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Cultivation, mineral nutrition and seed production of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don in the temperate climate zone

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Abstract

The following aspects of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don cultivation are covered in this chapter: climatic and soil requirements, agricultural measures, including propagation, sowing, planting, fertilization, irrigation and harvest date. The influence of these parameters on quality of herb material and alkaloid concentration is also discussed. Although tropical and subtropical zone have been reported as the most suitable for the cultivation of Catharanthus roseus, it seems to be possible to grow it also under other climatic conditions. However then, adequate conditions should be provided, according to the specific requirements of this species. Proper air temperature and humidity as well as sufficient soil moisture during growth, development and seed set are important factors for growing of Catharanthus roseus in the temperate zone. Albeit it may tolerate unfavourable environment conditions such as drought or salinity, its yield may be reduced considerably. Special attention has been paid in this paper to the effect of different ways of fertilization on alkaloid yield.

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Acknowledgments

The studies were partially financed by the Polish National Programme PR-6 “Control of Tumour Diseases” co-ordinated by the Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology. The task concerning obtaining of Catharanthus roseus crude material was conducted in co-operation with the Warsaw Agricultural University, namely with the Laboratory of Anticancer Plants headed by Prof. A. Sadowska—co-ordinator of this project. Chemical analysis of plant material were conducted by the co-operator Laboratory of Natural Product Chemistry of the Warsaw University headed by Prof. Wróbel.

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  1. Laboratory for Basic Science in Horticulture, Warsaw Agricultural University, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776, Warsaw, Poland

    Barbara Łata

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  1. Barbara Łata
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Correspondence to Barbara Łata.

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Łata, B. Cultivation, mineral nutrition and seed production of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don in the temperate climate zone. Phytochem Rev 6, 403–411 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-007-9069-x

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