Comparison of physiological index and diosgenin content in different ploidy of Dioscorea zingiberensis / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective By comparing the physiological index and diosgenin content of rhizome between the artificial tetraploid and the wild type diploid of Dioscorea zingiberensis, it is aimed at revealing the potential utility of polyploid breeding in medicinal D. zingiberensis. Methods Three clones of the natural diploid and the artificially induced tetraploid of D. zingiberensis were used as materials in this study. The content of SOD, PPO, and soluble sugar of leaves was determined by spectrophotometry, CAT content was measured by using the method of KMnO_4 titration. And the diosgenin content in rhizome was analyzed by HPLC. Results The tetraploid plants showed higher level of SOD, PPO, CAT, soluble sugar content in leaves, and diosgenin content in rhizome than those of the diploid origins. The diosgenin content in the three clones of tetraploid plants increased to 27% as compared to wild type. Conclusion Artificially induced tetraploid presents high content of diosgenin and great potential in stress resistance, which would be available in good seed breeding for high yield of diosgenin.