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Physiological Responses of Matricaria chamomilla to Potassium Nitrate Supply and Foliar Application of Ethephon

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Abstract

The study is focused on changes in metabolism of Matricaria chamomilla, caused by potassium nitrate (KNO3) supplement and foliar application of an ethylene releaser—ethephon (ET). ET-treated plants were irrigated with 0, 9, 18 or 27 mmol of KNO3 during 1 week and simultaneously treated with ET. The same procedure was followed with ET non-treated plants, where an equal amount of distilled water was sprayed on leaves. Nitrogen addition into soil substrate caused considerable increment in dry matter content, nitrate accumulation and amino acids synthesis. After ET application, a positive correlation between KNO3 supply and stress-related parameters, such as superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde was found. Experimental conditions led to a sharp decrease in herniarin level, which was accompanied with increasing content of its glycosidic precursors in ET-treated plants. The observations indicated that higher doses of nitrate suppressed the stimulation effect of ET on the production of salicylic acid and umbelliferone, metabolites, which are involved in stress responses in plants. In the case of umbelliferone, ET strongly induced its accumulation in comparison with ET non-treated variants.

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Acknowledgements

Z. Kovalíková-Dučaiová was supported by Specific Research Project of Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Kralove, No. 2114, 2015. The authors are grateful to VEGA Grant agency (Grant No. 1/0046/14) for financial support and to Mrs. Anna Michalčová for her technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, P. J. Šafárik University, Mánesova 23, 04001, Košice, Slovak Republic

    M. Sajko, P. Paľove-Balang & M. Repčák

  2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Hradec Králové, Rokitanského 62, 50003, Hradec Králové, Czech Republic

    Z. Kovalíková-Dučaiová

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  1. M. Sajko
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  2. Z. Kovalíková-Dučaiová
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  3. P. Paľove-Balang
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  4. M. Repčák
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Correspondence to M. Sajko.

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Sajko, M., Kovalíková-Dučaiová, Z., Paľove-Balang, P. et al. Physiological Responses of Matricaria chamomilla to Potassium Nitrate Supply and Foliar Application of Ethephon. J Plant Growth Regul 37, 360–369 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-017-9735-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-017-9735-1

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