Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-2021
Keywords
basil; cucumber; parsley; rosemary; thyme; tomato; silicon; container crop; soilless substrate
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate silicon (Si) foliar spray and substrate drench effects on plant growth and morphology for container-grown edible crops during greenhouse production, as well as resistance to plant wilting during post-production. In the first greenhouse experiment, basil received Si foliar sprays at 0, 50, 100, 200, and 400 mg∙L–1 Si. In the second greenhouse experiment, Si was applied as either a foliar spray (500 mg∙L–1 Si) or substrate drench (100 mg∙L–1 Si) with six edible crop species. Supplemental Si increased shoot Si levels but had minimal effects on plant growth and morphology, except for parsley, which resulted in distorted growth and phytotoxicity. In the first experiment, 200 and 400 mg∙L–1 Si foliar sprays increased plant resistance to wilt by 2.2 and 2.5 d, respectively; however, this was not observed in the second experiment. All species accumulated Si with the control (no Si) treatments, indicating trace amounts of Si were taken up from the substrate, fertilizer, spray surfactant, and irrigation water. Only cucumber was classified as a Si “accumulator” with a high capacity for Si uptake. Results emphasize the need to conduct preliminary trials with supplemental Si to avoid issues of phytotoxicity.
Citation
Tebow, J., Houston, L. L., & Dickson, R. W. (2021). Silicon Foliar Spray and Substrate Drench Effects on Plant Growth, Morphology, and Resistance to Wilting with Container-Grown Edible Species. Horticulturae, 7 (9), 263. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7090263
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
