International Journal of
Plant Physiology and Biochemistry

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Plant Physiol. Biochem.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2162
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJPPB
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 113

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of 28-homobrassinolide on growth, photosynthesis and essential oil content of Satureja khuzestanica

Mahdi Eskandari* and Ali Eskandari
Young Researchers Club, Arsanjan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan Iran.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 08 August 2013
  •  Published: 30 September 2013

Abstract

Brassinosteroids are a group of plant hormones that have significant biological effects on plant growth and development. The effects of 28-homobrassinolide (HBR) on growth, photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, carbohydrate fractions and essential oil content of savory herbs (Satureja khuzestanica Jamzad) were investigated. Foliar application of 28-homobrassinolide at 10-10, 10-8and 10-6 M concentrations substantially increased growth. 28-homobrassinolide at 10-6 M concentrations improved herbage yield as reflected in the increase of foliar biomass. Exogenous application of 28-homobrassinolide increased the rate of photosynthesis. Growth promotion was also associated with increased chlorophyll content and resulted in the accumulation of carbohydrate fractions. At 10-6 and 10-8 M concentrations, 28-homobrassinolide also incremented the total content of essential oils. The quantitative analysis of savory oil from the savory plant treated with 10-6 M concentration revealed an increase in carvacrol and para-cymene contents and a decrease in the γ-terpinene content. Collectively, the present study demonstrates a positive impact of the new group of phytohormones on the agronomic performance of savory plant, a highly valued aromatic plant.

 

Key words: Satureja khuzestanica, 28-homobrassinolide, growth, photosynthesis, essential oil, carbohydrates, chlorophylls, savory.

Abbreviation

HBR, 28-Homobrassinolide; EBL, 24-epibrassinolide; BRs, brassinoesteroids.