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Salicylic Acid and Calcium Signaling Induce Physiological and Phytochemical Changes to Improve Salinity Tolerance in Red Amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.)

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Abstract

Amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) is a plant that is rich in vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. It is grown as a leafy vegetable in marginal environments, but high salinity levels in the soil can have a detrimental effect on its growth. These deleterious effects of salinity can be alleviated by exogenously applying signaling compounds such as salicylic acid (SA) and calcium (Ca), which can improve plant adaptation to stressful conditions. The present study evaluated the physiological and phytochemical responses of red amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.) to foliar-applied salicylic acid (SA; 0.005 mM) and calcium (CaSO4·2H2O; Ca, 2.5 mM) either alone or in combination (SA + Ca) under conditions of 100 mM NaCl salinity. The set-up was placed under greenhouse condition from May to October 2017. Treatments without salinity and applied with SA or Ca were used as controls for comparison. Salinity stress reduced the growth and biomass, total chlorophyll contents, and increased electrolyte leakage with Na+ and Cl− accumulation in shoot and roots. Nonetheless, exogenous applied SA and/or Ca2+ reduced the adverse effects of salinity by modulating growth, Na+ exclusion from roots, and increased total phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity in red amaranth. The combined application of salicylic acid and calcium can be a better strategy for improving the salinity tolerance of amaranth under salt-stressed conditions.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the ACCCU project and the Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education and Research (NUFFIC) for the financial support necessary to conduct this research. The authors would also to thank Dr. Nozomi Kawarazuka (International Potato Centre, CGIAR) for her advice and support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Agriculture and Forestry, Hue University, Hue City, Vietnam

    Hai Ly Hoang, Thi Thai Hoa Hoang & Dang Hoa Tran

  2. University of the Philippines Los Baños, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines

    Constancio C. de Guzman & Nina M. Cadiz

  3. Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan

    H. Rehman

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  1. Hai Ly Hoang
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Hoang, H.L., de Guzman, C.C., Cadiz, N.M. et al. Salicylic Acid and Calcium Signaling Induce Physiological and Phytochemical Changes to Improve Salinity Tolerance in Red Amaranth (Amaranthus tricolor L.). J Soil Sci Plant Nutr 20, 1759–1769 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-020-00248-4

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