Abstract
The role of silica as a needed supplement in soilless media is gaining interest. This research studied the effects of diatomaceous earth as a supplement on growth and flower characteristics, physiology, and nutrient uptake in dahlia (Dahlia Cav. × hybrida ‘Dahlinova Montana’), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta L. ‘Denver Daisy’), and daisy (Gerbera jamesonii L. ‘Festival Light Eye White Shades’). Plants were either well-watered at 10 centibars or water-stressed at 20 centibars. Silicon treatments included top-dressed at 20, 40, 60, and 80 g, or incorporated at 50, 100, 150, and 200 g, in Metro-Mix 360 media without silica plus a control and one treatment of new Metro-Mix 360 with silica already incorporated. Significant effects were seen from diatomaceous earth supplementation, irrigation, and interaction in all plants; growth and flower characteristics, leaf nutrient content, and tolerance to stress were improved by application of diatomaceous earth. An increase in leaf N, P, K, Mg, and Ca was observed for dahlia ‘Dahlinova Montana’ and black-eyed Susan ‘Denver Daisy’. Transpiration was maintained in all three species due to silica supplementation under water-stress. Metro-Mix with silica was similar to the Metro-mix without silica and equivalent to most treatments with supplemental silica for all three species.
Highlights
Silicon is the second most abundant element on earth and is present in various forms, including silicon dioxide, known as silica (Si)
Significant effects were seen from diatomaceous earth supplementation, irrigation, and interaction in all plants; growth and flower characteristics, leaf nutrient content, and tolerance to stress were improved by application of diatomaceous earth
An increase in leaf N, P, K, Mg, and Ca was observed for dahlia ‘Dahlinova Montana’ and black-eyed Susan ‘Denver Daisy’
Summary
Silicon is the second most abundant element on earth and is present in various forms, including silicon dioxide, known as silica (Si). Except for members of the family Equisetaceae, Si is a nonessential and beneficial element, meaning that plants can complete their life cycles without the mineral nutrient [1]. Plants deficient in Si are often weaker structurally and more prone to abnormalities of growth, development, and reproduction. The benefits of Si are mostly evident when plants are under stress conditions [2]. Several studies have shown that plants benefit in many ways from supplemental soluble Si, including greater tolerance of environmental stresses, drought, salinity, mineral toxicity or deficiency, improved growth rates, and resistance to insects and fungi [3,4,5].
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