Salicylic Acid Foliar Spray Enhanced Silybum marianum Growth and Yield, as Well as Its Chemical Constituents and Chalcone Synthase Gene Activity

Silymarin, a secondary metabolite found mainly in the Silybum marianum L. fruits, has been associated with hepatoprotective activity of plant. Among various elicitors, salicylic acid, “Generally Regarded As Safe” compound recognized by Food and Drug Administration, is one those being used induction enhancement valuable plant production species. In this study, two concentrations (10−4 10−3 molar) acid have applied to S. plants as foliar spray investigate their effects on growth yield, well its bioactive compound, silymarin. Our results indicated that both increased height, number branches, leaves, capitula, dried weight roots, aerial parts, fruits. The yield were accompanied an increase photosynthetic pigments such chlorophyll-a, b, carotenoids element contents nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. potential elicitor for metabolites was supported silymarin’s major components, silybin (A + B), acid-treated plants. Concomitant expressions CHS1, 2, 3 genes silymarin also observed A lower concentration M) be better compared M acid. An 3.4 times capitula fruit 2.6 B) sprayed 10−4 control.