The Ammonium/Nitrate Ratio Affects the Growth and Shikonin Accumulation in Arnebia euchroma
, Yan Zhang, Meilan Chen, Changzheng Liu, Qi Li, Sheng Wang * and Lanping Guo *Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The topic of ammnonium/nitrate ratio for plant growth was very interesting. Since the shikonin was the major bioactive molecules for Arnebia euchroma, it is very important to study the possible mechanisms of NH4+ on the growth and shikonin accumulation in A. euchroma.
For further improvement of the paper, I think the following part can be improved:
1 Introduction: Why do you focus on "hairy root" of A. euchroma? Can it represent for the whole plant? Please make it clear in the introduction part.
2 Why do you combine the discussion and conclusion in one part? Is there any particular reasons?
The grammar of the manuscript needs to be checked further.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
I found it to be a logical study supported by meticulous experimentation. Some possible improvements are noted below.
1. Table number should be corrected according to the order in which they appear.
Table S2 → Table S3
Table S3 → Table S2
2. P3L149-
Were any analytical instruments used for determination on NO3 and NH2?
3. P10L318-322.
This statement should be included in Materials and Methods. Also, we would like you to indicate the biosynthetic pathways and clarify the role of each enzymes.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
