THE EFFECT OF SALICYLIC ACID ON GROWTH AND BIOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF CORIANDRUM SATIVUM L. UNDER DROUGHT STRESS

The physiological role of exogenously applied phenolic compound salicylic acid (0.5 and 1 mg/L) was studied on the performance of Coriander variety Dilpazir seedling under imposed drought stress at 4 leaf stage for 7 days (moisture content 7% soil dry weight). Seedling weight, leaf relative water content, photosynthetic pigments and essential oil content were significantly decreased by drought stress. In response to drought stress plants of Coriander showed the higher build-up of soluble proteins and phenolic compounds in leaves and roots. The content of phenolic compounds was higher in roots than that of leaves. The higher activity of antioxidants enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) was recorded in the leaves, due to drought stress. Foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) minimized the drought-induced reduction in seedling weight, photosynthetic pigments and essential oil content. The antioxidant enzymes activities and soluble phenolic compounds production were further augmented by SA under drought stress. Higher antioxidant enzymes activity and increased build-up of phenolic compounds under drought stress by SA application seems like a possible mechanism involved behind the SA induced drought stress tolerance of coriander.