Abstract
This study investigates the effect of silicon (Si) application on saffron plantgrown under salt stress. Therefore; Saffron, Crocus sativus L. was grown in different treatments of NaCl in presence and absence of 1 mM of silicon in its soluble form, orthosilicic acid(H4SiO4). Our results exhibited that the application of silicon enhanced the physiologicalstudied parameters and morphological attributes of saffron stigmas; the length of stigma improvement was 29% and 41,4% in saline treatments of 50 mM and 100mM respectively in presence of silicon compared to the same treatments without silicon, the dry weight of the stigma boosted by 40% for the treatment of 50mM of NaCl and 20% for 100 mM treatments compared to the same treatments in absence ofsilicon. Siliconaddition ameliorated RWC, total phenolic,anti-radical leaves activity and K+ contents and K+/Na+ ration in both roots and leaves. These results suggested that Si application enhanced saffron plant and improved the weight and length of saffron stigma.
Highlights
Salinity is the most calamitous abiotic stress which limits the growth and yield of agricultural and horticultural crops worldwide(Charu et al 2014; Munns, 2005; Shahbaz and Ashraf, 2013)
Plant Material and Growth Conditions In order to evaluate the silicon effect on saffron Crocus sativus L. under salinity stress conditions, an experiment as RCBD (Randomize Complete Block Design) in three replications was performed in the greenhouse at The National Institute for Agricultural Research –INRA of Agadir
The higher dry weight of saffron stigma was obtained in the treatment of silicon; the addition of silicon increased markedly the dry weight of the stigma by 40% for the treatment of 50 mM of NaCl and 20% for 100mM treatments compared to the same treatments without silicon
Summary
Salinity is the most calamitous abiotic stress which limits the growth and yield of agricultural and horticultural crops worldwide(Charu et al 2014; Munns, 2005; Shahbaz and Ashraf, 2013). Effects of salinity on the plant growth and yield; the application of silicon is declared one of the most appropriate solutions(Liang et al 2007). Silicon (Si)is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust after oxygen It has been widely reported about the Si functions in the alleviation of stress and enhancement of plant growth(Bouzoubaâ, 1991, 2007; Liang et al, 2007; Ouzounidou et al 2016). Silicon is not corrosive and pollution-free,silicon fertilizer is a high-quality fertilizer for developing ecologically green agriculture (Zhu and Gong, 2014) Due to those facts, the main objective of the proposed study was to evaluate the effects of silicon on biochemical aspects of saffron and morphological attributes of its stigma under salt conditions
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