Enhancing enzymatic and nonenzymatic response of Echinacea purpurea by exogenous 24-epibrassinolide under drought stress

摘要

In this study, the effect of brassinosteroids was evaluated on the physiological characteristics of Echinacea purpurea under drought stress in field conditions (West Azerbaijan Province in Iran) during two years. Drought stress imposed at three levels as irrigation after 70, 120 and 170 mm evaporation from class A pan and 24-epibrassinolide (EBL) by three concentrations of control including, 0, 0.01 and 0.1 mu M. Based on the results, the application of EBL (0.01 and 0.1 mu M), increased the superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, proline, total protein content, and H2O2 at severe drought stress conditions (170 mm evaporation from class A pan). EBL played a role in relieving stress on Echinacea under drought stress and creating better results, compared to the control counterpart. In addition, drought stress decreased dry matter at root, leaf, stem and flower significantly. Therefore, EBL plays an important role in drought tolerance in E. purpurea plants.