Ionic Composition of Wheat in Response to Silicon Application under Saline Growth Environment
Ionic Composition of Wheat in Response to Silicon Application under Saline Growth Environment
Mukkram Ali Tahir1, Noor-us-Sabah1*, Ghulam Sarwar1, Muhammad Aftab2, Abdul Moeez1, Muhammad Zeeshan Manzoor1 and Aneela Riaz3
ABSTRACT
Salinity is very common threatening issue regarding growth and yield of dry regions of the world and likewise in Pakistan. Silicon role in plant growth and especially strengthening of plant defence system is well documented particularly upon exposure to salt stress. Present research was performed using wheat variety Punjab-2011 with Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) under field conditions using three treatments and each replicated three times. Treatments were wheat florae were developed in plots having normal soil (EC= 2.32 dS/m) and salty soil (4.93 dS/m). Si as phosphate industry waste was applied @ 0, 50 and 100 µg Si/g soil. Results showed that application of Si reduced the adverse impact of salinity and significantly enhanced the nutrients status of wheat plant. Under normal soil conditions, sodium (Na) concentration (5.63 mg/g), potassium (K) concentration (9.20 mg/g), Na/K ratio (1.60 mg/g), relative water contents (56.49%) and total chlorophyll contents (2.74 mg/g) were observed when maximum concentration of Si was applied i.e. 100 µg Si/g and least was recorded when no Si was applied. Similarly, under saline soil conditions, maximum sodium concentration (6.72 mg/g), potassium concentration (16.6 mg/g), Na/K ratio (2.5 mg/g), relative water contents (53.63%) and total chlorophyll contents (2.50 mg/g) were observed when maximum concentration of Si was applied i.e. 100 µg Si/g.
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