Research in Plant Metabolites

Research in Plant Metabolites

The effect of melatonin foliar spraying on some phytochemical and antioxidant indices of safflower petals (Carthamus tinctorius)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Gholam Reza Sharifi 1
Faezeh Balouchi 2
1 Dep. Agricultural Biotechnology, Agriculture college,,, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman
2 MSc. student, Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, ShahidBahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran
10.22034/jrpsm.2026.560627.1098
Abstract
Melatonin is known as one of the endogenous cellular regulators that can improve the quantity and quality of the product by affecting the growth and development processes of plants. Considering the importance of secondary plant compounds and their role in physiological characteristics, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of foliar spraying of melatonin on the contents of total anthocyanins, total phenolics, total flavonoids, and free radical scavenging capacity of safflower petals (Carthamus tinctorius). A field study was started in March 2025 in Shahdad region, Kerman province. Foliar spraying was performed on safflower plants twenty days after planting and at the stage of capitulum completion and before the opening of flowers. Experimental treatments included distilled water (control), melatonin at a concentration of 0.25 mM, and melatonin at a concentration of 0.5 mM. Data analysis was performed using a completely randomized design with three replications. The results showed that foliar application of melatonin at concentrations of 0.25 and 0.5 mM significantly increased the levels of various compounds measured in safflower petals (P<0.001). The highest levels of these compounds were observed in samples treated with 0.5 mM melatonin, which was significantly higher than the control. Also, samples treated with 0.25 mM melatonin increased the contents of each compound compared to the control (P<0.001). Based on the findings of this study, foliar application of melatonin at a concentration of 0.5 mM is recommended as an effective method for increasing phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin compounds and antioxidant capacity in safflower petals.

The results showed that foliar application of melatonin at concentrations of 0.25 and 0.5 mM significantly increased the levels of various compounds measured in safflower petals (P<0.001). The highest levels of these compounds were observed in samples treated with 0.5 mM melatonin, which was significantly higher than the control. Also, samples treated with 0.25 mM melatonin increased the contents of each compound compared to the control (P<0.001). Based on the findings of this study, foliar application of melatonin at a concentration of 0.5 mM is recommended as an effective method for increasing phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin compounds and antioxidant capacity in safflower petals.
Keywords
phenol
flavonoid
anthocyanin
safflower and petals
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