Silicon accumulation in cauliflower grown in a protected environment with different water availability conditions

Abstract

The objective of this work was to determine the accumulation of silicon in the plant components of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) grown with different levels of water replacement and rates of Si. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three water replacement conditions (40, 70, and 100% evapotranspiration), four Si rates (0, 50, 100, and 150 kg ha-1), and four replicates. Daily evapotranspiration was determined with constant water table lysimeters, with water replacement by a drip system. As a source of Si, silicon oxide was applied three times in the crop cycle - at the initial, intermediate, and final development stages of the plant. At the end of the cycle, samples of plant tissue (root, stem, leaves, and inflorescence) and soil were collected to determine Si by spectrometry. The Si content in the soil was not influenced by water replacement, only by silicate fertilization. The silicon applied to the soil increased the content of the element in the plant components, especially in the roots. Water replacement influences the accumulation of Si in cauliflower plant tissues, with lower amounts of the element under water deficit conditions.

Effect of Foliar Application of Sodium Selenate on Mineral Relationships in Brassicaceae Crops

“…Mg and P are essential elements for plant growth and development, whereas Si is only beneficial, and its accumulation levels, mostly depending on plant genetic peculiarities [35], affect crop productivity, photosynthesis processes and metabolic function regulation. Brassica oleracea plants are not Si accumulators, and usually, their content of this element is within 2-4 mg kg −1 d.w. [36]. Silicon varietal differences in the present work ranged between 2.1 to 3.8 mg kg −1 d.w., similar to previous reports for cauliflower [36].…”

“…Brassica oleracea plants are not Si accumulators, and usually, their content of this element is within 2-4 mg kg −1 d.w. [36]. Silicon varietal differences in the present work ranged between 2.1 to 3.8 mg kg −1 d.w., similar to previous reports for cauliflower [36].…”

Performance of tomato grown under different water replacement depths and silicon application forms

“…The amount of silicon applied was determined based on its levels in the soil (Wenneck et al, 2022) and previous studies involving different species and forms of application (Lozano et al, 2018;Nocchi et al, 2021;Wenneck et al, 2021). For soil applications, a total of 100 kg Si ha -1 was usd, with the full dose applied at transplanting.…”

“…Silicon oxide (98%) served as the nutrient source (AgriSil® Agrobiológica) for all applications. Notably, the silicon content in the water used for irrigation and foliar application was disregarded, as indicated in the study by Wenneck et al (2022) on the influence of irrigation depths and silicon application on the dynamics of the element in the production system.…”

“…Among the beneficial elements, silicon (Si) stands out due to its abundance on the planet, extensive research, and positive effects on plants under adverse growing conditions, such as water deficit (Chen et al, 2018;Chakma et al, 2021). However, Si availability is often low in weathered soils (Wenneck et al, 2022), which has led to increased exogenous application in production systems (Yan et al, 2018;Chakma et al, 2021;Tombeur et al, 2021; Semina: Ciênc. Agrár.…”