Effect of foliar salicylic acid application on cadmium toxicity-induced oxidative stress in wheat

In this study, the effect of salicylic acid (SA) on oxidative stress in wheat due to cadmium (Cd) toxicity was tested under greenhouse conditions. Plants were grown under 0 and 10 mg kg-1 Cd supplies. Foliar spray of SA (0, 0.5 and 1.0 mM) was applied twice at an interval of twelve days. Cadmium application markedly reduced shoot and root dry matter production, ascorbic acid concentration, avtivities of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Ascorbate Peroxidase (APX) and Glutathione Reductase (GR) and contents of macro-micro nutrients. Cadmium application increased lipid peroxidation, SH-compounds and Catalase (CAT) activity in shoot. Salicylic acid applications increased ascorbic acid concentration under control conditions and activities of SOD, APX, GR and CAT especially 1.0 mM SA level under 10 mg kg-1 Cd supply. Current findings revealed that SA treatments, especially 1.0 mM level has a crucial role in protection of wheat plants against Cd toxicity-induced oxidative stress, particularly by decreasing of lipid peroxidation and activation of antioxidative defence systems. Key words: Cadmium, Salicylic acid, Wheat, Antioxidative Enzymes