EFFECT OF SALICYLIC ACID IN Zea mays L. PHOTOSYNTHETIC PIGMENTS UNDER SALT STRESS

Abstract

To study the effect of different levels of salicylic acid  in  Zea mays L. photosynthetic pigments under salt stress ,  a factorial experiment based on a Randomized Complete Block Design with  three  replicates was used . Treatments consisted of three salinity levels (0.5, 5.0 and  9.5 dS m-1) and five salicylic acid concentrations ( 0,250,500,1000 and 1500) µM.L-1 SA . Chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and Carotene concentration in leaves were measured .  The results showed that salt stress caused a significant decrease in photosynthetic pigments concentrations (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotene) .  Foliar application of salicylic acid caused a significant increase in chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotene concentrations , especially under salt stress.