Application of salicylic acid and zeolite for reducing alkalinity stress in black seed (Nigella sativa L.)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

2 Assistant professor, Department of soil Science and Engineering, Razi University

3 Department of Plant Genetics and Production, Faculty of Agriculture, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

Abstract

The use of modifiers can reduce the effects of environmental stress in plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of salicylic acid and zeolite in reducing alkalinity stress in black seed (Nigella sativa L.). A factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with three replications in 2022 in the greenhouse of Razi university, Kermanshah. The factors included alkalinity stress (at three levels of 0, 50 and 100 mM as NaHCO3), salicylic acid (at three levels of 0, 0.5 and 1 mM), and zeolite (at three levels of 0, 0.25 and 0.5 % by weight). The results showed that the effects of salicylic acid and zeolite on most of the plant growth characteristics under alkalinity stress were significant (P ≤ 0.01). The highest amount of proline (12.65 μmol/g) and soluble sugars (0.2 mg/g) were obtained under severe alkalinity stress without the use of salicylic acid and zeolite. Also, the highest shoot height (24.6 cm), root length (19.5 cm), shoot dry mass (0.78 g) and leaf area (22.47 cm2) were obtained without alkalinity and with application of 1 mM salicylic acid and 0.5 % zeolite. In general, the use of salicylic acid, as a plant hormone, and zeolite, as a soil amendment, is a suitable and cheap strategy to reduce the effects of alkalinity stress in black seed.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Application of salicylic acid and zeolite for reducing alkalinity stress in black seed (Nigella sativa L)

EXTENDED ABSTRACT

 

Introduction

The stress effects of soil alkalization on plants include the specific effect of sodium ions and the effect of soil pH. Soil pH influences solubility, concentration in soil solution, ionic form, and mobility of micronutrients, and consequently acquisition of these elements by plants. Various methods have been proposed to reduce the effects of alkalinity stress in plants, which are usually expensive or have environmental risks. In this regard, the simultaneous use of salicylic acid, as a phenolic compound, and zeolite, as a mineral modifier, are known as a useful method to reduce the effects of environmental stress in plants. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of salicylic acid and zeolite in reducing alkalinity stress in black seed (Nigella sativa L.).

Materials and Methods

A factorial experiment was conducted based on a completely randomized design with three replications in 2022 in the greenhouse of Razi University, Kermanshah. The factors included alkalinity stress (at three levels of 0, 50 and 100 mM as NaHCO3), salicylic acid (at three levels of 0, 0.5 and 1 mM), and zeolite (at three levels of 0, 0.25 and 0.5 % by weight). Before planting, natural zeolite was crushed and ground by a planetary ball mill to a fine powder, passing through a sieve, then it was mixed with the soil samples, based on the levels of experimental treatments. To create alkalinity stress, the desired levels of sodium bicarbonate were dissolved in distilled water and they were applied as irrigation water, once every five days. After applying alkalinity treatments, the salicylic acid solutions were made using distilled water and were sprayed on the shoots of the plants. At the end of vegetative growth and at the beginning of flowering, some growth parameters were determined and calculated as the average of each plant. Data analysis was done using MSTATC software and comparison of means was done by Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at α=0.05.

Results and Discussion

The results of variance analysis showed that the effects of salicylic acid and zeolite on the phytochemical characteristics (i.e., proline, soluble sugars, chlorophyll and carotenoid), and most of the plant growth parameters were significant (P ≤ 0.01) under alkali stress. Also, comparisons of means showed that the alkalinity stress was significantly reduced in all the vegetative traits of black seed. The highest amount of proline (12.65 μmol/g) and soluble sugars (0.2 mg/g) were obtained under severe alkalinity stress and no application of salicylic acid and zeolite. Also, foliar application of salicylic acid along with the addition of zeolite to the soil could improve growth characteristics. The highest shoot height (24.6 cm), root length (19.5 cm), shoot dry mass (0.78 g) and leaf area (22.47 cm2) were obtained in traits conditions without alkalinity and with application of 1 mM salicylic acid and 0.5 % zeolite.

Conclusion

In general, it can be said that the simultaneous use of salicylic acid, as a plant hormone, and zeolite, as a soil amendment, is a suitable and cheap strategy to reduce the effects of alkalinity stress in black seed.

References

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Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research
Volume 54, Issue 7
October 2023
Pages 1027-1041

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