Si attenuates the transpiration and increases both N assimilation and root development in the tomato under N availabilities

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) is the most important nutrient in crop productivity and silicon (Si) increases the uptake of nutrients and affect the uptake of N. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Si combined with rates of N on the growth, root development, uptake of N and Si, assimilation of N, and photosynthesis of the tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum). A factorial 3 × 3 was used, with rates of Si 0 (control treatment), 1, and 3 mmol L–1, and rates of N 5 (control treatment), 15, and 25 mmol L–1 in the nutrient solution. The rates of N did not affect the dry mass production and uptake of Si. However, the application of Si improved the plant growth and accumulation of Si and N. Relating to control treatment, the rate of Si 1 mmol L–1 increases the dry mass production and accumulation of Si and N in order of 52, 37, and 54 %, respectively. Although the rate of N did not increase the plant growth, it was verified that the N 15 mmol L–1 improves the concentration and accumulation of N in the shoots, and the relative concentration of chlorophyll with values of 43.5, 67, and 14 %, respectively, compared to the control. The supply of Si under low and high availability of N improved the glutamine synthetase, but at the rate of N 25 mmol L–1, a decrease in the transpiration rate and stomatal conductance was verified. Under the high availability of N, the glutamine synthetase raised 78 % as an effect of Si 3 mmol L–1 compared to control treatment (Si 0 mmol L–1). Nevertheless, the transpiration rate and stomatal conductance decreased 49 and 52 % under that condition. The excess of N 25 mmol L–1 negatively affected the root development, but under that condition, the application of Si increased the root length, root surface, and root hood in order of 70, 40, and 77 % compared to the control treatment. Application of Si is recommended for tomato growth, especially when cultivated with high N availability. The application of silicon enhances the plant growth, root development, nutrient uptake, nitrogen assimilation, and photosynthesis of the tomato plants cultivated under rates of N. We recommend the use of Si 3 mmol L–1 and N 15 mmol L–1 for the tomato plants under the nutrient solution