Planta Med 2003; 69(11): 1024-1030
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-45150
Original Paper
Physiology, in vitro Biotechnology
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Effect of Acute Drought Stress and Time of Harvest on Phytochemistry and Dry Weight of St. John’s Wort Leaves and Flowers

Dean E. Gray1 , Stephen G. Pallardy2 , H. E. Garrett2 , George E. Rottinghaus3
  • 1Midwest Research Institute, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
  • 2Center for Agroforestry, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
  • 3College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

Received: May 13, 2003

Accepted: August 10, 2003

Publikationsdatum:
09. Januar 2004 (online)

Abstract

The phytochemistry and dry weight of cultivated St. John’s wort are significantly influenced by acute drought stress and time of harvest. In this study, plants subjected to brief drought stress during both flower and seed development periods exhibited increased concentrations in 8 of the 10 phytochemicals examined in this study, including hypericin, pseudohypericin, chlorogenic acid, rutin, hyperoside, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, and quercetin. Increases ranged from 5 % to 36 % (hyperoside and rutin, respectively). Conversely, the concentrations of hyperforin and adhyperforin in flowers were decreased by an average of 10 % in drought-stressed plants as compared to well-watered control plants. Acute drought stress decreased flower dry weight significantly during both drydown periods, although vegetative parameters (height, leaf dry weight and stem dry weight) were not adversely affected. While acute drought stress significantly altered the chemical yield in the leaves and flowers (phytochemical content × harvested dry weight), the time of harvest was the predominant factor determining phytochemical concentration in the organs of H. perforatum.

Abbreviations

D-1:Plants that received drought stress during the period of initial flowering

D-2:Plants that received drought stress during the period of seed production

C-1:Control plants that received adequate water during the period of initial flowering

C-2Control plants that received adequate water during the period of seed production

CGA:Chlorogenic acid (3-O-caffeoylquinic acid)

RT  :Rutin (quercetin 3-rutinoside)

HS:Hyperoside (quercetin 3-galactoside)

IQ:Isoquercitrin (quercetin 3-O-glucoside)

QTR:Quercitrin (quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside)

QT:Quercetin (3,5,7,3′,4′-pentahydroxyflavone)

HF:Hyperforin {5-(2-methyl-1-oxopropyl)-6-exo-methyl-1,3-endo,7-exo-tris(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-6-endo-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)bicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-2,4,9-trione}

AHF: Adhyperforin {5-(2,3-dimethyl-1-oxobutyl)-6-exo-methyl-1,3-endo,7-exo-tris(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-6-endo-(4-methylpent-3-enyl)bicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-2,4,9-trione)}

HP:Hypericin (4,5,7,4′,5′,7′-hexahydroxy-2,2′-dimethylnaphthodianthrone)

PHP:Pseudohypericin (4,5,7,4′,5′,7′-hexahydroxy-2-methyl-2′-methoxynaphthodianthrone)

Ψpd:Predawn water potential

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Dr. Dean Gray

Life Sciences Division

Midwest Research Institute

425 Volker Boulevard

Kansas City

Missouri 64110

USA

Fax: +1-816-753-1014

eMail: dgray@mriresearch.org