Morpho-phytochemical changes of echinacea (Echinacea purpurea L.) affection by ‎salicylic acid and humic acid ‎

In order to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid and humic acid on some morph-phytochemical characteristics of Echinacea, a factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications. The first Factor was salicylic acid at four levels (0, 100, 200, 400 mgl-1) and the second factor was humic acid at four levels (0, 100, 200, 400 mgl-1). The results showed that salicylic acid application significantly increased the plant height, number of lateral branches, leaf relative water content, phenol and flavonoid, also decreased leaf ion leakage. Humic acid application significantly increased (p≤ 1) plant height, number of branches, total chlorophyll, leaf relative water content, phenol and flavonoid content, and decreased leaf ion leakage. The results of the research showed that the foliar application of 400 mgl-1of salicylic acid with 100 mgl-1of humic acid improved the measured traits.