See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: [Link]

net/publication/353243801

Effects of Plant Growth Regulators on Biomass, Number of Nodes, Internodal

Length and Leaf Water Relative Content of Fagopyrum esculentum Moench of
Himalayan Region

Article · July 2021

DOI: 10.23910/2/2021.0415a

CITATIONS READS

0 85

3 authors, including:

Sujata Bhattacharya Komal Jamwal

Shoolini University Shoolini University
15 PUBLICATIONS 320 CITATIONS 4 PUBLICATIONS 103 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

plant growth regulators impact on morphological n phytochemical aspects of plant View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Komal Jamwal on 14 July 2021.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

International Journal of Economic Plants 2021, 8(2):094-102 Fu l l Res ea r ch

Doi: HTTPS://[Link]/10.23910/2/2021.0415a

Effects of Plant Growth Regulators on Biomass, Number of Nodes, Internodal Length and Leaf
Water Relative Content of Fagopyrum esculentum Moench of Himalayan Region
Komal Jamwal*, Sujata Bhattacharya and Sunil Puri

Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences; Near Head P.O., The Mall, Solan, Himachal Pradesh (173 212), India

Corresponding Author Article Histor y

Komal Jamwal Article ID: IJEP0415a
e-mail: komaljamwal72@[Link] Received on 11th January, 2021
Received in revised form 27th April, 2021
Accepted in final form 16th May, 2021
Abstract
An experiment was carried out to access the effect of plant growth regulators (PGRs) on biomass, number of nodes, internodal length and
leaf water relative content of Fagopyrum esculentum. Four major hormones: Indole Acetic Acid (IAA), Benzylaminopurine (BAP), Abscisic
Acid (ABA) and Gibberellic Acid (GA) were used in combinations i.e. IAA+BAP, IAA+ABA, IAA+GA, ABA+BAP, BAP+GA and ABA+GA in concen-
tration of 25, 50 and 100 mg l-1 through foliar spray. Results revealed that higher concentration of IAA+BAP (50 and 100 mg l-1) enhanced
number of nodes and shoot fresh weight. Combination of BAP+GA at 100 mg l-1 concentration enhanced shoot fresh and dry weight. Root
fresh and dry weight was improved in IAA+GA 100 mg l-1 treatment. Maximum relative water content was observed at 50 mg l-1 of ABA+GA
concentration. No. of nodes and internodal length decreased in plants treated with ABA+GA (25 mg l-1). Combination of ABA+BAP at 25
mg l-1 concentration reduced internodal length and 100 mg l-1 affected root fresh as well dry weight. 25 mg l-1 concentration of BAP+GA
lowered leaf relative water content, root fresh and dry weight. ABA in combination with IAA (ABA+IAA) at 25 mg l-1 negatively affected
shoot fresh as well as dry weight.

Key words: Antioxidant activity, Fagopyrum esculentum, phenolic compounds

1. Introduction and Lingakumar, 2011; and relative water content. Till date,
there are no reports concerning the effects of PGRs on shoot
Fagopyrum esculentum (Common Buckwheat) is regarded biomass, root biomass, number of nodes, internodal length
as medicinal plant belonging to family Polygonaceae. It is a and relative water content of common buckwheat. Keeping
dicotyledonous, summer-growing, annual plant with shallow these facts in mind, present study has been undertaken to see
root system and knotted stem of 30-60 height (Jamwal et al., the relative effect of F. esculentum to plant growth regulators.
2020). It originated in the southwestern region of China and
later became a well-known crop in the northern hemisphere. 2. Materials and Methods
It is used in many traditional dishes, like memilguksu The seeds were obtained from Himachal Pradesh Agricultural
(Korean noodles), soba (Japanese noodles), galettes (French University, Research Station, Sangla, Kinnaur (HP).
pancakes), pizzoccheri (Italian pasta) and pizzoccheri (Italian
2.1. Seedling growth assays and growing conditions
pasta) (Mizuno and Yasui, 2019). To achieve greater yields
without affecting health and environment integrity, it’s very Surface sterilization of seeds was done with 0.1% HgCl2, after
important to use techniques which can contribute to global which the seeds were rinsed three times with distilled water.
food demand. The use of PGRs is of considerable interest in Seeds were sown in the nursery beds, in the Herbal Garden of
diverse fields of agriculture. These are effective even in low Shoolini University, Solan (Latitude 30°51’N, longitude 77°07’E
concentrations and have definite effects on plant growth and altitude 1195 m). The average maximum and minimum
(Jamwal et al., 2018). Application of foliar spray in agriculture temperatures were 32°C and 2°C, respectively. When the first
has been a popular practice with farmers since the 1950s when leaf appeared the seedlings were transferred to pots filled
it was erudite that a foliar fertilizer was effective (Rekha et al., with 3 kg uniform soil mixture containing soil: sand: farm
yard manure (FYM) in 1:1:1 ratio. Three seedlings per pot in
2018). Number of studies is reported where PGRs enhanced
replicates of three were used for each treatment.
fresh and dry weight of shoot (Khatun et al., 2016), fresh and
dry weight of root (Latif, 2014; Naeem et al., 2017), number 2.2. Treatments with plant growth regulators
of nodes (Ajayi et al., 2017), internodal length (Meenakshi Four major hormones: indole acetic acid (IAA), benzylaminopurine

