Abstract
The exposure of plants to high salinity and drought stresses significantly and negatively affected growth, photosynthesis, biochemistry as well as the texture and quality of cucumber fruits. The objective of this study was to determine whether cucumber grown at an increased salinity level or drought stress responds positively to the supply of Si. Two cucumber cultivars (Cucumis sativus L.) were grown under salinity stress and drought stress which were imposed through addition of 150 mM NaCl to the soil and through supply of half of the water required for normal irrigation like that of the control, respectively. Si was supplied as K2SiO3 at 2.25 mM. Its application reduced deterioration through maintenance of membrane integrity, reduction in lipid peroxidation and increased reactive oxygen scavenging. It helped plants to take up and retain water and thus improve water status of the upper parts of the plants. Moreover, it improved photosynthesis and increased chlorophyll content to allow a constant supply of assimilates to the growing tissues. Application of Si increased firmness of the mature cucumber fruits and leaves, this way producing a rougher texture and fruit senescence was delayed. Improvement in cucumber water status and enhancement of antioxidant activities indicate a metabolic and physiological role of Si, which results in a higher nutritional and commercial value of the crop.
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Ouzounidou, G., Giannakoula, A., Ilias, I. et al. Alleviation of drought and salinity stresses on growth, physiology, biochemistry and quality of two Cucumis sativus L. cultivars by Si application. Braz. J. Bot 39, 531–539 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-016-0274-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40415-016-0274-y