Abstract
Two field experiments were conducted using two varieties (i.e., Giza 40 and Giza 429) of Vicia faba L. to evaluate the effect of 1.0 mM salicylic acid (SA) foliar application on plant tolerance to reclaimed-saline soil conditions. Growth, physiological attributes and yields of water-sprayed plants (controls) grown under reclaimed-saline soil conditions were negatively affected. However, under the adverse soil conditions, SA-treated plants had enhanced growth characteristics, yield components and anatomy of both varieties compared to the controls. Free proline, soluble sugars, chlorophyll fluorescence, relative water content, membrane stability index, and nutrients were also improved significantly in SA-treated plants. Compared to Giza 40, Giza 429 showed better growth and yield, reflecting more salt-tolerance. The SA at 1.0 mM concentration could be recommended to enable plants to mitigate the oxidative damage under the adverse conditions of reclaimed-saline soils.