Effect of root or foliar application of soluble silicon on plant growth, fruit quality and anthracnose development of capsicum

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the root and foliar application of soluble silicon on plant growth, fruit quality parameters and anthracnose disease development in fruits of Capsicum annuum L. 'Muria F1'. Silicon as potassium silicate (75 mg/l) was provided to root by amending the nutrient solution (T Root) at weekly interval or to foliage by spraying (T Foliar) daily, as two separate treatments. Control plants were not treated with Si. Disease resistance in fruits was assessed by artificial inoculation of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Plant growth and fruit quailty parameters were not significantly affected by Si treatments except firmness and cuticle thickness of fruits which were significantly greater in both T Root and T Foliar treated fruits than the control. This increase in fruit firmness and cuticle thickness possibly may be attributed to mechanical strength occurred by Si treatment. Sensory evaluation was carried out by a trained panel and there was no significant difference in sensory properties among the Si treated and control fruits. The fruits harvested from T Root or T Foliar treated plants developed significantly smaller lesions (67% and 39% respectively) as compared to the control. Further, the disease incidence was delayed by 2 days in both root and foliar treatments compared to the control. However, the effect of Si root treatment was significantly higher than the foliar spray against the disease.

Silicates of Potassium and Aluminium (Kaolin); Comparative Foliar Mitigation Treatments and Biochemical Insight on Grape Berry Quality in Vitis vinifera L. (cv. Touriga National and Touriga Franca)

“…Exogenous foliar application of potassium silicates (K 2 SiO 3 ) has been used for disease control in various crops, [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] including grapes [10]. These treatments do not improve plant growth or yield; although some differences might have been observed due to indirect effects resulting from the lower infestation of disease causing agents, or due to the presence of some agents within silicates material spray formulations [11].…”

Potassium Silicate Foliar Fertilizer Grade from Geothermal Sludge and Pyrophyllite

“…Potassium silicate provides an excellent source of soluble silicon for plants and also provides supplemental potassium, a plant macronutrient (Jayawardana et al, 2014). Potassium silicate is used to strengthen plant resistance to pathogens and to enhance agricultural productivity.…”

Management of strawberry leaf blight disease caused by Phomopsis obscurans using silicate salts under field conditions

“…Also, they measured silicate-treated leaves and found that leaves treated by silicate were harder than control leaves. Moreover, Jayawardana et al (2014) reported that the root and the foliar application of soluble silicon as potassium silicate caused decrease in disease incidence and increase in plant growth and fruit quality parameters. Weerahewa and David (2015) tested tomato cultivars "Thilina" and "Maheshi" by soil application of silicon at 0, 50, and 100 mg/l during the growth stage, flowering stage, and both growth and flowering stages to control anthracnose.…”