Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer

Vol. 19 No. 3 (2020)

Articles

EFFECTS OF SILICON AND CALCIUM APPLICATION ON GROWTH, YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY PARAMETERS OF CUCUMBER ESTABLISHED IN A SODIC SOIL

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/asphc.2020.3.13
Submitted: June 29, 2020
Published: 2020-06-29

Abstract

Soil salinity is a growing problem that affects crop quality. Cucumber is a vegetable eaten fresh, with great worldwide demand, making its chemical and physical characteristics important. In the present work, the effects of foliar application of silicon (Si: 0 and 2 mM), calcium (Ca: 0 and 2 mM), and the combination of both (Si + Ca: 0 + 0 mM, 2 + 0 mM, 0 + 2 mM and 2 + 2 mM) on dry matter of leaves and stems, yield and fruit quality of cucumbers grown in a sodic soil were studied. Treatments did not affect dry biomass, yield and product size. The obtained results show that applying foliar Ca increases total soluble solids in comparison to the control. Foliar Si application significantly increased fruit firmness in the end towards the peduncle. Moreover, foliar Ca application increased the fruit hue angle (intense green), while foliar Si application increased chroma (dark green), both significantly regarding the control. The individual applications of Si and Ca were proven to differentially improve the fruit quality parameters of cucumber in sodic soil conditions.

