This study evaluated the effects of foliar spraying melatonin (MT) on the growth of salt-stressed rice. Seedlings were treated with 50 and 100 mM of NaCl and different concentrations of MT (25, 50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 μM) for 14 days. Different concentrations of MT could promote plant growth significantly under salt stress, particularly at concentrations of 200, 300, and 400 μM. A concentration of 200 μM MT was considered as optimal and used in a subsequent experiment on biomass, water content, antioxidation, mineral nutrition, salt absorption, and distribution of salt-stressed rice seedlings. Results showed that MT’s promoting effect on plant growth under salt stress was evident with time, particularly under high salt stress. MT improved the activities of antioxidant enzymes, reduced membrane lipid peroxidation, alleviated cell injury in plant leaves, and increased N content and Si accumulation in the leaves and roots under salt stress, particularly under high salinity. This compound also inhibited Na uptake and upward transport, but it promoted or maintained the uptake and upward transport of K and Ca in salt-stressed rice. Thus, MT improved the ion homeostasis of K/Na and Ca/Na in plants, particularly in the leaves. Foliar spraying of MT alleviated salt stress on rice by promoting nutrient accumulation or translocation, improving ion homeostasis, which is evident in the leaves, and consequently enhancing its salt resistance. The antioxidative improvement caused by MT might also be related to the improved ion homeostasis.
