Effects of Silicon on Growth, Yield and Fruit Quality of Cantaloupe under Drought Stress

Abstract

Silicon (Si) plays an important role in mitigating adverse effects of various biotic and abiotic stresses including drought. Polyhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of Si on growth, yield and fruit quality of cantaloupe under drought stress. The treatments consisted of four Si fertilizer doses (0, 100, 200 and 400 kg ha−1) applied in the form of silicic acid [H4SiO4, 20% Si content] and three soil moisture regimes (100%, 75% and 50% field capacity [FC]). Growth, yield and fruit quality were significantly (p < 0.01) affected by decreasing soil moisture level. Yield and water productivity were reduced by 63–69% and 19–34%, respectively, at different Si fertilizer doses when soil moisture was reduced from 100% to 50% FC. Overall, application of Si fertilizer was beneficial at all soil moisture regimes. There was no significant difference in yield and water productivity among four Si fertilizer doses at 50% FC, while these parameters were increased by 18–27% and 16–22%, respectively, at 75% FC and by 10–19% and 2–12%, respectively, at 100% FC with increasing Si fertilizer dose. Flesh thickness and total soluble solids content were also higher in Si-fed plants than the control. Application of silicic acid at 200 and 400 kg ha−1 maximized yield at 75% and 100% FC, respectively, and hence could be recommended as optimum doses. Selection of proper Si dose in synchronization with soil moisture level could be critical in cantaloupe production when soil moisture is a limiting factor.