Yield and Rotenone Content in Derris Root as Affected by Plant Age and Growing Conditions

Abstract

Percentages of rotenone in derris root were investigated at six months after transplanting. Rotenone content of the fibrous root cultivated in 10"x 20", 13"x 26" plastic bags, 15"x 15" plastic pot, and grown under field condition were 1.38, 1.42, 0.93, and 3.09%, respectively, whereas rotenone quantities of the branch roots from the same treatment increased significantly to be 2.06, 3.05, 3.05, and 4.24%, respectively. However, no significant difference of the fresh weights among treatments were observed. At nine months, rotenone contents, in the fibrous root in accordance with the above mentioned treatments were 1.31, 3.05, 1.85, and 3.15%, respectively, Whereas the branch roots contained 2.70, 4.16, 3.74, and 4.55%, respectively. The nine-month plant grown in 13"x 26" plastic bags produced the highest fresh root (101.80 g/pt) and dry root weights (47.20 gm/pt). The lowest fresh root(53.20 g/pt) and dry root weights (24.55 g/pt) were harvested from the plants cultivated under field conditions. For the twelve months old derris plants, the rotenone contents, according to the treatments, were 1.51, 3.29, 2.02, and 3.86% in fibrous root, and 3.18, 4.88, 4.09, and 5.00% in branch roots, respectively. At one year old the highest yield in both fresh (145.00 g/pt) and dry root weights (65.53 g/pt) were also obtained from the plant cultivated in 13"x 26" plastic bags, although they showed non-significant difference among plants grown in various sizes of containers. However, the significantly lowest yields in both fresh (76.68 g/pt) and dry root weights (34.68 g/pt) were still detected from the plants raised in the field.