Mitigation of Salinity Stress in Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) through Foliar Application of Salicylic Acid and Potassium Silicate

Mahmoud, Ahmed Ali; Fouad, Fatma Ahmed

doi:10.22059/ijhst.2026.399933.1168

Mitigation of Salinity Stress in Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) through Foliar Application of Salicylic Acid and Potassium Silicate

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research paper

Authors

Ahmed Ali Mahmoud ¹

Fatma Ahmed Fouad ²

¹ Hort. Dept. Fac. Agric. Al-Azhar, Univ., Assiut, Egypt

² Central Laboratory of Organic Farming, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt

10.22059/ijhst.2026.399933.1168

Abstract

A pot experiment was carried out at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt, during the two consecutive seasons of 2022 and 2023 to evaluate the effects of saline water and foliar-applied stimulants on roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L., cultivar Sabahia 17). The study tested saline irrigation at 0, 2000, 3000, and 4000 ppm alongside foliar applications of salicylic acid (0, 50, and 100 ppm) and potassium silicate (1 and 2 ml/l). Key parameters assessed included plant growth, yield components and chemical traits. Increasing saline levels significantly reduced growth, yield, fixed oil, anthocyanin, and acidity, whereas irrigation at 2000 ppm improved these traits. In contrast, higher salinity elevated sodium and proline levels. Foliar treatments, particularly 100 ppm salicylic acid and potassium silicate at 2 ml/l, effectively enhanced growth and yield attributes while reducing the adverse accumulation of sodium and proline. The interactive effects of saline water and stimulant applications indicated that the combined treatment of low saline stress (2000 ppm) with 100 ppm salicylic acid most effectively mitigated salinity-induced stress and promoted overall plant performance.

Keywords

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)

Salicylic acid

Potassium silicate

Water saline stress