Response of date palm offshoots (Phoenix dactylifera L.) to the foliar spray of salicylic acid and citric acid under salinity conditions

Abstract Antioxidants enhance the salt tolerance of date palms. A field experiment was carried out on date palm offshoots to improve the salt tolerance of the Sayer cultivar. Salicylic acid and citric acid (500 and 1,000 ppm) were used. The results showed that all growth parameters of plant height, leaf area, and leaf numbers decreased under the salinity conditions. The antioxidant applications increased the plant height, leaf area, carbohydrates, and relative water content compared with the control. Citric acid at 1,000 ppm decreased electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde. Indoleacetic acid decreased, whereas abscisic acid increased under salinity. The antioxidant application increased indoleacetic, whereas abscisic acid decreased. Proline, protein content, and peroxidase activity increased under antioxidants. Also, the potassium and K/Na ratio increased under antioxidant applications. Citric acid improved the characteristics more than salicylic acid, encouraging farmers to use it for its low cost as an antioxidant to reduce environmental stress damage.