Effects of low temperature and salicylic acid on chilling tolerance in cucumber seedlings

The present study was undertaken to Investigate the effects of low temperature and salicylic acid (SA) on chilling tolerance In acclimated and nonacclimated cucumber seedlings. Acclimation significantly affected survival and shoot dry weights. Injuries of acclimated seedlings at the third leaf stage were on the average smaller by half than those of the nonacclimated ones. Chilling caused a large increase in free proline levels, regardless of acclimation status. Exogenous treatment with SA resulted in improvement in growth and survival of acclimated, chilled seedlings, indicating SA and acclimation have common effects. Cycloheximide treatment In the presence of SA restored acclimation-induced chilling tolerance. An elevated proline level was observed in cold-treated and SA- treated plants and the level was more pronounced in the light than in the dark at chilled temperature, indicating that endogenous proline may play a role in chilling tolerance.