TWO PHENOLIC ACIDS AMELIORATE THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF SALT STRESS ON Zea mays L. SEEDLINGS

Pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of foliar application of salicylic acid (3 mM) and benzoic acid (3 mM) on nitrate content and nitrate reductase activity in leaves of Zea mays seedlings grown under high salt stress (50 mM NaCl). Salinity treatment caused diminishment of the nitrate content and nitrate reductase activity by approximately 78% and 65% respectively. Supplements of salicylic acid and benzoic acid partially alleviated the depressive effect of salinity on the two parameters, but did not completely recover to control values. Salicylic acid supplement proved to be more effective in encountering the deleterious effects of salinity.