Beneficial effects of silicon in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under salinity stress

Abstract

We evaluated growth performance of two wheat genotypes (Auqab-2000 & SARC-5) differing in salinity tolerance to applied silicon under saline conditions. Plants were grown in pots filled with normal (EC=1.16 dSm) and saline soil (developed EC=10 dSm). Silicon was applied @ 0, 50 and 130 μg Si/g soil using calcium silicate. Plants were harvested at maturity and different physical and chemical parameters were recorded. Salinity stress significantly (p 0.81, p<0.01) with shoot dry matter in both genotypes, however, reduction in SDM was more in Auqab-2000. Percent increase in Na concentration due to salinity was significantly reduced in plants receiving Si in root environment. Shoot Si concentration significantly correlated with shoot K concentration (r=0.83, p<0.01) and negatively with shoot Na concentration (r=0.57, p<0.05). Increased K concentration and reduced Na uptake or translocation may be one of the possible mechanisms of increased salinity tolerance by Si application in wheat.