Salicylic acid mediated physiological and biochemical alterations to confer drought stress tolerance in Zinnia (Z. elegans)

Salicylic acid mediated physiological and biochemical alterations to confer drought stress tolerance in Zinnia (Z. elegans)

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Background: Protective role of salicylic acid against Household Products drought has been widely reported, but its effects on Zinnia elegansremain unknown.Hypotheses: Foliar salicylic acid (SA) improves water status, pigments, and antioxidant systems of Zinnia plants under drought stress.Studied species: Z.elegans (cv.Dreamland) were purchased from Chanan Seeds Store Lahore, Pakistan.

Study site and dates: MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan; March-May, 2018.Methods: After two weeks of transplanting, one set of seedlings was exposed to drought stress (60 % field capacity, FC) while other control set was maintained at 100 % FC.Foliar SA (100 mg L-1) was applied to plants at drought initiation.Results: Foliar SA treatment to water stressed plants (60 % FC) increased the leaf area (46.89 cm2), shoot and root lengths (25 cm and 26.

67 cm, respectively), leaf relative water content (75.98 %); chlorophyll a Stopper (0.68 mg g-1), chlorophyll b (0.38 mg g-1) and carotenoid concentrations (1.10 mg g-1); and catalase (116.

67 U min-1 mg-1 protein), guaiacol peroxide (72 U min-1 mg-1 protein) and superoxide dismutase (93 U min-1 mg-1 protein) activities.Conclusions: Foliar SA could be used to minimize impacts of water stress in Zinnia plants.