Catechin promotes growth of Arabidopsis thaliana with concomitant changes in vascular system, photosynthesis and hormone content

Catechin is associated with several functions in animal and plant systems, with little information available regarding its role in plant growth. Low concentrations of catechin (50 and 100 mu M) were found to enhance length of primary and lateral roots, number of lateral roots, fresh and dry masses of shoots and roots, leaf area, water potential of leaf and root tissues, the number of vascular bundles in the inflorescence, and leaf thickness in Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype Col-0. A significant increase in net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and concentration of indole-3-acetic acid was also observed in catechin treated plants.