© 2021 PP House 094

Jamwal et al., 2021

(BAP), abscisic Acid (ABA) and gibberellic Acid (GA), were 3.2. Shoot dry weight
used in combinations i.e. IAA+BAP, IAA+ABA, IAA+GA, Shoot dry weight in F. esculentum showed an increase in dry
ABA+BAP, BAP+GA and ABA+GA in concentration of 25, 50 weight with the growth of plant in treated and untreated
and 100 mg l-1 through foliar spray. The foliar spray with plants. BAP+GA 100 mg l-1 treatment was most effective
plant growth regulator was carried out after every 10 days among all combinations in enhancing shoot dry weight at
and quantity of spray was increased with life span of plant 30 days (1.153 g, 14% increase from control) and at 60 days
i.e. 1.5 ml up to 30 days, 3 ml from 31 to 60 days and 4.5 ml (2.866 g, 39.9% increase from control). However, ABA+BAP
from 61 to 90 days per plant. 100 mg l-1 treatment was effective in increasing dry weight
2.3. Fresh and dry weight of shoot and root at 90 days (3.750 g, 27.8% increase from control). Lowest
Fresh weight (g plant-1) of shoot and root were recorded shoot dry weight at 30 days (0.829 g, 18.1% decrease from
separately and were oven dried for 72 h at 70°C. Dry weight control) and 60 days (1.117 g, 45.5% decrease from control)
of shoot and root were recorded to determine the effect of was in IAA+ABA 25 mg l-1 treated plants and at 90 days (2.368
different hormones on biomass at different growth stages g, 19.3% decrease from control) in ABA+GA 25 mg l-1 treated
i.e., at 30, 60 and 90 days after sowing. plants (Table 1). In general, IAA+BAP, IAA+GA, ABA+BAP and
BAP+GA didn’t show any variation from control at 30 days but
2.4. Number of nodes and internodal length (cm) there after enhanced shoot dry weight with time; rest of the
Number of nodes and internodal length were measured treatments retarded shoots dry weight.
after 30, 60 and 90 days of plant growth. Enhancement in the shoot fresh and dry weight was seen
2.5. Relative water content (RWC) at higher concentration of growth regulators but at lower
The fresh weight of leaves from each treatment was concentration it didn’t show a significant effect. The
recorded. The leaves were then immersed in distilled water improvement in plant biomass in the present study could be
in beakers and left for 24 h. Thereafter, fully turgid leaves as a result of growth, improved photosynthesis and better
were weighed again. The leaves were dried in oven for 72 h at translocation of photosynthates (Miniraj and Shanmugavelu,
70°C, until constant weight of leaves was obtained. Relative 1987). IAA+BAP and BAP+GA promoted shoot fresh weight
water content (RWC) of leaves was calculated according to whereas; BAP+GA and BAP+ABA promoted shoot dry weight.
Wheatherley (1950): Similar effect of BAP was reported in Scutellaria alpina
(Grzegorczyk-Karolak et al., 2015) and spinach (Di Mateo
RWC=[(fresh mass-dry mass)]/(saturated mass-dry mass) et al., 2015). As cytokinin stimulates xylem differentiation,
×100 therefore more absorption of water as well as nutrients
The data was analyzed statistically using Graph Pad Prism® from the soil takes place, which results in growth (Sadak
5.2. Mean values were calculated from measurements et al., 2013) and increase in the photosynthetic efficiency
of three replicates and the standard error of means were of leaves (Della Gaspera et al., 2016). It is well known that
determined. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was IAA stimulates cell division and elongation that might have
applied to determine the significance of results between caused increased plant biomass. Increased biomass with
different treatments and Bonferroni’s post tests were IAA has been reported in Vicia faba (Sadak et al., 2013). The
performed at the significance level of p<0.05. increased biomass due to GA3 may be due to a rapid increase
in cell division, cell enlargement and gathering of building units
3. Results and Discussion that is accompanied by higher saccharide content (Mostafa
3.1. Shoot fresh weight and Abou-Alhamd, 2011). Similar results from application of
GA have been reported in Trigonella foenum-graecum (Dar et
The fresh weight in F. esculentum shoots treated with different
al., 2015). Shoot fresh and dry weight decreased in IAA+ABA
plant growth regulators increased and it was maximum in
and ABA+GA (25 mg l-1). Foliar spray of IAA+Kinetin decreased
BAP+GA 100 mg l-1 at 30 days (2.884 g, 23.5% increase from dry matter of salt-stressed plants (Kaya et al., 2010). GA (150
control), IAA+BAP 100 mg l-1 at 60 days (5.905 g, 15.8% ppm) decreased dry weight in the first season of Balanites
increase from control) and 90 days (8.547 g, 13.3% increase aegyptiaca (Mostafa and Abou-Alhamd, 2011). Abscisic acid
from control) was most effective in enhancing shoot fresh (ABA) enlarged the root/shoot proportion of hydroponically-
weight. Whereas, IAA+ABA 25 mg l-1 at 30 days (2.112 g, grown plants of cauliflower by decreasing the dry weight of
9.6% decrease from control), ABA+GA 25 mg l-1 at 60 days the shoot (Biddington and Dearman, 1982).
(4.382g, 14.1% decrease from control) and 90 days (6.752
g, 10.5% decrease from control) reduced shoot fresh weight 3.3. Root fresh weight
(Table 1). The two-way analysis of variance showed significant Results revealed that IAA+GA 100 mg l-1 enhanced root fresh
interactions for shoot fresh weight. IAA+BAP, IAA+GA and weight at 30 days (163 mg, 22.6% increase from control), at
BAP+GA had promoting effect on shoot fresh weight whereas; 60 days (465 mg, 31.4% increase from control) and at 90 days
ABA+GA and IAA+ABA had inhibitory effect. (495 mg, 16.5% increase from control). Decrease in root fresh

