Tropentag, September 16 - 18, 2026, Göttingen "Towards multi-functional agro-ecosystems promoting climate-resilient futures"

Salinity stress enhances secondary metabolite production in fagonia indica: insights for climate-resilient medicinal plant resources in dryland ecosystems

¹Faculty of Tropical Agrisciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Department of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry, Czech Republic
²Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan, Department of Biotechnology
³Faculty of Tropical Agrisciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Department of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry

Abstract

Climate change and land degradation are accelerating soil salinisation in many arid and semi-arid regions, posing significant challenges for plant productivity and biodiversity in dryland agro-ecosystems. Understanding how stress-adapted plant species respond to saline conditions can provide insights into plant resilience while supporting sustainable utilisation of valuable plant bioresources. Fagonia indica, a medicinal plant naturally distributed in dry and saline environments, is known for its diverse pharmacologically active compounds; however, the production of these metabolites often varies depending on environmental conditions. This study investigated the effects of salinity stress on biomass production, antioxidant activity, and secondary metabolite accumulation in F. indica using controlled culture systems. Callus cultures were exposed to sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) at concentrations of 1, 10, 50, 100, 250, and 500 mM over a 21-day elicitation period. NaCl at 250 mM significantly enhanced biomass production (54.8 g L⁻¹), total phenolic content (7.56 ± 0.144 µg mg⁻¹), and total flavonoid content (2.24 ± 0.059 µg mg⁻¹). Antioxidant activity was also highest under this treatment, with FRAP and ABTS values of 371.22 ± 9.52 and 422.79 ± 12.44 µmol TEAC mg⁻¹ DW, respectively. HPLC analysis revealed increased accumulation of key metabolites including caffeic acid, nahagenin, and betulinic acid. In contrast, moderate Na₂CO₃ treatments showed notable anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of COX^-1 and LOX enzymes. These results demonstrate that salinity stress can stimulate the biosynthesis of valuable bioactive compounds in F. indica. Such findings contribute to understanding plant biochemical responses to environmental stress and highlight the potential of controlled production systems for sustainable metabolite production from climate-resilient medicinal plant species adapted to dryland ecosystems.

Keywords: Climate change adaptation, Dryland ecosystems, Medicinal plants, salinity stress, Secondary metabolites

Contact Address: Muhammad Uzair Javed, Faculty of Tropical Agrisciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Department of Crop Sciences and Agroforestry, Kamycka 1281 praha-Suchdol, 16500 Prague, Czech Republic, e-mail: javedftz.czu.cz