Indian Journal of Plant Physiology

The biochemical changes and productivity of Chlorophytum (safed musli) were studied by the use of PGRs and pinching of inflorescence. The experiment was planned in split plot design. Treatments in main plot consist of sowing of one, two and three roots per hill. The treatments in sub plots were control, manual pinching of inflorescence (soon after its emergence), exogenous application of NAA @ 50 and 100 g ml⁻¹ and ethrel @ 250 and 500 g ml⁻¹ at 30 and 40 days after sowing (DAS). During growth period (40 and 70 DAS) photosynthetic efficiency in terms of total chlorophyll content and Hill reaction activity was found to be maximum in sowing of three roots per hill and pinched plants followed by the foliar application of NAA 100 g ml⁻¹. Total soluble sugars, total soluble proteins and saponin content were maximum with three roots per hill and NAA 100 g ml⁻¹. Sowing of one root per hill and ethrel treated plants showed minimum change in photosynthetic efficiency and biochemical parameters.