Effect of Silicon on Growth and Physiological Parameters in Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum- graceum L.) Under Salt Stress

ABSTRACT: A green house experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of silicon application on Trigonella foenum- graceum L. under salt stress. The experiment was a 4×2 factorial arrangement with four levels of NaCl in the irrigation water, 0, 60, 120 and 180 mM and two levels of silicon (Si), 0 and 1/5 mM as Na2sio3. The result showed that the plants grown at 180 Mm NaCl produced less dry matter and chlorophyll content than those without NaCl. Supplementary Si at 1/5 mM ameliorated the negative effects of salinity on plant dry matter and chlorophyll content. Membrane permeability in leaves increased with addition of NaCl and these increases were decreased with Si treatment. The results indicated that the silicon increased the tolerance to salt stress, in which the leaf relative water content, chlorophylls a and b were maintenanted in higher levels, if compared with stress plants.