Salicylic acid-induced changes to growth and phenolic metabolism in Matricaria chamomilla plants

Abstract

The influence of salicylic acid (SA) doses of 50 and 250 microM, for a period of up to 7 days, on selected physiological aspects and the phenolic metabolism of Matricaria chamomilla plants was studied. SA exhibited both growth-promoting (50 microM) and growth-inhibiting (250 microM) properties, the latter being correlated with decrease of chlorophylls, water content and soluble proteins. In terms of phenolic metabolism, it seems that the higher SA dose has a toxic effect, based on the sharp increase in phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity (24 h after application), which is followed by an increase in total soluble phenolics, lignin accumulation and the majority of the 11 detected phenolic acids. Guaiacol-peroxidase activity was elevated throughout the experiment in 250 microM SA-treated plants. In turn, some responses can be explained by mechanisms associated with oxidative stress tolerance; these mitigate acute SA stress (which is indicated by an increase in malondialdehyde content). However, PAL activity decreased with prolonged exposure to SA, indicating its inhibition. Accumulation of coumarin-related compounds (umbelliferone and herniarin) was not affected by SA treatments, while (Z)- and (E)-2-beta-D: -glucopyranosyloxy-4-methoxycinnamic acids increased in the 250 microM SA-treated rosettes. Free SA content in the rosettes increased significantly only in the 250 microM SA treatment, with levels tending to decrease towards the end of the experiment and the opposite trend was observed in the roots.

Ferulic acid: A novel inducer of antioxidant enzymes in wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) seedlings

“…Higher concentration of FA (1000 ppm) inhibited seedling growth which was reflected by decrease in shoot length and biomass of roots and shoots (Table 1). These results are in harmony with Kovacik et al (2009) who explained that high doses of SA led to sharp increase in soluble phenolics and lignin accumulation and thereby inhibition of growth. Based upon seedling growth, 100 ppm of FA was chosen for studying the effect of FA pre-treatment on antioxidant defense system.…”

The Evaluation of Exogenous Application of Salicylic Acid on Physiological Characteristics, Proline and Essential Oil Content of Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) under Normal and Heat Stress Conditions

“…The inhibition of chlorophyll biosynthesis under high-temperature regimes results from a destruction of numerous enzymes involved in the mechanism of chlorophyll biosynthesis [47]. As stated in the Introduction, the influence of exogenous salicylic acid depends on various factors, including the concentration of salicylic acid, the developmental phase, the species and the method of application [1]. The lack of effect of the salicylic acid on the chlorophyll content may be due to the high intensity of heat stress so that severe heat stress impairs plastid and chlorophyll structures and decreases the contributing effect of exogenous salicylic acid.…”

“…Salicylic acid (SA) is a well-known endogenous plant signal molecule involved in biochemical pathways, disease resistance and many plant responses [1]. On the other hand, SA is a signaling molecule that regulates plant responses to heat stress and disease resistance.…”

Salicylic acid regulates secondary metabolites content in leaves of Matricaria chamomilla

“…Umbelliferone (7-hydroxycoumarin) was identified as a stress metabolite (Repčák et al 2001a). Previous results of time-dependent study showed that accumulation of coumarin-realated compounds in hydroponically cultivated chamomile was affected by exogenous SA application Kováčik et al 2009). Therefore the aim of this paper was to study the effect of foliar spray application of SA on the accumulation of the main coumarin-related compounds, polyacetylenes and chlorogenic acid in dose-dependent manner in the leaf rosettes of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.).…”