Effect of Gibberellic Acid and Chlormequat Chloride on Growth, Coumarin Content and Root Yield of Angelica dahurica var. Formosana

Abstract

The effects of the plant growth promoter gibberelli c acid (GA 3 ) and plant growth retardant chlormequat chloride (CCC) on biomass and quality of Angelica dahurica var. formosana plants were investigated employing physio logical and biochemical methods. Plants were sprayed with GA 3 or CCC at rosette stage and coumarin content was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after harvest. Two coumarins in root were detected: isoimperatorin and imperatorin. The root content of imperatorin was not affected by application either GA 3 or CCC, while isoimperatorin was increased to 127% after treatment with CCC (400 mg L -1 ). The lowest concentrations of GA 3 (50 mg L -1 ) and CCC (400 mg L -1 ) increased root yield to 157 and 139%, respectivel y. We note here that GA 3 and CCC might be used in improving the yield of A . dahurica var. formosana and maintaining the coumarin content. Keywords: Angelica dahurica var. formosana, Plant growth promoter, Biomass, Cou marin content.