Abstract
BackgroundSilicon (Si) is a beneficial element that has been proven to influence plant responses including growth, development and metabolism in a hormetic manner.MethodsIn the present study, we evaluated the effect of Si on the growth and concentrations of chlorophylls, total amino acids, and total sugars of pepper plants (Capsicum annuum L.) during the early developmental stage in a hydroponic system under conventional (unstressed) conditions. We tested four Si concentrations (applied as calcium silicate): 0, 60, 125 and 250 mg L−1, and growth variables were measured 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after treatment (dat), while biochemical variables were recorded at the end of the experiment, 28 dat.ResultsThe application of 125 mg L−1 Si improved leaf area, fresh and dry biomass weight in leaves and stems, total soluble sugars, and concentrations of chlorophylls a and b in both leaves and stems. The amino acids concentration in leaves and roots, as well as the stem diameter were the highest in plants treated with 60 mg L−1 Si. Nevertheless, Si applications reduced root length, stem diameter and total free amino acids in leaves and stems, especially when applied at the highest concentration (i.e., 250 mg L−1 Si).ConclusionThe application of Si has positive effects on pepper plants during the early developmental stage, including stimulation of growth, as well as increased concentrations of chlorophylls, total free amino acids and total soluble sugars. In general, most benefits from Si applications were observed in the range of 60–125 mg L−1 Si, while some negative effects were observed at the highest concentration applied (i.e., 250 mg L−1 Si). Therefore, pepper is a good candidate crop to benefit from Si application during the early developmental stage under unstressed conditions.
Highlights
Silicon (Si), only after oxygen (O), is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, covering up to 32% of the lithosphere (Savant et al, 1999; Manivannan et al, 2016)
Pepper is a good candidate crop to benefit from Si application during the early developmental stage under unstressed conditions
Seven days after the application of the treatments, plant height was significantly greater with the application of 60 and 250 mg L−1 Si in comparison to the control, while at 14 days there were no significant differences among treatments
Summary
Silicon (Si), only after oxygen (O), is the second most abundant element in the Earth’s crust, covering up to 32% of the lithosphere (Savant et al, 1999; Manivannan et al, 2016). It is worth mentioning that seven out of the 10 most produced crops in the world (ranked by quantity) are Si accumulators (Guntzer, Keller & Meunier, 2012) and most of them positively respond to Si applications (Gómez-Merino & Trejo-Téllez, 2018). These crops include rice (Oryza sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), sugarcane Conclusion: The application of Si has positive effects on pepper plants during the early developmental stage, including stimulation of growth, as well as increased concentrations of chlorophylls, total free amino acids and total soluble sugars. Most benefits from Si applications were observed in the range of 60–125 mg L−1 Si, while some negative effects were observed at the highest
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