Foliar Application Of Salicylic Acid Research Articles

Qualidade pós-colheita de frutos de goiabeira enxertada sob estresse salino e aplicação de ácido salicílico

ABSTRACT The semi-arid region of northeastern Brazil is characterized by irregular precipitation and high evapotranspiration, with a common occurrence of water sources with a high concentration of salts. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the post-harvest fruit quality of grafted guava cv. Paluma under brackish water irrigation and foliar application of salicylic acid. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions in Campina Grande, PB, Brazil, in a randomized block design, adopting a 2 × 4 factorial scheme, corresponding to two levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water - ECw (0.6 and 3.2 dS m-1) and four concentrations of salicylic acid (0, 1.2, 2.4, and 3.6 mM), with three replicates. Electrical conductivity of 0.6 dS m-1 and salicylic acid concentration of 2.4 mM resulted in higher levels of reducing sugars and soluble solids. Salicylic acid with concentration from 0.6 to 3.6 mM promoted increments in ascorbic acid and at concentrations of 1.9 and 1.5 mM increased the titratable acidity and total soluble sugars, respectively, in the pulp of guava irrigated with water of 3.2 dS m-1. The hydrogen potential of the pulp increased with the application of salicylic acid, ranging from 1.2 to 3.6 mM, regardless of the electrical conductivity of the water.

O ácido salicílico alivia o estresse hídrico no aparato fotoquímico e qualidade das mudas de Schinus terebinthifolia

ABSTRACT Water deficit adversely affects photosynthetic pigment synthesis, photochemical processes, and seedling quality. Exogenous foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) is hypothesized to contribute to photochemical regulation and increase stress tolerance. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of SA in alleviating the effects of water deficit stress on the photosynthetic photochemical activities and quality of Schinus terebinthifolia Raddi. seedlings. The seedlings were subjected to four regimes of water deficit: 0, 4, 8, and 12 days of water restriction (DWR), associated with the application of four concentrations of SA: 0, 50, 100, and 200 mg L-1 (via foliar spray; 10 mL per plant) during 48 days. Growth of S. terebinthifolia seedlings was adversely affected by longer duration of water restriction in absence of SA treatment. However, application of 200 mg L-1 of SA increased photosynthetic pigment levels, photochemical quantum efficiency in photosystem II, and absorbed energy conversion efficiency in seedlings under 12 DWR. The seedling quality was better at 7 and 12 DWR when associated with application of 100 and 200 mg L-1 SA, respectively. The exogenous application of SA contributed positively to pigment concentration and photochemical stability of photosynthesis, and it improved the quality of S. terebinthifolia seedlings subjected to long water restriction periods.

Exogenous Salicylic Acid Optimizes Photosynthesis, Antioxidant Metabolism, and Gene Expression in Perennial Ryegrass Subjected to Salt Stress

Salicylic acid (SA) is a plant growth regulator that can enhance the abiotic stress tolerance of plants; however, the physiological mechanisms are not yet fully understood. The objective of this study was to examine whether exogenous SA could enhance the salt tolerance of perennial ryegrass (Loliumperenne L.; PRG) and investigate the physiological underlying mechanisms. SA was applied to the foliage of PRG at five concentrations (0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mM). The SA-treated grass was grown under either control (0 mM NaCl) or salt stress (250 mM NaCl) conditions for 24 d. The SA treatments reduced the leaf electrolyte leakage (EL), malonaldehyde (MDA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content by 36%, 41%, and 40%, respectively, relative to the control under salt stress as measured at 24 d. The SA treatments also alleviated the decline in the leaf photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), nitrate activity (NR), turfgrass quality (TQ) ratings, and chlorophyll (Chl) content under salt stress. In addition, exogenous SA increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and peroxidase (POD) as well as the expression levels of the Cyt Cu/ZnSOD, FeSOD, APX, CAT, and POD genes under salt stress. The results of this study suggested that the foliar application of SA at 0.25 and 0.5 mM may enhance photosynthesis and antioxidant defense systems and thus improve tolerance to salt stress in perennial ryegrass.

