Physiological and Biochemical Responses of Pimpinella anisum L.to Salinity Stress

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Institute of Agriculture, Water, Food, and Nutraceuticals, Mah.C., Islamic Azad University, Mahabad Branch, Mahabad, Iran

2 Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

3 Marand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marand, Tabriz, Iran

Abstract

Salinity stress represents a significant abiotic constraint that adversely affects growth, physiological performance, and secondary metabolite production in medicinal and aromatic plants. This study evaluated the impact of varying salinity levels (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 mM NaCl) on the physiological traits and yield components of Pimpinella anisum under greenhouse conditions using a completely randomized design. Salinity significantly influenced all measured parameters. Increasing NaCl concentrations induced a progressive decline in chlorophyll a and b contents, while relative water content (RWC) remained relatively stable up to 120 mM before dropping sharply at 150 mM. Proline accumulation exhibited a threshold-dependent response, decreasing at 30 mM but increasing significantly from 60 mM onward. Notably, plants subjected to 120 and 150 mM NaCl failed to reach harvest stage due to severe stress-induced mortality. Essential oil content in both seeds and leaves peaked at 60 mM NaCl, indicating that moderate salinity stimulates secondary metabolite biosynthesis, whereas 90 mM NaCl caused a marked decline, particularly in seeds. These findings highlight the sensitivity of P. anisum to high salinity and suggest that controlled, moderate saline conditions may enhance phytochemical yield, underscoring the need for optimized irrigation management in anise cultivation under saline environments.

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Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Medicinal plants and By-products
Volume 15, Issue 4
July and August 2026
Pages 463-468

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