Auxin and light-mediated regulation of growth, morphogenesis, and alkaloid biosynthesis in Crinum x powellii callus

Crinum x powellii belongs to Amaryllidaceae plants a medicinal plant family, produces a range of alkaloids with potential therapeutic properties. In-vitro tissue derived from different Amaryllidaceae plants has been used for alkaloid production, but the optimal conditions for their growth, morphogenesis, and alkaloid biosynthesis remain unclear. Auxin and light are known to play critical roles in regulating plant growth,development and alkaloid biosynthesis in several Amaryllidaceae plants, and here we investigate the effects of their combination on the growth, morphogenesis, and alkaloid biosynthesis in C. x powellii callus. Our results demonstrate that the combination of auxin and light significantly modulated in-vitro tissue growth, survival, and morphogenesis compared to individual treatments. Furthermore, the combination of auxin and light also upregulates the expression of alkaloid biosynthetic genes and leads to an increase in the content of certain alkaloids, suggesting a positive impact on the defense potential of the callus. Our findings provide insights into the regulation of growth, morphogenesis, and alkaloid biosynthesis in C. x powellii callus and highlight the potential of auxin and light as tools for enhancing the production of defense compounds in medicinal plants. This study provides a foundation for further exploration of C. x powellii callus as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical and agricultural applications.