ROLE OF EXOGENOUS SALICYLIC ACID APPLICATIONS FOR SALT TOLERANCE IN VIOLET

Role of exogenous applications of salicylic acid (SA) under NaCl stress in violet (Viola odorata L.) was investigated in soil filled earthen pots during 2009-10 at University of Gujrat, Pakistan. There were three treatments comprising control, 50-mol m -3 NaCl, and NaCl (50-mol m -3 ) + SA (30-mg l -1 ). NaCl significantly reduced the plant and root lengths, plant fresh and dry weights. In contrast, NaCl did not show any adverse effect on plants when supplemented SA. SA treated violet plants under NaCl salinity strongly reduced accumulations of Na + , K + , Ca 2+ and Cl − and glycine betaine and total soluble carbohydrates as compared to NaCl treatments. Higher N and relative water contents (RWC) was noted in T2 (NaCl+SA) but it reduced in T1 (NaCl) as compared to control. It was concluded that SA could be used as a potential growth regulator to improve salt tolerance in plants.