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Foliar-Applied Silicon in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Alleviate Zinc Deficiency

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Abstract

Foliar-applied silicon may reduce the damage caused by zinc (Zn) deficiency in plants. While adding silicon (Si) and Zn to the solution may increase foliar fertilization efficiency, Si effects on sorghum plants are not known yet. Therefore, this study investigates how four different Zn chelate concentrations, with and without Si, applied via leaf, affect sorghum nutrition and development. The experimental design consisted of a 4 × 2 factorial scheme with four Zn-EDTA (0, 0.60, 1.20, and 1.80 g L−1) and two Si (control and 0.50 g L−1) concentrations applied via leaf, and five replicates. The evaluated parameters were Zn and Si accumulation, Zn use efficiency, cell electrolyte leakage, as well as chlorophyll, carotenoids, protein, and dry matter content. In Zn deficient plants, foliar-applied Si increased Zn accumulation, photosynthetic pigments, shoot and root dry matter while decreasing cell leakage. Zn chelates with added foliar-applied Si increased Zn accumulation, photosynthetic pigments, protein, and root dry matter. In conclusion, foliar spraying of Si alleviates Zn deficiency in sorghum plants and, therefore, adding Si to the Zn solution is agronomically feasible.

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Acknowledgments

This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Soils and Fertilizers, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/no, Jaboticabal, Zip 14884-900, Brazil

    Victor Hugo de Farias Guedes, Renato de Mello Prado, Joaquim José Frazão & Kamilla Silva Oliveira

  2. Department of Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Agricultural and Veterinarian Sciences, Jaboticabal, Via de Acesso Prof. Paulo Donato Castellane, s/no, Jaboticabal, Zip 14884-900, Brazil

    Jairo Osvaldo Cazetta

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  1. Victor Hugo de Farias Guedes
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  2. Renato de Mello Prado
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  3. Joaquim José Frazão
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  4. Kamilla Silva Oliveira
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  5. Jairo Osvaldo Cazetta
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Correspondence to Victor Hugo de Farias Guedes.

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de Farias Guedes, V.H., de Mello Prado, R., Frazão, J.J. et al. Foliar-Applied Silicon in Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Alleviate Zinc Deficiency. Silicon 14, 281–287 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-020-00825-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-020-00825-3

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