Date of Award:

5-1969

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department:

Plants, Soils, and Climate

Department name when degree awarded

Plant Physiology

Committee Chair(s)

M. Coburn Williams (Thesis Director) Herman H. Wiebe (Major Professor)

Committee

M. Coburn Williams

Committee

Herman H. Wiebe

Committee

J. L. Anderson

Committee

R. C. Anderson

Committee

W. S. Boyle

Committee

I. G. Palmblad

Abstract

Total and individual alkaloids were determined for duncecap larkspur from emergence through seed production. Total alkaloids were determined by a titration method. Individual alkaloids were separated by thin-layer chromatography and determinations made by cochromatography.

Total alkaloid concentration was highest during early vegetative growth then decreased steadily throughout the season. Decrease in total alkaloids was specific for a certain plant part. Total alakloids in stems and petioles declined more rapidly in the spring than did alkaloids in the apexes and leaves. Seasonal decline of total alkaloid was not noted in the crowns and roots; alkaloid concentration remained constant throughout the year although a slight increase occurred during crown bud enlargement in the fall.

Percent total alkaloids varied according to plant part. Total alkaloid concentration in various plant parts occurred in the following decreasing order: apexes, top leaves, bottom leaves, top stems, bottom stems, top petioles, roots, bottom petioles, and crowns.

The following nine alkaloids were found in measurable quantities: deltaline, deltamine, delphoccine, delphoccamine delcosine, delsoline, delpheline, and two unknowns designated unknown A and unknown B. Four to seven of these nine alkaloids could be detected in each sample. Deltaline, delphoccine, delphoccamine and unknown A were the alkaloids of major concentration in most samples. Delpheline and unknown B were found only in the aerial parts during the early part of the season.

The number and concentrations of alkaloids present varied with each plant part and date of collection. Despite this variation the average number of alkaloids present for each collection remained constant except for one date. There were more alkaloids present in the aerial parts than the roots except when the crown buds were developing.

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