Effect of Salicylic acid foliar spraying on growth parameters, γ-pyrones, phenolic content and radical scavenging activity of drought stressed Ammi visnaga L. plant

•Drought stress had a detrimental impact on growth and yield of Ammi visnaga.•Salicylic acid reversed the damaging effects of drought stress on growth parameters.•Combining SA and normal irrigation gave the highest percentage of γ-pyrones.•Drought combined with SA increased the TPC and radical scavenging activity of samples.