Joint Effects of Developmental Stage and Water Deficit on Essential Oil Traits (Content, Yield, Composition) and Related Gene Expression: A Case Study in Two Thymus Species

In this study, the joint effects of developmental stage and soil water availability on biomass accumulation, harvest index, as well essential oil content, yield composition were investigated in Thymus armeniacus. For comparison purposes, kotschyanus was also considered. Plants irrigated to either 75 or 50% field capacity, sampled at 50 100% blooming. both species, deficit exerted limited effect time required initiate complete flowering. most critical aspects (harvestable organs dry weight, yield), T. armeniacus found be superior than kotschyanus. these traits, however, underwent a more drastic deficit-induced decrease. Across treatments, metabolite levels fairly correlated transcript accumulation profiles terpene synthases cytochrome P450 genes. Indices affiliated with reactive oxygen species inter-correlated activity five major antioxidant enzymes, while same noted between leaf status pigment content. Taken together, results indicate that when can achieved, higher yields will obtained by cultivation Under conditions, instead, drought tolerant stands out primary choice.