Effect of Salicylic acid on Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Lolium perenne cv. " Numan" under drought stress

Perenial Rygrass (Lolium perenne cv. “Numan”)belongs to Poaceae family as an important lawn in landscape design. The objective of this research was to evaluate effects of different concentrations of salicylic acid to enhance the growth and biochemical characteristics of Lolium perenne L. under drought conditions. Factorial experimental design was arranged in a completely randomized block design with four replications. Treatments consist of SA at 3 levels (0, 0.75 and 1.5 mM) and drought stress at 3 levels (50, 75 and 100 % FC). Results showed that drought stress increased the electrolyte leakage and proline accumulation, however decreased chlorophyll rate, relative water contents, root dry weight and shoot growth. Foliar application of SA at the 1.5 mM increased chlorophyll rate and relative water content, but decreased electrolyte leackage and proline accumulation under drought stress. SA application also resulted in highest root dry weight and shoot growth at the 0.75 mM. Based on the present results, foliar application of SA treatments can ameliorate the negative effects of drought stress on the growth and biochemical characteristics of Lolium perenne cv. “Numan”.