Effect of triacontanol and chlormequat on growth,plant hormones and artemisinin yield in Artemisia annua L.

Artemisinin and herbage yield of Artemisia annua plants were determined after application of triacontanol (tria.) and chlormequat (2-chloroethyltrimethylammonium chloride). Tria. at 1.0 and 1.5 mgl^–1 produced a statistically significant positive effect on artemisinin level as well as on plant height, leaf and herbage yield. Chlormequat at 1000 and 1500 mgl^–1 also increased artemisinin level, decreased the plant height at higher concentrations and increased the leaf and herbage yield at lower concentrations. Tria. application enhanced GA-like activity, but ABA levels decreased, while chlormequat increased ABA but reduced GA-like substances. The effect of Tria. on artemisinin yield seems to be mediated through its effect on plant growth.CIMAP Publication.