Magnetic water irrigation changes physiological traits and stress tolerance of Salvia virgata under saline conditions

In the present study, a pot experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of magnetic water irrigation at different intensities and durations (non-magnetic water, 0.6 Tesla half an hour passed, 0.6 Tesla once passed, 0.3 Tesla half an hour passed and 0.3 Tesla once passed) on growth and physiological characteristics of Salvia virgata under salinity stress (0, 30, 60 and 90 mM NaCl). Accumulation of malondialdehyde, proline, soluble sugars, and total phenol as well as the antioxidant activity were increased with intensifying the salinity level. However, flavonoids, leaf water content, photosynthetic pigments, and plant growth showed a decrement trend under salt stress. Although magnetic water did not have a considerable effect on the growth and physiological traits of S. virgata under non-stress conditions irrigation of stressed plants with magnetic water especially at 0.6 T once passed was efficient in mitigation of salinity damages. Magnetic water irrigation increased the accumulation of phenolic compounds and stimulated the activity of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase thereby limiting lipid peroxidation. Magnetic water increased the salt tolerance and water use efficiency of stressed S. virgata plants and consequently enhanced plant biomass. Generally, it can be concluded that magnetic water irrigation at 0.6 T once passed could alleviate the salinity disorders of S. virgata by improving the antioxidant capacity, especially in severe saline condition.