EFFECT OF HARDENING OF SEEDLINGS OF CINCHONA & IPECAC ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, BIOMASS PRODUCTION AND ALKALOID YIELD

Cinchona are grown for 16–18 months in nursery and later in fields for 16 years whereas Ipecac plants remain under nursery conditions for 3 ½ years and later harvested. Propagation of Cinchona and Cephaelis (Ipecac) are generally done through improved quality of seeds. Studies have been conducted successfully on nursery-hardening process of Cinchona and Ipecac seedlings and augmented growth, higher production of biomass and alkaloid have been obtained. Increase in plant-sphere temperature & light intensity for restricted periods has yielded higher field-survival, increased production of raw material and augmented formation of alkaloids in these two species. Hardening process by reduction of transpiring laminar surface of Cinchona seedlings also improved significantly biomass production and alkaloid yield. Hardening by two successive transplantation of Cinchona and Ipecac seedlings in nurseries has led to improved performance of mature plants in terms of growth and alkaloid production. Transient high and low temperature exposure to Ipecac seedlings during early maturity stage also proved effective for formation of biomass and alkaloids.