Effect of silicon on some physiological properties of maize (zea mays) under salt stress

Abstract

Salt stress is an abiotic stress that can effect the plant growth and physiological and biochemical activities such as photosynthesis activity and chlorophyll content. This study was conducted in order to evaluate effects of silicon (Si) on some physiological properties of maize (Zea mays) under salt stress. Selected seedlings were transplanted to plastic pots contained sterilized and non-saline sandy soil that continuously aerated full-strength Hoagland nutrient solution. The Si was added at four levels (0, 2, 4 and 6 mmol.L-1 ) from source potassium silicate (K2SiO3) and salt stress was applied at four levels (0, 3, 6 and 9 dS.m-1 ) from source sodium chloride (NaCl). A factorial experiment in a completely randomized design (CRD) with sixteen treatments and three replications was applied. Results indicated that salinity significantly decreased the fresh and dry weights of shoot and root, stem length, leaf area, chlorophyll content and relative water content (RWC) of maize plant and application of Si significantly increased them. Remarkable decrease observed in treatments with EC > 3 dS.m-1 , while, gradual increasing of Si increased physiological properties of maize. Therefore, proper Si nutrition can increase salt resistance in maize plant.