Abstract:Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is an important species for semiarid regions, such as Brazilian Northeast, where soil salinization and water quality is becoming a striking problem.Several research centers have evaluated the role of different compounds capable to induce changes in plant metabolism and improve salt tolerance. For some abiotic stress, selenium (Se) emerges as an alternative to activate plant defense responses; however, its involvement in tolerance to salt stress remain poorly understood. Thus, this wor… Show more
The aim of this study was to investigate whether silicon (Si) supply was able to alleviate the harmful effects caused by salinity stress on sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor × Sorghum sudanense), a species of grass raised for forage and grain. Plants were grown in the presence or absence of 150 mM NaCl, supplemented or not with Si (0.5 mM Si). Biomass production, water and mineral status, photosynthetic pigment contents, and gas exchange parameters were investigated. Special focus was accorded to evaluating the PSI and PSII. Salinity stress significantly reduced plant growth and tissue hydration, and led to a significant decrease in all other studied parameters. Si supply enhanced whole plant biomass production by 50%, improved water status, decreased Na+ and Cl− accumulation, and even restored chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents. Interestingly, both photosystem activities (PSI and PSII) were enhanced with Si addition. However, a more pronounced enhancement was noted in PSI compared with PSII, with a greater oxidation state upon Si supply. Our findings confirm that Si mitigated the adverse effects of salinity on sorghum-sudangrass throughout adverse approaches. Application of Si in sorghum appears to be an efficient key solution for managing salt-damaging effects on plants.
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