Growth and Mineral Status of Moringa Plants as Affected by Silicate and Salicylic Acid under Salt Stress

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted in the greenhouse of the National Research Centre (NRC), Cairo, Egypt during two successive seasons to evaluate the response of growth, Photosynthetic pigments and mineral status of cotton plants sprayed by 200 and 400 ppm salicylic acid and grown under salt stress (irrigation with 3.9 dSm-1 ≈ 2500 ppm and 7.8 dSm-1 ≈ 5000 ppm more than the tape water 0.47 dSm-1 ≈ 3ooppm as a control). Data showed that dry matter, area of leaves, yield/plant, chlorophyll b concentration and uptake of N, P, K, Na and Ca were decreased by salt stress. Carotenoids increased by irrigation plants with 2500 ppm and tended to decrease but still more than the contral. Chlorophyll a showed the same response but the value with 5000 ppm less than the control. Na/K ratio increased as salt concentration increased but Ca: (Na+K) showed the opposite response. Salicylic acid application of 200 ppm showed the highest improve in growth criteria, uptake of the macronutrients and Ca:(K+Na) compare to the control plants. Salicylic acid application lowered the adverse effect of salt stress and can use for amelioration of salt stress in cotton plants.