© 2021 PP House 095

International Journal of Economic Plants 2021, 8(2):094-102

Table 1: Biomass in Fagopyrum esculentum at different growth stages under various phytohormone treatments (values
are mean±S.E. n=3)
PGRs Treatment Shoot fresh weight (g) Shoot dry weight (g)
30 Days 60 Days 90 days 30 Days 60 Days 90 days
IAA+BAP 25 ppm 2.515±0.073 5.527±0.057 8.236±0.086 1.066±0.003 2.271±0.038 3.519±0.025
50 ppm 2.747±0.014 5.639±0.027 8.428±0.059 1.095±0.020 2.543±0.018 3.606±0.099
100 ppm 2.872±0.026 5.905±0.091 8.547±0.037 1.106±0.038 2.736±0.073 3.739±0.023
IAA+ ABA 25 ppm 2.112±0.009 4.781±0.084 7.216±0.010 0.829±0.005 1.117±0.063 2.466±0.031
50 ppm 2.147±0.030 4.985±0.065 7.461±0.015 0.931±0.005 1.216±0.022 2.583±0.072
100 ppm 2.192±0.026 5.158±0.054 7.944±0.050 0.928±0.010 1.296±0.087 2.789±0.050
IAA+ GA 25 ppm 2.438±0.083 5.215±0.039 8.171±0.028 1.096±0.011 2.784±0.013 3.292±0.050
50 ppm 2.658±0.030 5.562±0.065 8.395±0.051 1.099±0.030 2.793±0.023 3.055±0.011
100 ppm 2.866±0.034 5.693±0.026 8.497±0.079 1.059±0.007 2.845±0.051 3.395±0.025
ABA+BAP 25 ppm 2.259±0.088 5.227±0.060 8.055±0.045 1.056±0.016 2.251±0.034 3.637±0.097
50 ppm 2.467±0.035 5.495±0.079 8.182±0.068 1.041±0.002 2.281±0.088 3.697±0.071
100 ppm 2.594±0.059 5.586±0.068 8.252±0.014 1.045±0.007 2.528±0.034 3.750±0.086
BAP+GA 25 ppm 2.483±0.013 5.457±0.026 8.150±0.075 1.145±0.010 2.766±0.061 3.465±0.066
50 ppm 2.678±0.078 5.576±0.042 8.456±0.063 1.147±0.007 2.833±0.046 3.345±0.056
100 ppm 2.884±0.081 5.799±0.014 8.535±0.059 1.153±0.006 2.866±0.069 3.531±0.042
ABA+GA 25 ppm 2.168±0.010 4.382±0.032 6.752±0.021 1.021±0.003 1.907±0.089 2.368±0.012
50 ppm 2.269±0.002 5.133±0.019 7.467±0.063 1.033±0.002 2.104±0.035 2.775±0.097
100 ppm 2.204±0.052 5.211±0.019 7.672±0.085 1.026±0.005 2.214±0.047 2.898±0.087
Control Distilled water 2.335±0.016 5.101±0.047 7.541±0.055 1.012±0.009 2.049±0.031 2.935±0.034
Table 1: Continue...
PGRs Treat- Root fresh weight (mg) PGRs Treat- Root fresh weight (mg)
ment 30 Days 60 Days 90 days ment 30 Days 60 Days 90 days
I A A + 25 ppm 114.00±3.85 265.00±2.57 311.00±1.79 ABA+ 50 ppm 119.00±2.92 274.00±1.97 345.00±3.36
BAP 50 ppm 135.00±2.88 354.00±2.69 382.00±4.82 BAP 100 ppm 111.00±2.23 244.00±3.15 329.00±3.11
100 ppm 123.00±3.73 321.00±2.53 424.00±3.24 BAP+ 25 ppm 113.00±2.61 252.00±3.19 376.00±2.93
I A A + 25 ppm 108.00±2.37 338.00±1.69 416.00±3.91 GA 50 ppm 132.00±2.49 276.00±3.16 391.00±2.27
ABA 50 ppm 113.00±4.41 369.00±2.64 449.00±2.86 100 ppm 119.00±2.61 334.00±2.52 403.00±3.23
100 ppm 103.00±2.92 390.00±3.41 463.00±2.78 ABA+ 25 ppm 113.00±2.47 293.00±2.17 338.00±1.59
I A A + 25 ppm 134.00±2.94 359.00±3.73 445.00±1.85 GA 50 ppm 122.00±2.56 391.00±3.60 449.00±1.83
GA 50 ppm 147.00±2.45 376.00±1.95 479.00±3.26 100 ppm 141.00±2.91 377.00±1.98 451.00±2.63
100 ppm 163.00±3.28 465.00±3.22 495.00±1.74 C o n - Distilled 133.00±2.90 354.00±4.60 425.00±3.80
ABA+ 25 ppm 121.00±3.53 294.00±2.60 312.00±2.81 trol water
BAP
weight was seen in IAA+ABA 100 mg l-1 treated plants at 30 reduced root fresh weight.
days (103 mg, 22.6% decrease from control), ABA+BAP 100 3.4. Root dry weight
mg l-1 treated plants at 60 days (244 mg, 31.1% decrease from
control) and IAA+BAP 25 mg l-1 treated plants at 90 days (311 IAA+GA (100 mg l-1) treated plants showed maximum root dry
mg, 26.8% decrease from control) (Table 1). In case of IAA+GA weight at 30 days (71 mg, 31.5% increase from control) and
and ABA+GA higher concentration promoted root fresh weight 60 days (213 mg, 28.3% increase from control) and IAA+ABA
after 30 days. Combination of BAP+GA, ABA+BAP and IAA+BAP 100 mg l-1 treated plants at 90 days (253 mg, 24% increase