References

  1. Alcaraz-Lopez, C., Botia, M., Alcaraz, C.F., Riquelme, F. (2003). Effects of foliar sprays containing calcium, magnesium and titanium on plum (Prunus domestica L.) fruit quality. J. Plant Physiol., 160, 1441‒1446. DOI: 10.1078/0176-1617-00999
  2. Bauer, P., Elbaum, R., Weiss, I.M. (2011). Calcium and silicon mineralization in land plants: Transport, structure and function. Plant Sci., 180, 746‒756. DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2011.01.019
  3. Boland, F.E. (1990). Fruits and fruit products. In: Official Methods of Analysis of the Association of Analytical Methods (AOAC), Helrich, K, (ed.). Virginia, USA, 910‒911.
  4. Bonomelli, C., Ruiz, R. (2010). Effects of foliar and soil calcium application on yield and quality of table grape cv. ‘Thompson seedless’. J. Plant Nutr., 33, 299‒314. DOI: 10.1080/01904160903470364
  5. Bouzo, C.A., Cortez, S.B. (2012). Efecto de la aplicación foliar de calcio sobre algunos atributos de calidad en frutos de melón. Rev. Investig. Agropec., 38, 257‒262.
  6. Colla, G., Roupahel, Y., Cardarelli, M. (2006). Effect of salinity on yield, fruit quality, leaf gas exchange, and mineral composition of grafted watermelon plants. HortScience, 41, 622‒627. DOI: 10.21273/HORTSCI.41.3.622
  7. Cooke, J., Leishman, M.R. (2016). Consistent alleviation of abiotic stress with silicon addition: A meta-analysis. Funct. Ecol., 30, 1340‒1357. DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12713
  8. Dabuxilatu, Ikeda, M. (2005). Interactive effect of salinity and supplemental calcium application on growth and ionic concentration of soybean and cucumber plants. Soil Sci. Plant Nutr., 61, 549‒555. DOI: 10.1111/j.1747-0765.2005.tb00063.x
  9. Dayod, M., Tyerman, S.D., Leigh, R.A., Gilliham, M. (2010). Calcium storage in plants and the implications for calcium biofortification. Protoplasma, 247, 215–231. DOI: 10.1007/s00709-010-0182-0
  10. Domene, R.M.A., Segura, R.M. (2014). Parámetros de calidad externa en la industria agroalimentaria. Cajamar, Negocio Agroalimentario y Cooperativo, Ficha de Transferencia, No. 003.
  11. Esmat, F., Hassan, F.A.S. (2016). Supplemental effects of silicon nutrition on growth, quality and some physiological characters of potted chrysanthemum grown in greenhouse. Acta Sci. Pol. Hortorum Cultus, 15, 85‒98.
  12. Fahmy, K., Nakano, K. (2013). Influence of relative humidity on development of chilling injury of cucumber fruits during low temperature storage. Asia Pacific J. Sus. Agric. Food Energy, 1, 1‒5.
  13. FAO. (2012). El estado de los recursos de tierras y aguas del mundo para la alimentación y la agricultura. La gestión de los sistemas en situación de riesgo. Organización de las Naciones Unidas para la Alimentación y la Agricultura (FAO). Roma y Ediciones Mundi-Prensa, Madrid.
  14. Gómez-López, M.D., Fernández-Trujillo, J.P., Baille, A. (2006). Cucumber fruit quality at harvest affected by soilless system, crop age and preharvest climatic conditions during two consecutive seasons. Sci. Hortic., 110, 68–78. DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2006.06.021
  15. He, L., Li, B., Lu, X., Yuan, L., Yang, Y., Yuan, Y., Du, J., Guo, S. (2015). The effect of exogenous calcium on mitochondria, respiratory metabolism enzymes and ion transport in cucumber roots under hypoxia. Sci. Rep., 5, 11391. DOI: 10.1038/srep11391
  16. Hocking, B., Tyerman, S.D., Burton, R.A., Gilliham, M. (2016). Fruit Calcium: Transport and Physiology. Front. Plant Sci., 7, 569. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00569
  17. Hojjatnooghi. F., Mozafari, V., Tajabadipour, A., Hokmabadi, H. (2014). Effects of salinity and calcium on the growth and chemical composition of pistachio seedlings. J. Plant Nutr., 37, 928–941. DOI: 10.1080/01904167.2014.888737
  18. Hu, D.G., Ma, Q.J., Sun, C.H., Sun, M.H., You, C.X., Hao, Y.J. (2016). Overexpression of MdSOS2L1, a CIPK protein kinase, increases the antioxidant metabolites to enhance salt tolerance in apple and tomato. Physiol. Plant., 156, 201‒214. DOI: 10.1111/ppl.12354
  19. Hurr, B.M., Huber, D.J., Vallejos, C.E., Talcott, S.T. (2009). Developmentally dependent responses of detached cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) fruit to exogenous ethylene. Postharvest Biol. Tec., 52, 207‒215. DOI: 10.1016/j.postharvbio.2008.12.006
  20. Jasso-Chaverria, C., Hochmuth, G.J., Hochmuth, R.C., Sargent, S.A. (2005). Fruit yield, size, and color responses of two greenhouse cucumber types to nitrogen fertilization in perlite soilless culture. HortTechnology, 15, 422‒424. DOI: 10.21273/HORTTECH.15.3.0565