Foliar salicylic acid application to mitigate the effect of drought stress on isabgol (Plantago ovata forssk)

The aim of this study was to identify the effect of drought stress on physiological and biochemical characteristics of isabgol and to clarify whether the foliar application of salicylic acid is able to mitigate the stress impacts. This study was carried out as a factorial field experiments at Gonbad Kavous, north-eastern Iran during the growing seasons of 2016 and 2017.The treatments were 3 regimes of irrigation, namely irrigation every week throughout the growth period based on field capacity (Non stress = NS), cut-off the irrigation at the seed filling stage for 60 days (Moderate stress = MS) and at the flowering stage for 50 days (Severe stress = SS). Salicylic acid (SA) application with three levels, 0 (distilled water spray), 0.4 and 0.8 mM SA per 5 m−2were assigned as the subplot treatments. Foliar application of salicylic acid was performed simultaneously with cut-off irrigation treatments (in three times).The studied traits included: membrane stability index, catalase activity, proline content, soluble sugars content, total phenol contents in plant leaves and seed yield. According to the results of the two-year experiment, the highest seed yield was obtained by foliar spraying of 0.8 mM salicylic acid at the moderate stress condition. Application of salicylic acid at a concentration of 0.8 mM improved the cell membrane stability from 71 to 98%, water productivity by 53–99 m3 ha−1, water used efficiency from 2 to 4 m3 ha−1the soluble sugar content from 62 to 125 mg g−1 DW and the total phenol content from 2 to 10 mg g−1 DW. In both years of the study, the highest catalase activity was recorded for the normal irrigation treatment under foliar application of 0.4 and 0.8 mM salicylic acid. Application of SA at 0.8 mM under MS and SS conditions increased seed yield, cell membrane stability, catalase activity and proline concentration compared to NS, which indicates the positive effect of this compound.

Foliar Application of Salicylic Acid to Mitigate Water Stress in Tomato.

Salicylic acid (SA) is an important plant regulator reported as a mitigator of water deficit in plants, however without a recommendation for use in field conditions. Thus, this research aims to validate the use of SA under field conditions in regions with low water availability. For that, we evaluated CO2 assimilation (A), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration (E), water use efficiency (WUE), and carboxylation efficiency (A/Ci) at 15, 30, and 45 days of continuous stress water deficit, as well as the application of salicylic acid (0.0; 0.5; 1.0; 1.5; 2.0 mM) in tomato plants subjected to continuous water deficit (45 days), in two years (2019 and 2020). The water deficit reduced the A, gs, E and A/Ci, while the foliar application of SA increased these parameters in all evaluated times, resulting in similar or even higher values than in plants without water deficit. Water deficit caused floral abortion in tomato plants, without the application of SA, reducing the number of fruit production. In contrast, plants that received about 1.3 mM of SA increased A and A/Ci and translocated the photo-assimilates, mainly to flowers and fruits, reducing floral abortion and increasing fruit production. Thus, foliar application of SA was efficient in mitigating the deleterious effects of water deficit in tomato plants regarding the gas exchange and fruit production.

Evaluate the effect of salicylic acid and ascorbic acid on agronomic and antioxidant activities of Sunflower in water deficit conditions

To evaluate the effect of salicylic acid and ascorbic acid foliar application on a number of agronomic and antioxidant activities of sunflower, an experiment was conducted at research farm of Mahabad city, locted in the south of West Azerbaijan Province, Iran during 2016-2018 cropping seasons. The experiment was laid out as a split-plot design based on a completely randomized block design with three replications. Irrigation regimes (irrigation after 60 mm and irrigation after 120 mm evaporation from class A pan respectively) were established as main plots and the foliar applications of ascorbic acid (control, 50 and 100 ppm) and salicylic acid (control, 100 and 200 ppm) were the sub-plots. In the present study, the highest amount of proline content and activity of antioxidant enzymes was recorded under water deficit conditions and foliar application of 100 ppm salicylic acid. Applying salicylic acid increased grain yield under both normal irrigation and water deficit conditions. Also, the highest proline content and activity of antioxidant enzymes were under the treatment of water deficit and application of 50 ppm ascorbic acid. The results showed no significant difference between the combined foliar application of salicylic acid and ascorbic acid in terms of grain yield and oil percentage with their separate application. Therefore, simultaneous use of these two substances under normal irrigation and water deficit conditions was not economical and not recommended.

