Study of zinc effect on limonene synthase gene expression in cumin by Real Time PCR

Zinc as an essential element for plant growth, plays an important role in many metabolic processes of plants, such as limonene synthase gene expression pathway. Limonene synthase is considered as an important enzyme in volatile oil biosynthesis that plays significant role in plant defensive reactions. In the present study, limonene synthase gene expression in Cumin was evaluated in presence of different concentration of Zinc elicitors based on a completely randomized design. Total RNA was extracted and cDNA synthesis was performed and Real Time PCR quantity assay method was used for limonene synthase gene expression. Results of the comparison of gene expression with Duncan's multiple range tests in different concentrations showed that in treated plants, there was a direct correlation between increasing of Zinc concentration up to 100 µM and limonene synthase gene expression. Limonene synthase gene expression by increasing production of monoterpens may produce more volatile oils in plant species and thus protects the plant against herbivores.