The effect of elicitor salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate on the morphological, physicochemical and molecular properties of Achillea millefolium L.

Considering the role of salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate in regulating important metabolic processes and their potential in increasing the production of important biological compounds, the effect of the use of these two hormones was investigated on various traits of common yarrow. The seed-derived transplants were grown under greenhouse conditions in a factorial experiment in a completely randomized design with three replications. Salicylic acid with a concentration of ۱ and ۲ mM and methyl jasmonate with a concentration of ۰.۵ and ۱ mM were sprayed on the leaves separately and in combination three times with an interval of ۱۵ days. The content of phenols, flavonoids, antioxidant capacity, photosynthetic pigments, the expression of key genes involved in the biosynthesis of phenyl-propanoids, including phenylalanine ammonialyase (PAL) and chalcone synthase (CHS) genes, and also essential oil yield were compared in the treated and control plants. Variance analysis showed the significant effect of two hormones on the examined traits. Except for the negative effect of methyl jasmonate on biomass (dry weight and height) and chlorophyll, and also the negative effect of salicylic acid on carotenoids, the impact of these two hormones was positive on other traits. Interestingly, in the combined treatment, the synergistic effect of methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid was observed on most traits in yarrow plants. The effect of the combined treatment of salicylic acid and methyl jasmonate was somewhat different in the studied traits, however, the highest yield of essential oil and the expression of PAL and CHS genes were obtained in the treatment of ۱ mM methyl jasmonate and ۲ mM salicylic acid. In general, the effect of methyl jasmonate and salicylic acid on yarrow was dependent on the trait type. Considering the performance of the essential oil, the content of phenols and flavonoids, and the expression of PAL and CHS genes, the treatment of ۱ mM methyl jasmonate and ۲ mM salicylic acid is recommended to enhance the growth of yarrow.

کلیدواژه ها:

Gene expression ، Medicinal plants ، Secondary metabolites ، Hormones ، بیان ژن ، گیاهان دارویی ، متابولیت های ثانویه ، هورمون