Abstract
Calcium (Ca) deficiency in cabbage plants induces oxidative damage, hampering growth and decreasing quality, however, it is hypothesized that silicon (Si) added to the nutrient solution may alleviate crop losses. Therefore, this study aims at evaluating whether silicon supplied in the nutrient solution reduces, in fact, the calcium deficiency effects on cabbage plants. In a greenhouse, cabbage plants were grown using nutrient solutions with Ca sufficiency and Ca deficiency (5 mM) without and with added silicon (2.5 mM), arranged as a 2 × 2 factorial in randomized blocks, with five replications. At 91 days after transplanting, the plants were harvested for biological evaluations. In the treatment without added Si, Ca deficiency promoted oxidative stress, low antioxidant content, decreased dry matter, and lower quality leaf. On the other hand, added Si attenuated Ca deficiency in cabbage by decreasing cell extravasation while increasing both ascorbic acid content and fresh and dry matter, providing firmer leaves due to diminished leaf water loss after harvesting. We highlighted the agronomic importance of Si added to the nutrient solution, especially in crops at risk of Ca deficiency.
Highlights
Calcium (Ca) deficiency in cabbage plants induces oxidative damage, hampering growth and decreasing quality, it is hypothesized that silicon (Si) added to the nutrient solution may alleviate crop losses
Silicon (Si) may be an alternative to mitigate the biological damage caused by Ca deficiency in cabbage since it has been shown to increase the production of antioxidant compounds, such as ascorbic acid, in wheat[11], chard and cabbage[12]
The highest Si accumulation was observed in the aerial parts and roots of cabbage plants grown under Ca deficiency and sufficiency (Fig. 2c,d), respectively
Summary
Calcium (Ca) deficiency in cabbage plants induces oxidative damage, hampering growth and decreasing quality, it is hypothesized that silicon (Si) added to the nutrient solution may alleviate crop losses. On the other hand, added Si attenuated Ca deficiency in cabbage by decreasing cell extravasation while increasing both ascorbic acid content and fresh and dry matter, providing firmer leaves due to diminished leaf water loss after harvesting. Ca deficiency increases the reactive oxygen species (ROS), inducing oxidative stress and causing damage to membranes while promoting the leakage of cellular electrolytes[7,8] This oxidative damage degrades the cell wall[9], impairs tissue firmness, and increases water loss which, in turn, results in leaf wilt[10] and reduced shelf life of the harvested product. Similar to Ca, it is possible to infer that Si could act on the cell wall of the cabbage leaf, providing firmer tissues
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