IMPACT OF SALICYLIC ACID TREATMENTS ON YIELD ATTRIBUTES OF CANOLA AND GROWTH OF Schizaphis Graminum

The present investigation was studied the effect of various trends of salicylic acid on canola yield traits besides, aphid interaction. For this purpose, the research trial was conducted under the semi-natural conditions of the net house of the Plant Pathology Research Institute, Ayub Agriculture Research Institute Faisalabad during November 6, 2019. The canola seeds were planted in the pots following (RCBD) with six treatments (0 ppm, 10 ppm, 20 ppm, 40 ppm, 80 ppm and 160 ppm) and three replications. The maximum plant height (212.41cm), number of pods per plant (675.67), number of seeds per pod (25.29), thousand seed weight (3.85g), biological yield (24817.2 kg-1), seed yield (3666.33 kg-1), seed oil content (47.16%) and protein contents (24.1%) were observed with the application of the high concentration of salicylic acid (160 ppm/pot) over control. A significant increase in harvest index increased (18.8) was recorded with the application of 20 ppm concentration of salicylic acid. The exogenous application of salicylic acid treatments significantly increased the mortality percentage of 1st, 2nd and 3rd instar nymph. The maximum mortality percentage of 1st, 2nd and 3rd instar nymph were recorded 43.67, 76.6 and 83% with the application of high level of salicylic acid concentration (160 ppm/pot) as compared to the control, respectively. The honey drops of aphid and nymph survival percentage were reduced with the foliar application of salicylic acid over control. The minimum honey drops (17.9%), nymph survival (61.8%) and reproductive periods (18%) were recorded with the use of salicylic acid. It was concluded that foliar application of salicylic acid had a significant impact on yield attributes of canola genotypes and biology of canola aphid.

Salicylic acid improves physiological indicators of soursop irrigated with saline water

ABSTRACT Plants grown under salinity are subject to osmotic and ionic stresses that cause several physiological changes, so searching for strategies that minimize the deleterious effects is essential for the development of irrigated agriculture. In this context, the objective was to evaluate the effects of foliar applications of salicylic acid on the mitigation of the effects of salt stress on photosynthetic pigments and chlorophyll a fluorescence of soursop cv. Morada Nova. The study was conducted in a greenhouse, in a randomized block design and 5 × 4 factorial arrangement, with five values of electrical conductivity of irrigation water - ECw (0.8 - control, 1.6, 2.4, 3.2 and 4.0 dS m-1) and four concentrations of salicylic acid - SA (0, 1.2, 2.4 and 3.6 mM), with three replicates. Foliar application of salicylic acid at a concentration of 1.4 mM mitigated the effects of salt stress on chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll total, and carotenoids of soursop when irrigated with water of up to 1.5 dS m-1. Salicylic acid at concentrations above 1.4 mM combined with irrigation with saline water intensified the deleterious effects on photosynthetic pigments. Chlorophyll a fluorescence was not influenced by salicylic acid sprays up to the concentration of 3.6 mM.

Morphophysiology and production of guava as a function of water salinity and salicylic acid

ABSTRACT The availability of water with low electrical conductivity for irrigation in the Northeastern semi-arid region is one of the limiting factors for the expansion of irrigated agriculture. Thus, it is necessary to use waters with high electrical conductivity, requiring the search for strategies to reduce the negative impacts of salts on plants. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the morphophysiology and production of guava cv. Paluma subjected to irrigation with saline waters and foliar application of salicylic acid after grafting. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions in Campina Grande - PB, Brazil, in a randomized block design, adopting a 2 × 4 factorial scheme, with two values of electrical conductivity of irrigation water - ECw (0.6 and 3.2 dS m-1) and four concentrations of salicylic acid (0, 1.2, 2.4 and 3.6 mM), with three replicates. Irrigation with water of 3.2 dS m-1 reduced gas exchange, rootstock and scion diameters, crown diameter and volume, vegetative vigor index, polar and equatorial diameters of fruit, number of fruits, mean fruit weight, and fresh fruit weight of fruits of guava cv. Paluma. Salicylic acid application up to 3.6 mM did not mitigate the effects of salt stress on grafted guava cv. Paluma, at 390 days after transplanting.

