Author/Authors :
Bayat، Hassan نويسنده Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, , , Alirezaie، Morteza نويسنده Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, , , Neamati، Hossein نويسنده , , Abdollahi Saadabad، Ali نويسنده Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran. ,
Abstract :
A pot experiment was carried out to determine the effect of foliage
spraying of silicon (Si) on growth and ornamental characteristics of calendula
grown under salt stress and greenhouse conditions. A factorial experiment
based on completely randomized design was conducted with 3 levels of Si (0,
50 and 100 mg/l) and 3 levels of NaCl (0, 100 and 200 mM) with 4 replications.
At flowering stage, Si was applied with spraying two times in two week
intervals. NaCl was also applied as drench (200 ml per pot) in two days
interval. The results showed that salinity decreased the growth, SPAD values,
flower number per plant and flower diameter. However, foliar applications of
Si resulted in greater root, shoot and total dry weight, plant height and leaf area
of calendula plants under salt stress. The highest SPAD values were obtained
under 100 mg/l Si application in all NaCl treatments. Salinity decreased number
of flower per plant and flower diameter as ornamental characteristics; however
Si increased them under salinity stress. Plants treated with 100 mg/l Si had the
highest flower diameter at 100 mM of NaCl. Electrolyte leakage increased by
salinity, however foliar application of Si significantly reduced electrolyte
leakage under salt stress. These results suggest that the negative effects of
salinity on the growth and ornamental characteristics of calendula plants can
ameliorate by foliar application of Si treatments.
