Exogenous melatonin modulates physiological responses, phytochemical profiles and essential oil production in grapefruit mint under drought stress

Abstract Currently, the use of anti-stress elicitors such as melatonin, N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is known as an effective method to reduce the negative impacts of stressful environments. Therefore, a two factor- five level (irrigation levels: 25–75% field capacity (FC) and melatonin: 0-300 mM)...

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Main Authors: Sara Rezaei, Abdollah Javanmard, Naser Sabaghnia, Mohammad Reza Morshedloo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99281-5
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author Sara Rezaei
Abdollah Javanmard
Naser Sabaghnia
Mohammad Reza Morshedloo
author_facet Sara Rezaei
Abdollah Javanmard
Naser Sabaghnia
Mohammad Reza Morshedloo
author_sort Sara Rezaei
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Currently, the use of anti-stress elicitors such as melatonin, N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is known as an effective method to reduce the negative impacts of stressful environments. Therefore, a two factor- five level (irrigation levels: 25–75% field capacity (FC) and melatonin: 0-300 mM) dry yield optimization and modeling were done using central composite design, essential oil quantity and quality, total phenol, flavonoid and chlorophyll content and also some physiological properties of grapefruit mint (Mentha suaveolens × Mentha piperita). The results showed that the grapefruit mint biomass in severe drought stress was reduced by 73% in comparison with normal irrigation. However, the application of 155 mM melatonin enhanced biomass yield, phenol, flavonoid, essential oil content and essential oil yield by 92.2, 33.4, 55.1, 45.3 and 143%, in comparison with control. Optimization analysis predicted that under FC 65% irrigation level and application of 240 mM melatonin would positively assist in achieving the maximum chlorophyll, phenol, flavonoid content and essential oil yield of grapefruit mint. In addition, the maximum content of linalool and linalool acetate was observed in FC 50% treated with 155 mM melatonin. Generally, it can be concluded that the application of melatonin, especially in 155 mM level, improved plant growth, essential oil quantity and quality and also plant physiological characteristics under drought stress.
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spelling doaj-art-da0d60eabf694586b74f2e927edbf7152025-08-20T03:13:55ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-0115111210.1038/s41598-025-99281-5Exogenous melatonin modulates physiological responses, phytochemical profiles and essential oil production in grapefruit mint under drought stressSara Rezaei0Abdollah Javanmard1Naser Sabaghnia2Mohammad Reza Morshedloo3Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of MaraghehDepartment of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of MaraghehDepartment of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of MaraghehDepartment of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of MaraghehAbstract Currently, the use of anti-stress elicitors such as melatonin, N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is known as an effective method to reduce the negative impacts of stressful environments. Therefore, a two factor- five level (irrigation levels: 25–75% field capacity (FC) and melatonin: 0-300 mM) dry yield optimization and modeling were done using central composite design, essential oil quantity and quality, total phenol, flavonoid and chlorophyll content and also some physiological properties of grapefruit mint (Mentha suaveolens × Mentha piperita). The results showed that the grapefruit mint biomass in severe drought stress was reduced by 73% in comparison with normal irrigation. However, the application of 155 mM melatonin enhanced biomass yield, phenol, flavonoid, essential oil content and essential oil yield by 92.2, 33.4, 55.1, 45.3 and 143%, in comparison with control. Optimization analysis predicted that under FC 65% irrigation level and application of 240 mM melatonin would positively assist in achieving the maximum chlorophyll, phenol, flavonoid content and essential oil yield of grapefruit mint. In addition, the maximum content of linalool and linalool acetate was observed in FC 50% treated with 155 mM melatonin. Generally, it can be concluded that the application of melatonin, especially in 155 mM level, improved plant growth, essential oil quantity and quality and also plant physiological characteristics under drought stress.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99281-5Essential oilWater shortageSecondary metabolitesLinalool
spellingShingle Sara Rezaei
Abdollah Javanmard
Naser Sabaghnia
Mohammad Reza Morshedloo
Exogenous melatonin modulates physiological responses, phytochemical profiles and essential oil production in grapefruit mint under drought stress
Scientific Reports
Essential oil
Water shortage
Secondary metabolites
Linalool
title Exogenous melatonin modulates physiological responses, phytochemical profiles and essential oil production in grapefruit mint under drought stress
title_full Exogenous melatonin modulates physiological responses, phytochemical profiles and essential oil production in grapefruit mint under drought stress
title_fullStr Exogenous melatonin modulates physiological responses, phytochemical profiles and essential oil production in grapefruit mint under drought stress
title_full_unstemmed Exogenous melatonin modulates physiological responses, phytochemical profiles and essential oil production in grapefruit mint under drought stress
title_short Exogenous melatonin modulates physiological responses, phytochemical profiles and essential oil production in grapefruit mint under drought stress
title_sort exogenous melatonin modulates physiological responses phytochemical profiles and essential oil production in grapefruit mint under drought stress
topic Essential oil
Water shortage
Secondary metabolites
Linalool
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99281-5
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AT nasersabaghnia exogenousmelatoninmodulatesphysiologicalresponsesphytochemicalprofilesandessentialoilproductioningrapefruitmintunderdroughtstress
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