Reducing Salt Stress in Canola with Salicylic Acid Treatment

Jenn Hoskins
28th June, 2024

Reducing Salt Stress in Canola with Salicylic Acid Treatment

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur found that salinity stress significantly reduced canola plant growth and photosynthetic activity
  • Applying salicylic acid (SA) improved canola growth, increasing shoot fresh weight by 49.5% and root dry weight by 70%
  • SA treatment boosted antioxidant levels, helping canola plants better cope with oxidative stress caused by salinity
Salinity is a significant challenge for global agriculture, affecting crop growth and productivity, and contributing to food insecurity. Canola, an essential oilseed crop used for food and biodiesel, is particularly sensitive to saline conditions. A recent study conducted by The Islamia University of Bahawalpur explored the potential of salicylic acid (SA) to mitigate the adverse effects of salinity on canola plants[1]. This research is pivotal as it addresses the pressing need to utilize agriculturally marginal lands, including brackish-saline transitional areas, for crop cultivation. In this study, two canola varieties, Faisal (V1) and Super (V2), were subjected to high salinity levels (200 mM NaCl) to assess their growth performance. The researchers applied three levels of SA (0, 10, and 20 mM) through foliar spray to determine its effectiveness in alleviating salt stress. The experimental design was a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replicates, ensuring the reliability of the results. Salinity stress significantly reduced the fresh weights of shoots and roots by up to 50.3% and 47%, respectively. Additionally, chlorophyll a and b contents decreased by 61-65%, indicating impaired photosynthetic activity. However, the application of SA markedly improved the growth parameters. The shoot fresh weight increased by 49.5%, root dry weight by 70%, chlorophyll a by 36%, and chlorophyll b by 67%. These findings suggest that SA plays a crucial role in enhancing the resilience of canola plants under saline conditions. The study also revealed that SA treatment elevated the levels of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in the plants. Enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) increased by 27%, 16%, and 34%, respectively. Non-enzymatic antioxidants, including total soluble protein, total soluble sugar, total phenolic content, flavonoids, anthocyanin, and endogenous ascorbic acid, also saw significant increases. These antioxidants help in mitigating oxidative stress caused by salinity, thereby protecting the plant cells from damage. Moreover, the application of SA enhanced the levels of osmolytes like glycine betaine and total free proline by 31% and 24%, respectively. Osmolytes are small molecules that help maintain cell turgor and enzyme function under stress conditions. The study also observed that salinity increased the concentration of sodium (Na+) ions while decreasing the absorption of potassium (K+) and calcium (Ca2+) ions. SA treatment effectively countered these ionic imbalances, contributing to better growth and development of canola plants. The findings of this study align with previous research on the benefits of foliar applications of compounds like ascorbic acid (AsA) in alleviating salt stress in other crops. For instance, a study on pea plants demonstrated that AsA application increased chlorophyll content, improved antioxidant activities, and enhanced yield attributes under saline conditions[2]. Similarly, the current study on canola highlights the potential of SA in improving plant resilience to salinity by boosting antioxidant defenses and maintaining ion homeostasis. In conclusion, the research conducted by The Islamia University of Bahawalpur provides compelling evidence that foliar application of SA can significantly mitigate the negative effects of salinity on canola plants. By enhancing antioxidant activities, increasing osmolyte levels, and maintaining ionic balance, SA treatment improves the growth and productivity of canola under saline conditions. This study not only underscores the importance of SA in crop management but also opens up new avenues for utilizing marginal lands for sustainable agriculture.

AgricultureBiochemPlant Science

References

Main Study

1) Alleviating salinity stress in canola (Brassica napus L.) through exogenous application of salicylic acid

Published 27th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-05314-y

Related Studies

2) Exogenous ascorbic acid as a potent regulator of antioxidants, osmo-protectants, and lipid peroxidation in pea under salt stress.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024-04947-3


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