Karalija, E., Parić, A.: Effects of Salicylic Acid Foliar Application on Germination, Growth and Antioxidant Potential of Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Biologica Nyssana, 8 (2)


BIOLOGICA NYSSANA 8 (2)  December 2017: 145-150 Karalija, E., Parić, A.  Effects of salicylic acid foliar application on… 

  

 145 

 

 

 

Original Article 

Received: 24 September 2017 

Revised: 8 December 2017 

Accepted: 22 December 2017  

 

Effects of salicylic acid foliar application on growth and 
antioxidant potential of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) 

Erna Karalija*, Adisa Parić 

Biology Department, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Sarajevo, 

Zmaja od Bosne 33-35, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina 

* E-mail: erna.k@pmf.unsa.ba 

 

 

 
 

Abstract:  

Karalija, E., Parić, A.: Effects of salicylic acid foliar application on growth and antioxidant potential of 

basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Biologica Nyssana, 8 (2), December, 2017: 145-150. 

Salicylic acid is one of endogenous plant growth regulators that plays a key role in many physiological 

processes. The present study analysed the effect of different concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, ad 1.0 mM) of salicylic 

acid on morphological parameters, photosynthetic pigments, protein, proline, total carbohydrates, and 

secondary metabolites content as well as peroxidase activity. One month after sowing seedlings were replanted 

in new pots, and salicylic acid was applied in form of a foliar spray. Plants were harvested 60 days after salicylic 

acid application. Results showed that foliar application of salicylic acid induces long-term changes in plant 

growth and metabolism. We recorded increase in leaf area, secondary metabolites and peroxidase activity. 

Reduction in total sugar and proline content is also recorded. Decrease in proline content is probably result of 

degradation of proline in stress induced conditions. 

Key words: chlorophylls; salicylic acid; secondary metabolites; proline; peroxidases; total carbohydrates 

 
Apstrakt: 

Karalija, E., Parić, A.: Efekat folijarne primene salicilne kiseline na rast i antioksidativni potencijal 

bosiljka (Ocimum basilicum L.). Biologica Nyssana, 8 (2), Decembar, 2017: 145-150. 

Salicilna kiselina je jedan od endogenih biljnih regulatora rasta sa ključnom ulogom u mnogim fiziološkim 

procesima. Prezentirani rad analizira efekte različitih koncentracija (0.01, 0.1, ad 1.0 mM) salicilne kiseline na 

morfološke parametre, fotosintetske pigmente, proteine, ukupne ugljikohidrate i sadržaj sekundarnih 

metabolite kao i peroksidaznu aktivnost. Mesec dana nakon setve biljke su presađene u nove posude i salicilna 

kiselina je aplicirana u formi folijarnog spreja. Biljke su prikupljene za analizu 60 dana nakon aplikacije 

salicilne kiseline. Rezultati su pokazali da folijarna aplikacija salicilne kiseline indukuje dugoročne promene 

u biljnom rastu i metabolizmu. Zabeženo je povećanje površine lista, sadržaja sekundarnih metabolita i 

peroksidazne aktivnosti. Također, zabeležena je redukcija u sadržaju ukupnih šećera i sadržaja prolina. 

Redukcija sadržaja prolina verovatno je rezultat degradacije prolina indukovane stresnim uslovima. 

Ključne reči: hlorofili; salicilna kiselina; sekundarni metaboliti; prolin; peroksidaze; ukupni ugljikohidrati 

 

8 (2) • December 2017: 145-150 

 

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1135966 



BIOLOGICA NYSSANA 8 (2)  December 2017: 145-150 Karalija, E., Parić, A.  Effects of salicylic acid foliar application on… 

 

