Evaluation of salicylic acid effects on some physiological traits of Fenugreek under drought stress

To investigate the effects of salicylic acid (0, 10, 15 and 20 µM) on some physiological characteristics of Fenugreek (Trigonellafoenum- graecum L.) under drought stress (0, -3 and -6 Bar) a Factorial experiment based on completely randomized design with three replications was employed in research greenhouse of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in 2012 growing season. Results showed that drought stress significantly increased ion leakage, proline and reduced sugar, but decreased other traits (relative water content, membrane stability index, chlorophyll a, b, a and carotenoids (ion leakage,Proline and reduced sugar) significantly. Increasing in salicylic acid level ameliorated deleterious effects of drought stress on mentioned traits except proline and reduced sugar and led to increase in relative water content, membrane stability index chlorophyll a, b, a and carotenoids under drought stress. Ion leakage also decreased with increasing salicylic acid. All the traits were affected by the interactions except prolin and reduced sugar. This implies different response of salicylic acid in different drought stress. Therefore salicylic acid is able to reduce the negative effects of drought stress on this plant.