Salicylic acid-induced amelioration of salt stress by modulating morpho-biochemical attributes and antioxidant mechanism in black gram (Vigna mungo L.)

Abstract

Arsheed Ahmad Rather*, Sabanayagam Natarajan, Ali Raza*, Sidra Charagh and Talha Javed

As a severe and prevalent abiotic stress, salinity causes extensive crop losses by limiting plant growth and production worldwide. The present study was carried out to mitigate the salinity-induced harmful effects on plant growth, biochemical and antioxidant attributes of black gram by the foliar application of Salicylic Acid (SA). Vigna mungo L. Hepper (ADT-5) plants were grown in salt-treated (75 mM NaCl) and untreated (0 mM NaCl) growth medium. Three levels of SA (0.5 mM, 0.75 mM, 1.00 mM) were applied through the foliar spray. Salt stress significantly reduced the morpho-biochemical attributes in black gram. However, foliar application of 0.5 mM SA displayed ameliorated response under salt stress, as evidenced by the highest values for growth attributes and photosynthetic pigments compared to control and other experimental units. A reduced photosynthetic pigment (chlorophyll a, b, and carotenoids) under salt stress was significantly ameliorated by foliar application of 0.5 mM SA. The proline and enzymatic antioxidants like catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities were improved by salicylic acid application compared to the control group. This study indicated that SA reduced the deleterious effect of salt stress under high salt concentration by regulating morphological and biochemical indices in black gram.