Effect of salicylic acid on in vitro salt tolerance of Artemisia aucheri Boiss

Several studies have shown that salicylic acid (SA) plays a modulating role in plant response to environmental stress such as high salt concentration. Salt stress in plants leads to oxidative stress. In the present study, we exogenously applied SA (0, 0.5 and 1.5 mgl super(-1)) and NaCl (0, 50 and 150 mM) on Artemisia aucheri Boiss. under in vitro culture. Salt stress increased proline, soluble and reducing carbohydrates levels. It also increased activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) in root and leaf, but not the activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in root of A. aucheri Boiss. Application of SA associated with NaCl in the medium significantly induced increase of proline level in leaf. CAT enzyme activity in root and reducing carbohydrates level in leaf increased under low concentration of SA but not significantly. APX activity decreased in all treatment while SOD did not change significantly except at 150 mM NaCl as compared with the control plants. These findings indicate that SA as a growth regulator may enhance salt tolerance trait of A. aucheri Boiss. by dramatic changes of osmoprotectants than antioxidant enzyme system.