Effect of Phloridzin on the Growth, Development and Glycoalkaloid Contents of Solanum viarum Dunal

Phloridzin, a chalcone derivative possessing plant growth regulating properties was applied as foliar sprays at fortnightly intervals on Solanum viarum Dunal plants grown under pot culture conditions starting from early seedling to the flowering and fruiting of the plants. The treatments consisted of 0 (control), 1, 10, 100 and 1000 mg/l of phloridzin. The physiological effects of phloridzin at different concentrations on the vegetative growth and development and the glycoalkaloid contents of the berries were studied. It was concluded that phloridzin at the highest concentration stimulated plant height, leaf number and yield of berries, whereas the lowest concentration increased the yield of solasodine only.