Application of Nano-Silicon Dioxide Improves Salt Stress Tolerance in Strawberry Plants

Abstract

Silicon application can improve productivity outcomes for salt stressed plants. Here, we describe how strawberry plants respond to treatments including various combinations of salt stress and nano-silicon dioxide, and assess whether nano-silicon dioxide improves strawberry plant tolerance to salt stress. Strawberry plants were treated with salt (0, 25 or 50 mM NaCl), and the nano-silicon dioxide treatments were applied to the strawberry plants before (0, 50 and 100 mg L−1) or after (0 and 50 mg L−1) flowering. The salt stress treatments reduced plant biomass, chlorophyll content, and leaf relative water content (RWC) as expected. Relative to control (no NaCl) plants the salt treated plants had 10% lower membrane stability index (MSI), 81% greater proline content, and 54% greater cuticular transpiration; as well as increased canopy temperature and changes in the structure of the epicuticular wax layer. The plants treated with nano-silicon dioxide were better able to maintain epicuticular wax structure, chlorophyll content, and carotenoid content and accumulated less proline relative to plants treated only with salt and no nano-silicon dioxide. Analysis of scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images revealed that the salt treatments resulted in changes in epicuticular wax type and thickness, and that the application of nano-silicon dioxide suppressed the adverse effects of salinity on the epicuticular wax layer. Nano-silicon dioxide treated salt stressed plants had increased irregular (smoother) crystal wax deposits in their epicuticular layer. Together these observations indicate that application of nano-silicon dioxide can limit the adverse anatomical and biochemical changes related to salt stress impacts on strawberry plants and that this is, in part, associated with epicuticular wax deposition.

Effect of Three Nanoparticles (Se, Si and Cu) on the Bioactive Compounds of Bell Pepper Fruits under Saline Stress

“…Hussein et al [ 14 ] reported that the application of Se NPs induced a higher chlorophyll content in peanut crop. Likewise, when applying SiO 2 NPs in strawberry developed under saline stress, the chlorophyll content increased [ 28 ]. Application of 100 mg L −1 TiO 2 in Dracocephalum moldavica L. increased the content of chlorophyll a , b , and carotenoids when there was no salinity stress; however, under salinity conditions, it was able to increase the pigment content, managing to reverse the negative effect of salinity [ 29 ].…”

“…The application of Cu NPs (2.5 mg L −1 ) in Oryza sativa increased by 50% the content of carotenoids (β-carotene, violaxanthin and lutein), however in higher doses the amount of carotenoids decreased [ 30 ]. In strawberry crop, the carotenoid content was increased with the application of SiO 2 NPs [ 28 ]. Ghadakchi asl et al [ 31 ] reported that the content of carotenoids in grapes under saline stress conditions increased, and at Si NPs (2 mM) the content of these metabolites also increased.…”

Interactive Effect of Biochar and Silicon on Improving Morpho-Physiological and Biochemical Attributes of Maize by Reducing Drought Hazards

“…This improvement is attributed to higher water holding capacity and other soil properties due to biochar application as described above. Furthermore, it is reported that foliar application of Si developed a binary layer of silica-cuticle on leaves (Avestan et al 2019;Flores et al 2019) that reduces the stomatal opening and improves water potential in leaves. Flores et al (2019) concluded modifications in lignin and suberin processing and displacement in sorghum leaves under foliar application of Si that decrease the loss of water and evapotranspiration rate under drought-stressed conditions and led to improve water relations.…”

Stimulatory Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on the Growth and Flowering of Potted Oriental Lilies

“…In the agriculture industry, they are increasingly being used as components of new fertilizers [3], plant protection products [4], herbicides [5], and preparations for prolonging cut flower durability [6]. Recently, nanoparticles and nanomaterials have been suggested as potential biostimulators that might improve plant propagation and growth [7,8] and improve plant resistance to stress [9,10]. Using nanoparticles could bring numerous benefits to agriculture and horticulture, but also involves some risks related to their not yet fully recognized environmental impacts [11].…”