Promoção de crescimento e atividade elicitora do ácido salicílico em Achillea millefolium L.

Abstract

Salicylic acid (SA) is a phenolic compound found in plants and has multiple functions, including hormone action of stimulating plant growth and development and induction of plant defense responses under conditions of biotic and abiotic stresses. In this sense, research related to SA elicitor action on the synthesis of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants has been conducted in order to increase the economic value of these species. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of foliar application of SA on biomass production and the synthesis of secondary compounds in yarrow (Achillea millefolium L. - Asteraceae), a medicinal species commercially produced as feedstock for the world of phytomedications industry. The experiment was conducted in potted plants under greenhouse conditions. The application of SA was made at concentrations of (0, 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 mM) at 20 days after transplanting the seedlings to pots. The effect of SA on the metabolism of yarrow plants was evaluated through biometric parameters of growth (leaf area, leaf number, biomass production and root, root / shoot ratio and leaf area / number of sheets ratio) and biochemical parameters (levels of phenolic compounds, essential oil, pigment content and antioxidant capacity). Exogenous application of SA in the concentration of 0.50 mM resulted in linear increases in biomass accumulation of root, total dry mass, root / shoot ratio and chlorophyll a content and chlorophyll a + b in yarrow plants. The shoot dry mass, leaf area, leaf number and leaf area / number of sheets ratio were not changed by the application of SA and the anthocyanin content, carotenoids and chlorophyll b. The positive effects on the secondary metabolism were evidenced by increases in the concentration of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in 0.50 and 1.00 mM concentrations. The content and essential oil yield were higher in plants treated with 0,50 mM. It concludes that the use of SA is advantageous in management technique for obtaining increases in total dry mass of yarrow plants due to greater dry mass of roots. The elicitor effect was obtained with the application of 0.50 mM of SA, resulting in greater economic value of the feedstock due to increased production of secondary compounds, such as phenolic compounds and essential oils, and a concomitant increase in antioxidant activity the plant extract.