Silicon supplementation regulates gallic acid accumulation in In vitro cultures of Ipomea batatus

In vitro cultures raised from leaf segments of the tuber crop Ipomea batatus exhibited gallic acid variation in response to presence of silicon. Supplementation of silicon in the form of K2SiO3 at a concentration varying from 2–5 ml/l exhibited significant enhancement of the phenol gallic acid. However, cell growth was not significantly affected. Silicon supplementation in the form of Na2SiO3 (0.5–5 mg/l) was less efficient in inducing gallic acid accumulation when compared to K2SiO3. Enhanced cell growth was observed in presence of Na2SiO3. The results indicates that the secondary metabolism leading to the biosynthesis of soluble plant phenolics such as gallic acid can be regulated by regulating the supply of silicon. Thus silicon proved to be a one of the potential elicitor in in vitro plant cell and tissue cultures.