Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The Efficacy of Salicylic Acid Levels on Photosynthetic Activity, Growth, and Essential Oil Content and Composition of Pennyroyal Plants Under Salt Stress

  • Published:
Journal of Plant Growth Regulation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This research was conducted to find out whether the foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) at 0.5, 1, and 1.5 mM in comparison with water spray (control) could mitigate the adverse effects of salinity (0, 25, 50, and 75 mM NaCl as non-saline and low, moderate, and high salinities, respectively) on pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) plants. Salt stress increased Na+ content, while decreased the ratio of K+/ Na+, calcium and magnesium contents in both shoots and roots. Decreasing rubisco activity, photochemical efficiency of photosystem II and stomatal conductance led to a reduction in photosynthesis rate by 25.26% in SA untreated plants under high salinity. Application of SA especially at 1 mM concentration alleviated the harmful impacts of salinity via reducing the Na+ translocation from roots to the shoots and improving nutrients uptake and photosynthetic activity. Leaf area and root and shoot biomasses were decreased with increasing salt stress, but these growth parameters were improved by foliar spray of SA. The essential oil content of plants was significantly increased under low and moderate salinities by 18.57% and 35.71%, respectively. Foliar spray of 1 mM SA also enhanced essential oil content of plants in non-saline and all saline conditions by up to 36.84%. Salinity changed the relative proportions of essential oil constituents and induced production of new constituents such as α-thujene, myrcene, isophorone, and germacrene D. The antioxidant activity of essential oil in salt-stressed and SA-treated plants was higher than untreated plants. This research proved that SA-induced salt tolerance in pennyroyal plants was related to increasing nutrient uptake, photosynthetic activity, plant growth, and essential oil production.

Graphic Abstract

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdoli S, Ghassemi-Golezani K, Alizadeh-Salteh S (2020) Responses of ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi L.) to exogenous salicylic acid and iron oxide nanoparticles under salt stress. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27:36939–36953. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-09453-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ahammed GJ, Li Y, Li X, Han WY, Chen S (2018) Epigallocatechin-3-gallate alleviates salinity-retarded seed germination and oxidative stress in tomato. J Plant Growth Regul 37:1349–1356. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-018-9849-0

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arfan M, Athar HR, Ashraf M (2007) Does exogenous application of salicylic acid through the rooting medium modulate growth and photosynthetic capacity in two differently adapted spring wheat cultivars under salt stress? J Plant Physiol 164:685–694. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jplph.2006.05.010

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arif Y, Sami F, Siddiqui H, Bajguz A, Hayat S (2020) Salicylic acid in relation to other phytohormones in plant: a study towards physiology and signal transduction under challenging environment. Environ Exp Bot 175:104040. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2020.104040

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Benabdallah A, Boumendjel M, Aissi O, Rahmoune C, Boussaid M, Messaoud C (2018) Chemical composition, antioxidant activity and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory of wild Mentha species from northeastern Algeria. S Afr J Bot 116:131–139

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bettaieb Rebey I, Bourgou S, Rahali FZ, Msaada K, Ksouri R, Marzouk B (2017) Relation between salt tolerance and biochemical changes in cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) seeds. J Food Drug Anal 25:391–402

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Biswas S, Koul M, Bhatnagar AK (2011) Salinity stress has various effects on thebiological and physiological responses of plants such as growth flowering, mineral nutrition and secondary metabolism. Nat Prod Commun 6:1559–1564

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bradford MM (1976) A rapid and sensitive method for the quantification of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding. Anal Chem 72:248–254

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brahmi F, Abdenour A, Bruno M, Silvia P, Alessandra P, Danilo F, Drifa YG, Fahmi EM, Khodir M, Mohamed C (2016) Chemical composition and in vitro antimicrobial, insecticidal and antioxidant activities of the essential oils of Mentha pulegium L. and Mentha rotundifolia (L.) Huds growing in Algeria. Ind Crops Prod 88:96–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2016.03.002

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Domingues PM, Santos L (2019) Essential oil of pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium): composition and applications as alternatives to pesticides-New tendencies. Ind Crops Prod 139:111534. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2019.111534

