Ecophysiological and phytochemical responses of Salvia sinaloensis Fern. to drought stress

Abstract

Abstract\ud Salvia sinaloensis Fern. (sage) is a medicinal plant containing plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) with antioxidant properties. The current study investigated the effects of drought stress on S. sinaloensis morphological and ecophysiological traits, and active constituent production. Sage plants were cultivated in controlled conditions for 34 days and exposed to full irrigation as control, half irrigation, or no irrigation. Changes in growth index (G.I.), dry biomass, leaf water potential (LWP), physiological parameters, active compounds, volatilome (BVOCs) and essential oils (EOs) were determined. Not irrigated plants showed a decrease in total chlorophyll content (~ − 14.7%) and growth (G.I., ~ − 59.4%) from day 18, and dry biomass at day 21 (− 56%), when the complete leaf withering occurred (LWP, − 1.10 MPa). Moderate drought stressed plants showed similar trends for chlorophyll content and growth but kept a constant LWP (− 0.35 MPa) and dry biomass throughout the experiment, as control plants. Carotenoids were not affected by water regimes. The photosynthetic apparatus tolerated mild to severe water deficits, without a complete stomatal closure. Plants under both stress conditions increased the percentage of phenols and flavonoids and showed altered BVOC and EO chemical profiles. Interestingly Camphor, the main EO oxygenated monoterpene, increased in moderate stressed plants while the sesquiterpene hydrocarbon Germacrene D decreased. The same trend was seen in the headspace under stress severity. The data evidenced a possible role of the active molecules in the response of S. sinaloensis plants to drought stress. Taking together, these findings point at S. sinaloensis as a potential drought adaptive species, which could be used in breeding strategies to obtain sages with high quality PSMs,saving irrigation water

New Tricks for Old Guys: Recent Developments in the Chemistry, Biochemistry, Applications and Exploitation of Selected Species from the Lamiaceae Family

“…[184] Authors recommend the cultivation of S. lavandulifolia, T. capitatus and T. mastichina, because there are no differences in essential content, but if there is a water-saving rate of 30 %, while the essential oil content decreased in L. latifolia and S. sclarea plants under water deficit conditions. EO content and quality of L. angustifolia and S. fruticosa seemed to increase under water stress conditions in a study of Chrysargyris et al [185] This behavior is confirmed also for S. dolomitica, [186] S. officinalis, [187] S. sinaloensis [188] and some Greek Oregano populations. [189] Foliar application of salicylic acid under water stress conditions increase EO content on T. kotschyanus.…”

“…EO content and quality of L. angustifolia and S. fruticosa seemed to increase under water stress conditions in a study of Chrysargyris et al . This behavior is confirmed also for S. dolomitica , S. officinalis , S. sinaloensis and some Greek Oregano populations . Foliar application of salicylic acid under water stress conditions increase EO content on T. kotschyanus .…”

Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Modulate the Crop Performance and Metabolic Profile of Saffron in Soilless Cultivation

“…The phytochemical characterisation of each sample was performed as previously described by Caser et al [48,49]. Briefly, the total anthocyanin content (TAC) was determined using the pH-differential method.…”

Plant Nutrient Dynamics in Stressful Environments: Needs Interfere with Burdens

“…Changes in root and shoot growth, as documented with altered root/shoot ratios for dry matter, were identified as an important mechanism to improve stress tolerance in crops. In a broader context, structural responses to stresses may be as important as physiological changes to improve overall susceptibility [26][27][28]. Drought impact on symbiotic interactions, such as nitrogen fixation in legumes [29], or on mycorrhizal symbiosis [30], is a further important mechanism to influence the overall performance of crop plants.…”