The aim of the study was to determine the biological-morphological and physiological-biochemical features of Mentha L. genotypes under conditions of introduction in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe of Ukraine, to assess their adaptive potential and to establish the possibility of using the Amide I / Amide II ratio as a marker of adaptive processes. The objects of the study were five plant genotypes of different geographical origin: M. longifolia var. asiatica (Leriksky, MF-1); M. rotundifolia (Masallinsky, MF-2); M. rotundifolia (Lenkoransky, MF-3); M. spicata (Talyshsky, MF-4); M. spicata (Glevakhivsky DSGV, MF-5). At the flowering stage, complex morphometric, micromorphological, physiological-biochemical and spectroscopic studies were carried out. Significant differences in morphological and biochemical indices were established depending on the genotypic features of the plants. The height of the plants varied from 65 to 135 cm, the length of the inflorescences — from 5.4 to 8.2 cm. The highest dry matter content was found in the genotypes MF-4 (28.84 %) and MF-2 (28.53 %). The genotype MF-4 was characterized by the maximum accumulation of total sugars (3.81 %) and monosugars (3.75 %), while the highest content of tannins was recorded in MF-2 (6.7 %). The analysis of chlorophyll fluorescence induction showed a high functional state of the photosynthetic apparatus of all the studied genotypes. The highest value of the maximum fluorescence induction (Fmax = 2416 rel. un.) was noted in the genotype MF-4. The values of the indicator index K1, calculated using the method of the fluorometer «Floratest», varied within 0.971—0.977, which indicates a good functional state of the photosynthetic apparatus of the studied plants. Spectroscopic analysis revealed differences in the ratio of protein domains Amide I / Amide II, which reflect the features of the structural organization of the protein complex and the adaptive reactions of the genotypes. The results obtained indicate a high adaptive potential of the studied mint genotypes under the conditions of introduction. The most promising genotype in terms of morphological, physiological, biochemical and photosynthetic indices was the MF-4 (Mentha spicata, Talyshsky). The ratio Amide I / Amide II can be used as a promising biochemical marker for assessing adaptation processes and the success of the introduction of representatives of the genus Mentha.
Keywords: Mentha L., genotype, plant introduction, morphological traits, micromorphology, photosynthetic activity, chlorophyll fluorescence, biochemical composition, FTIR spectroscopy, adaptive potential
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