Effect of Salicylic Acid on Plant Physiological and Yield Traits of Soybean

Background: Salicylic acid (SA) is an endogenous plant growth regulator plays a vital role in plant growth, ion uptake, transport, interaction with other organisms and in the responses to environmental stress. The aim of the study was to find the effect of salicylic acid on chlorophyll content, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde level of leaves and seed yield parameters of soybean. Methods: Field trials were conducted during kharif 2018 and 2019 at ICAR-Indian Institute of Soybean Research, Indore farm (22.78oN, 75.88oE), India. Salicylic acid applied as foliar spray with (50,100 and 200 ppm) concentrations at vegetative stage (22-25 days after sowing) and at pod filling stage (57-60 days after sowing). Chlorophyll content, lipid peroxidation activity and superoxide dismutase enzyme, plant height, number of pod per plant, seed yield and seed index were determined. Result: Chlorophyll content, antioxidant enzyme were enhanced and the level of lipid peroxidation of leaves was reduced as compared to untreated plant when salicylic acid applied at critical stage of crop growth. Significant increase in soybean seed yield was observed both with concentration of 100 and 200 ppm salicylic acid. Foliar spray with salicylic acid @ 100 ppm at vegetative and at pod filling stage was very effective for better seed production programme to improve quantity as well as quality of soybean seeds.