The effect of interaction between salicylic acid and penconazole on physiological and biochemical responses of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) under salinity

In this study, the effect of salicylic acid and penconazole on some of plant growth indices, in Carthamus tinctorius under salinity was investigated. Sodium chloride (0, 100, 200 mM), salicylic acid (1 mM), and penconazole (15 mg l-1) were applied for 21 days during vegetative growth of plants. Results have shown that the exogenous application of growth regulators to salt-stressed plants increased some growth parameters. Salicylic acid increased the amount of total chlorophyll content, carotenoids, anthocyanins, and flavonoids in plants. Penconazole increased the amount of total chlorophyll content under salinity, reduced carotenoids and increased flavonoids under 200 mM treatment, increased anthocyanins in control plants and 100 mM treatment and increased total sugar in control plants and 200 mM sodium chloride treatment. Simultaneous application of salicylic acid and Penconazole increased the amount of total chlorophyll content under salinity, increased carotenoids, increased flavonoids under 200 mM treatment, increased anthocyanins in control plants and under 100 mM treatment and increased total sugar in control plants and 200 mM treatment of sodium chloride. Overall, it seems that the exogenous application of salicylic acid and penconazole can cause the adaptability of safflower to salinity. Due to the low price and availability, the use of these components can be considered in order to increase the resistance of safflower to salinity.