Abstract:
Drought stress reduces growth and productivity of c
rops in arid and semiarid regions,
such as Iran. Methyl Jasmonate (MeJA) is involved i
n regulating plants growth and their
immune responses. The main purpose of this study wa
s to evaluate the effects of MeJA on
growth and some physiological responses of summer s
avory (
Satureja hortensis
) plant
under drought stress condition. Treatments consiste
d of three levels of drought stress
including stress free conditions, mild stress and s
evere stress, and four concentrations of
MeJA (0, 75, 150, and 225
μ
M). The results showed that drought stress and MeJA
application had a significant effect on morphologic
al, physiological, and biochemical
parameters. In drought conditions, some growth para
meters, namely, relative water
content and essential oil yield decreased and antio
xidant activity, proline content, and
essential oil percentage increased. The results sug
gest that MeJA application under
drought stress can improve growth parameters as wel
l as relative water content, proline
content, antioxidant activity, and essential oil pe
rcentage and yield. The best protection
appeared to be obtained from plants treated with Me
JA at 75
μ
M.
Keywords
: Antioxidant activity, Growth parameters, Proline
content, Relative water content.
