Narcissus (Daffodil) Phototropism, Applications to Alzheimer's Drug Development

Abstract

Narcissus (daffodil plant) growth rates are doubled or tripled during development (2X to 3X)due to overhead shading, producing flower stems ~ 3 ft. tall, compared with ~ 1 ft. tall under normal open field circumstances (p < 0.0001). Practical applications include the accelerated or enhanced production of alkaloid extracts, used for the production of modern Alzheimer drugs. 2. INTRODUCTION Left to their own devices under normal unrestricted conditions, the daffodil plant (N. pseudonarcissus)impeded (or encouraged) by the environment, grows 12 to 16 inches in length (0.3 to 0.4 meters) over a 6week interval, as shown in Fig. 1a. Both leaves and flower stems attain approximately the same height. Fig1a. Normal unimpeded growth of daffodils, 3rd week of April 2018, 12 to 16 inches in length (0.3 to 0.4 meter) flower stalk and leaves, (view facing south, most flowers facing west).