Growth and accumulation of the secondary metabolites in Periploca sepium Bunge seedlings under salt stress

Abstract

Abstract [Objective] The study aims to explore the effects of salt stress on the growth and secondary metabolites of Periploca sepium seedlings, and preliminarily understand the salt tolerance range of P . sepium and the induction effect of salt stress on secondary metabolites of P . sepium . [Methods] This experiment was conducted with the seedlings of P . sepium cultivated for 30 days to determine the changes in biomass, total steroids components, cardiac glycosides (periplocin, periplocymarin, and periplogenin), and 4-methoxy salicylaldehyde content of P . sepium seedlings treated with different salt concentrations (0, 0.2%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0%). [Results] The P . sepium seedlings grew well under low concentration of salt stress, and the dry and fresh biomass of the aboveground and underground parts were increased to varying degrees. The dry to fresh ratio was gradually increased with the increase in salt stress levels. The content of the major effective components in plants, such as total steroids and cardiac glycosides, showed a significant upward trend under moderate salt stress, while 4-methoxy salicylaldehyde was significantly increased under high salt stress. [Conclusion] P . sepium has strong salt tolerance, and salt stress within a certain range increases the content of major secondary metabolites in the roots and stems of P. sepium seedlings.

Keywords

• periploca sepium bunge
• salt stress
• biomass
• secondary metabolites