© 2021 PP House 096

Jamwal et al., 2021

from control) of plant growth. Combinations of BAP+GA promoting effect at higher concentration only after 30 days
(25 mg l-1), IAA+BAP (25 mg l-1) and ABA+BAP (100 mg l-1) and IAA+GA, IAA+ABA at 90 days.
showed minimum root dry weight at 30 days (24 mg, 55.6% High concentration (100 mg l-1) of plant growth regulators
decrease from control), at 60 days (79 mg, 52.4% decrease was effective to increase fresh and dry weight of roots in F.
from control) and at 90 days (109 mg, 46.6% decrease from esculentum. IAA and IAA+GA enhanced root fresh weight.
control), respectively (Table 2). IAA had synergistic effect on Similar to our findings, Zhang et al. (2005) reported that root
root dry weight especially at 100 mg l-1 concentration. GA had fresh weight of potato explants enhanced with an increasing

Table 2: Biomass and leaf relative water content in Fagopyrum esculentum at different growth stages under various
phytohormone treatments (values are mean±S.E. n=3)
PGRs Treatments Root dry weight (mg) Relative water content (%)
30 Days 60 Days 90 days 30 Days 60 Days 90 days
IAA+BAP 25 ppm 53.00±2.23 79.00±1.47 126.00±2.82 66.20±1.71 72.90±1.41 73.90±1.09
50 ppm 64.00±2.65 156.00±2.95 167.00±2.64 67.60±1.67 79.70±1.24 77.20±1.15
100 ppm 46.00±2.49 136.00±1.58 215.00±2.18 62.10±1.16 74.60±1.06 74.10±1.24
IAA+ABA 25 ppm 44.00±2.85 136.00±2.55 213.00±1.82 69.50±1.12 77.30±0.25 72.00±0.06
50 ppm 54.00±2.72 153.00±2.25 225.00±2.52 75.60±1.16 79.90±1.04 77.20±1.50
100 ppm 41.00±1.92 155.00±1.56 253.00±2.52 73.00±1.10 73.80±1.19 71.80±1.22
IAA+GA 25 ppm 65.00±2.33 149.00±1.56 222.00±2.62 61.70±1.09 74.10±1.26 73.60±1.00
50 ppm 67.00±1.98 167.00±2.51 238.00±2.72 66.50±1.18 77.20±1.32 74.70±0.57
100 ppm 71.00±1.42 213.00±2.78 249.00±2.94 64.10±1.52 76.90±1.32 71.40±0.27
ABA+BAP 25 ppm 47.00±2.86 113.00±2.36 129.00±2.73 58.00±1.17 63.60±1.22 68.70±1.43
50 ppm 36.00±1.75 101.00±2.36 148.00±1.83 62.90±1.20 77.60±1.66 72.80±1.14
100 ppm 34.00±1.88 81.00±2.37 109.00±2.94 61.00±1.64 73.20±0.38 70.50±1.15
BAP+GA 25 ppm 24.00±2.73 88.00±2.84 136.00±2.97 52.20±2.13 60.50±1.74 61.30±1.45
50 ppm 35.00±1.96 96.00±2.52 152.00±1.98 56.20±1.31 68.70±1.43 63.30±0.32
100 ppm 29.00±2.85 121.00±2.46 179.00±2.82 54.40±1.15 66.50±1.53 62.80±1.26
ABA+GA 25 ppm 35.00±2.63 97.00±2.74 151.00±2.87 71.80±0.75 74.40±1.32 70.00±1.43
50 ppm 43.00±3.33 157.00±3.11 213.00±2.57 79.60±0.82 83.10±1.39 77.20±1.04
100 ppm 54.00±2.54 152.00±2.76 226.00±2.68 72.50±1.15 78.40±0.41 73.40±1.29
Control Distilled water 54.00±3.74 166.00±2.39 204.00±2.86 70.00±1.85 78.00±2.41 72.00±1.47

