Modulation of growth and chemical element accumulation in <i>Fragaria × ananassa</i> plants <i>in vivo</i> under the effect of silicon chelates

Abstract

Due to the protective role played by silicon in plants against unfavorable environmental conditions, siliconcontaining preparations are of considerable interest as biostimulants. In this work, a mechanical composite of rice husk and green tea containing soluble silica chelate complexes was used as the source of silicon. The study aims to examine the effect of silicon chelates on the growth and physiological parameters and the chemical composition of Fragaria × ananassa plants (Solnechnaya Polyanka variety) under greenhouse conditions. The plants were watered using water without a mechanical composite (control) or an aqueous solution containing 0.3 g/L of mechanical composite twice per period. Sampling was carried out one week after the last treatment. In order to determine the concentration of chemical elements (Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, and Mo) in the roots and shoots of garden strawberry, it was proposed to use synchrotron X-ray fluorescence analysis. The use of the mechanical composite was shown to increase the amount of chlorophyll a, chlorophylls a and b, and carotenoids; decrease the amount of hydrogen peroxide; and increase the activity of the main antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase). It was determined that under the effect of the preparation, silicon accumulates primarily in shoots, affecting the accumulation of micro- and macroelements in the shoots and roots of plants. The obtained results substantiate the use of silicon-containing “green chemistry” as a means of controlling the growth and development of garden strawberry plants under in vivo conditions.