EFFECT OF FOLIAR APPLICATION OF SALICYLIC ACID TO MITIGATE SALT STRESS IN WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.)

Abstract Salt stress is one of the most important abiotic factors that restricts plant growth and seed germination. Salicylic acid is a plant growth regulator that linked to defense responses to several stressors, including salt. The current study conducted to enhance the growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under salinity stress by foliar application of salicylic acid. Therefore, the goal of this study is to determine how salicylic acid influences the components of wheat yield under salt stress. For this purpose an experiment was conduct in the autumn season, 2021 at the Agronomic Research Area, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. The experiment was performed with three replicates. In this study, there were two factors. Factor (A) various salt concentrations (0, 5 and 10 dsm-1) was added to the soil. Salicylic acid values of (0, 75, 150 and 225 mgL-1) was factor B. After seven days of salt treatment, a foliar spray of SA was applied. At the time of harvesting yield parameters, water use efficiency, grain protein and grain carbohydrates contents was determined. Best performance was seemed where less salt and more salicylic acid was used as in treatment of T4 which is at par with T3. Likewise minimum results gained from T9. The collected data was analyze using standard statistical techniques. The least significant difference test (LSD) was performed to compare the differences between the treatments at a 5% probability level.