The Positive Effects of Silicon on Rice Seedlings Under Saline-Alkali Mixed Stress

Abstract

Saline-alkali mixed stress is a widespread environmental problem in agriculture. To examine the effects of silicon on rice under saline-alkali stress, the effects of silicon on germination, morphogenesis, chlorophyll content, soluble protein content, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and antioxidases including peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities were investigated in rice seedlings. The results showed that germination percentage, germination rate, and germination index were increased significantly by the silicon compared with the nonsilicon treatment. Meanwhile, silicon application improved the growth of rice seedlings remarkably under saline-alkali stress, which was consistent with the elevation of chlorophyll contents. The MDA contents were decreased markedly with different silicon treatments. In contrast, the activities of SOD and POD were enhanced significantly with appropriate silicon treatment, which were in accordance with the increasing of soluble protein contents. All the analysis showed that 5 and 10 mmol/L silicon concentrations were more effective in alleviating the injury of rice seedlings under saline-alkali stress.