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • El-Jemli M, Kamal R, Marmouzi I, Zerrouki A, Cherrah Y, Alaoui K (2016) Radical-scavenging activity and ferric reducing ability of Juniperus thurifera (L.), J. oxycedrus (L.), J. phoenicea (L.) and Tetraclinis articulata (L.). Adv Pharmacol Sci 2016:6392656. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/6392656

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Esan AM, Masisi K, Dada FA, Olaiya CO (2017) Comparative effects of indole acetic acid and salicylic acid on oxidative stress marker and antioxidant potential of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) fruit under salinity stress. Sci Hortic 216:278–283

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Es-sbihi FZ, Hazzoumi Z, Amrani Joutei K (2020) Effect of salicylic acid foliar application on growth, glandular hairs and essential oil yield in Salvia officinalis L. grown under zinc stress. Chem Biol Technol Agric 7:26. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-020-00192-6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ghassemi-Golezani K, Hassanzadeh N, Shakiba MR, Esmaeilpour B (2020) Exogenous salicylic acid and 24-epi-brassinolide improve antioxidant capacity and secondary metabolites of Brassica nigra. Biocatal Agric Biotechnol 26:101636. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcab.2020.101636

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hao JH, Wang XL, Dong CJ, Zhang ZG, Shang QM (2011) Salicylic acid induces stomatal closure by modulating endogenous hormone levels in cucumber cotyledons. Russ J Plant Physiol 58:906–913

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Heuer B, Yaniv Z, Ravina I (2002) Effect of late salinization of chia (Salvia hispanica), stock (Matthiola tricuspidata) and evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) on their oil content and quality. Ind Crop Prod 15:163–167

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Idrees M, Khan MMA, Aftab T, Naeem M, Hashmi N (2010) Salicylic acid-induced physiological and biochemical changes in lemongrass varieties under water stress. J Plant Interact 5:293–303

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Idrees M, Naeem M, Aftab T, Khan MMA (2011) Salicylic acid mitigates salinity stress by improving antioxidant defense system and enhances vincristine and vinblastine alkaloids production in periwinkle [Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don]. Acta Physiol Plant 33:987–999

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jayakannan M, Bose J, Babourina O, Rengel Z, Shabala S (2013) Salicylic acid improves salinity tolerance in Arabidopsis by restoring membrane potential and preventing salt-induced KC loss via a GORK channel. J Exp Bot 64:2255–2268. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ert085

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Jayakannan M, Bose J, Babourina O, Rengel Z, Shabala S (2015) Salicylic acid in plant salinity stress signaling and tolerance. Plant Growth Regul 76:25–40

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jini D, Joseph B (2017) Physiological mechanism of salicylic acid for alleviation of salt stress in rice. Rice Sci 24:97–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karray-Bouraoui N, Rabhi M, Neffati M, Baldan B, Ranieri A, Marzouk B, Lachaâl M, Smaoui A (2009) Salt effect on yield and composition of shoot essential oil and trichome morphology and density on leaves of Mentha pulegium. Ind Crop Prod 30:338–343

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaya C, Ashraf M, Alyemeni MN, Ahmad P (2020) The role of endogenous nitric oxide in salicylic acid-induced up-regulation of ascorbate-glutathione cycle involved in salinity tolerance of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) plants. Plant Physiol Biochem 147:10–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2019.11.040

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khan W, Prithiviraj B, Smith DL (2003) Photosynthetic responses of corn and soybean to foliar application of salicylates. J Plant Physiol 160:485–492

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khanam D, Mohammad F (2018) Plant growth regulators ameliorate the ill effect of salt stress through improved growth, photosynthesis, antioxidant system, yield and quality attributes in Mentha piperita L. Acta Physiol Plant 40:188. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-018-2769-6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lado C, Then M, Varga I, Szke E, Szentmihalyi K (2004) Antioxidant property of volatile oils determined by the ferric reducing ability. Z Naturf 56:354–358

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Makino A (2011) Photosynthesis, grain yield, and nitrogen utilization in rice and wheat. Plant Physiol 155:125–129. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.110.165076

