Abstract
Lymantria obfuscata poses a significant threat to Salix alba plantations in Kashmir, creating an urgent need for sustainable, non-chemical pest management strategies. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of salicylic acid (SA) as a plant defense inducer against this herbivore. In this experiment, Salix alba cuttings were subjected to three concentrations of SA (2, 3, and 4 mM) using spray and dip application methods prior to infestation with L. obfuscata larvae. Our results indicate that salicylic acid significantly reduced leaf defoliation in a dose-dependent manner; specifically, the dip method with 4 mM SA exhibited the lowest defoliation (13.10%) compared to 25.20% in control groups. SA treatment significantly suppressed larval and adult growth, with larvae feeding on 4 mM SA-treated dipped cuttings exhibiting an average weight of 2.82 mg versus 3.92 mg in the control treatment. Furthermore, salicylic acid treatment had a significantly positive impact on vegetative growth, enhancing leaf area (14.25 vs. 10.50 cm2 in control), plant height (37.20 vs. 30.80 cm), and root length (15.25 vs. 12.37 cm). Quantification of defensive metabolites revealed that the treatment significantly increased total phenol, total flavonoid, and total tannin content in SA-treated plants. GC-MS analysis confirmed that SA-treated plants accumulated higher endogenous SA levels, particularly in dipped plants (1.00 mg/g DW), compared to controls (0.10 mg/g DW). In conclusion, the application of 4 mM SA via the dip method effectively bolsters the morphological and biochemical defense mechanisms of Salix alba, offering a potent and sustainable strategy for managing Lymantria obfuscata infestations.
Data availability
All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article.
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Acknowledgements
The authors are profoundly grateful to the Vice Chancellor, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), for providing the necessary infrastructure and a conducive research environment to carry out this study. We extend our sincere thanks to the Program Coordinator, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK/ETC), Malangpora, Pulwama, for the administrative support and facilities provided during the experimental period. Special thanks are due to the Division of Entomology and the Faculty of Forestry for their technical guidance and for providing the laboratory facilities required for the biochemical analysis of Salix alba. We also acknowledge the field staff at the research stations for their assistance in sample collection and maintenance of the experimental plots. Finally, the authors would like to thank any anonymous reviewers whose constructive comments will help improve the quality of this manuscript.
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Oyais Ahmad Wagay conceptualized the study, developed the methodology, performed the formal analysis, conducted the primary investigations, and prepared the original draft of the manuscript. Javeed Ahmad Mugloo provided overall supervision, secured resources, managed project administration, and contributed to the critical review and editing of the paper. Barkat Hussain contributed to the entomological methodology, performed data curation, and validated the experimental results. Nazir A. Pala assisted with the forestry-related investigations, software application, and formal data analysis. Gowher Nabi Parrey was responsible for data visualization, curation, and assisted in the review and editing process. Jauhar Rafeeq contributed through field investigations, provided technical support, and assisted in the validation of the research findings. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
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Wagay, O.A., Mugloo, J.A., Hussain, B. et al. Influence of salicylic acid on plant defense, growth and biochemical composition of Salix alba infected with Lymantria obfuscata in Kashmir. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-42685-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-42685-8
