Effect of Salicylic Acid Application under Salinity Conditions on Physiologic and Morphologic Characteristics of Artemisia (Artemisia annua L.)

To eveluate the effect of salicylic acid application under salinity stress conditions on physiologic and morphologic characteristics of artemisia, a factorial experiment based on Randomized Complete Block Design with four replications was conducted in Zanjan, Iran, during 2010-11. Treatments used were salinity four levels (0 (control), 4, 8 and 12 ds. m-1) and two levels salicylic acid (control and application of 0.5 mM). Traits measured were plant height, number of lateral shoot, seed yield of flowering shoots, antioxidant enzymes activity like catalas and superoxide dismutase, proline concentration and chlorophyll content of leaves were evaluated. The results showed that salinity stress decreased plant height, number of lateral shoot, seed yield of flowering shoots and chlorophyll content, and application of salicylic acid under both stress and non-stress conditions improved the above mentioned traits. Salinity stress also increased activity of antioxidant enzymes as well as catalase and superoxide dismotase and proline accumulation. Application of salicylic acid under both non-stress and salinity stress conditions decreased activity antioxidant enzymes and proline accumulation and reduced the effects salinity stress.