 146 

Introduction 

Physiological efficiency of a plant can be improved 

by plant growth regulators through their effect on 

photosynthesis, flower and fruit formation and 

overall productivity of the plant (A s g h a r i  & 

A g h d a m , 2010). Foliar application of plant 

feeding agents usually influences more plant 

characteristics and yield then those applied in the soil 

(K a z e m i , 2013). Positive effects of salicylic acid 

(SA) have been recorded in wheat with recorded 

enhancement of germination rate and seedling 

growth (S h a k i r o v a , 2007). Also activation of 

antioxidant enzymes such as peroxidases have been 

reported after plant spraying with salicylic acid, 

especially in drought stressed plants (H a y a t  et al., 

2008). Although numerous studies have proven 

positive effects of salicylic acid it is still a subject of 

interest due to dependence of the salicylic acid effects 

upon species, developmental stage, application mode 

as well as concentration of SA used (V a n a c k e r  et 

al., 2001, H o r v á t h  et al., 2007). Lower 

concentrations of salicylic acid have been beneficial 

for plant growth (V i c e n t e  & P l a s e n c i a , 2011), 

while different results for metabolite content have 

been reported (W a n g  et al., 2007, D ’ O n o f r i o  et 

al., 2009).  

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), member 

of Lamiaceae family, is used as a fresh vegetable for 

many traditional foods, dressings and salads. Its 

medicinal value and organoleptic quality is a result of 

basil aroma and essential oil composition. Aim of this 

study was to investigate the long-term effect of short 

exposure to foliar application of salicylic acid on 

growth performances and quality of basil plants.  
 

Material and methods 

This study was conducted in Laboratory for Plant 

Physiology at Faculty of Natural Sciences and 

Mathematics, University of Sarajevo. Plants were 

grown in controlled growth chambers with artificial 

light system and main daily temperature of 22 °C and 

75% humidity. 
  
Plant material and treatments 

 The experiment was conducted in a factorial 

arranged (2 x 2 x 2) randomised block design with 

five replications with SA (Salicylic acid) as main 

factor in growth chamber of Laboratory for plant 

physiology at Department for Biology, Faculty of 

Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of 

Sarajevo during 2014 and 2015. Commercial 

obtained sweet basil (Green Paradise S.R.L) seeds 

were planted in trays. One month old seedlings with 

two developed leaves similar in size were selected 

and transferred into 10 cm in diameter plastic 

containers containing about 3 kg of commercial soil. 

When 4-6 leaves were developed SA was sprayed in 

ratio 0.01, 0.1 and 1.0 mM until both sides of leaves 

were wet.  

Two months after salicylic acid application 

plant material was collected (six plants from each 

replication) for further analysis. 
 

Plant mass and leaf area analysis 

All plants were carefully removed from soil, roots 

were washed to remove soil residues and fresh and 

dry weight (dried at 65 °C for 72 hours) was recorded. 

Analysis of water content was calculated according 

to the formula: 

%𝑊𝐶 =
𝐴 − 𝐵

𝐴
 

where: %WC - percentage of water content; A - fresh 

mass (g); B - dry mass (g) 

Leaves were photographed on millimetre 

paper and leaf area was determined using ImageJ 

software.  
 

Photosynthetic pigments content  

Photosynthetic pigments were determined from 80% 

acetone extract by absorbance reading at 663, 646 

and 440 nm according to the method of to A r n o n  

(1949). Calculations were made according to the 

equations proposed by P o r r a  et al. (1989) and 

H o l m  (1954): 

Chlorophyll a = 12.25*A663 − 2.55 ∗ A646  (µg/ml) 
Chlorophyll b = 20.31*A646-4.91*A663 (µg/ml) 
Total Chlorophylls  = 17.76*A646-7.34*A663 (µg/ml) 
Carotenoids = 4.69*A440-0.267×(A663*A640) (µg/ml) 
 

Proline content  

Proline content was determined according to the 

method described by C a r i l l o  et al. (2008). Dried 

leaf material (50 mg) was homogenized in 5 mL of 

ethanol : water mixture (60:40) and homogenate was 

incubated for 24 h at +4 °C, then centrifuged at 10 

000 rpm to obtain supernatant. 500 L of supernatant 

was mixed with 1000 mL of 1% acid ninhydrin. The 

reaction mixture was placed in water bath for 20 

minutes at 95°C, after which was cooled to room 

temperature and the absorbance was measured at 520 

nm. Proline standard was used for calibration curve 

and calculation of proline content in samples and 

expressed as mg proline per g of dry weight (mg 

pro/gDW). 
 

Secondary metabolite analysis 

Phenolics were extracted from aerial parts of plants 

by maceration in 80% methanol (HPLC grade) and 



BIOLOGICA NYSSANA 8 (2)  December 2017: 145-150 Karalija, E., Parić, A.  Effects of salicylic acid foliar application on… 

  

 147 

incubation for 24h at 4 °C. Extracts were centrifuged 

at 2000 rpm for 15 min, and supernatants were 

collected for further analysis. Total phenolic content 

was analysed according to W o l f e  et al. (2003) 

using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and Gallic acid as 

standard and it was expressed as mg of gallic acid 

equivalent per g of dry weight (mgGAE/gDW). Total 

flavonoid content was done using aluminium 

chloride method (O r d o n e z  et al., 2006) with 

catechin as standard. Results were expressed as mg 

of catechin equivalent per g of dry weight 

(mgCE/gDW). Total flavanol content was analysed 

according to modified method of G a d z o v s k a  et 

al. (2007) using 1% DMACA reagent (p-dimethyl 

aminocinnamaldehyde in HCl:CH3OH, 8:92) and 

catechin as standard. Results were expressed as mg 

of catechin equivalent per g of dry weight 

(mgCE/gDW).  

 

Determination of soluble sugar content 

Dry samples (0.1 g) were grinded and extracted with 

2.5 ml of 80% (v/v) ethanol at 90 °C for 60 min, 

followed by centrifugation at 10 000 g at 4 °C for 10 

minutes. The process was repeated for complete 

extraction. Total soluble sugar content was 

determined using anthrone reagent and glucose as 

standard (R o e, 1955). Results were expressed as mg 

soluble sugar/g DW.  

 

Total protein content 

Total protein content was determined according to 

the method of B r a d f o r d  (1976) grinding 50 mg of 

fresh leaf sample in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). The 

extract was centrifuged at 10 000 rpm for 30 min at 

+4 °C. Absorbance of reaction mixture containing 

supernatant and diluted Bradford reagent was done at 

765 nm against blank.  

 

Peroxidase activity 

Extract obtained for protein analysis was used for 

total peroxidase activity according to G o n z a l e s  et 

al. (1984). The reaction mixture was prepared by 

mixing 20 L of extract; phosphate buffer (pH 7.0); 

guaiacol (20 mM) and H2O2 (10 mM). The 

absorbance of reaction mixture was recorded 

continuously during 120 s against blank.  

 

Statistical analysis 

All obtained data were analysed for significant 

differences using factorial analysis of variance. 

Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 10 

software and the means were compared using 

Newman-Keuls Test at p<0.05. 

 

Results ad discussion 

Effect of SA on growth parameters 

The statistical analysis showed that application of 

salicylic acid increased leaf area of basil seedlings in 

concentration dependent manner (Tab. 1).  Dry mass 

and water content did not differ between different 

treatments. Statistically significant reduction in 

photosynthetic pigment contents was recorded 

dependent upon applied concentration indicating 

reducing effect of salicylic acid on photosynthesis. 

Reduction in photosynthetic pigment content was 

probably the reason for increase in leaf area as a 

response to reduced photosynthetic activity. 

P a n c h e v a  et al. (1996) showed that long-term 

treatment (7 days) of barley seedlings with SA 

decreased the rate of photosynthesis (chlorophyll 

content) and our results are in accordance with these 

findings indicating that this negative effect of 

salicylic acid on photosynthetic pigments is present 

also after 2 months. 

Table 1. Effect of salicylic acid on growth parameters of basil 

Salicylic 

acid, mM 

Leaf area, 

mm2 

Dry 

mass, g 

Water 

content, % 

Chla, 

mg/gDW 

Chlb, 

mg/gDW 

Chla+b, 

mg/gDW 

Car, 

mg/gDW 

0 
65.825 ± 

4.651d 

0.095 ± 

0.005a 

0.919 ± 

0.010a 

5.404 ± 

0.188a 

2.341 ± 

0.109a 

7.827 ± 

0.298a 

1.068 ± 

0.025a 

0.01 
83.739 ± 

13.972c 

0.092 ± 

0.005a 

0.931 ± 

0.004a 

5.280 ± 

0.033b 

2.235 ± 

0.022b 

7.596 ± 

0.055b 

1.059 ± 

0.002b 

0.1 
86.749 ± 

25.654b 

0.107 ± 

0.008a 

0.925 ± 

0.004a 

4.650 ± 

0.049c 

2.026 ± 

0.024c 

6.746 ± 

0.074c 

0.935 ± 

0.008c 

1.0 
90.650 ± 

15.782a 

0.081 ± 

0.001a 

0.943 ± 

0.006a 

1.560 ± 

0.037d 

0.783 ± 

0.022d 

2.367 ± 

0.060d 

0.413 

±0.008d 

Values within one parameter not sharing the same letter are significantly different at p<0.05 



BIOLOGICA NYSSANA 8 (2)  December 2017: 145-150 Karalija, E., Parić, A.  Effects of salicylic acid foliar application on… 

 

 148 

Reduction of chlorophyll content is usual plant 

response to stress conditions and since SA plays role 

in stress induced signalling application of SA can 

result in reduction of chlorophylls (F a r o o q  et al., 

2009). Physiological and biological processes in 

plants are strongly regulated and SA plays significant 

role in this regulation. As such SA can be used to 

improve plant growth under environmental 

conditions, but the efficiency of exogenous SA can 

vary dependent upon the species, developmental 

stage, application method and SA concentration 

(B o r s a n i  et al., 2001). 

 

Effect of SA on proline content 

The analysis of variance for proline content showed 

that lower concentrations of SA induced decrease in 

proline content while the highest used concentration 

of SA (1.0 mM) induced statistically significant 

increase in proline content (Tab. 2). In many cases it 

was recorded that proline content increases under 

stress conditions (N a y y a r  & W a l i a , 2003). Also 

considering that analysis was 2 months after SA 

application, low proline content in plants sprayed 

with 0.01 and 0.1 mM SA could be explained by the 

breakdown of proline upon relief of stress providing 

sufficient reducing agents for mitochondrial 

oxidative phosphorylation and ATP generation for 

recovery from stress and alleviating stress-induced 

damages (H a r e  & C r e s s , 1998, H a r e  et al., 

1998). Proline can be considered as one of the 

protective mechanisms induced by SA application in 

basil plants, but no long term accumulation is 

achieved in this experiment.  

 

Effect of SA on secondary metabolites 

Foliar application of SA induced statistically 

significant (Tab. 2) long-term increase in secondary 

metabolite content. K a b i r i  et al. (2014) recorded 

no changes in polyphenol content after SA 

application in control plants presenting only short 

term effects of SA on polyphenols. In our experiment 

long-term effects of salicylic acid result in significant 

increase in polyphenol content dependent upon 

applied SA concentration similar results of increase 

in metabolite production was recorded by G h a r i b  

(2006). Increase of secondary metabolite production 

in basil under stress condition has been previously 

noted (K a r a l i j a  et al., 2016). 

 

Soluble sugar content 

The results showed that sugar content decreased 

dependent upon applied SA concentration (Tab. 2). 

