Effect of Methyl Jasmonate, Salicylic Acid and Their Combination on Growth and Bioactive Constituents in Cichoriun intybus L. تأثير ميثايل حامض الجاسمونيک و حامض السالسيلک و مخلوطهما معآ على النمو و المحتوى من مرکبات التمثيل الثانوى ذات النشاط الحيوى فى نبات الشيکوريا Cichoriun intybus L.

Abstract

The current study was conducted to evaluate the efficiency of seedling’s roots-feeding of the elicitor solution of methyl jasmonate (MeJ), salicylic acid (SA) and their combination as an elicitation approach for enhancing the biosynthesis of cichory’s main bioactive secondary metabolites. The long-lasting elicitation effect of both MeJ and SA was also evaluated through comparing the level of bioactive compounds in treated plants of the first harvest with those of the second one. Results indicated that MeJ, SA, and their combination decreased growth of cichory plants whereas increased their potential to biosynthesize their characteristic bioactive secondary metabolites. Shoots and roots of MeJ-, SA- and MeJ+SA-treated plants contained significantly higher contents from ascorbic acid as well as total antioxidants, total phenols as well as flavonoids and inulin compared with untreated plants of either the first or the second harvest. The effect of MeJ surpassed that of SA in inducing contents of the secondary metabolites. Control plants of the second harvest had, generally, higher contents from ascorbic acid, total antioxidants, total phenols total flavonoids and inulin compared with plants of the first harvest. It could be concluded that seedlings’ roots-feeding of the elicitor solution is feasible, easy and cost-effective approach for long-lasting elicitation effect, and that MeJ is superior to SA in eliciting cichory’s bioactive secondary metabolites.