Effect of exogenous treatments with encapsulated salicylic acid on Arabidopsis thaliana development

Abstract

Environmental stresses are the main consequences derived from climate change that affect crop production and plants development. In response to these unfavorable conditions, plants undergo changes at morphological, physiological and biochemical level, improving their tolerance mechanisms to stress. Salicylic acid (SA) participates in plants acclimation and its role on plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses is well documented. However, the mechanism by which exogenous SA protects plants and its interactions with other phytohormones remains elusive. SA effect, both free and encapsulated (using silica and chitosan capsules), on Arabidopsis thaliana development was studied. The effect of SA on roots and rosettes was analysed, determining plant morphological characteristics and hormone endogenous levels.