Impact of Artificial Polyploidization in Ajuga reptans on Content of Selected Biologically Active Glycosides and Phytoecdysone

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The manuscript “Impact of Artificial Polyploidization in Ajuga reptans on Content of Selected Biologically Active Glycosides and Phytoecdysone” raises interesting issues concerning aromatic and medicinal plants.

In the presented work, the authors analyse the content of biologically active substances for two diploids of Ajuga reptans and four tetraplodal regenerants obtained as a result of previous experiments. However, the authors do not include the results of cytological or cytometric tests that would clearly confirm the ploidy of the plant material, while the presented morphological descriptions of plants, leaves and flowers are not supported by any measurements of the examined features. The research material presented in the manuscript consists of six plants, the authors do not explain why the complete analyzes discussed in the methodological part were not performed for one of the studied genotypes. The results obtained in the experiment were not statistically analyzed, which makes it impossible to conclude and determine a possible relationship between artificial polyploidization in Ajuga reptans and the influence of this phenomenon on the composition and quantity of biologically active substances.

However, the tetraploid regenerants of Ajuga reptans, which are the subject of the manuscript, certainly make valuable breeding material, so the presented results may be the basis for publication in the Communication form, with the indication that these are preliminary studies. In this case, it is necessary to perform cytometric or cytological analyses unambiguously confirming the ploidy of the assessed plants, supplement the obtained results with a statistical analysis that will enable conclusions about the parameters assessed, which may change the title of the manuscript. After introducing these changes, please submit your work for a detailed review.

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Lines 109-113:

Although the Authors investigated the polyploidization effect on the biochemical compositions, obtained results indicate something of equal importance - usage of obtained tetraploids in urban and rural gardening, due to attractive appearance - larger plants, more vigorous and ornamental inflorescences and similar. Since the publishing is planned in 'Horticulture' and not merely a biochemical Journal, I would suggest the Authors to add several lines in the discussion section covering this ornamental application of the obtained tetraploids. 

 

Since Ajuga reptans is very well known for its ornamental usage as a perennial plant, in the conclusion section also add a sentence related to the polyploidization effect on the whole plant appearance and its possible usage in landscaping.

 

Lines 123-131

The results' interpretation is too speculative, there is no statistical analysis to corroborate the interpretations. The authors state 'In terms of the 20-hydroxyecdysone content in whole shoots, the differences between diploid progenitor strains were negligible; the results were also similar in a comparison of tetraploids and diploids (Figure 2). However, similar results were obtained for analysed leaves, in a case of flowers analyses, higher differences between diploid progenitor plants and their derived tetraploids were observed (Figure 3).'

but how did they 'measure' which differences are significant?

Also, this paragraph needs to be rephrased and separated into different sentences in accordance with the plant organs described, in the current form it is confusing.

 

I marked some minor typos in the text.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

In the submitted manuscript, previous errors have been corrected, the current version does not raise my objections.

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear Authors,

I am happy to see that the required changes were implemented.

The Paper has improved accordingly.