Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Silicon (Si) may benefit the growth and physiology of various cultivated species, especially under stress conditions. Here, we hypothesized that soil Si supplying as Ca2SiO4 would increase the drought tolerance and water use efficiency of young Coffea arabica L. (Arabica coffee) plants, by maintaining shoot water status and photosynthesis under low water availability. To test such a hypothesis, morphological and physiological (leaf water potential, leaf gas exchange, photochemical activity, chlorophyll content) traits of coffee plants were evaluated under varying soil Ca2SiO4 applications (0, 3000, 6000 kg ha−1) and water availability. The chemical composition of plant tissues was evaluated under well-watered conditions after six months of Ca2SiO4 application, with fertilized plants showing higher concentrations of Ca (leaves and roots) and B (all plant organs) as compared to plants not supplied with Ca2SiO4 (control treatment). As there were no changes in Si concentration in plant organs under Ca2SiO4 application, our data indicate that the coffee species is a Si non-accumulator, or at least the cultivar ‘Catuaí Vermelho’ evaluated herein. Additionally, the photosynthetic capacity of coffee plants increased with 6000 kg Ca2SiO4 ha−1 compared to the control under well-watered conditions, as given by increases in gross and net photosynthesis under light saturation, light saturation point, maximum RuBisCO carboxylation rate, maximum electron transport-dependent RuBP regeneration, and maximum rate of triose phosphate use. Such photosynthetic improvements underlined high leaf CO2 assimilation, transpiration, carboxylation efficiency, and chlorophyll content in plants grown under Si supplying and well-watered conditions. The negative impact of water deficit on leaf gas exchange was alleviated by Ca2SiO4 application, but the instantaneous water use efficiency was maintained as similar in both water regimes, as expected for Si non-accumulator species. Morphologically, coffee stem diameter was increased under Ca2SiO4 application, regardless of water regime. In conclusion, our data revealed that high Ca2SiO4 doses benefit coffee performance and also suggest that the use of steel slag—an industrial byproduct rich in Ca2SiO4—can be considered as a sustainable practice for residue recycling in agriculture while improving C. arabica growth and physiology under varying water availability.
Source: Plants
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,258
Awards: G1890344684, G1940523326, G2504564864
OpenAlex ID: W4416941198