Drought, herbivory and combined stress caused treatment-specific changes in phytohormones, but species-specific changes in secondary metabolite profiles in thyme.

ABSTRACT: Thyme species are important medicinal herbs predominantly cultivated in arid regions. They increasingly experience the adverse effects of climate change, particularly drought. Although abiotic stress effects on thyme have been examined, limited information exists on insect herbivory or combined stress response. This study investigated the effects of drought stress, herbivory and their combination on secondary metabolism, phytohormone regulation and insect performance in three thyme species: Thymus serpyllum (drought-sensitive), T. kotschyanus (drought-tolerant), and T. vulgaris. Plants were exposed for three weeks to four treatments: control, drought (40% field capacity), Spodoptera littoralis larvae herbivory, and combined drought × herbivory. Herbivore perform

SUBMITTER: Alipour M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12702949 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature