Alleviation of Drought Stress Effects by Exogenous Application of Spermidine and Salicylic Acid on Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)

Drought is one of the most important environmental factors limiting the cultivation of ornamental plants in the green space. The effects of spermidine and salicylic acid on hollyhock (Alcea rosea L.)under drought stress were investigated. At first, the plants were sprayed with 3 doses of spermidine and 3 doses of salicylic acid (control, 100, 200 and 400 μM) for three consecutive days, then were subjected to drought stress (40, 60, 80 % FC) for 2 weeks. The results showed that drought stress increase up to 40 % FC increased electrolyte leakage, proline and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity compared to control plants. Also, the application of 100 μM spermidine and salicylic acid in different concentrations of spraying solutions significantly reduced electrolyte leakage and catalase enzyme activity and increased the relative water content (RWC), proline, protein, number of flower, leaf area and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity, but higher concentrations (400 μM) was ineffective or had inhibitive effects. Treated plants with 100 μM spermidine and salicylic acid showed higher tolerance to drought stress (up to 40 % FC) with regard to lower electrolyte leakage (by 5 %) and higher relative water content (by 11 and 9 %), proline content (by 31 and 21 %), SPAD (by 18 and 5 %) and dry weight (by 3 %) compared with non-treated plants under 40 % FC. Hollyhock growth severely suffered by water deficit, but application of spermidine and salicylic acid promoted RWC, proline and protein content under water deficit conditions. Foliar application of spermidine and salicylic acid could be considered as an economical practice for increasing hollyhock performance under water deficit conditions.