The effect of foliar application of phenylalanine and Gamma-aminobutyric acid on the physiological characteristics, antioxidant activities and yield of (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) under salinity stress

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD student, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Institute of Modern Biological Techniques, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Dracocephalum moldavica L. belongs to the Lamiaceae family, comprising annual to perennial species primarily distributed across the temperate zones of Europe and Asia in the Northern Hemisphere. Soil and water salinity are major constraints to agriculture in arid and semi-arid regions, where limited freshwater resources force reliance on saline underground water and drainage. Salinity disturbs metabolic processes and enzyme activity, enhances free radical formation, induces membrane lipid peroxidation, and consequently disrupts overall cell metabolism. Amino acids play a crucial role in enhancing growth and improving the quantity and quality of products by increasing both enzymatic and non-enzymatic activity. Phenylalanine, a key amino acid in protein synthesis, contributes to the biosynthesis of aromatic compounds, antioxidants, lignin, anthocyanins, phenolics, and structural components of the plant cell wall. By influencing gibberellin biosynthesis, it enhances plant growth, yield, and quality. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a non-protein amino acid and endogenous signaling molecule, plays a vital role in stress regulation, plant growth, and developmental processes.
 
Materials and methods
To investigate the effect of foliar application of phenylalanine and GABA on the physiological properties, antioxidant activities, and yield of Dracocephalum moldavica under salinity stress, a factorial experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications in a greenhouse at the University of Zanjan during the spring of 2023. The first factor was salinity stress at three levels: 0, 40, and 80 mM NaCl. The second factor involved the application of phenylalanine (2 and 4 mM), gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA, 5 and 10 mM), along with the control (distilled water). Dracocephalum moldavica seeds were planted in plastic pots and grew under temperature conditions of 25±2°C during the day and 20±2°C at night with a relative humidity of 65%. Foliar spraying of phenylalanine and GABA amino acids was performed four times at 10-day intervals, starting one week before stress induction and continuing until the end of the experiment. Afterward, total phenol, flavonoid, and antioxidant activity, along with proline, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, stomatal conductance, and overall plant yield, were measured.
 
Results and discussion
Salinity stress significantly increased the content of phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity, as well as proline content and H2O2 accumulation, while decreasing stomatal conductance and total plant yield, with no significant effect on MDA accumulation. Foliar spraying with phenylalanine and GABA significantly increased antioxidant activity and the accumulation of osmolytes, enhanced yield, and decreased H2O2 accumulation compared to the control treatment. The highest levels of flavonoids and antioxidant activity were achieved using 4 mM phenylalanine, while the highest levels of total phenol and proline were obtained under 80 mM sodium chloride with the application of 5 mM and 10 mM GABA, respectively. In addition, 4 mM phenylalanine enhanced stomatal conductance and reduced H₂O₂ accumulation under 0 mM salinity conditions. However, the application of amino acids, particularly GABA at 5 mM and 10 mM, was most effective in enhancing plant performance under both stress and non-stress conditions.
 
Conclusion
Application of 4 mM phenylalanine and 10 mM GABA is recommended to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity stress and improve physiological traits and yield in Dracocephalum moldavica.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

 
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Environmental Stresses in Crop Sciences

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 07 October 2025

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  • Receive Date: 05 June 2024
  • Revise Date: 20 August 2024
  • Accept Date: 26 August 2024

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