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Plant Productions

Effect of foliar application of salicylic acid on morphophysiological traits and essential oil content of Iranian Borage (Echium amoenum Fisch. & C.A. Mey.) under salinity stress

Document Type : Research Paper - Medicinal Aromatic Plants

Authors
Mina Amani 1
Mohsen Sabzi-Nojadeh 2
1 Department of Horticultural Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
2 Department of Natural Resources and Forestry, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Ahar, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
10.22055/ppd.2025.47735.2195
Abstract
Introduction
 Medicinal plants play a vital role in both traditional remedies and modern medicine, serving as the basis of numerous therapeutic agents. Iran’s diverse climate and rich natural resources make it as a leading producer and exporter of medicinal plants. Echium amoenum is highly valued for its bioactive compounds, but its cultivation is often constrained by environmental stresses, particularly soil salinity, which is common in arid and semi-arid regions. Salinity severely limits the growth and productivity of medicinal plants. Salicylic acid (SA), a plant hormone, is recognized for its ability to enhance plant tolerance to salt stress by regulating physiological and biochemical mechanisms, including osmolyte accumulation and the activation of genes involved in phenolic and flavonoid biosynthesis, key functions for stress adaptation. This study investigates the impact of foliar salicylic acid on the morphophysiological traits and essential oil yield of Iranian Borage under varying levels of salinity stress.
Materials and Methods
A factorial experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments included three concentrations of salicylic acid (0, 180 and 360 µM) and four salinity levels (0, 25, 50, 75 mM NaCl). Morphophysiological parameters and essential oil content were measured to evaluate plant responses. Assumptions of normality and homogeneity of variance were verified prior to factorial ANOVA.
Results and Discussion
Salinity stress significantly reduced all measured traits in Iranian Borage. However, foliar application of salicylic acid ameliorated these negative effects. The highest values for fresh weight, dry weight, plant height, and essential oil yield were observed with 360 µM salicylic acid in the absence of salinity. Notably, the maximal accumulation of phenolic and flavonoid compounds occurred at 180 µM salicylic acid under 25 mM NaCl stress. These results indicate a differential response of plant growth and secondary metabolite synthesis to salicylic acid and salinity levels.
Conclusions
Foliar application of salicylic acid, particularly at 360 µM, markedly improves growth, yield, and essential oil content of Iranian Borage under non-saline conditions, while 180 µM under mild salinity enhances the production of phenolic and flavonoids compounds key determinants of the plant’s antioxidant capacity and stress resilience. This study highlights salicylic acid as an effective, practical tool to boost both the yield and medicinal value of borage, especially in regions impacted by soil salinity. Its application offers a sustainable strategy for improving the quality and adaptability of medicinal plants in challenging environments.
Keywords
Abiotic Stress
Flavonoids
Foliar Application
Phenolics
Subjects
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Plant Productions
Volume 49, Issue 1
Spring 2026
Pages 119-135