Salicylic acid mitigates arsenic-induced toxicity in wheat by enhancing growth and anatomical traits

Salicylic acid (SA) is a key signaling molecule that regulates various physiological and biochemical processes in plants. This study evaluated the role of foliar–applied SA in alleviating arsenic (As) toxicity and improving the growth and anatomical traits of three wheat cultivars (Anaaj-17, Dilkash-20, and Subhani-21) under As stress. Exposure to As (300 and 500 µM) significantly reduced plant height, leaf length, fresh and dry biomass, photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b), relative water content, and disrupted leaf and root anatomical structures, including the lower and upper epidermis, cortex, xylem, and phloem thickness. Foliar application of SA (0.5 and 1 mM) mitigated these adverse effects, enhancing growth, chlorophyll content, and vascular and epidermal development in all cultivars. These findings highlight the protective role of SA against As-induced stress, suggesting that its application can improve crop resilience, physiological performance, and anatomical integrity in contaminated soils. The incorporation of SA into crop management practices could contribute to enhanced productivity and sustainable agricultural returns in arsenic-affected areas.