Similar SA induced reduction of soluble sugar 

content in plants that are not under stress conditions 

was previously recorded in Nigella sativa plants 

(K a b i r i  et al., 2014). Our results show that this 

adverse effect of salicylic acid on sugar content is 

present also after 2 months.  

 

Protein content and peroxidase activity 

Application of SA induced significant increase in 

protein content dependent upon applied SA 

concentration (Tab. 2). Considering two month 

period from the SA application, this increase in 

protein content could be considered as a permanent 

effect of SA application. Considering that protein 

content is usually decreased when plants are exposed 

to stress (K a b i r i  et al., 2014) plants with higher 

protein content are primed for upcoming stress 

conditions.  

Peroxidase activity was significantly higher in 

plants sprayed with 0.01 and 0.1 mM SA as compared 

with control plants and plants sprayed with 1.0 mM, 

even after 2 months (Fig. 1). These differences 

between peroxidase activities are probably result of 

activation of defence mechanisms. 

Table 2. Effect of salicylic acid on total protein, secondary metabolites and total carbohydrates content in 

basil 

Treatment 

Total 

Proteins, 

mg/gDW) 

Proline, 

mg/gDW 

Total 

Flavonoids, 

mg/gDW 

Total 

Phenols, 

mg/gDW 

Total 

Flavanols, 

mg/gDW 

Total 

Carbohydrates, 

mg/gDW 

K 
0.508 

±0.019a 

0.069 ± 

0.009b 

9.504 ± 

0.169c 

2.672 ± 

0.431cd 

3.663 ± 

0.146c 

41.651 ± 

0.774a 

001SA 
0.351 ± 

0.001b 

0.028 ± 

0.004c 

14.909 ± 

0.866b 

2.981 ± 

0.327b 

4.383 ± 

0.478b 

38.776 ± 

0.887b 

01SA 
0.391 ± 

0.031b 

0.033 ± 

0.002c 

15.708 ± 

0.867b 

2.803 ± 

0.532cb 

4.658 ± 

0.014b 

38.460 ± 

0.742b 

1SA 
0.551 ± 

0.019a 

0.107 ± 

0.003a 

17.609 ± 

0.361a 

3.528 ± 

0.371a 

6.249 ± 

0.057a 

29.370 ± 

0.700c 

Values within one parameter not sharing the same letter are significantly different at p<0.05 



BIOLOGICA NYSSANA 8 (2)  December 2017: 145-150 Karalija, E., Parić, A.  Effects of salicylic acid foliar application on… 

  

 149 

Foliar pre-treatment of plants with abiotic 

elicitors induce plant resistance for different 

stressors. One of chemicals responsible for defence 

induction are phytohormones (V i c e n t e  & 

P l a s e n c i a , 2011; M a f f e i  et al., 2007, W a r  et 

al., 2011). Induction of plant defence is usually 

mediated through physiological, biochemical and 

molecular mechanisms (V i c e n t e  & P l a s e n c i a , 

2011). Salicylic acid is an important endogenous 

plant growth regulator that induces different 

metabolic and physiological responses in plants 

involved in plant defence as well as in plant growth 

and development (C h e n  et al., 2009, H a y a t  et al., 

2009, Z h a o  et al., 2009).  

 

Conclusion 

Foliar application of SA induces growth as well as 

biochemical changes in basil plants and these 

changes are evident also after 2 months. Having in 

mind presented results we can conclude that SA 

induces not only immediate plant defence response 

but also has long-term effect on plant growth and 

metabolism. Such effect primes the plant also for 

future upcoming stress conditions.  

 
References 
 

Arnon, D.I. 1949: Copper enzymes in isolated 

chloroplasts. Polyphenoloxidase in Beta vulgaris. 

Plant physiology, 24 (1): 1. 

Asghari, M., Aghdam, M.S. 2010: Impact of salicylic 

acid on post-harvest physiology of horticultural 

crops. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 21: 

502-509. 

