Salicylic acid and Indole acetic acid synergistically ameliorates Ferulic acid toxicity in Brassica juncea L. seedlings

The current research was undertaken to assess the mitigating roles of 1 mM salicylic acid (SA) and 1 mM indole acetic acid (IAA) under 1 mM ferulic acid (FA) toxicity in Brassica seedlings. The experiment was conducted in glasshouse, seeds were primed with SA, on 21st day after sowing (DAS) FA treatment was given through root exposure and on 28th DAS plants were foliar sprayed with IAA then were analyzed for different growth parameters. FA stress reduced photosynthetic content, relative water content, protein content, nitrate reductase activity and anthocyanin content while it elevates antioxidant enzyme activity, electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation, hydrogen peroxide, proline content, total phenolic content and phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity. Moreover, when FA stressed plants were supplemented with exogenous SA and IAA growth amelioration was noticed. Phytohormonal application in stressed plants buttressed the plant defence system by influencing diverse physiobiochemical parameters to combat stress and to ensure better crop yield. In conclusion, SA and IAA application prove to be capable of overcoming the toxic effects of FA in Brassica plants showing maximum amelioration in combined treatment of SA and IAA.

Automated summary

The research revealed the significant roles of 1 mM salicylic acid and 1 mM indole acetic acid in mitigating the toxicity of 1 mM ferulic acid, enhancing the plant defense system by influencing various physiological and biochemical parameters, and ensuring better crop yield.