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PhD Student, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.
10.22059/ijhst.2025.374562.815
Abstract
Melatonin and growth stimulants play pivotal roles in the growth process and the production of specific metabolites in medicinal plants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of melatonin and Kitoplus® on the secondary metabolites of Stevia under drought stress conditions, employing a factorial randomized complete block design experiment with three replications. The treatments included varying concentrations of melatonin (0, 75, and 150 mg L-1), Kitoplus® (control without Kitoplus®, and 1%), and drought stress levels (irrigation at two soil moisture levels: full irrigation and 50% of soil field capacity moisture). Melatonin and Kitoplus® were applied via foliar spray four times at 20-day intervals. Following the final application, yield, antioxidant enzyme activities, and secondary metabolite levels were assessed for each sample. Under drought stress, treatments with melatonin and Kitoplus® significantly impacted the studied traits. Results indicated that increasing melatonin concentrations significantly increased fresh and dry weight and total carbohydrates in the treated plants. The highest catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities were observed in plants treated with melatonin at 150 mg L-1 and Kitoplus® at 1%. Additionally, the maximum concentrations of Stevioside and Rebaudioside-A were detected in plants subjected to 50% soil field capacity moisture combined with melatonin at 150 mg L-1 and Kitoplus® at 1%.
Nabizadeh, E. and Haghshenas, M. (2026). Kitoplus® and Melatonin Mitigate Drought Stress Effects and Enhance Stevioside and Rebaudioside-A Production in Stevia. International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology, (), 197-210. doi: 10.22059/ijhst.2025.374562.815
MLA
Nabizadeh, E. , and Haghshenas, M. . "Kitoplus® and Melatonin Mitigate Drought Stress Effects and Enhance Stevioside and Rebaudioside-A Production in Stevia", International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology, , , 2026, 197-210. doi: 10.22059/ijhst.2025.374562.815
HARVARD
Nabizadeh, E., Haghshenas, M. (2026). 'Kitoplus® and Melatonin Mitigate Drought Stress Effects and Enhance Stevioside and Rebaudioside-A Production in Stevia', International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology, (), pp. 197-210. doi: 10.22059/ijhst.2025.374562.815
CHICAGO
E. Nabizadeh and M. Haghshenas, "Kitoplus® and Melatonin Mitigate Drought Stress Effects and Enhance Stevioside and Rebaudioside-A Production in Stevia," International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology, (2026): 197-210, doi: 10.22059/ijhst.2025.374562.815
VANCOUVER
Nabizadeh, E., Haghshenas, M. Kitoplus® and Melatonin Mitigate Drought Stress Effects and Enhance Stevioside and Rebaudioside-A Production in Stevia. International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology, 2026; (): 197-210. doi: 10.22059/ijhst.2025.374562.815
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