Salicylic acid (SA) is one of the endogenous plant growth regulators that modulate various metabolic and physiological events. To evaluate the exogenous SA-induced germination, biochemical and developmental alterations, different concentrations (10, 100, 500 and 1000 µM) of SA were applied to rye (Secale cerealeL.) seeds in hydroponic culture conditions for 15 days. The observations revealed that seed germination and root elongation were stimulated in 10 µM SA treatment, however they were inhibited in higher concentrations (100 and 500 µM) of SA. Furthermore, there was no germination in 1000 µM SA. The analysis of antioxidant enzymes revealed that although superoxide dismutase activity increased, catalase activity decreased in comparison to control. Besides, lipid peroxidation and peroxidase activity increased in 10 µM SA, whereas they decreased in higher concentrations. Similarly total chlorophyll content increased in 10 µM SA, but it decreased in 100 and 500 µM SA treatments. Moreover anthocyanins and carotenoids increased after SA treatment. In conclusion, exogenous SA application causes developmental and biochemical alterations in rye.