Impact of turmeric and carrot extracts on morphological, chemical composition and isozymes patterns of Azadirachta indica seedlings under water deficiency conditions

Abstract

Background Azadirachta indica trees are of great importance because of the high-quality wood they produce, which is used in a wide range of industries, and their production of insect repellent oils. Objective Due to these great benefits that have drawn attention to them, it was necessary to find environmentally friendly solutions to improve the ability of this plant species to grow in the event of exposure to conditions of water shortage. Materials and methods The plants were sprayed with Carrot extract (C) at rates of 50 and 100 ml/ l and/or Turmeric extract (T) at a rate of 20 and 40 ml/l under irrigation intervals every 4 and 8 days. Total chlorophyll content, total sugars content (mg/g F.W.), flavonoids content (mg/g F.W.), total phenols (mg/g F.W.) and total indoles (mg/100 g F.W.) were determined. Also, Peroxidase isozymes (POD) and Polyphenol oxidase isozymes (PPO) were determined. Results and conclusion The obtained results confirmed that increasing irrigation periods (8 days) had a negative effect on most vegetative traits except for all root characteristics, and also all chemical properties except the total indoles content and lipid peroxidation, it was also observed that the enzymatic activity of peroxidase isozymes (POD) and polyphenol oxidase isozymes (PPO) compared to plants that were watered every 4 days. The most of growth parameters, chemical composition and the activity of POD in plants irrigated every four days were improved with C treatment at 100 ml/l, while the activity of PPO increased with 100 ml/l C+40 ml/l T. On the other hand, all growth parameters, chemical compositions and POD in plants irrigated every 8 days were increased with 100 ml/l C +20 ml/l T except lipid peroxidation which gave the highest value in control plants, whereas PPO increased with C treatment 50 ml/l+T 40 ml/l.