Influence of Silicon on Growth, Relative Water Contents and Uptake of Silicon, Calcium and Potassium in Wheat Grown in Nutrient Solution

ABSTRACT

Growth performance, relative water contents (RWC), and mineral nutrition were studied in Triticum aestivum L. treated with different concentrations of silicon (25, 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 ppm). Lower administrations of silicon (25–200 ppm) resulted in an enhancement in relative yield, relative water contents, calcium, and potassium contents. A significant (0.1% level) direct relationship between tissue silicon content and applied silicon concentrations and an inverse relationship between relative yield and higher applied silicon concentrations (400 and 800 ppm) were observed. Shoots were significantly richer in silicon content than roots. The results indicate a possible requirement of silicon for higher plants.

Keywords:

• silicon
• relative yield
• relative water content
• calcium
• potassium