mpact of exogenous salicylic acid on leaf mineral composition of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv Bidaneh Sefid) subjected to salinity

Soil salinity is a major environmental threat for survival of plants. Researchs have shown that some plant growth regulators including salicylic acid improve the plants resistance to environmental stresses such as heat, cold, drought and salinity. To study the effect of salicylic acid (SA) application on some morphological characteristics and elements uptake of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) cv. Bidaneh Sefid under salinity stress condition, a pot experiment was conducted using a factorial based on randomized complete design. Well-rooted grapevine cuttings were treated with five levels of salinity 0 (control), 25, 50, 75 and 100 mM NaCl and four levels of SA (foliar application), 0 (control), 100, 200 and 300 mgl-1. The results indicated that with the increase in salinity levels, shoot and root fresh and dry weight decreased. However with salicylic acid application at the rate of 300 mgl-1 under salinity (100mM) these reductions were 65. 76, 75. 9 percent respectively. In 100 mM NaCl treatment, NO3-, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe2+ and Zn2+ content in leaf decreased 56. 9%, 73%, 62. 4%, 43%, 54. 35% and 75% when compared to control plants, respectively. In salinity level 100 mM, without application of salicylic acid, Na+ and Cl- amount of leaves increased, 100 and 20. 77 fold respectively compared with control. However, SA reduced the accumulation of Na+ and Cl- ions in leaves. In conclusion, the application of salicylic acid (200-300 mgl-1) ameliorated the adverse effects of salt stress, especially at salt concentrations lower than 50 mM in this cultivar.