Effect of exogenous application of salicylic acid on salt-stressed sorghum growth and nutrient contents

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of salinity and foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) on sorghum biomass and nutrient contents. Treatments were comprised of salinity levels (0 and 100 mM NaCl) and SA concentrations (0.3, 0.7, 1.1 and 1.5 mM). Salinity increased sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl) and copper (Cu) but decreased nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) contents and the root and shoot dry matter. Fe and Zn were the most affected nutrients by salinity. However, SA reduced Na and Cl but increased plant dry matter and nutrient content. SA had greater positive effects on root than on shoot dry matter. Maximum increases through SA were achieved in N, K, Fe, Mn, Cu, and shoot weight under salt stress but in Zn and root weight under non-saline condition. In most cases 1.1 mM was the most effective SA concentration in reducing the negative effects of salinity.