Regulation of Agronomic Traits, Nutrient Uptake, Osmolytes and Antioxidants of Maize as Influenced by Exogenous Potassium Silicate under Deficit Irrigation and Semiarid Conditions

Abstract

Understanding the link between the protective role of potassium silicate (K2SiO3) against water shortage and the eventual grain yield of maize plants is still limited under semiarid conditions. Therefore, in this study, we provide insights into the underlying metabolic responses, mineral nutrients uptake and some nonenzymatic and enzymatic antioxidants that may differ in maize plants as influenced by the foliar application of K2SiO3 (0, 1 and 2 mM) under three drip irrigation regimes (100, 75 and 50% of water requirements). Our results indicated that, generally, plants were affected by both moderate and severe deficit irrigation levels. Deficit irrigation decreased shoot dry weight, root dry weight, leaf area index (LAI), relative water content (RWC), N, P, K, Ca, Fe, Zn, carotenoids, grain yield and its parameters, while root/shoot ratio, malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, soluble sugars, ascorbic acid, soluble phenols, peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) were improved. The foliar applications of K2SiO3 relatively alleviated water stress-induced damage. In this respect, the treatment of 2 mM K2SiO3 was more effective than others and could be recommended to mitigate the effect of deficit irrigation on maize plants. Moreover, correlation analysis revealed a close link between yield and the most studied traits.

Effect of Soil Amendments and Foliar Application of Potassium Silicate on Wheat Plants Grown under Sodicity Conditions

“…Generally, the effect of studied treatments on plant height and chlorophyll content reflected on wheat yield and its components. Our results are in agreement with the obtained by Ibrahim et al (2020) and Doklega et al (2021).…”

“…The obtained findings are in harmony with the obtained results of Doklega et al (2021) who stated that antioxidants production in red cabbage plant tissues increased under sodicity stress to protect the plant from this stress but with the continuing stress for a long time and gypsum have a beneficial role in increasing red cabbage plant tolerance to sodicity and scavenging ROS. Beside, Ibrahim et al (2020) found that deficit irrigation increased root/shoot ratio, malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline as well as enzymatic antioxidants production in leaves of maize plants, while foliar applications of potassium silicate relatively alleviated water stress-induced damage and the self-production of plant from these antioxidants.…”

Exogenous Nitric Oxide Reinforces Photosynthetic Efficiency, Osmolyte, Mineral Uptake, Antioxidant, Expression of Stress-Responsive Genes and Ameliorates the Effects of Salinity Stress in Wheat

“…It has been reported that the availability of excess toxic salts at the subcellular level triggers the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), resulting in the induction of oxidative stress [ 1 , 17 , 18 ]. These ROS include radicals such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl, and peroxide, which are injurious to plant metabolism and growth at higher concentrations [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. The accumulation of ROS in plant tissue can result in the oxidation of lipids [ 22 , 23 ], proteins [ 20 , 24 ], nucleic acids [ 25 , 26 ], and chlorophyll [ 27 , 28 ], thereby disturbing the structural and functional integrity of cells.…”

“…These ROS include radicals such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl, and peroxide, which are injurious to plant metabolism and growth at higher concentrations [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. The accumulation of ROS in plant tissue can result in the oxidation of lipids [ 22 , 23 ], proteins [ 20 , 24 ], nucleic acids [ 25 , 26 ], and chlorophyll [ 27 , 28 ], thereby disturbing the structural and functional integrity of cells. To avoid the deleterious impact of accumulated ROS and also prevent their further generation, several defensive mechanisms are being evolved to improve cellular functioning [ 29 , 30 ].…”

Adubação potássica em cobertura e a associação de nitrogênio com silicato de potássio na morfologia de plantas, incidência de carvão comum e produtividade de grãos de milho

“…Estes autores expuseram que a adição de Si aumentou a fluorescência da clorofila e alguns parâmetros fotossintéticos, bem como antioxidantes enzimáticos, parâmetros de desenvolvimento de parte aérea e rendimento de grãos. Ibrahim et al (2020) avaliaram plantas de milho em situação de déficit hídrico severo e moderado, sob aplicação foliar de K2SiO3 e relatam que a fonte de Si mitigou danos induzidos pelo estresse devido aos aumentos expressivos de prolina, açúcares solúveis e ácido ascórbico.…”