of IAA levels either in the presence of GA 3 (treatment GA3 concentration (0.025μM) achieved higher biomass (Abbasi
IAA+GA) or IAA alone. Naeem et al., 2017 mentioned similar et al., 2012). Root fresh weight of F. esculentum decreased
effect of IAA on root fresh weight of Catharanthus roseus. in IAA+ABA (100 mg l-1), ABA+BAP (100 mg l-1) IAA+BAP (25
IAA+GA, IAA+ABA promoted root dry weight at 100 mg l-1 mg l-1) treatments, as well as root dry weight in BAP+GA 25
concentration. Enhanced root dry weight of F. esculentum mg l-1 treatments. Our results are similar to the finding of
with auxin treatment had good root growth and is better Jeong et al. (2007) in Panax ginseng where, dry weight of
able to absorb nutrients leading to healthy plants (Liu et al., hairy roots declined with increase in the concentration of
2002). Also, root dry weight increased with GA3 (10 ppm) both ABA and GA3.
treatment in green gram (Phaseolus mungo) (Chauhan et al.,
3.5. Number of nodes
2010). Similar to our findings, Latif (2014) observed that ABA
reduced the decline in both fresh and dry weights of roots Highest number of nodes at 30 days was noted in IAA+BAP (50
in Pisum sativum stimulated by drought stress. Yamaguchi and 100 mg l-1) (6.30, 53.7% increase from control). Whereas,
and Street (1977) also observed improved root growth in IAA+BAP (100 mg l-1) concentration resulted highest number
the presence of ABA especially at low concentrations. GA has of nodes at both 60 days (24.60, 64% increase from control)
been reported to increase root fresh and dry weight in several and 90 days (27, 44.4% increase from control). Lowest number
earlier reports (Idrees et al., 2010; Ahmad et al., 2014). The of nodes at 30 days (3, 26.8% decrease from control), at 60
hairy roots of Echinacea purpurea treated with the moderate days (12.30, 18% decrease from control) and at 90 days (15.30,

© 2021 PP House 097

International Journal of Economic Plants 2021, 8(2):094-102

18.2% decrease from control) was seen in ABA+GA 25 mg l-1 Internodal length of F. esculentum showed a regular increment
treated plants (Figure 1). due to phytohormones action. Highest internodal length at
It is evident from Figure 1 that IAA+BAP and ABA+BAP had 30 days (4 cm, 21.2% increase from control), at 60 days (5.40
synergistic effect on number of nodes. It was observed cm, 22.7% increase from control) and at 90 days (5.80 cm,
that the higher concentration of BAP and IAA+BAP (50 and 16% increase from control) was seen in IAA+GA 100 mg l-1
100 mg l-1) was effective in promoting maximum number treated plants. On the other hand, it declined maximum in
of nodes. Similar to our results, Abubakar et al. (2018) ABA+BAP 25 mg l-1 (2.10 cm, 36.4% decrease from control)
reported highest numbers of nodes in response to 1.5 mg at 30 days, in ABA+BAP 50 mg l-1 together with ABA+GA 25
mg l-1 (3.60 cm, 18.2% decrease from control) at 60 days and
l-1 BAP. Bhandari et al. (2009) reported increased number of
in ABA+BAP 25 mg l-1 (3.80 cm, 24% decrease from control)
nodes in Verbascum thapsus after IAA (50 ppm) application.
at 90 days (Figure 2).
Decrease in number of nodes was seen in ABA+GA (25
mg l-1). Rabbani (2001) reported non-significant effect of It is evident from Figure 2 that IAA+GA enhanced internodal
different GA3 concentrations on number of nodes in potato. length, whereas other phytohormones had retarded effect.
Gibberellin is a well known stimulator of cell elongation,
Our results are opposite to findings of Firman (1984) who
expansion as well as elongation of internodes (Huttly and
reported increased node production with GA3 in potato.
Phillips, 1995). Maximum internodal length was observed in
3.6 Internodal length GA (50 and 100 mg l-1) treated plants compared to control.

30 30
Control
25mg/l IAA+BAP
A b b Control B
b 25mg/l IAA+ABA
50mg/l IAA+BAP b b 50mg/l IAA+ABA
100mg/l IAA+BAP b 100mg/l IAA+ABA
Number of Nodes

Number of Nodes

20 a 20 a a a
b b
b b
a a

10 10
b b b
a a a b a

0 0
30 60 90 30 60 90
Days Days

30 30
Control
25mg/l IAA+GA
C Control
25mg/l ABA+BAP D
50mg/l IAA+GA b 50mg/l ABA+BAP b
100mg/l IAA+GA b b 100mg/l ABA+BAP b
b
b b
Number of Nodes
Number of Nodes

b
20 b a 20 a
b
b
a a

10 10
b b b
a a a b a

0 0
30 60 90 30 60 90

Days Days

Figure 1: Continue...

© 2021 PP House 098

Jamwal et al., 2021

30 30
Control
25mg/l BAP+GA E Control
25mg/l ABA+GA
F
50mg/l BAP+GA 50mg/l ABA+GA
100mg/l BAP+GA 100mg/l ABA+GA

Number of Nodes
Number of Nodes

20 a 20 a
b b b b b
a a b
b b b b
b
b

10 10
a a a a a b a
b

0 0
30 60 90 30 60 90
Days Days

Figure 1: Number of nodes in Fagopyrum esculentum on different days under phytohormones treatment i.e., IAA+BAP (A),
IAA+ABA (B), IAA+GA (C), ABA+BAP (D), BAP+GA (E) and ABA+GA (F). Values are mean±SE; n=3, analysed by two-way ANOVA
followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test. Values followed by the same letter are not statistically different (p<0.05)
compared with control

8 8
Control
25mg/l IAA+BAP
A Control
25mg/l IAA+ABA B
50mg/l IAA+BAP 50mg/l IAA+ABA
Internodal length (cm)

Internodal length (cm)

