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Exogenous salicylic acid enhances photosynthetic efficiency, yield and fatty acid composition in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) under extreme heat stress

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Plant Production and Genetics, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran.

2 Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

10.22059/jci.2025.399546.2946

Abstract

Objective: Exogenous application of salicylic acid (SA) has the potential to improve photosynthetic performance and seed oil composition under heat stress. This study aimed to evaluate whether foliar SA treatment can mitigate terminal heat stress in safflower by enhancing photosynthetic traits and by altering seed oil fatty acid composition, and to compare responses between a heat-tolerant and a heat-sensitive cultivar.
Methods: A field experiment was conducted at Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz using a split-plot RCBD with three replications. Main plots were two sowing dates: normal sowing (11 December) and late sowing (21 January). Subplots comprised a factorial combination of SA concentrations (0 and 400 μM) and two safflower cultivars: Parnian (heat-sensitive) and Faraman (heat-tolerant). Late sowing subjects the crop to severe terminal heat during flowering and grain filling. Photosynthetic parameters and fatty acid composition of seeds were measured, and grain yield was recorded.
Results: Late sowing (heat stress) significantly reduced photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, substomatal CO2, carboxylation efficiency, and photosynthetic water-use efficiency. Foliar SA application mitigated these negative effects, with the most favorable responses under 400 μM SA and normal sowing. The Faraman cultivar sown at normal time and treated with 400 μM SA achieved the highest stomatal conductance (711 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹), carboxylation efficiency (1.079 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹), and grain yield (3120 kg ha⁻¹). Fatty acid responses to heat were cultivar-dependent: stearic acid decreased in Faraman but increased in Parnian under heat stress (−48% vs +64%, respectively). SA treatment under late sowing increased oleic and linoleic acids while reducing linolenic and palmitic acids, contributing to modified seed oil composition that is favorable under heat stress.
Conclusion: Terminal heat stress altered photosynthetic performance, yield, and seed oil fatty-acid profiles in safflower. Foliar SA application mitigated heat-induced declines in photosynthesis and influenced oil composition, with more pronounced benefits in the heat-tolerant Faraman cultivar. SA at 400 μM provides a viable means to enhance heat tolerance and potentially improve oil quality in safflower under heat stress.

Keywords

References
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Journal of Crops Improvement
Volume 27, Issue 4
January 2026
Pages 591-610
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