EFFECTS OF Satureja hortensis OIL TREATMENTS AND EXOGENOUS H2O2 ON POTATO VIRUS Y (PVY) INFECTED Solanum tuberosum L. PLANTS UNDER DROUGHT CONDITIONS

Effects of treatments with Satureja hortensis essential oils and H2O2 were evaluated in plants testing positive after Potato virus Y (PVY) infection, under drought conditions. In vitro PVY infected and uninfected plants were transfered to a green- house, injected with a Satureja hortensis essential oils suspension and sprayed twice a week with H2O2 (1 mM, pH 5.6). The treatments enhanced minitubers weight and starch content in PVY infected plants. Under drought conditions, minitubers produced by infected and treated plants had significantly more starch than the controls. The treatments had positive effects on infected minitubers, such as weight, reduction of number, starch content, sprouting and tolerance to drought. A signal role for Satureja hortensis essential oils and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in lessenning symptoms is suggested.