100mg/l IAA+ABA
100mg/l IAA+BAP
6 6
a a a a
a b b b
a a a a a b
a
b
4 4 a
b
a a a a
b
b
2 2

0 0
30 60 90 30 60 90

Days Days

8 8
Control
25mg/l IAA+GA C Control
25ppm ABA+BAP D
50mg/l IAA+GA 50ppm ABA+BAP
100mg/l IAA+GA 100ppm ABA+BAP
Internodal length (cm)

Internodal length (cm)

b
6 b b
b 6
b a a
a a a
b b b b
b b b
4 b 4 a
b
a a
b
b
b
2 2

0 0
30 60 90 30 60 90
Days Days
Figure 2: Continue...
© 2021 PP House 099
International Journal of Economic Plants 2021, 8(2):094-102

8 8
Control
25mg/l BAP+GA
E Control
25mg/l ABA+GA F
50mg/l BAP+GA 50mg/l ABA+GA
100mg/l ABA+GA
Internodal length (cm)

Internodal length (cm)

100mg/l BAP+GA
6 b 6
a a a a
b b
a a a
b b b b
4 a a b 4 b b
a
b b a
b
2 2

0 0
30 60 90 30 60 90
Days Days

Figure 2: Internodal length in Fagopyrum esculentumon different days under phytohormones treatment i.e., IAA+BAP (A),
IAA+ABA (B), IAA+GA (C), ABA+BAP (D), BAP+GA (E) and ABA+GA (F). Values are mean ± SE; n=3 analysed by Two-way ANOVA
followed by Bonferroni’s multiple comparison test. Values followed by the same letter are not statistically different (p<0.05)
compared with control.
Similarly internodal length also increased in lycopersicon control).
(Rai et al., 2006) and Soybean (Khatun et al., 2016) due to It is evident that combination of ABA with GA and IAA was
gibberellins. In present study combination of IAA+GA at 100 effective only at 50 mg l-1 concentration. Our results are
mg l-1 was also effective in promoting internodal length. consistent with a previous study (Agehara and Leskovar,
Earlier Meenakshi and Lingakumar (2011) reported enhanced 2012), who attributed that ABA improved the relative water
internodal length in Mentha arvensis with IAA and 2,4-D content in Muskmelon seedlings throughout water stress
treatment. Mostafa and Abou-Alhamd (2011) concluded that and rehydration situation. Earlier studies showed that foliar
GA (50 ppm) and IAA (2000 ppm) increased internodal length spray of IAA is effective in maintaining the leaf RWC in barley
in Balanites aegyptica. But according to Ma et al. (2018) IAA (Hordeum vulgare) (Ashraf and Harris, 2004) and maize
is negatively correlated with internodal length. Internodal plants (Kaya et al., 2010) under water stress and salt stressed
length decreased in ABA+BAP (25, 50 mg l-1) and ABA+GA conditions, respectively. Perez-Jimeneza et al. (2015) also
(25 mg l-1) treatments. Similar results with ABA treatments reported that IAA and ABA promoted water accumulation in
were reported in submerged rice (Hoffmann-Benning and leaves of Capsicum annuum. In the present study, gibberellic
Kende, 1992) and floating rice (Azuma et al., 1995). High acid treatment improved leaf relative water content in F.
concentrations of BAP reduced internodal length in Pyrus esculentum. Similar results were reported in Helianthus
calleryana (Berardi et al. 1993). annuus (Sayed and Gadallah, 2013) and wheat (Abo-Hamed
3.7 Relative water content et al., 1999). This may be due to the reason that GA increases
Relative water content (RWC) is used as a most meaningful water uptake and reduces transpiration (Halevey and Mayak,
index for dehydration tolerance and considered a measure of 1981). Present investigation also revealed that BAP alone
plant water status, reflecting the metabolic activity in tissue. reduced leaf relative water content, but in combination with
It is evident from the Table 2 that the relative water content IAA it promoted relative water content of leaves. This may be
of leaf increased up to 60 days of growth and thereafter due to the fact that cytokinins regulate stomatal behaviour
declined (upto 90 days). ABA+GA 50 mg l-1 at 30 days (79.60%, (Hegele et al., 2008). Decline in relative water content of
13.7% increase from control) and 60 days (83.10%, 6.5% leaves was noticed in BAP+GA at lower concentration (25
increase from control), IAA+BAP 50 mg l-1, IAA+ABA 50 mg mg l-1). BAP stimulates opening of stomata and transpiration
l-1 and ABA+GA 50 mg l-1 at 90 days (77.20%, 7.2% increase as a result decreased RWC in plants sprayed with 10 μM BAP
from control), promoted relative water content. However, (Rulcova and Pospisilova, 2001).
BAP+GA 25 mg l-1 reduced the same at 30 days (52.20%, 25.4% 4. Conclusion
decrease from control), at 60 days (60.50%, 22.4% decrease
from control) and at 90 days (61.30%, 14.9% decrease from Need for food and medicines is supposed to continue due to

© 2021 PP House 100

Jamwal et al., 2021

ever-growing world population. Exploitation of underutilized of auxins on growth characteristics and productive
crops can contribute effectively to promote nourishment and potential of Verbas cumthapsus–a medicinal plant.
biological sustainability. Fagopyrum esculentum Moench is Garhwal University, India. Journal of Botany Researcher
one of the essential neglected crops having high nutritive and Center 1(5), 47–51.
medicinal value. Combination of PGRs were more effective Biddington, N.L., Dearman, A.S. 1982. The effect of abscisic
than solely applied PGRs. Higher concentration was effective acid on root and shoot growth of cauliflower plants.
than lower concentration of different treatments. The results Plant Growth Regulation 1(1), 15–24.
of the present study call for further research on mechanism Chauhan, J.S., Tomar, Y.K., Badoni, A., Singh, N.I., Seema,
of PGRs action by using molecular approaches. A., Debaratim, M. 2010. Morphology, germination and
growth pattern in Phaseolus mungo L., with reference
5. Acknowledgement
to the influence of various plant growth substances.
We are thankful to the Vice-Chancellor, Shoolini University, Journal of American Science 6(1), 34–41.
Solan for encouragement and cooperation. Dar, T.A., Uddin, M., Khan, M.M., Ali, A., Hashmi, N., Idrees,
M., 2015. Cumulative effect of gibberellic acid and
6. References phosphorus on crop productivity, biochemical activities
Abbasi, B.H., Stiles, A.R., Saxena, P.K., Liu, C.Z., 2012. and trigonelline production in Trigonella foenum-
Gibberellic acid increases secondary metabolite graecum L. Cogent Food and Agriculture 1(1), 995–950.
production in Echinacea purpurea hairy roots. Applied Della Gaspera, P., Teruel, J., Giardina, E., Di Benedetto, A.
Biochemistry and Biotechnology 168(7), 2057–2066. 2016. Physiological and Technological Consequences of
Abo-Hamed, S.A., Aldesuquy, H.S., Ismail, A.M.A., 1999. Benzyl Adenine (BAP) Application on Butternut Squash
Abscisic acid, relative water content and water (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne ex Poir.) Productivity.
use efficiency of wheat plants in relation to grain American Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 13(4),
pretreatment by phytohormones and irrigation with 1–1.
sea water. Qatar University Science Journal 18, 53–60. Di Mateo, J, Rattin, J., Di Benedetto, A., 2015. Increase of
Abubakar, A.S., Yahaya, S.U., Shaibu, A.S., Ibrahim, H., Ibrahim, spinach growth through the use of larger plug cell
A.K., Lawan, Z.M., Isa, A.M., 2018. In vitro propagation volume and an exogenous BAP spray. Amer. Journal of
of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) cultivars. Experimental Agriculture 6(6), 372–383.
Agricultural Science Digest 38(1), 17–21. Firman, D.M., 1984. Gibberellic acid as a media additive for in
Agehara, S., Leskovar, D.I., 2012. Characterizing concentration vitro propagation of potato. The Journal of Agricultural
effects of exogenous abscisic acid on gas exchange, Science 103, 703–704.
water relations and growth of muskmelon seedlings Grzegorczyk-Karolak, I., Kuźma, Ł., Wysokińska, H., 2015. The
during water stress and rehydration. Journal of the effect of cytokinins on shoot proliferation, secondary
American Society for Horticultural Science 137(6), metabolite production and antioxidant potential in
400–410. shoot cultures of Scutellaria alpina. Plant Cell, Tissue
Ahmad, A., Khalid, N., Ahmad, A., Abbasi, N.A., Latif, and Organ Culture 122(3), 699–708.
M.S.Z, Randhawa, M.A., 2014. Phytochemicals and Halevey, A.H., Mayak, S., 1981. Senescence and postharvest
biofunctional properties of buckwheat: a review. Journal physiology of cut flowers, Part 2. Horticultural Reviews
of Agricultural Science, 152, 349–369. 3, 59–143.
Ajayi, A., Balogun, M., Maroya, N., Asiedu, R., 2017. Effects Hegele, M., Manochai, P., Naphrom, D., Sruamsiri, P.,
of basal medium and plant growth regulator regimes Wunsche, J., 2008. Flowering in langan (Dimocarpus
on meristem and nodal cultures in white yam (D. longan L.) induced by hormonal changes following KClO3
rotundata). 22, Ibadan, IITA. applications. European Journal of Horticultural Science,
Ashraf, M.P.J.C., Harris, P.J.C. 2004. Potential biochemical 73, 49-54.
indicators of salinity tolerance in plants. Plant Science, Hoffmann-Benning, S., Kende, H., 1992. On the Role of Abscisic
166(1), 3–16. Acid and Gibberellin in the Regulation of Growth in Rice.
Azuma, T., Hirano, T., Deki, Y., Uchida, N., Yasuda, T. and Plant physiology 99(3), 1156–1161.
Yamaguchi, T., 1995. Involvement of the decrease Huttly, A.K., Phillips, A.L., 1995. Gibberellin regulates plant
in levels of abscisic acid in the internodal elongation gene. Plant Physiology 310–317.
of submerged floating rice. Journal of Plant Idrees, M., Khan, M.M., Aftab, T., Naeem, M., 2010. Synergistic
Physiology 146(3), 323–328. effects of gibberellic acid and triacontanol on growth,
Berardi, G., Infante, R. and Neri, D., 1993. Micropropagation physiology, enzyme activities and essential oil content
of Pyrus calleryana Dcn. from seedlings. Scientia of Coriandrum sativum L. The Asian Australian Journal
Horticulturae 53(1-2), 157–165. of Plant Science Biotechnology 4, 24–29.
Bhandari, S., Sajwan, M., Bisht, N.S., 2009. Physiological effect Jamwal, K., Bhattacharya, S., Puri, S., 2018. Plant growth