Borsani, O., Valpuesta, V., Botella, M.A. 2001: 

Evidence for a role of salicylic acid in the 

oxidative damage generated by NaCl and osmotic 

stress in Arabidopsis seedlings. Plant Physiology, 

126: 1024-1030. 

Bradford, M.M. 1976: A rapid and sensitive method 

for the quantitation of microgram quantities of 

protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye 

binding. Analytical Biochemistry, 72 (1-2): 248-

254. 

Carillo, P., Mastrolonardo, G., Nacca, F., Parisi, D., 

Verlotta, A., Fuggi, A. 2008: Nitrogen 

metabolism in durum wheat under salinity: 

accumulation of proline and glycine betaine. 

Functional Plant Biology, 35: 412-426.  

Chen, Z., Zheng, Z., Haung, J., Lai, Z., Fan, B. 2009: 

Biosynthesis of salicylic acid in plants. Plant 

Signaling &Behavior, 4: 493-496.  

D’Onofrio, C., Cox, A., Davies, C., Boss, P.K. 2009: 

Induction of secondary metabolism in grape cell 

cultures by jasmonates. Functional Plant Biology, 

36: 323-338.  

Farooq, M., Basra, S.M., Wahid, A., Ahmad, N., 

Saleem, B.A. 2009: Improving the drought 

tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) by exogenous 

application of salicylic acid. Journal of Agronomy 

and Crop Science: 195: 237-246.  

Gadzovska, S., Maury, S., Delaunay, A., Spasenoski, 

M., Joseph, C., Hagege, D. 2007: Jasmonic acid 

elicitation of Hypericum perforatum L. cell 

suspensions and effects on the production of 

phenylpropanoids and naphtodianthrones. Plant 

Cell, Tissue And Organ Culture, 89 (1): 1-13.  

Gharib, F.A., 2006: Effect of salicylic acid on the 

growth, metabolic activities and oil content of 

basil and marjoram. International Journal of 

Agriculture & Biology, 4: 485-492. 

Gonzales, R., Auclair, C., Voisin, E., Gautero, H., 

Dhermy, D., Boivin, P. 1984: Superoxide 

dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in 

red blood cells from patients with malignant 

diseases. Cancer Research, 44: 4137-4139. 

 
Fig. 1. Effect of salicylic acid on peroxidase activity in basil two months after treatment 

 

0.307c

0.440a 0.397
b

0.291c

0.165c
0.239a 0.225a 0.190b

0,000

0,100

0,200

0,300

0,400

0,500

0 001sa 01sa 1sa

SA60 SA120

0.500 

 
0.400 

 
0.300 

 
0.200 

 
0.100 

 
0.000 



BIOLOGICA NYSSANA 8 (2)  December 2017: 145-150 Karalija, E., Parić, A.  Effects of salicylic acid foliar application on… 

 

 150 

Hare, P.D., Cress, W.A. 1997: Metabolic 

implications of stress-induced proline 

accumulation in plants. Plant Growth Regulation, 

21: 79-102.  

Hare, P.D., Cress, W.A., Van Staden, J. 1998: 

Dissecting the roles of osmolyte accumulation 

during stress. Plant, Cell & Environment, 21: 535-

553. 

Hayat, Q., Hayat, S., Irfan, M., Ahmad, A. 2009: 

Effect of exogenous salicylic acid under changing 

environment: A review. Environmental and 

Experimental Botany, 68: 14-25. 

Hayat, S., Hasan, S.A., Fariduddin, Q., Ahmad, A. 

2008: Growth of tomato (Lycopersicon 

esculentum) in response to salicylic acid under 

water stress. Journal of Plant Interactions, 3: 297-

304.  

Holm, G. 1954: Chlorophyll mutations in barley. 

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, 4: 457-471. 

Horváth, E., Pál, M., Szalai, G., Páldi, E., Janda, T. 

