EFFECTS OF SALICYLIC ACID ON SOME YIELD CHARACTERISTICS OF CAPSICUM ANNUUM L. UNDER SODIUM FLUORIDE STRESS

Fluoride contaminated soil is one of the major concerns for agricultural industry as it has adverse effects on yield of economical crops, and it needs considerable time to fulfill the requirements and meet the standards. Therefore, present research was conducted to check the effects of salicylic acid on some yield characteristics of Capsicum annuum L. under sodium fluoride stress. Capsicum annuum L. is an edible crop used for human nutrition. It contains an alkaloid compound called as Capsaicin. Capsaicin has many benefits as it has bacterial growth inhibition effects, anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic, antioxidant, and immunosuppressive characters. Keeping in view the present scenario there is a special need to increase the Capsicum production. Two varieties of Capsicum annuum L. (Magma and Zenia) were studied during the growth season 2018. To create stress condition, different concentrations of sodium fluoride i.e., 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 ppm were given as soil drench twice a week. The gradual accumulation of sodium fluoride created toxic effects on growth of plants. Significant reduction was observed with increased concentration of sodium fluoride in yield. The foliar applications of salicylic acid (100 ppm and 200 ppm) on C. annuum plants grown under sodium fluoride stress reduced the stress effect and increased the yield almost 50-70%. By observing the effects of salicylic acid, the conclusion of the present pot experiment was that foliar application of salicylic acid promotes the salt tolerance in two varieties of Capsicum annuum L.