Effect of nitrate fertilization and saline stress on the contents of active constituents of Echinacea angustifolia DC

In this study, the effect of nitrogen form (nitrate and ammonium in the molar ratio of 1:1 or 1:0), supplied to the plant or NaCl salinity (up to a concentration of 50 mol m−3) of the feeding solution, on the content of selected caffeic acid derivatives and the activities of phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL; EC. 4.3.1.5) and shikimate dehydrogenase (SKDH; EC 1.1.1.25) were investigated in the leaves and the roots of Echinacea angustifolia DC, grown hydroponically. Two experiments were conducted under glasshouse conditions with seedlings transplanted in aerated stagnant nutrient solution (floating raft system) four weeks after emergence. The nitrate/ammonium ratio in the nutrient solution did not affect plant growth or dry matter partitioning, but it influenced the concentration of determined metabolites; in particular, the root concentrations of chlorogenic acid, echinacoside and caffeic acid were significantly higher in the plants grown with nitrate as sole source of nitrogen. NaCl salinity reduced plant growth, by reducing the biomass allocated to the inflorescences, and enhanced the accumulation of chlorogenic acid and cichoric acids, at least in the roots.