Reinforcing Pepper (<em>Capsicum annuum</em>) Growth by Gypsum and Salicylic Acid under Salinity Stress

Abstract

Purpose: Salinity stress negatively affects plant growth, which leads to a decline in the food source.  Low rainfall and high water evaporation rates in some regions are serious problems in the field of agriculture. In saline soil, plants are unable to absorb water. The aim was to find some amendments to reduce the toxic effects of saline soil. Research Method: In this study, a pot experiment was performed to study the ameliorative role of gypsum (G; 0.38 g per 200 g of soil) and salicylic acid (SA was sprayed on the leaves at two different times) on pepper growth. Two concentrations of NaCl (50mM and 100mM) were used for irrigation every two days. After 18 days, some growth characteristics, including shoot and root length, dry and fresh weight, salt tolerance index, leaf surface area, and chlorophyll content, were evaluated.Findings: The results showed that the application of gypsum alone and with foliar spray of SA was effective in reinforcing the pepper seedlings under salinity stress, regardless of salt concentration. Research limitations: Limited availability of some advanced instruments to collect more data.Originality/value: The investigated ameliorator can be used to improve plant growth under salinity stress.