LAUSR

Research was carried out in order to evaluate the effect of drought and salinity on Citrus aurantium L. plant physiological characteristics, total phenolic, flavonoid and ascorbic acid contents, and volatile organic compounds. C. aurantium plants were exposed to different levels of drought and salinity for an experimental period of 60 days. Moderate water deficit (MWD) and 100 mM NaCl increased significantly leaf total phenolic, flavonoid and ascorbic acid contents. Both drought and salinity promoted the accumulation of essential oil in leaves, while MWD and 100 mM NaCl resulted in the highest concentrations of essential oil. The main compounds of the essential oil were linalool, linalyl acetate, neryl acetate, geranyl acetate and α-terpineol. MWD and severe water deficit (SWD) reduced the concentration of hydrocarbon monoterpenes and promoted the accumulation of oxygenated compounds, while treatment with 50 and 100 Mm NaCl, promoted the accumulation of hydrocarbon monoterpenes and reduced oxygenated monoterpene concentrations in C. aurantium.