2007: Exogenous 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 

salicylic acid modulate the effect of short-term 

drought and freezing stress on wheat plants. 

Biologia Plantarum: 51: 480-487. 

Kabiri, R., Nasibi, F., Farahbakhsh, H. 2014: Effect 

of exogenous salicylic acid on some physiological 

parameters and alleviation of drought stress in 

Nigella sativa plant under hydroponic culture. 

Plant Protection Science, 50: 43-51. 

Kazemi, M. 2013: Foliar application of salicylic acid 

and calcium on yield, yield component and 

chemical properties of strawberry. Bulletin of 

Environment, Pharmacology and Life Sciences, 2: 

19-23. 

Maffei, M.E., Mithofer, A., Boland, W. 2007: Insects 

feeding on plants: Rapid signals and responses 

preceding the induction of phytochemical release. 

Phytochemistry, 68: 2946-2959.  

Nayyar, H., Walia, D.P. 2003: Water stress induced 

proline accumulation in contrasting wheat 

genotypes as affected by calcium and abscisic 

acid. Biologia Plantarum, 46: 275-279. 

Ordonez, A.A.L., Gomez, J.D., Vattuone, M.A., 

2006: Antioxidant activities of Sechium edule 

(Jacq.) Swartz extracts. Food Chemistry, 97 (3): 

452-458.  

Pancheva, T.V., Popova, L.P., Uzunova, A.N., 1996: 

Effects of salicylic acid on growth and 

photosynthesis in barley plants. Journal of Plant 

Physiology, 149 (1-2): 57-63.  

Porra, R.J., Thompson, W.A., Kriedemann, P.E. 

1989: Determination of accurate extinction 

coefficients and simultaneous equations for 

assaying chlorophylls a and b extracted with four 

different solvents: verification of the 

concentration of chlorophyll standards by atomic 

absorption spectroscopy. Biochimica et 

Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Bioenergetics, 975 (3): 

384-394. 

Roe, J.H., 1955: The determination of sugar in blood 

and spinal fluid with anthrone reagent. Journal of 

Biological Chemistry, 212: 335-343. 

Shakirova, FM. 2007: Role of hormonal system in the 

manifestation of growth promoting and antistress 

action of salicylic acid. In: Hayat, S., Ali, B, 

Ahmad A. (eds). Salicylic acid: a plant hormone. 

69-89, Springer,  Netherlands. 

Vanacker, H., Lu, H., Rate, D.N., Greenberg, J.T. 

2001: A role for salicylic acid and NPR1 in 

regulating cell growth in Arabidopsis. Plant 

Pathology Journal, 28: 209-216.  

Vicente, R.S., Plasencia, J. 2011: Salicylic acid 

beyond defence: its role in plant growth and 

development. Journal of Experimental Botany, 

62: 3321-3338. 

Wang, Y.D., Wu, J.C., Yuan, Y.J. 2007: Salicylic 

acid-induced taxol production and isopentenyl 

pyrophosphate biosynthesis in suspension 

cultures of Taxus chinensis var. mairei. Cell 

Biology International, 31: 1179-1183. 

War, A.R., Paulraj, M.G., War, M.Y., Ignacimuthu, 

S. 2011: Herbivore- and Elicitor-induced 

Resistance in Groundnut to Asian armyworm, 

Spodoptera litura (Fab.) (Lepidoptera: 

Noctuidae). Plant Signaling & Behavior, 6: epub.  

Wolfe, K., Wu, X., Liu, R.H. 2003: Antioxidant 

activity of apple peels. Journal of Agricultural 

And Food Chemistry, 51(3): 609-614.  

Zhao, L.Y., Chen, J.L., Cheng, D.F., Sun, J.R., Liu, 

Y., Tian, Z. 2009: Biochemical and molecular 

characterizations of Sitobion avenae-induced 

wheat defense responses. Crop Protection, 28: 

435-442.