Modulating growth and herbage yield in Artemisia pallens via plant growth regulators

Abstract

Davana (Artemisia pallens Wall.), an esteemed aromatic plant of the Asteraceae family is chiefly cultivated in South India during the winter season as a short-duration crop. It is valued for its aromatic herbage used in rituals and floral decor. Its essential oil, rich in bioactive compounds, prized in perfumery and cosmetics and exhibits antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. In many of the aromatic species, plant growth regulators have been shown to positively modulate both the growth and yield. To assess the impact of plant growth regulators on davana growth and yield, eight treatments were applied: T1 (Control, Water spray), T2 (Triacontanol @ 1000 ppm), T3 (Salicylic acid @ 150 ppm), T4 (GA₃ @ 200 ppm), T5 (Cycocel @ 200 ppm), T6 (Benzyl adenine @ 10 ppm), T7 (Homobrassinolide @ 1000 ppm) and T8 (Ethephon @ 100 ppm). Plants treated with T7 (Homobrassinolide @ 1000 ppm) showed marked improvement in plant height, branch number and stem girth. T4 (GA₃ @ 200 ppm) treated plants led to the earliest first and 50% flowering. Homobrassinolide also significantly enhanced fresh and dry herbage yield, while T1 (Control) recorded the lowest growth.