Investigating the effect of melatonin on Moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) under different irrigation levels

Amani, Mina; Sabzi-Nojadeh, Mohsen

doi:10.22059/jci.2025.386525.2908

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Mina Amani ¹
Mohsen Sabzi-Nojadeh ²

¹ PhD student in Horticultural Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

² Associate Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences and Engineering, Ahar Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.

10.22059/jci.2025.386525.2908

Abstract

Objective: With the global rise in population and increasing demand for medicinal plants, active compounds from these species are of growing pharmaceutical importance. Cultivation of Moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) is expanding, and the crop is prone to abiotic stresses, especially water deficit, during the growing season. Drought stress can impair physiological and metabolic functions. Melatonin has emerged as a key regulator of plant responses to stress, modulating diverse physiological processes and enhancing resilience. Given limited water resources and the medicinal value of Moldavian balm, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of melatonin on the physiological properties of Moldavian balm under greenhouse conditions.
Methods: We examined the effects of three melatonin treatments—control, 50 μM, and 100 μM—on the physiological characteristics of Moldavian balm subjected to drought stress at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% of field capacity. The experiment followed a factorial arrangement in a completely randomized block design with three replications, conducted in the greenhouse and laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tabriz, Ahar campus. Statistical analyses were performed to assess treatment effects and interactions.
Results: Application of 100 μM melatonin significantly increased photosynthetic pigment content, supporting improved photosynthetic capacity under drought. Melatonin treatment, particularly at 100 μM, also elevated secondary metabolites, including phenolics and flavonoids, which enhance plant defense under stress. Notably, phenol and flavonoid contents reached 51.95 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) g⁻¹ fresh weight and 11.42 mg quercetin equivalents (QEs) g⁻¹ fresh weight, respectively, in melatonin-treated plants. Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase activity, a key enzyme in phenolic biosynthesis, was significantly enhanced. Under severe drought (25% field capacity), cinnamic acid production reached 17.84 μM min⁻¹ mg⁻¹ protein, indicating melatonin’s role in reinforcing defense pathways. While 100 μM melatonin improved physiological responses, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (lipid peroxidation marker) were also elevated (≈1.13 μM g⁻¹ dry weight), suggesting that some oxidative stress persisted and highlighting the need for integrated stress-management strategies.
Conclusion: Melatonin, especially at 100 μM, mitigates drought-induced damage in Moldavian balm by enhancing photosynthetic performance, boosting secondary metabolite production, and elevating antioxidant defense enzyme activity. These effects contribute to improved plant resilience, quality, and potential yield under water-limited conditions. Melatonin can be a valuable tool for stabilizing Moldavian balm production in greenhouse systems facing abiotic stress.

Keywords

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Journal of Crops Improvement

Investigating the effect of melatonin on Moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) under different irrigation levels

References

References

Volume 27, Issue 3
September 2025
Pages 467-484

Investigating the effect of melatonin on Moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) under different irrigation levels

References

References

Volume 27, Issue 3September 2025Pages 467-484

Volume 27, Issue 3
September 2025
Pages 467-484