How Does Salicylic Acid Regulate Mineral Nutrition in Plants Under Abiotic Stress? An Update

The climate change has created food security threat across the world and due to change in climate, the intensity of abiotic stresses has increased. Different abiotic stresses such as excessive salt, drought, extreme temperature, and metal toxicity reduce plant growth and productivity by disturbing an array of physiological and molecular processes further limiting the mineral uptake in plants. The salicylic acid either externally applied or internally synthesized in plants helps the plants in mineral regulation. The exogenous application of salicylic acid improves plant growth and productivity by regulating mineral uptake and through protecting plants against cellular damage owing to the abiotic stresses. Moreover, SA application regulates the concentration of Ca + and K + ion and helps in osmotic adjustment and stomatal regulation under suboptimal growth conditions. Along with direct protection against abiotic stress, salicylic acid also indirectly protects plants by activating different enzymes such as serine acetyltransferase and glutathione enzymes of sulphur assimilation.