Influence of Salicylic Acid on the Growth of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var longifolia) During Reduced Leaf Water Potential
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Date
2018
Authors
Bankole, A. E.
Umebese, C. E.
Feyisola, R. T.
Bamise, T. O.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Port-Harcourt
Abstract
Salicylic acid (SA) a signal molecule which is responsible for inducing defense mechanisms in plants and also has a protective role in stress sensitivity. A study was conducted to determine the effect of water deficit stress on the growth of Lactuca sativa L. (Lettuce) using SA (1 mM and 3 mM) during reduced leaf water potential. Plants were subjected to 7 days drought after four weeks of growth. Stressed plants exhibited a lower leaf water potential (ψw) of -0.499 MPa as compared with the control (ψw of -0.460 MPa). Plants with lower leaf ψw exhibited reduction in almost all the parameters studied: 1 mM SA foliar treatment caused increase of 8 % in plant height and 53.16 % in plant biomass. Foliar treatment of 3 mM SA of the relative water content stimulated 13 % increase in the growth as compared to the control plant which was statistically significant at P<0.05. Overall, SA in stressed plant exhibited higher ameliorative capacity which has the beneficial role of mediating defense response in plants under stress.
Description
Staff Publication
Keywords
Water Stress , Salicylic acid , Growth , Lactuca sativa , Research Subject Categories::NATURAL SCIENCES
Citation
Bankole, A. E., Umebese, C. E., Feyisola, R. T. and Bamise, T. O. (2018). Influence of Salicylic Acid on the Growth of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa var longifolia) During Reduced Leaf Water Potential. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management 22(4): 543 - 540