Tahir, Aysha2026-07-152026-07-152026-042026-07-15http://hdl.handle.net/1993/39870Plants are often exposed to multiple stress factors at the same time, and one stress can influence how a plant responds to another. While salinity and mechanical wounding are both known to affect plant growth and physiology, their combined effects, and the role of salicylic acid (SA), are not well understood in Faba bean (Vicia faba). In this study, Faba bean (Vicia faba cv. Broad Windsor) plants were exposed to salinity (150 mM NaCl), mechanical wounding, and foliar application of SA (0.5 mM) in different combinations. Several physiological, biochemical, and growth parameters were measured, including chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm), stomatal conductance, transpiration, biomass, water content, protein content, chlorophyll levels, and leaf elemental composition. Salinity had the strongest effect on the plants as it significantly reduced stomatal conductance, transpiration, and shoot biomass, while increasing the accumulation of Na, Cl, and N in the leaves. Fv/Fm values remained relatively stable, suggesting that photosystem II was not severely affected. An unexpected infection by Colletotrichum sp. caused high levels of necrosis in control plants, while salt-treated plants showed less injury. Chlorophyll and protein levels were higher in salt-treated plants, likely because these plants had less fungal damage. Wounding had only minor effects overall, with small changes in water content and shoot biomass, and slightly lower levels of necrosis. Salicylic acid did not have a significant effect on most measured parameters. Overall, these results show that salinity was the main factor affecting plant responses and may also provide indirect protection against pathogen infection. This study highlights the importance of considering multiple stresses and unexpected factors, such as pathogen presence, when studying plant stress responses.engsalinitywoundingsalicylic acidfaba beanvici faba