Photomorphogenic and Chemical Responses to Blue Light inMentha piperita

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Abstract
Blue light with a wavelength of 450 nm was given to peppermint to study some photomorphogenic and chemical responses. Irradiation was performed without white light (W) and in the presence of W. Blue light + W prompted a significant increase in leaf area and leaf area index and was accompanied by increased total chlorophyll content and stomatal conductance values. On the other hand, the effect of Blue light + W caused a significant decrease in the essential oil, protein and total phenol content as well as CO2 assimilation. Blue light affected menthol biosynthesis by a 65% reduction, while increasing 2.3 fold the content of menthofuran. The effect of Blue light on gene expression of both morphogenetic and essential oil characters is also discussed.