AMELIORATIVE EFFECTS OF SALICYLIC ACID ON DRY BIOMASS AND GROWTH OF PISUM SATIVUM L. UNDER SODIUM FLUORIDE STRESS

Fluoride in our physical environment causes several health hazards, not only to humans but to plants as well. Its high concentration in soil, water, and vegetation is a major problem for today's world. The present study was conducted to assess the impact of salicylic acid on the growth and biomass production of Pisum sativum L. grown under sodium fluoride (NaF) stress. Pisum sativum L. (pea) is an edible plant used to nourish humans as its seeds are rich in protein and carbohydrates. Two varieties of Pisum sativum, RKS-510 and Classic, were grown during the 2015-16 season with various concentrations of NaF, i.e., 50, 100, 150, and 200 ppm, being applied as a soil drench on a biweekly basis to create stress for the plants. The gradual accumulation of the fluoride ion caused toxic effects on the biochemical processes of the plants. A foliar application of 100, 200, and 300 ppm salicylic acid was also given exogenously to examine its effects on the plants under NaF stress. It was observed that the plant height and biomass production of both the varieties of pea plant decreased under NaF stress while this decline was overcome by the exogenous application of salicylic acid at the 100 and 200 ppm levels. One hundred and 200 ppm salicylic acid enhanced the growth of the plants while 300 ppm salicylic acid had a reducing effect similar to that of NaF. As salicylic acid at 100 and 200 ppm had ameliorative effects in on plants under NaF stress, we concluded that the foliar application of salicylic acid promotes salt tolerance in two different cultivars of Pisum sativum L.