Biochemical and physiological response to salicylic acid in relation to the systemic acquired resistance

Abstract

In five genotypes of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), the influence of salicylic acid (SA) on photosynthetic activity and biochemical constituents including peroxidase activity at the genotypic level was determined. After SA treatment the total free sugar content increased in IFC 8401 and IGFRI 450 genotypes, whereas the content of total leaf soluble proteins decreased significantly in IFC 902. The high chlorophyll (Chl) (a + b) content in IFC 902 showed a good correlation with the net photosynthetic rate (P(N)), as in this genotype a significant increase in P(N) was found after the SA treatment.