Influence of silicon on growth and salt uptake in wheat under salinity

The effect of silicon on growth and physiological process was studied in wheat seedlings grown under NaCl salinity. Salinity stress decreased the root and shoot length, chlorophyll content, leaf tissue tolerance, total sugars, starch and potassium, while sodium content was found to be higher in wheat seedlings grown in half-strength Hoagland nutrient medium. The magnitude of decrease was less in tolerant cultivar GW-1 compared to KRL 1–4. Conversely, addition of silicon to the nutrient medium reversed the salt inhibited growth mainly by reducing the sodium uptake into the shoot. It enabled the plant to restore chlorophyll content and the concomitant increase in sugar and starch levels. Silicon also enhanced the leaf tissue tolerance to sodium. Relevance of these changes in relation to salt tolerance is discussed.