Influence of foliar treatment with silicon contained in the Actisil Hydro Plus preparation on the growth, flowering and chemical composition of Gazania rigens (L.) Gaertn., Salvia farinacea Benth and Verbena hybrida Voss

Abstract

Silicon is an element that significantly reduces the vulnerability of plants to biotic and abiotic stress factors, increases their resistance to pathogens and pests, strengthens tissues and cellular membranes, increases biomass and crops, improves the nutrition state of plants and increases the chlorophyll content. It also influences the formation of morphological traits of plants. The aim of our research was to determine the influence of silicon contained in the Actisil preparation on the growth and blooming of Gazania rigens, Salvia farinacea and Verbena hybrida, which are commonly cultivated in flowerbeds and on balconies. A two-factor experiment consisted of the foliar application of a solution of silicon in the following concentrations: 0 mg dm -3 , 120 mg dm -3 and 240 mg dm -3 . The application was performed 2, 4 and 6 times at one-week intervals. Biometric measurements were carried out at the beginning of the blooming of plants. The laboratory analyses included determinations of P, K, Mg, Ca, Si and the chlorophyll content in leaves. Beneficial influence of silicon on most of the morphological traits of the analysed species was demonstrated. Plants responded the best to two or four treatments with the silicon solution of a concentration of 120 mg dm -3 , with an increase in the values of the analysed morphological traits. The application of silicon did not significantly modify the content of mineral elements in the dry weight of leaves. The application of silicon to Gazania rigens led to an increase in the content of this element in leaves as well as to an elevated chlorophyll content.

THE EFFECT OF SILICON ON MORPHOLOGICAL TRAITS AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF Polygonatum multiflorum (L.) All. ‘VARIEGATUM’ CUT SHOOTS

“…The longest shoots were observed when Actisil in concentration of 0.3% and 0.4% was applied in the tunnel. The obtained results confirm the research of other authors who noted that an application of silicate increased height of plants of Medicago sativa, Calendula officinalis, Rosa 'Kardinal' Gerbera hybrida 'Acapella' and many other [Walter 2004, Guo et al 2006, Kamenidou et al 2010, Bayat et al 2013, Whitted-Haag et al 2014, Dębicz et al 2016. A reaction of plants and varieties to silicon application might be related to different levels of endogenous gibberellins, what is suggested by Sivanesan et al [2013].…”

Effect of Silicon Fertilization on Crop Yield Quantity and Quality—A Literature Review in Europe

“…The effect of Actisil on the growth and flowering of plants Gazania rigens (L.) Gaertn., Salvia farinacea Benth., and Verben hybrid Voss., commonly grown in flower beds and on balconies, was investigated in Poland [ 70 ]. Silica solutions at concentrations of 120 and 240 mg Si∙dm −3 were used in the experiment and compared to the control (no spray).…”

Impact of Foliar Application of Various Forms of Silicon on the Chemical Composition of Sugar Beet Plants

“…At the same time, it lowered the magnesium content in the fruit compared to the control variant (Kleiber et al 2015b). The foliar application of Actisil led to an increase in the silicon content in the leaves of Gazania rigens (L.) Gaertn, and the (Dębicz et al 2016). The addition of calcium (Ca 2 SiO 3 ) and ammonium ((NH 4 ) 2 SiO 3 ) silicates to the peat substrate increased the content of silicon in cucumber leaves and fruits (Górecki and Danielski-Busch 2009).…”

“…The application of silicon did not significantly modify the content of mineral elements (P, K, Mg and Ca) and the dry weight of leaves Gazania rigens (L.) Gaertn,, Salvia farinacea Benth and Verbena hybrid Voss. (Dębicz et al 2016). Soil application of calcium silicate increased the content of silicon, phosphorus, calcium and copper, and lowered the amount of nitrogen, potassium, manganese and zinc in rice leaves (Fallah 2016).…”