Saponin synthesis and cotton growth is antagonistically regulated by solar UV-B radiation

Background: Earlier we have reported that the exclusion of solar UV-B increased the growth and yield of cotton plants as compared with ambient UV-B. The UV-B radiation effects on the saponins and the impact of ambient and reduced UV-B on the accumulation of saponins has not been investigated yet. Thus a field experiment was conducted to study the influence of solar UV-B on the growth response and saponin synthesis in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) var. Vikram plants by the exclusion of UV-B. The cotton plants were grown in specially designed iron chambers, wrapped with filters that excluded UV-B (<315 nm), or transmitted ambient UV-B. Results: Exclusion of ambient UV-B enhanced the growth of cotton plants in terms of plant height and leaf area. Greater plant height in UV-B excluded plants was due to elongated internode and more number of nodes. Enhancement in growth was accompanied by a decrease in the accumulation of saponins, which was quantified by the spectrophotometric, TLC and HPLC methods. Solvent extraction of saponins from the internodes and leaves were used for the bioassay of Amaranthus hypocotyl growth and expansion of cucumber cotyledons. Extracts obtained from the UV-B excluded plants (leaves and internodes) promoted the growth to a larger extent as compared with the extracts obtained from ambient grown plants. Conclusions: The result indicates that solar UV-B may possibly suppress the plant growth by regulating the synthesis of natural growth inhibitor’s like saponin. © 2018, The Author(s).