UV-A effects on photomorphogenesis and essential-oil composition in Mentha piperita

✍ Scribed by M. Maffei; D. Canova; C.M. Bertea; S. Scannerini

• Book ID: 104373534
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1999
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 167 KB
• Volume: 52
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1011-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/s1011-1344(99)00110-4

✦ Synopsis

UV-A radiation (360 nm) affects the photomorphogenesis and essential-oil chemical composition of Mentha piperita. Total phenols and chlorophyll b are also affected by UV-A. When UV-A is given during the day (UV-AqW), a significant increase is found in total leaf area, leaf-area index, chlorophyll a/b ratio, total phenols, total essential-oil content, menthofuran and menthol. UV-A irradiation during the night period induces a typical shade-avoidance syndrome, with stem elongation, decreased leaf area and leaf-area index, decreased protein and total phenol content, and decreased essential-oil and menthol content. The possible interference of UV-A with phytochrome is discussed.