and increased at 500 g(GA3) m-3 concentration. The patchouli oil yield varied from 2.4 to 2.6% of the leaf dry mass. © 1995 Institute of Experimental Botany, ASCR.