IMPROVEMENT OF SALT TOLERANCE IN FABA BEAN (VICIA FABA L.) BY SALICYLIC ACID APPLICATION

Abstract

In order to minimize risks associated with salinity. This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of salicylic acid (SA) application on salt stress tolerance in Faba Bean plants. So, Faba Bean plants (Vicia faba L.) were treated with salicylic acid (SA) of 0 and 0.5 mM, and/or NaCl, of 0.90 and 150 mM. The results showed that salt stress reduced plant growth and photosynthetic pigments contents. Salt stress also induced an accumulation of proline, a reduction in the levels of protein and relative water content. as well as an increase in enzyme activities including ascorbate peroxidase (APx) and catalase (CAT). However, SA application on Faba bean grown under salt-stressed conditions improved photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids), relative water content, the organic osmolytes (total soluble protein and proline) and activities of enzymes (APX and CAT) as compared to control plants. In conclusion, depending on these findings, salicylic acid can be used as a potential growth regulator to improve the salt response of Faba bean. In other words, the application of salicylic acid might propose an ecological and economical solution to deal with salt-affected soils, especially in arid and marginal regions.