In vivo elicitation is efficient in increasing essential oil yield with high anti-inflammatory sesquiterpene content in Varronia curassavica Jacq.

Essential oils in plants are produced very low concentrations and elicitation stands out among the techniques used to increase their productivity. This work evaluated potential elicitor of salicylic acid (SA) or seaweed extract (SE) on biomass yield, physiological parameters essential oil production Varronia curassavica Jacq. plants. The elicitors were applied through foliar spray four serial applications (21, 34, 53 70 d after transplanting seedlings pots - DAT), 1 mM 5 mL L-1 (SE). control sprayed with water. Biometric measurements plant height number branches performed 2, 3 4 applications. Plants harvested at 91 DAT biometric, biochemical phytochemical evaluated. Application SA resulted increases leaves (11.68%) chlorophylls (57.67%), anthocyanins (73.80%), carotenoids (42.58%), total soluble sugars (19.48%) (18%). treated SE had no changes leaf production. treatment increased by twice amount α-humulene (E)-caryophyllene present while for there was an average 78.6%. It concluded that V. pulverization is efficient strategy promoting higher productivity oil. Foliar modifies quality, inducing compounds greatest interest pharmaceutical industry.