Effectiveness of 2-Hydroxybenzoic Acid in Physiologic Response of Basket Willow (Salix viminalis L.) on Stress Induced by Cadmium

Abstract

The aim of the study was an evaluation of the effect of exogenous application of 2-hydroxybenzoic acid on the performance of photosynthetic apparatus of two basket willow (Salix viminalis L.) varieties growing in elevated concentrations of cadmium salts and an evaluation of the suitability of fluorescence method to characterize the physiological state of the examined willow genotypes under stress conditions caused by an increased content of cadmium ions. The influence of cadmium ions at a concentration of 50 mg/dm³ and salicylic acid at a concentration of 138 mg/dm³ on the physiological reaction of basket willow of Bjor and Tora varieties cultivated in hydroponics was investigated. The applied dose of salicylic acid effectively eliminated the influence of cadmium, activating the synthesis of chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids as well as increasing the intensity of the determined fluorescence processes and indicators. The use of the fluorescent method to characterize the physiological state of the examined willow genotypes under the conditions of stress caused by an increased content of cadmium ions allows a better understanding of the immune system’s response to these metal ions.