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Botanical Sciences
On-line version ISSN 2007-4476Print version ISSN 2007-4298
Abstract
AKHTAR, Gulzar et al. Salicylic acid mediated physiological and biochemical alterations to confer drought stress tolerance in Zinnia (Z. elegans). Bot. sci [online]. 2022, vol.100, n.4, pp.977-988. Epub Aug 01, 2022. ISSN 2007-4476. https://doi.org/10.17129/botsci.2966.
Background:
Protective role of salicylic acid against drought has been widely reported, but its effects on Zinnia elegans remain 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 (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.
Keywords : Drought tolerance; Salicylic acid; Pigments; Antioxidant machinery; Zinnia.