<p>This study investigated the combined effects of seed priming and foliar application of salicylic acid (SA) on salt tolerance in hydroponically grown okra (<i>Abelmoschus esculentus</i> L.). Seedlings were treated with SA at two concentrations (100 and 500 µM) and exposed to three salinity levels (0, 50, and 100 mM NaCl). SA treatments significantly enhanced physiological and biochemical performance under salinity stress. At 100 µM SA, germination percentage increased from 83% (control) to 93.33%, accompanied by a 22% increase in germination index and 18% reduction in mean germination time. Seedling vigour index improved by 55%, and plant height increased by 6.39%. Photosynthetic pigments (total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a and b, and carotenoids) increased by 40–55%, while lutein and lycopene content rose by 30–42%. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents increased by 35–45%, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) levels—indicators of oxidative damage—declined by 30–50%. Antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase) increased by 40–60%, resulting in a 45% reduction in electrolyte leakage and 25–35% improvement in relative water content. Principal component analysis revealed distinct clustering of SA-treated seedlings, indicating enhanced physiological resilience. These findings demonstrate that SA, particularly at higher concentrations, effectively mitigates salinity-induced oxidative damage by enhancing germination efficiency, stabilizing photosynthetic pigments, strengthening antioxidant defence systems, and improving water balance, thereby reprogramming stress-response mechanisms toward improved salt tolerance and metabolic stability in okra seedlings.</p>