LEAF SPRAYING OF SALICYLIC ACID INCREASES THE CONCENTRATION OF PHENOLS IN MAIZE GRAIN

Abstract

Salicylic acid (SA) is a multifunctional molecule in plants. This paper shows results on the total content of soluble phenols (TSF) in maize (Zea mays L.) grain harvested from plants sprayed during the seedling stage with either 0.1 or 1 μM SA. Quantification of TSF was performed by the Folin-Ciocalteu technique. Treatment of 1 μM of SA significantly increased TSF concentration in the grain by 17 % compared to the control. Results show the importance of these secondary metabolites as antioxidants and defense compounds against pathogens.