EFFECT OF SALICYLIC ACID ON THE ACTIVITY OF ENZYMATIC ANTIOXIDANTS AND PROLINE IN VEGETATIVE GROWTH OF MAIZE PLANT UNDER NaCl STRESS .

Abstract

To study the effect of different levels of salicylic acid on the activity of enzymatic antioxidants and proline in the vegetative growth of maize plant under NaCl stress . A pot experiment was carried out in the greenhouse of the Department of Soil Sciences and Water Resources in the College of Agriculture, University of Baghdad in a silt clay loam soil classified as Typic Torrifluvent . A factorial experiment based on a Randomized Complete Block Design ( RCBD) with three replicates was used . Treatments consisted of three salinity levels (0.5, 5.0, 9.5 dS m- 1 ) and five salicylic acid concentrations ( 0,250,500,1000,1500) μM SA . Results showed significant increase in SOD , POD,CAT activity and proline concentration with the increasing of salinity levels . Foliar applications of salicylic acid significantly reduced the activity of antioxidant enzymes ( SOD, POD,CAT) and proline concentration in Maize plants leaves .