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Effect of silicon application on physiological traits and seed yield of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) under drought stress conditions
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Mostafa Alinaghizadeh1   , Mohammad Azimi¬ Gandomani |
| Agriculture Department, Faculty of Technical and Engineering, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran |
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Abstract: (80 Views) |
Introduction: In recent years, silicon (Si) fertilizer has attracted attention of farmers and researchers as a potential mitigator for adverse effect of drought stress, offering means to enhance the resilience and functional traits of agricultural crops. Numerous studies have demonstrated the positive effects of Si application in alleviating water deficiency, though most have utilized foliar spraying methods. Soil application (fertilization) may serve as a suitable alternative for utilizing this beneficial element (Mostofa et al., 2021). This study aimed to determine the beneficial role of silicon as a plant biostimulant through fertilization, reducing water stress effect and improving the biochemical and physiological characteristicsas well as yield of quinoa.
Materials and Methods: To investigate the physiological, biochemical, and yield responses of quinoa to silicon fertilization under drought stress conditions, a field experiment was conducted during the 2023–2024 growing season at the Gandoman research farm of Payame Noor University, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran. The experiment was carried out as split-plot arrangements in randomized complete block design with three replications. The experimental treatments included irrigation at four levels in the main plots (40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% field capacity; defined as severe, moderate, mild and full irrigation, respectively) and silicon fertilizer at four levels (0, 1, 2, and 3 l.ha-1) in the sub-plots. Analysis of variance was performed using SAS software and the means were compared using LSD test at the 5% probability level. Graphs were made using Excel software.
Results: The results indicated that reducing irrigation levels led to a decrease in photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant enzyme activities, and seed yield, while the application of silicon fertilizer mitigated the negative effects of the drought stress. Under the 40% field capacity irrigation level, the chla, chlb, carotenoids and total chlorophyll content in the treatment with 3 l.ha-1 of silicon were higher by 103%, 52%, 117%, and 99%, respectively, compared to the control (without silicon). Additionally, the activity levels of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase enzymes in the 3 l.ha-1 of silicon level were higher by 264%, 65%, and 176%, respectively, than in the control under the 40% field capacity irrigation condition. Moreover, in the 40% field capacity irrigation level, compared to the 100% field capacity level, the increase in relative water content of leaves, seed yield, and biomass in the treatment with 3 l.ha-1 of silicon was higher by 51%, 40%, and 9%, respectively, than the control without silicon application. Based on the results, the treatment with 40% field capacity and 3 l.ha-1 of silicon (equivalent to 1250 kg.ha-1) prevented more effectively the reduction in seed yield. Under the 40% field capacity treatment (severe drought stress), the highest proline content (1.56 µmol.g-1 FW) and soluble carbohydrate content (20.7 mg.g-1 FW) were observed with the application of 3 l.ha-1 of silicon.
Conclusion: Overall, the results of this experiment demonstrated that drought stress led to reductions in photosynthetic pigments (chla, chlb, and carotenoids by 29%, 79%, and 38%, respectively, compared to the control), relative leaf water content (by 11% compared to the control), seed yield (by 49% compared to the control), and biomass (by 68% compared to the control). Under drought conditions, antioxidant enzyme activity, proline, and soluble carbohydrate content increased. Moreover, silicon fertilization mitigated the negative effects of drought stress. In conclusion, the results of this experiment showed that although drought stress led to reduction in physiological traits and seed yield, however, the application of silicon fertilizer significantly lessened the negative effects of drought stress.
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| Keywords: Drought stress, Enzyme activity, Quinoa, Relative water content and Seed yield |
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Full-Text [PDF 773 kb]
(51 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Scientific & Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2024/07/11 | Accepted: 2024/09/26 | Published: 2024/12/30
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Alinaghizadeh1 M, Azimi¬ Gandomani M. Effect of silicon application on physiological traits and seed yield of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) under drought stress conditions. علوم زراعی 2024; 26 (2) :187-204 URL: http://agrobreedjournal.ir/article-1-1373-en.html
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