ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Gibberellic acid enhances growth, bulblet formation, and secondary metabolite accumulation in Eleutherine bulbosa (Mill.) Urb
 
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School of Biology – Biotechnology, University of Science – VNU HCM, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
 
 
Submission date: 2025-09-15
 
 
Final revision date: 2025-12-04
 
 
Acceptance date: 2025-12-17
 
 
Online publication date: 2026-02-27
 
 
Corresponding author
Bach Mai Thi Vo   

School of Biology – Biotechnology, University of Science – VNU HCM, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
 
 
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Eleutherine bulbosa is a medicinally important plant, yet strategies to enhance both yield and bioactive compound content remain limited. This study investigated the role of gibberellic acid (GA₃) in bulblet induction from mother bulbs and subsequent growth responses in 6-week-old plants. Different GA₃ concentrations were tested independently at each stage, and the most effective treatments were then applied sequentially. GA₃ at 30 ppm applied to mother bulbs significantly promoted bulblet initiation, increasing fresh and dry mass, bulb length, and respiration activity. At the 6-week growth stage, GA₃ at 40 ppm stimulated biomass accumulation and secondary metabolite production, whereas 50 ppm exerted an inhibitory effect. Flavonoid and polyphenol levels increased under GA₃ application, with maximum accumulation observed at 40–50 ppm depending on the developmental phase. Sequential treatments combining 30 ppm at planting and 40 ppm during later growth achieved the greatest improvements in bulb productivity as well as flavonoid and polyphenol enrichment. The findings also highlight potential physiological links among respiration intensity, carbohydrate reserves, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research was supported by the Plant Physiology Laboratory, Department of Plant Physiology, Faculty of Biology-Biotechnology, University of Sciences, Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM).
FUNDING
There is no funding for this study.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
There are no conflicts of interest for the authors.
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