Salicylic acid mitigates clopyralid-induced oxidative stress in Camelina sativa by enhancing antioxidant defenses

Salicylic acid (SA) plays a crucial role in mitigating herbicide-induced oxidative stress in crops. This study investigated the potential of exogenous SA (0.5-1.5 mM) in alleviating clopyralid toxicity (0.4-2.4 L ha-1) in Camelina sativa under field conditions. A two-year factorial field experiment examined the effects of foliar-applied SA on plant growth, yield components, oxidative biomarkers, and antioxidant enzyme activities. Clopyralid stress significantly reduced biomass, seed and oil yield, and elevated levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), indicating oxidative damage. SA treatment improved yield traits, enhanced the activity of key antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, POD, APX), and reduced MDA and H2O2 accumulation. These findings suggest that SA application can effectively mitigate clopyralid-induced oxidative stress and may serve as a practical strategy for enhancing Camelina resilience in herbicide-contaminated environments.