Secondary metabolites and chlorophyll in cempasúchil in response to salinity stress

Abstract

Biotic and abiotic stresses factors inf luence the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in some medicinal species. In this regard, it has been reported that salinity stress disrupts the biochemical properties of a large number of crops. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of treatments of two NaCl levels (10 and 47 mM) added to the nutrient solution that would cause to cempasúchil (Tagetes erecta Linn) var. Inca in flowering stage. The concentration of carotenoids and f lavonoids was evaluated in f lowers. In leaves, flowers, stems and roots identification of essential oils was made and a qualitative quantification of these was done. In the leaves, the concentration of chlorophyll a, b and total was determined. The high concentration of NaCl tested, reduced by 26.7 and 27.9% carotenoid concentrations and total f lavonoids in f lowers. The concentrations of chlorophyll a and total were not affected by salinity; while the concentration ofchlorophyllbwasincreasedsignificantlywiththesupplyof 47 mM NaCl. Seven essential oil constituents were identified from leaves of plants treated with 10 mM NaCl; while only four, when NaCl concentration increased; conversely, a larger number of compounds were identified in stems and roots with 47 mM NaCl. The presence of farnesene in f lowers is noteworthy, only with the level of NaCl supplied.