Storability and Quality Attributes of Pear (Pyrus communis L.) cv. Carmen Fruits at Ambient Storage Conditions as Influenced by Foliar Application of Salicylic Acid and Calcium Chloride

An investigation was carried out to examine the storage behaviour and biochemical quality of pear (Pyrus communis L.) fruits cv. Carmen raised on Quince C rootstock as affected by pre-harvest foliar application of salicylic acid and calcium chloride treatments. The treatments consisted of four levels each of salicylic acid (0, 100, 150 and 200 ppm) and Calcium chloride (0, 0.20, 0.25 and 0.30 %). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design in factorial arrangements with three replications. The treatments were applied as a foliar spray at 3, 6 and 9 weeks after the petal fall. Control plants were sprayed with water. After harvest, fruits were stored under ambient conditions for 7, 14 and 21 days. Postharvest physiological loss in weight (PLW), rotting percentage, total soluble solids, total sugars and reducing sugars in fruits was increased. In contrast, fruit firmness, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid content decreased with an increase over storage periods. Salicylic acid @ 200 ppm and calcium chloride @ 0.30 % resulted minimum physiological loss in weight and rotting percentage. Also, salicylic acid @ 200 ppm and calcium chloride @ 0.30 % were effective in minimizing the loss of fruit firmness, titrable acidity and ascorbic acid content. In conclusion, the salicylic acid @ 200 ppm and calcium chloride @ 0.30 % were found to be effective in improving pear cv. Carmen fruits storability by reducing physiological loss in weight and fruit rotting; and maintaining the biochemical quality.

Gas exchange, growth and quality of guava seedlings under salt stress and salicylic acid

Guava is a popular Brazilian fruit that is widely produced in Northeastern Brazil, a region with water sources that commonly have high concentrations of salts. Thus, searching for techniques that allow the management of these waters is extremely important for the expansion of irrigated agriculture. In this context, salicylic acid is a phytohormone that can contribute to reducing the effects of salt stress on plants. Given the above, this study evaluated the effect of foliar application of salicylic acid at different concentrations in the mitigation of salt stress on gas exchange, growth, and quality of 'Paluma' guava seedlings. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, in Campina Grande - PB, Brazil, using a randomized block design in a 5 × 5 factorial arrangement, corresponding to five levels of electrical conductivity of water (0.6, 1.5, 2.4, 3.3, and 4.2 dS m-1) and five concentrations of salicylic acid (0 - Control; 0.8, 1.6, 2.4, and 3.2 mM), with four replicates and two plants per plot. Foliar application of salicylic acid at a concentration of up to 1.4 mM reduced the deleterious effects of salt stress on the instantaneous water use efficiency of 'Paluma' guava seedlings at 180 days after sowing. The concentrations of salicylic acid applied via foliar did not mitigate the harmful effects of irrigation water salinity on the growth and quality of 'Paluma' guava seedlings.
 Keywords: Abiotic stress, Psidium guajava L., water scarcity.

Foliar Application of Cerium Oxide-Salicylic Acid Nanoparticles (CeO2:SA Nanoparticles) Influences the Growth and Physiological Responses of Portulaca oleracea L. under Salinity.

In the present study, the effects of foliar application of salicylic acid (100 μM), cerium oxide (50 mg L−1), and cerium oxide:salicylic acid nanoparticles (CeO2: SA-nanoparticles, 50 mg L−1 + 100 μM) on the growth and physiological responses of purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) were examined in non-saline and saline conditions (50 and 100 mM NaCl salinity). Foliar applications mitigated salinity-induced adverse effects, and the highest plant height and N, P, Mg, and Mn content were recorded in the variant with non-saline × foliar use of CeO2: SA-nanoparticles. The highest values of fresh and dry weight were noted in the treatment with no-salinity × foliar use of CeO2:SA-nanoparticles. The highest number of sub-branches was observed in the foliar treatments with CeO2-nanoparticles and CeO2:SA-nanoparticles without salinity stress, while the lowest number was noted in the 100 mM NaCl treatment. Moreover, the foliar application of CeO2:SA-nanoparticles and cerium-oxide nanoparticles improved the total soluble solid content, K, Fe, Zn, Ca, chlorophyll a, and oil yield in the plants. The salinity of 0 and 50 mM increased the K content, 1000-seed weight, total soluble solid content, and chlorophyll b content. The use of 100 mM NaCl with no-foliar spray increased the malondialdehyde, Na, and H2O2 content and the Na+/K+ ratio. No-salinity and 50 mM NaCl × CeO2: SA-nanoparticle interactions improved the anthocyanin content in plants. The phenolic content was influenced by NaCl100 and the foliar use of CeO2:SA-nanoparticles. The study revealed that the foliar treatment with CeO2:SA-nanoparticles alleviated the side effects of salinity by improving the physiological responses and growth-related traits of purslane plants.

