Abstract

In order to study the effects of salinity and Fe-deficiency on electrophoresis pattern of polypeptides in two chamomile genera (Matricaria chamomilla and Anthemis nobilis), a factorial experiment was conducted based on completely randomized block design with three replications, in 2010. The experimental factors were two chamomile genera M. chamomilla and A. nobilis, four levels of salinity (0, 50, 100 and 150 mM NaCl) and two levels of iron (0 and 100 mM). The patterns of proteins extracted from stress-treated leaves of M. chamomilla were not different from thecontrol plants; except for new of 14 and 18 kDa polypeptides which appeared in stress-treated individuals. M. chamomilla produced fewer protein bands compared to A. nobilis and its electrophoretic profile had lower variation. A. nobilis lost its many bands under salinity stresses and iron deficiency. A. nobilis roots synthesized osmotin, (26 kDa MW) and their leaves under salinity stresses and iron deficiency synthesized protein bands of 42, 40, 37 and 15 kDa molecular weight. It was therefore suggested that the alteration in the pattern of protein synthesis in A. nobilisand M. chamomilla under stress condition is related with specific adaptive response to stresses.

Key words: Chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla, Anthemis nobilis, stress, salinity, Fe-deficiency.