Exogenous Ethephon and Zinc Synergistically Increased Vinblastine Levels in Catharanthus roseus Leaves

Under Zinc (Zn) stress conditions, the production of vinblastine was increased in the medicinal plant Catharanthus roseus leaves. The combinational treatment with Zn and ethephon further promoted vin- blastine accumulation in C. roseus leaves compared with Zn-stressed plants. This elevation of vinblastine in- duced by ethephon was dependent on the dose of exogenous ethephon. Besides, the dry biomass accumula- tion of leaves and ethylene release were also increased significantly in Catharanthus roseus seedlings af- fected by the combined treatment with exogenous Zn and ethephon.