Foliar Application of Salicylic Acid and DA-6 on Swithgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) Grown in Pb-Contaminated Soil; Implications for Phytoextraction

ABSTRACT Lead (Pb) soil contamination is widespread and poses a threat to human health. Even chronic exposure to low levels of Pb contaminated soils is potentially harmful to organisms. Remediation of Pb-contaminated soil can be accomplished through phytoextraction, a technique that uses plants and associated soil microorganisms. The North American native switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a second-generation bioenergy crop was used in this study due to its ability to produce high biomass and grow on marginal lands. In this study the effects of exogenous foliar application of the plant growth regulators diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate (DA-6) and salicylic acid (SA) were examined separately but in conjunction with the soil-fungicide propiconazole and soil chelate nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) in order to optimize phytoextraction of Pb. Plants were grown under controlled conditions using highly Pb-contaminated (5802.5 mg kg−1) soil derived from a superfund site. Foliar application of the plant growth regulator DA-6 resulted in significantly higher Pb concentrations in the foliage of plants compared to Control plants. The DA-6 did, however, not improve plants dry mass (DM). Foliar application of salicylic acid resulted in significantly greater DM of the foliage compared to Control plants. The DM of plants treated with foliar application of salicylic acid was 46% higher than those of Control plants. Foliar application of salicylic acid did not improve significantly Pb concentration of foliage compared to Control plants. The findings reported in this study will potentially improve phytoextraction by switchgrass grown in Pb contaminated soils.

Combined effect of salicylic acid and potassium mitigates drought stress through the modulation of physio-biochemical attributes and key antioxidants in wheat

Improving physio-biochemical traits in wheat under drought stress conditions has received more research attention in recent years for better adaptability and higher yield. In this study, we explored the potential bio-physiological mechanisms underlying improved plant growth and water use efficiency in wheat following soil application of potassium (0 and 100 kg ha−1) and seed primed salicylic acid (SA) (150 mg per L) and SA foliar application (100 mg per L) under drought stresses (100%, 60% and 30% FC). Two years' average data revealed that inducing drought stress resulted in a decrease in plant pigments content, growth traits, and plant water status however, the influence was substantially reduced with the combined application of K and SA under drought stress conditions. The SA foliar spray in combination with K had increased chlorophyll a (174% and 83%), chl b (130% and 192%), chl a + b (156% and 120), carotenoid (22% and 11%), proline contents (24% and 29%) leaf relative water content (24% and 29%) while reduced leaf WSD (17% and 20%), WRC (6% and 7%), and WUC (23% and 28%) under mild and severe drought stresses, respectively. The increase in grain yield by 41% and 37% with enhanced water use efficiency was obtained with combined foliar SA and K under mild and severe drought stress, respectively indicating its vital role in overcoming the deleterious effects of drought via regulation of osmotic and metabolic processes and stabilizes cell components. RDA analysis revealed that the studied traits were completely discriminated under severe stress than mild or no drought stress. A positive and significant association was found between plant pigments with seed yield whereas a negative and significant correlation existed between water leaf traits and plant pigments. It was concluded that both foliar SA and seed primed SA with K fertilization combat the adverse effects of drought and improved plant water status as well as growth and bio-physiological traits of wheat under drought stress conditions.

Regression Modeling Strategies to Predict and Manage Potato Leaf Roll Virus Disease Incidence and Its Vector

The potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) disease is a serious threat to successful potato production and is mainly controlled by integrated disease management; however, the use of chemicals is excessive and non-judicious, and it could be rationalized using a predictive model based on meteorological variables. The goal of the present investigation was to develop a disease predictive model based on environmental responses viz. minimum and maximum temperature, rainfall and relative humidity. The relationship between epidemiological variables and PLRV disease incidence was determined by correlation analysis, and a stepwise multiple regression was used to develop a model. For this purpose, five years (2010–2015) of data regarding disease incidence and epidemiological variables collected from the Plant Virology Section Ayub Agriculture Research Institute (AARI) Faisalabad were used. The model exhibited 94% variability in disease development. The predictions of the model were evaluated based on two statistical indices, residual (%) and root mean square error (RMSE), which were ≤±20, indicating that the model was able to predict disease development. The model was validated by a two-year (2015–2017) data set of epidemiological variables and disease incidence collected in Faisalabad, Pakistan. The homogeneity of the regression equations of the two models, five years (Y = −47.61 − 0.572x1 + 0.218x2 + 3.78x3 + 1.073x4) and two years (Y = −28.93 − 0.148x1 + 0.510x2 + 0.83x3 + 0.569x4), demonstrated that they validated each other. Scatter plots indicated that minimum temperature (5–18.5 °C), maximum temperature (19.1–34.4 °C), rainfall (3–5 mm) and relative humidity (35–85%) contributed significantly to disease development. The foliar application of salicylic acid alone and in combination with other treatments significantly reduced the PLRV disease incidence and its vector population over control. The salicylic acid together with acetamiprid proved the most effective treatment against PLRV disease incidence and its vector M. persicae.

Foliar application of salicylic acid and calcium chloride delays the loss of chlorophyll and preserves the quality of broccoli during storage.

Consumer awareness of broccoli's unusual color, rich flavor, and concentration of desired phytochemicals has led to a steady increase in consumption in recent years. However, its short shelf-life, which is linked with quick discoloration and degeneration after harvest, limits industrial production and marketing. The effect of pre-harvest salicylic acid (SA) and calcium chloride (Ca) and their combination on the post-harvest quality of broccoli during storage (5± 1°C) was explored in this study. The foliar spray treatments reduced weight loss of broccoli head during storage. At the end of storage, Ca (2%) alone and in combination with SA (0.01%) significantly maintained the chlorophyll concentration rather than control. The total phenols, flavonoid, and antioxidant capacity of the Ca (2%) + SA (0.01%) treated samples was significantly greater than the control. SA (0.01%) alone or in conjunction with Ca (2%), showed higher catalase (CAT) activity; however, Ca (1%), alone or in combination with SA (0.01%), showed higher peroxidase (POD) activity. Generally, the marketability of the treated broccoli was significantly greater than the control at the end of storage. Based on these findings, we believe Ca (2%) + SA (0.01%) improves the antioxidant system, delays chlorophyll degradation, and extends the shelf life of broccoli heads stored at 5± 1°C. It is proposed that the green color, marketability, and nutrient content of broccoli during postharvest handling and storage can be retained longer by foliar application of this treatment. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Broccoli (Brassica oleracea L. Italaia) is a widely-consumed floral green vegetable due to its high content of nutrients and bioactive compounds. However, after harvest, florets rapidly senesce and suffer from yellowing which affects the quality of broccoli. The senescence of post-harvest broccoli is characterized by fresh weight loss, chlorophyll degradation, and a significant reduction in nutritional content. Therefore, preventing the decline in the quality of harvested broccoli is essential to maintain its economic and nutritional value. The results of this study showed that pre-harvest foliar application of Ca (2%) + SA (0.01%) with delayed weight loss, chlorophyll degradation, preservation of antioxidant compounds, and increased enzyme activity has a positive effect in maintaining broccoli heads quality during cold storage.

Elucidating the Effects of Combined Treatments of Salicylic Acid and l-Proline on Greenhouse-Grown Cucumber Under Saline Drip Irrigation

Salinity is one of the major abiotic stress factors that threaten crop development and sustainable food production. As a mitigation strategy, several plant growth regulators and osmoprotectants have been applied to ameliorate the negative effects of salinity stress in plants. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the effect of foliar applications of different concentrations of salicylic acid and proline on the growth, yield, fruit quality, and nutritional composition of cucumber crops grown under saline conditions. The three main irrigation salinity variations included electrical conductivity (EC) of 0.5 dS/m (control), EC 6.0 dS/m, and EC 12.0 dS/m. Foliar spray treatments were as follows: T1 (distilled water), T2 (1.0 mM salicylic acid), T3 (1.0 mM salicylic acid + 5.0 mM proline), and T4 (1.0 mM salicylic acid + 10 mM proline). Our results showed that foliar application of salicylic acid alone or in combination with proline under non-saline conditions improved the growth and yield of cucumber, with T4 recording the highest values. Irrigating plants with saline water (EC 6.0 and 12.0 dS/m) severely compromised cucumber's growth performance and yield, with the lowest values recorded at EC 12.0 dS/m. However, under EC 6.0 dS/m, T2 and T3 slightly ameliorated salinity stress effects regarding fruit yield, for T2, and nutritive composition of fruits, for T2 and T3. Overall, this study demonstrated that cucumber (Cucumis sativa L.) could tolerate irrigation salinity levels of up to EC 6.0 dS/m without significant detrimental effects on the growth performance, yield, and nutritional composition of fruits.

