Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of Agriculture, Technical and Engineering Faculty, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran
2
Faculty of Medicine, Razi University of Kermanshah, Kermanshah, Iran
3
Soil and Water Research Department, Kermanshah Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Kermanshah, Iran
10.22034/jmpb.2025.367447.1793
Abstract
Satureja mutica Fisch. & C. A. Mey (Forest Savory) is a valuable wild plant species widely used in the medicinal, health, and food industries. In this study, we investigated the effects of 0, 50, 100, and 150 mM NaCl on various physio-biochemical, morpho-physiological, and photosynthetic parameters of this plant through a greenhouse experiment. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design (RCBD, r = 3) at the Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Center, Kermanshah, Iran. The highest shoot fresh weight (17.80 g) and shoot dry weight (6.73 g) were observed in the control plants. The highest essential oil content (EO) percentage (3.51%) was recorded in plants treated with 100 mM NaCl. The results showed that NaCl concentrations of 100 and 150 mM significantly reduced the leaf dry weight (by 37.13% and 41.86%), the shoot dry weight (by 51.54% and 82.74%), root fresh weight (by 77.92% and 82.74%), and the root dry weight (by 70.79% and 78.97%). Additionally, 100 and 150 mM NaCl significantly decreased leaf areas (by 23.55% and 28.01%), leaf relative water content (by 25.66% and 28.53%), SPAD values (by 6.36% and 41.35%), and the Fv/Fm ratio (by 10.21% and 16.40%). Furthermore, 150 mM NaCl resulted in a 44.81% reduction in the photosynthetic index (PI). The 50 and 100 mM NaCl treatments significantly increased leaf protein content by 50.67% and 82.22%, respectively, whereas 150 mM NaCl significantly decreased it. All salinity treatments caused a sharp increase in leaf proline content. In conclusion, the results confirmed that S. mutica is sensitive to salinity concentrations of 100 mM and higher, and thus, cultivating this plant in semi-saline or saline soils is not recommended.
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