Effect of Salicylic Acid on Germination of Phaseolus vulgaris and Cicer arietinum Under Salt Stress

Plants respond to salt stress through changes in physiological and metabolic characteristics. Salicylic acid acts as growth promoter in plants during various developmental stages. The objective of present study was to demonstrate the effect of three salt concentrations (0%, 0.85% and 3.0% NaCl) on germination percentage, germination rate, radicle and hypocotyl length of kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Role of salicylic acid (0, 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mg/l) on above parameters for both seed varieties, with and without exposure to salt stress was also investigated. Results demonstrated a significant delay in the germination process and elevation in total soluble cytoplasmic protein concentration with increase in salinity, which was significantly improved by application of salicylic acid up to a specific concentration (3.0 mg/l). Therefore, salicylic acid has high potency of balancing the damage caused by salt stress during germination.