Effects of exogenous salicylic acid and abscisic acid on growth, photosynthesis and antioxidant system of rice

The key function of plant growth regulators is to adjust the growth and development of plants to adapt to the changing environment, which plays a vital role in the growth and yield of crops. This study was aimed to evaluate the ability of foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) and abscisic acid (ABA) to regulate rice (Oryza sativa L.) growth quality at seedling stage and reproductive stage. The two rice cultivars Wanshengyoutianhong-4 (W4) and Huanghuazhan (HZ) were sprayed foliar with SA (100 mg L-1) and ABA (4 mg L-1) at two-leaf stage, and their effects on morphological growth, physiological characteristics, malondialdehyde (MDA), osmotic substances, protective enzyme activities, photosynthesis and yield components were studied. Results indicated that SA and ABA significantly increased morphological growth, osmotic substances, antioxidant enzyme activities; MDA content dropped significantly (p < 0.05) in W4. While the two regulators inhibited morphological growth and physiological characteristics in HZ. Additionally, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, water use efficiency and apparent mesophyll conductance were improved in both of rice cultivars at heading stage as well as grain weight. In conclusion, foliar spray of SA and ABA enhanced plant growth, induced an increase in protective enzyme activities and reduced the oxidative damage of the hybrid rice cultivar but not of the conventional rice cultivar at seedling stage. Meanwhile, photosynthetic parameters and grain weight were slightly enhanced at reproductive stage. These results served as a theoretical basis and technical support for the chemical regulation and cultivation practices of rice.

Foliar Application of Salicylic Acid Improves Salt Tolerance of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench).

It has been reported that around the world, approximately 19.5% of all irrigated land and 2.1% of dry land is affected by salt stress, and these percentages continue to increase. Sorghum is the fifth most important cereal in the world and therefore research on its salt tolerance is of global importance. In our research, we focused on foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) on salt-stressed sorghum. We performed a pot experiment with two salt levels (0 and 100 mM sodium chloride NaCl) and five SA concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/L). Our results suggest that in saline conditions foliar application of SA induced an adaptive response to salinity by inducing proline accumulation as well as antioxidant enzymes activities and enhanced the protection of the photosynthetic machinery, maintained photosynthesis activities, and improved the growth of sorghum plants. These alleviation effects were depended on applied SA concentration. Under saline condition 150 mg/L, SA was the most effective for relieving the adverse effect of salt stress. Under non-saline conditions 100 mg/L SA was the best for improving sorghum growth and dry matter production. Our results demonstrated that foliar SA application is effective in improving sorghum growth under salinity.

Physiological and Qualitative Response of Cucurbita pepo L. to Salicylic Acid under Controlled Water Stress Conditions

Limited water stress is one of the most important environmental stresses that affect the growth, quantity and quality of agronomic crops. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of foliar applied salicylic acid (SA) on physiological responses, antioxidant enzymes and qualitative traits of Cucurbita pepo L. Plants exposed to water-stressed conditions in two years of field studies. Irrigation regimes at three soil matric potential levels (−0.3, −1.2 and −1.8 MPa) and SA at four levels (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/L) were considered as main plot and sub-plots, respectively. The soil matric potential values (MPa) was measured just before irrigation. Results showed that under water stressed conditions alone, the amounts of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and ion leakage were higher compared with control treatment. However, spraying of SA under both water stress and non-stress conditions reduced the values of the above parameters. Water stress increased CAT, APX and GR enzymes activity. However foliar application of SA led to the decrease of CAT, APX and GR under all soil matric potential levels. The amount of carbohydrates and fatty acids increased with the intensity of water stress and SA modulated this response. By increasing SA concentration both in optimum and stress conditions, saturated fatty acids content decreased. According to our data, the SA application is an effective approach to improve pumpkin growth under water stress conditions.