Abstract
Management of soil salinity is an important research field around the globe, especially when associated with the limited water resources. This work aimed to improve the growth and yield of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. CV. Sakha-93) grown under salinity stress. A completely randomized design pot experiment with three replications was conducted in a loamy soil with various levels of salinity under local weather conditions. The treatments included five levels of salinity (2.74, 5.96, 8.85, 10.74, and 13.38 dSm-1) prepared by adding NaCl to the selected soil and five treatments of Si (0, 2.1, 4.2, 6.3, and 8.4 mg Si/10 plants). Silicon was applied to wheat plants as a foliar spray 30, 45, and 60 days after sowing. Results indicated that photosynthetic pigments; N, P, and K concentrations; biomass, and grain yield significantly decreased with increasing salinity concentration. For example, in the pots treated with Si rate of 0.0 mg Si/10 plants, biomass and grain yield significantly decreased by 37 and 30%, respectively, as salinity increased from 2.74 to 13.38 dSm-1. However, Na and proline concentrations increased with the increase in salinity. Supplying Si alleviated salinity stress and enhanced plant growth, e.g., at salinity concentration of 5.96 dSm-1, biomass and grain yield increased by 32 and 54%, respectively, when Si rate increased from 0.0 to 6.3 mg Si/10 plants. Similarly, under the same previous salinity and Si treatments, Na and proline concentrations decreased by 10 and 23%, respectively. Eventually, application of Si to wheat enhanced its growth and yield under salinity stress. Key words: Biomass, proline, grain yield, sodium, chlorophyll.
Highlights
Salinity, in a global scale, is a major limiting factor of negatively impacting plant growth and productivity (Kaya et al, 2003; Shahi et al, 2015)
Our results showed that concentrations of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids, within each individual foliar Si rate, decreased with increasing salinity stress
Within salinity concentration of 8.85 dSm-1, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoids significantly increased as Si rate increased from 0.0 to 6.3 mg Si/10 plants
Summary
In a global scale, is a major limiting factor of negatively impacting plant growth and productivity (Kaya et al, 2003; Shahi et al, 2015). Salinity affected soils occupy ~ 800 million ha worldwide (or ~ 6% of the world’s total arable land area) (Munns, 2005). In Egypt, salinity affected soils cover approximately 900,000 ha (or, 32% of the total arable land area) (Ibrahim and Lal, 2013). A reduction in plant growth, photosynthesis activity, stomata closure, biomass yield, and nutrients concentrations in the plant tissues occur.
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