This work was carried out during two successive seasons (2010/2011 & 2011/2012) to study the effect of light intensity i.e., full sunlight, 63% and 73% shade and benzyladenine (BA) treatments i.e., 0.0 ppm (control), 25 ppm, 50 ppm and 75 ppm as well as their combinations on growth and chemical composition of Aspidistra elatior plants . Results showed that plant height, number of leaves/plant, leaf blade length and width, leaf area and fresh and dry weights of leaf were greatly increased with grown Aspidistra plants under shade conditions (73% or 63% shade) as compared with those grown under full sunlight conditions. Also, all tested applications of BA increased the studied vegetative growth traits, especially the high concentration (75ppm). Moreover, all combinations of light intensity and BA caused increments in the tested vegetative growth traits. However, the highest values of plant height, leaf blade length and width, leaf area and fresh and dry weights of leaf were obtained by 75ppm BA -sprayed plants grown under 73% shade conditions. Meanwhile, the highest number of leaves/plant was gained by those grown under 63% shade conditions and received BA at 75ppm in both seasons. Growing Aspidistra plants under shade conditions showed to be the most promising one in inducing the heaviest fresh and dry weights of roots/plant. However, 75ppm BA-sprayed plants grown under 63% shade conditions recorded the heaviest fresh and dry weights of roots/plant. The greater leaf N, P and K contents were recorded by 75ppm BA-sprayed plants grown under 73% shade conditions. Whereas, the highest values of chlorophyll a&b, carotenoids, total carbohydrates, total sugars and total free amino acids were gained by those grown under 63% shade and received BA at 75ppm. Also, grown Aspidistra plants under 73% shade conditions, especially those received BA at 75 ppm recorded the highest leaves auxins and gibbrellins contents. Besides, the highest leaf cytokinins as well as the lowest leaf abscisic acid content were scored by 75ppm BA-treated plants grown under 63% shade condition. |
