Journal Article
Effect of dimethyl sulphate on the growth and some chemical compositions of Balanites aegyptiaca, delile [2009]
Mostafa, G.G.;
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The investigation was carried out during the two successive seasons of 2008 and 2009 at the Nursery of Ornamental Plants, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt Seeds of Balanites aegyptiaca were soaked in dimethyl sulphate solution at 0,1000,2000,3000,4000 and 5000 ppm. for 14 hours to study the effect of dimethyl sulphate on the plant growth and to produce new patterns of vegetative growth and chemical composition. The concentration of 2000 ppm. increased significantly the no. of branches and leaves in both seasons and stem diameter, plant height, fresh weight of vegetative growth and saponins content in the roots in the first season. The concentration of 3000 ppm. increased significantly the seed germination percentage in both seasons and saponins content in the roots in the second season. The plant height was increased by using the concentrations of 3000, 4000 and 5000 ppm. in the second season. On the other side the treatments had no significant effect on the chlorophyll content in both seasons, stem diameter in the second season and leaf area in the first season. All concentrations of dimethyl sulphate increased significantly the saponins content in the leaves in both seasons and alkaloid content in the leaves in the first season, while they decreased significantly the alkaloid content in the roots in the first season. Albino plants were obtained in both seasons. The changes of leaf form or shape were also observed. two dwarfed
alpino plant with green spots was obtained from the seeds treated with 1000 and 3000 ppm. Also, one plant with variegated leaves was appeared from the treatment of 1000 ppm. These plants can be propagated through tissue culture as new cultivar.
