Physiological response of the medicinal plant artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) to exogenous salicylic acid under field saline conditions

Alleviating salinity stress by modifying the physiology of the medicinal plant globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) was investigated in a field experiment using salicylic acid (SA). The objectives were to determine: (1) the physiological response of artichoke under salinity stress, and (2) whether SA can alleviate the adverse effects of salinity by affecting artichoke physiology. The factorial combination of salty water (control, 8 dS/m, and 14 dS/m) and foliar application of SA (control, 0.1, 1 mM) was tested. A 1500-L tank was used in the field to establish the favorable salinity levels. Salinity increased chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll; however, at the medium level of SA, chlorophyll a decreased. Increasing salinity and SA decreased total phenolic contents. Increased salinity increased plant proline and ionic leakage. Interestingly, SA significantly decreased ionic leakage, compared with the control. SA increased proline production at different levels of salinity. SA at 0.1 mM was the most suitable and effective treatment under salinity stress. It is possible to alleviate the stress of salinity on artichoke growth by modifying plant physiology using the appropriate concentration of SA.