Effect of salicylic acid on chlorophyll, some growth characteristics and yield of two canola varieties

Growth regulators play a crucial role during plant growth and development and utilizing of them can a possible approach to improving plants economic grain yield. In this experiment, the possiblility of growth improvement of canola during two growth stages by exogenous application of salicylic acid on chlorophyll content, yield and yield components was investigated. Salicylic acid was applied in four concentration (0, 100, 200 and 400 μM) during two different stages (first time in autumn and second time at the end of winter) in two varieties (Licord and RGS tolerant and sensitive cultivar to cold stress, respectively) in randomized complete block design in three replications. Although, all salicylic acid concentration improved the canola yield, the application of 200 μM provided better effect compared to other concentrations. The total chlorophyll content was obtained in second stage of foliar application with 100 μM salicylic acid in tolerant cultivar. Foliar application with 100 μM salicylic acid led to increase seed yield. The highest plant high, 100 seed weight and plant biomass were obtained in tolerant variety. The highest pod number per plants and seed number per silique were observed from Licord which was treated with 200 μM salicylic acid at first time. Also, salicylic acid led to increase in seed yield by 13%. However, results revealed that application of salicylic acid by affecting physiological processes in plant increased canola yield and its component.