EFFECT OF SILICON APPLICATION ON WHEAT (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) GROWTH UNDER WATER DEFICIENCY STRESS

Faraz Ahmad; Rahmatullah .; Tariq Aziz; M. Aamer Maqsood; Mukkram A.Tahir; Shamsa Kanwal

doi:10.9755/ejfa.v12i1.5170

Authors

Faraz Ahmad Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
Rahmatullah . Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
Tariq Aziz Sub-Campus Depalpur, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Depalpur, Okara
M. Aamer Maqsood Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
Mukkram A.Tahir Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
Shamsa Kanwal Institute of Soil & Environmental Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.9755/ejfa.v12i1.5170

Abstract

Silicon is known to ameliorate the deleterious effects of drought on plant growth. We evaluated growth of wheat (CV. Inqlab-91) on different soil water regimes as affected by Si application. Silicon was added in soil @ 50 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg of soil. Plants were grown with three levels of soil water contents viz 50%, 75% and 100% of field capacity. Water deficiency in soil significantly reduced shoot biomass and spike weight of wheat plants. Silicon application significantly (p<0.01) increased plant biomass, plant height and spike weight at all levels of water contents. Poor growth of plants in water deficient conditions was significantly improved with Si application. Silicon application significantly increased Si concentration and uptake in wheat plants grown at all three soil water levels. Mechanisms underlying growth improvement under drought are still unclear and must be explored.