SALICYLIC ACID AND ITS METHOD OF APPLICATION AFFECT GERMINATION AND VIGOR IN BELL PEPPER SEEDLINGS UNDER SALT STRESS

This study investigated the effect of two salicylic acid application methods (seed immersion and wetting) on the germination and growth characteristics of cv. All Big bell pepper seedlings exposed to 0 or 100 mM of NaCl. The experiment was conducted in a Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) incubator, using a completely randomized design with eight treatments (immersion in salicylic acid or distilled water and wetting with salicylic acid or water, in conjunction with 0 or 100 mM of NaCl) and four repetitions. The results indicated that under non-saline conditions, wetting with salicylic acid (SA) inhibited germination and seedling length, whereas NaCl stress reduced the germination, growth, total dry weight and vigor of seedlings. However, SA application, especially by wetting, mitigated the toxic effects of NaCl in bell pepper seedlings, improving relative water content and radicle length, as well as total length, dry weight and vigor. This study highlights the potential benefits of SA, particularly when applied via wetting, in attenuating phytotoxicity caused by NaCl stress and its effect on the germination, growth and vigor of bell pepper seedlings.