Abstract
(1) Background: Cucumbers are highly sensitive to drought and UV-B radiation, which may also act synergistically. Silicon is a beneficial element for plants, as it can alleviate negative effects of different environmental constraints. Studies revealed that fertilisation of cucumbers with silicon showed a variety of positive effects, which increased plant vitality. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of potassium silicate in shaping cucumber traits and in mitigating potential adverse effects of drought and UV radiation. (2) Methods: Plants were exposed to different treatments regarding water availability, UV radiation, and potassium silicate addition. During the experiment, the level of plant-available silicon and total silicon content in the soil were monitored along with soil moisture. At the end of the experiment, the leaf element composition, leaf biochemical and leaf physiological properties were analysed in addition to growth and production parameters of these cucumbers. (3) Results: Among the three studied factors, insufficient water supply had the most negative impact on measured parameters, causing a significant decline in cucumber growth and production. UV radiation had an adverse impact on various studied parameters, while potassium silicate addition negatively affected production parameters. Fertilisation with potassium silicate increased the level of plant-available silicon in the soil and leaf silicon content. (4) Conclusions: Fertilisation with potassium silicate exerted little impact on production parameters of cucumbers exposed to ambient UV radiation and drought. Significant interactions between the studied factors were detected for the aboveground vegetative plant parts.
Highlights
Silicon (Si) is a beneficial element for grasses, where it presents a crucial structural component, and for many eudicots [1,2]
(4) Conclusions: Fertilisation with potassium silicate exerted little impact on production parameters of cucumbers exposed to ambient UV radiation and drought
On the other hand, reduced UV radiation significantly positively affected this ratio. This is in agreement with the study of Larsson et al [49], who reported about a negative effect of UV radiation on the chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b ratio in Brassica napus
Summary
Silicon (Si) is a beneficial element for grasses, where it presents a crucial structural component, and for many eudicots [1,2]. Si alleviates negative effects of numerous abiotic and biotic environmental stressors, for example metal toxicity [3,4], and herbivore and pathogen attacks [5,6]. It has a beneficial role in plant water management [7] and plant nutrition [8,9]. Phytogenic biogenic amorphous Si is an especially important source of bioavailable Si [16] It plays an important role in drought alleviation, as it significantly increases soil water holding capacity [17]
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