Author/Authors :
Savadkoohi Saeedeh نويسنده Faculty of Agriculture,Department of Horticultural Science,University of Zanjan,Zanjan,Iran , Arghavani Masoud نويسنده Assistant Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran. , Mortazavi Seyed Najmadin نويسنده 1Assistant Professor, Department of Horticultural Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, Iran.
Abstract :
Salinity is one of the greatest environmental challenges facing plant
growth and development in the 21st century. Salicylic acid (SA) is a phenolic
compound and signal molecule involved in the regulation of plants responses
to biotic and abiotic stresses. This greenhouse experiment was conducted to
determine effects of SA application on Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.)
responses to salinity stress. The three salinity levels (0, 40 and 80 mM NaCl)
were applied in nutrient solutions, and foliar SA treatments (0, 1 and 2 mM)
were applied at 2-weeks intervals. The study was carried out as a factorial
experiment based on completely randomized experimental design with four
replications. Salinity reduced root and shoot dry weight, visual turf quality,
leaf chlorophyll and potassium content, whereas electrolyte leakage, proline
and sodium content were increased with salt concentration in nutrient
solution. Salicylic acid application ameliorates adverse effects of salinity in
all factors and this effect was more pronounced in 80 mM NaCl. In terms of
root dry weight, leaf sodium and proline content as well as electrolyte
leakage, SA application at 2 mM had better results than 1 mM. These results
suggest that further studies are required to find proper SA application rate in
different salinity levels.