© 2021 PP House 101

 International Journal of Economic Plants 2021, 8(2):094-102

regulator mediated consequences of secondary aegyptica plants. American Journal of Plant Physiology
metabolites in medicinal plants. Journal of Applied 6, 36–43.
Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 9, 26–38. Naeem, M., Khan, M.M., Uddin, M., 2017. Catharanthus
Jamwal, K., Bhattacharya, S., Puri, S., Sharma, D., 2020. roseus: Current Research and Future Prospects 11, 365.
Influence of plant growth regulators on shoot and root Perez-Jimenez, M., Pazos-Navarro, M., Lopez-Marin, J., Galvez,
length of Fagopyrum esculentum moench of Himalayan A., Varo, P., Del Amor, F.M., 2015. Foliar application
region. International Journal of Economic Plants 7(3), of plant growth regulators changes the nutrient
129–137. composition of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).
Jeong, G.T., Woo, J.C., Park, D.H., 2007. Effect of plant growth Scientia Horticulturae 194, 188–193.
regulators on growth and biosynthesis of phenolic Rabbani, A.S., Askari, B.E., Abbasi., N.A., Bhatti, M.U.,
compounds in genetically transformed hairy roots of Quraishi, A.Z., 2001. Effect of growth regulators on in
Panax ginseng CA Meyer. Biotechnology and Bioprocess vitro multiplication of potato. International Journal of
Engineering 12 (2), 86–91. Agriculture and Biology 3(2), 181–182.
Kaya, C., Tuna, A.L., Okant, A.M., 2010. Effect of foliar applied Rai, N., Yadav, D.S., Patel, K.K., Yadav, R.K., Asati, B.S.,
kinetin and indole acetic acid on maize plants grown Chaubey, T., 2006. Effect of plant growth regulators
under saline conditions. Turkish Journal of Agriculture on growth, yield and quality of tomato (Lycopersicon
and Forestry 34(6), 529–538. esculentum Mill. Wettsd.) Vegetable Science 33(2),
Khatun, S., Roy, T.S., Haque, M.N., Alamgir, B., 2016. Role 180–182.
of plant growth regulators on growth and yield of Rekha, G.S., Kaleena, P.K., Elumalai, D., Srikumaran, M.P.,
Soybean at different stages of application. Scientia Maheswari, V.N., 2018. Effects of vermicompost and plant
15(3), 380–386. growth enhancers on the exo-morphological features of
Latif, H.H., 2014. Physiological responses of Pisum sativum Capsicum annum (Linn.) Hepper. International Journal
plant to exogenous ABA application under drought of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture 7(1), 83-88.
conditions. Pakistan Journal of Botany 46(3), 973–982. Rulcova, J., Pospisilova, J., 2001. Effect of benzylaminopurine
Liu, C., Zhu, J., Liu, Z., Li, L., Pan, R., Jin, L., 2002. Exogenous on rehydration of bean plants after water stress. Biologia
auxin effects on growth and phenotype of normal Plantarum 44(1), 75–81.
and hairy roots of Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi. Plant Sadak, M.S., Dawood, M.G., Bakry, B.A., El-Karamany, M.F.,
Growth Regulation 38(1), 37–43. 2013. Synergistic effect of indole acetic acid and kinetin
Ma, Z., Chen, Y., Sun, C., Jin, J., Guo, Z., Fu, Z., 2018. Proteomic on performance, some biochemical constituents and
analysis demonstrates that elongation of below- yield of Faba bean plant grown under newly reclaimed
ear internodes in maize is related to three different sandy soil. World Journal of Agricultural Sciences 9(4),
hormones. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation 37(1), 335–344.
144–155. Sayed, S., Gadallah, M.A., 2013. Gibberellic acid ameliorates
Meenakshi, V., Lingakumar, K., 2011. The role of IAA and 2, 4-D the adverse effects of acid mist and improved antioxidant
on growth and biochemical constituents in vegetatively defense, water status and growth of acid misted
propagated Mentha arvensis L. Journal of Biological sunflower plants. Journal of Biology and Earth Sciences
Sciences 2(1), 10–15. 3(2), 275–285.
Miniraj, N., Shanmugavelu, K.G., 1987. Studies on the effect Weatherley, P.E., 1950. Studies in the water relations of the
of triacontanol on growth, flowering, yield, quality and cotton plant. I. The field measurement of water deficits
nutrient uptake in chillies. South Indian horticulture, in leaves. New Phytologist 49, 81–87.
35, 362–366. Yamaguchi, T., Street, H.E., 1977. Stimulation of the growth
Mizuno, N., Yasui, Y., 2019. Gene flow signature in the S-allele of excised cultured roots of soya bean by abscisic acid.
region of cultivated buckwheat. BMC plant biology Annual Botany. 41, 1129–1133.
19(1), 125. Zhang, Z., Zhou, W., Li, H., 2005. The role of GA, IAA
Mostafa, G.G., Abou Alhamd, M.F., 2011. Effect of gibberellic and BAP in the regulation of in vitro shoot growth
acid and indole-3 acetic acid on improving growth and and microtuberization in potato. Acta Physiologiae
accumulation of phytochemical composition in Balanites Plantarum 27(3), 363–369.

© 2021 PP House 102

View publication stats