EFFECT OF EXOGENOUS SALICYLIC ACID ON THE RESPONSE OF SNAP BEAN (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) AND JERUSALEM ARTICHOKE (Helianthus tuberosus L.) TO DROUGHT STRESS

Wael Abdel-Kader El-Tohamy

Vegetable Research Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

Hamed Maher El-Abagy

Vegetable Research Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

Mohammed Abd Allah Badr

Plant Nutrition Department, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

Nazim Gruda

Institute of Plant Sciences and Resource Conservation, Division of Horticultural Sciences, University of Bonn, Germany

Abstract

Water shortage is a major problem that limits growth and productivity of plants in arid and semi-arid regions. Protecting plants from adverse environmental conditions by using simple methods could be of great value under these conditions. In the present study, we examined water status and drought tolerance of snap bean, a drought-sensitive plant, and Jerusalem artichoke, a relatively drought tolerant plant in response to the application of salicylic acid (SA). Different levels of SA were applied and several physiological, growth, productivity and quality parameters were recorded together with the relative water content. Foliar application of SA improved growth, productivity, quality as well as some physiological parameters of snap bean and Jerusalem artichoke plants exposed to drought stress. Total chlorophyll content and relative water content were higher in plants treated with SA compared to control plants when subjected to drought stress. The specific responses of snap bean and Jerusalem artichoke to SA under drought stress as well as the possible explanations of the effects of SA are discussed.

Keywords:

chlorophyll, , plant growth regulator, relative water content, water relations, water status