Year: 2010
Type: article
Abstract: Understanding turfgrass response to silicon (Si) application under salinity conditions is important to find a way to improve turfgrass salt tolerance for turf management. The objective of the study was to investigate effects of increasing amendment concentrations of Na 2 SiO 3 on turf growth and distribution of Na + and K + in seedlings of kentucky bluegrass (KBG) ( Poa pratensis L.) under salinity stress. This growth chamber experiment was consisted of a control (no salinity and no Si) and five Si amendment treatments (0, 0.24, 0.48, 0.72, and 0.96 g Si/kg saline soil) under 10 g·kg −1 salinity conditions. Seed germination rate was significantly increased after 12 d under 0.48 g·kg −1 Si treatment. Plant height and canopy coverage were increased under 0.72 g·kg −1 Si treatment after 40 and 44 d of treatment, respectively, and tiller number was increased under 0.96 g·kg −1 Si treatment compared with 0 Si under saline conditions. With the supplement of Si at 0.48 to 0.96 g·kg −1 , the ratio of Na + /K + in shoots was decreased and individual leaf area was increased compared with 0 Si under saline conditions. The increase in individual leaf area was mainly the result of the increase in the leaf blade length. The concentration of K + in shoots was significantly increased, whereas the concentrations of Na + in roots were significantly decreased under all Si amendment treatments. The content of K + was higher in shoots than in roots, but the ratio of Na + /K + in roots was higher than in shoots in all Si amendment treatments. The results indicate that under saline conditions, Si induced the transfer of K + from roots to shoots but inhibited the absorption and transfer of Na + , which may contribute to better turf quality and growth with Si treatment under saline conditions.
Source: HortScience
Authors: Qi Chai, Xinqing Shao, Jianquan Zhang
Institutions: Lanzhou University, China Agricultural University
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,000
OpenAlex ID: W2186595486