Investigation of silicon effects on some growth and biochemical parameters of Lens culinaris Medik under salt stress

Abstract

Salinity is a major abiotic stress limiting plants growth and development. As silicon (Si) has been stated to alleviate salt stress in some plant species, effects of Si on Lens culinaris Medik under salinity were investigated in this study. The effects of four levels of Si in nutrient solution (0, 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 mM) on the plant growth and physiological parameters under salinity (0, 40, and 80 mM of NaCl) were considered in a factorial experiment. Salinity decreased dry weight, stem length, leaf area, chlorophyll and anthocyanin content, potassium (K) and protein concentration, K to sodium (Na) ratio and root Si content, while increased carotenoids content. Si, especially at 0.1 mM concentration in nutrient solution, increased root and shoot length, plant dry weight and leaf area. However, higher concentrations of Si often had a negative impact on most of the characteristics. Also, some levels of Si treatment significantly increased leaf chlorophyll, carotenoids and anthocyanin, K, Si and protein content but decreased the amount of plant Na content under salinity. In overall, it seems that, the use of low levels of Si is capable to reduce harmful effects of salinity on L. culinaris and improve plant resistance to salt stress.