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moravcova S, Tuma J, Ducaiova ZK, Waligorski P, Kula M, Saja D, Słomka A, Baba W, Libik-Konieczny M (2018) Influence of salicylic acid pretreatment on seeds germination and some defense mechanisms of Zea mays plants under copper stress. Plant Physiol Biochem 122:19–30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2017.11.007

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nazar R, Umar S, Khan NA (2015) Exogenous salicylic acid improves photosynthesis and growth through increase in ascorbate-glutathione metabolism and S assimilation in mustard under salt stress. Plant Signal Behav 10:e1003751–e1003810

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oueslati S, Karray-Bouraoui N, Attia H, Rabhi M, Ksouri R, Lachaal M (2010) Physiological and antioxidant responses of Mentha pulegium (Pennyroyal) tosalt stress. Acta Physiol Plant 32:289–296

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prodhan MY, Munemasa S, Nahar MNEN, Nakamura Y, Murata Y (2018) Guard cell salicylic acid signaling is integrated into abscisic acid signaling via the Ca2+/CPK-dependent pathway. Plant Physiol 178:441–450. https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.18.00321

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Reddy INBL, Kim B, Yoon I, Kim K, Kwon T (2017) Salt tolerance in rice: focus on mechanisms and approaches. Rice Sci 24(3):123–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rehman R, Hanif MA, Mushtaq Z, Mochona B, Qi X (2016) Biosynthetic factories of essential oils: the aromatic plants. Nat Prod Chem Res 4:227. https://doi.org/10.4172/2329-6836.1000227

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sharma A, Sidhu GPS, Araniti F, Bali AS, Shahzad B, Tripathi DK, Brestic M, Skalicky M, Landi M (2020) The role of salicylic acid in plants exposed to heavy metals. Molecules 25:540. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25030540

    Article  CAS  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Singh P, Pandey AK (2018) Prospective of essential oils of the genus Mentha as biopesticides: a review. Front Plant Sci 9:1295. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.01295

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Sohag AAM, Tahjib-Ul-Arif M, Brestic M, Afrin S, Sakil MdA, Hossain MdT, Hossain MA, Hossain MdA (2020) Exogenous salicylic acid and hydrogen peroxide attenuates drought stress in rice. Plant Soil Environ 66:7–13. https://doi.org/10.17221/472/2019-PSE

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Song WY, Yang HC, Shao HB, Zheng AZ, Brestic M (2014) The alleviative effects of salicylic acid on the activities of catalase and superoxide in malting barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) seedling leaves stressed by heavy metals. Clean-Soil Air Water 42:88–97. https://doi.org/10.1002/clen.201200310

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Usuda H (1985) The activation state of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase in maize leaves in dark and light. Plant Cell Physiol 26:1455–1463

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang M, Li J, Rangarajan M, Shao Y, Lavoie EJ, Huang CTH (1998) Antioxidative phenolic compounds from sage (Salvia officinalis). J Agric Food Chem 46:4869–4873

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wani SH, Kumar V, Khare T, Guddimalli R, Parveda M, Solymosi K, Suprasanna P, Kishor PBK (2020) Engineering salinity tolerance in plants: progress and prospects. Planta 251:76. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-020-03366-6

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yu X, Liang C, Chen J, Qi X, Liu Y, Li W (2015) The effects of salinity stress on morphological characteristics, mineral nutrient accumulation and essential oil yield and composition in Mentha canadensis L. Sci Hortic 197:579–583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2015.10.023

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We appreciate the University of Tabriz for financial support of this research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plant Eco-Physiology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

    Kazem Ghassemi-Golezani & Nasrin Farhadi

Authors
  1. Kazem Ghassemi-Golezani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Nasrin Farhadi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

KG: Experimental design, supervision, writing. NF: Experimental work, data analysis, writing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kazem Ghassemi-Golezani.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Handling Editor: Vijay Pratap Singh.

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ghassemi-Golezani, K., Farhadi, N. The Efficacy of Salicylic Acid Levels on Photosynthetic Activity, Growth, and Essential Oil Content and Composition of Pennyroyal Plants Under Salt Stress. J Plant Growth Regul 41, 1953–1965 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-021-10515-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-021-10515-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation