Response of Vicia faba plants to the interactive effect of sodium chloride salinity and salicylic acid treatment

Abstract

The leaf area, fresh and dry matter, and water content in the roots and shoots of broad bean were significantly reduced with a rise in salinity. The protein components in the roots and shoots decreased in response to salinity, whereas the proline content significantly increased. The sodium content in both roots and shoots increased with increasing salinity, whereas potassium and calcium decreased. Salinity induced an increase in total amino acids and ammonia. Spraying with salicylic acid (SA) increased the three growth parameters, stimulated the synthesis of protein at all salinities, retarded the accumulation of proline, retarded the accumulation of Na+and increased the content of K+and Ca2+. The total content of amino acids was about 1.6-fold the untreated control and there was a drastic increase in the content of threonine and serine. The electrophoretic pattern of SA-treated seedlings showed 21 polypeptides compared to 12 in the salt-treated ones. Salinity plus SA resulted in the disappearance of 4 polypeptides. In addition, two peptides with molecular masses of 99 and 102 kDa appeared in the gel in both NaCl-treated seedlings and NaCl+SA-treated seedlings.