Vol. 9, Special Issue 11, Part P (2025)

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), a medicinal plant of the Solanaceae family, is widely recognized for its therapeutic properties. This study explores the impact of salicylic acid (SA), a plant hormone known for its role in stress tolerance and growth regulation, on the morphological and biochemical traits of W. somnifera. Seeds were treated with SA concentrations of 0.25 mM, 0.5 mM, and 1 mM, and monitored over nine weeks.
Morphological parameters such as shoot and root length, leaf number, biomass, and leaf area were recorded. Biochemical estimations included chlorophyll, proline, and phenol content. Micromorphological features like stomatal and trichome indices were also analyzed.
The 0.5 mM SA treatment yielded the most significant improvements in growth and metabolite production. Plants treated with this concentration showed increased leaf number, shoot and root length, biomass, and leaf area. Enhanced chlorophyll content indicated improved photosynthetic efficiency, while elevated phenol and proline levels suggested better stress resilience and metabolic activity.
Microscopic analysis revealed higher stomatal and trichome indices, supporting the physiological benefits of SA application. These findings suggest that 0.5 mM SA is an optimal concentration for promoting growth and secondary metabolite synthesis in W. somnifera.
This study highlights the potential of SA as a sustainable growth enhancer and elicitor of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants, with implications for agricultural and pharmaceutical applications.