Exogenous application of salicylic acid on the mitigation of salt stress in Capsicum annuum L.

Abstract

Salinity has limited conventional vegetable cultivation, especially in semi-arid regions. In this regard, the use of elicitors that act to induce tolerance to salt stress, such as salicylic acid, has emerged as a promising alternative. This study evaluated the effects of foliar spraying with salicylic acid on the mitigation of salt stress on the morphophysiology and production of bell pepper cv. All Big. The study was conducted in a greenhouse in Campina Grande - PB, Brazil, adopting a completely randomized design, in a 4 x 4 factorial arrangement, corresponding to four levels of electrical conductivity of irrigation water (0.8; 1.6; 2.4; and 3.2 dS m-1) and four concentrations of salicylic acid (0; 1.2; 2.4 and 3.6 mM), with three replicates. The foliar application of salicylic acid at a concentration of 1.6 mM attenuated the effects of salt stress in gas exchange, growth, mean fruit weight, and total production per plant, and decreased the percentage of intercellular electrolyte leakage of sweet pepper cv. All Big plants, at 80 days after sowing.

Influence of Foliar Application of Hydrogen Peroxide on Gas Exchange, Photochemical Efficiency, and Growth of Soursop under Salt Stress

“…Inhibition of plant growth may be a consequence of the effect caused by excess salts in the root zone, which imposes water limitations, negatively affecting cell elongation and expansion. In addition, the partial closure of stomata compromises photosynthesis, resulting in lower growth [ 3 , 41 ].…”

“…The soursop ( Annona muricata L.), a fruit tree native to Central America and the Peruvian Valleys, is notable for its commercialization potential in the domestic market with significant economic importance and export prospects because of the high acceptance of its fruit and pulp, primarily for numerous food and pharmaceutical applications [ 1 , 2 ]. Despite the production potential of soursop for the Northeast region, one of the limitations to its production system is the occurrence of low rainfall and high evapotranspiration in most months of the year [ 3 ]. In addition, the water sources commonly used in irrigation have high concentrations of salts [ 4 , 5 ].…”