  21. Jayawardana, H.A.R., Weerahewa, K.H.L.D., Saparamadu, M.D.J.S. (2014). Effect of root or foliar application of soluble silicon on plant growth, fruit quality and anthracnose development of Capsicum. Trop. Agric. Res., 26, 74‒81. DOI: 10.4038/tar.v26i1.8073
  22. Kaya, C., Kirnak, H., Higgs, D., Saltali, K. (2002). Supplementary calcium enhances plant growth and fruit yield in strawberry cultivars grown at high (NaCl) salinity. Sci. Hortic., 93, 65‒74. DOI: 10.1016/S0304-4238(01)00313-2
  23. Kaya, C., Higgs, D., Kirnak, H., Tas, I. (2003). Ameliorative effect of calcium nitrate on cucumber and melon plants drip irrigated with saline water. J. Plant Nutr., 26, 1665–1681. DOI: 10.1081/PLN-120022379
  24. Khan, W.D., Aziz, T., Hussain, I., Ramzani, P.M.A., Reichenauer, T.G. (2017). Silicon: a beneficial nutrient for maize crop to enhance photochemical efficiency of photosystem II under salt stress. Arch. Agron. Soil Sci., 63, 599‒611. DOI: 10.1080/03650340.2016.1233322
  25. Khoshgoftarmanesh, A.H., Khodarahmi, S., Haghighi, M. (2014). Effect of silicon nutrition on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant response of cucumber plants exposed to salinity stress. Arch. Agron. Soil Sci., 60, 639–653. DOI: 10.1080/03650340.2013.822487
  26. Lancaster, J.E., Lister, C.E. (1997). Influence of pigment composition on skin color in a wide range of fruit and vegetables. J. Am. Soc. Hortic. Sci., 122, 594‒598. DOI: 10.21273/JASHS.122.4.594
  27. Lolaei, A., Ali, R.M., Khorrami, R.M., Kaviani, B. (2012). Effects of salinity and calcium on the growth, ion concentration and yield of olive (Olea europea L.) trees. Ann. Biol. Res., 3, 4675–4679.
  28. Luyckx, M., Hausman, J.F., Lutts, S., Guerriero, G. (2017). Silicon and plants: current knowledge and technological perspectives. Front. Plant Sci., 8, 411. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.00411
  29. Melgar, J.C., Benlloch, M., Fernandez-Escobar, R. (2007). Calcium starvation increase salts susceptibility to water stress. J. Hortic. Sci. Biotech., 82, 622‒626. DOI: 10.1080/14620316.2007.11512282
  30. Michailidis, M., Karagiannis, K., Tanou, G., Karamanoli, K., Lazaridou, A., Matsi, T., Molassiotis, A. (2017). Metabolomic and physico-chemical approach unravel dynamic regulation of calcium in sweet cherry fruit physiology. Plant Physiol. Biochem., 116, 68‒79. DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2017.05.005
  31. Montesano, F.F., D´Imperio, M., Parente, A., Cardinali, A., Renna, M., Serio, F. (2016). Green bean biofortification for Si through soilless cultivation: plant response and Si bioaccessibility in pods. Sci. Rep., 6, 31662. DOI: 10.1038/srep31662
  32. Munns R., Tester, M. (2008). Mechanisms of salinity tolerance. Annu. Rev. Plant Biol., 59, 651‒681. DOI: 10.1146/annurev.arplant.59.032607.092911
  33. Pavlovic, J., Zamardzic, J., Kostic, L., Laursen, K.H., Natic, M., Timotijevic, G., Schjoerring, J.K., Nikolic, M. (2016). Silicon enhances leaf remobilization of iron in cucumber under limited iron conditions. Ann. Bot., 118, 271‒280. DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcw105
  34. Sahebi, M., Hanafi, M.M., Akmar, A.S.N., Rafii, M.Y., Azizi, P., Tengoua, F.F., Mayzaitul, A.J.N., Shabanimofrad, M. (2015). Importance of silicon and mechanisms of biosilica formation in plants. BioMed Res. Int., 2015, 1‒16. DOI: 10.1155/2015/396010
  35. Samuels, A.L., Glass, A.D.M., Ehret, D.L., Menzies, J.G. (1993). The effects of silicon supplementation on cucumber fruit: changes in surface characteristics. Ann. Bot., 72, 433‒440. DOI: 10.1006/anbo.1993.1129
  36. Savvas, D., Karapanos, I., Tagaris, A., Passam, H.C. (2009). Effects of NaCl and silicon on the quality and storage ability of zucchini squash fruit. J. Hortic. Sci. Biotechnol., 84, 381‒386. DOI: 10.1080/14620316.2009.11512536
  37. Savvas, D., Ntatsi, G. (2015). Biostimulant activity of silicon in horticulture. Sci. Hortic., 196, 66‒81. DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2015.09.010
  38. Steiner, A.A. (1984). The universal nutrient solution. In: 6th international congress on soilless culture. Wageningen, The Netherlands, 633‒650.
  39. Toresano-Sánchez, F., Valverde-García, A., Camacho-Ferre, F. (2012). Effect of the application of silicon hydroxide on yield and quality of cherry tomato. J. Plant Nutr., 35, 567‒590. DOI: 10.1080/01904167.2012.644375
  40. Trajkova, F., Papadantonakis, N. (2006). Comparative effects of NaCl and CaCl2 salinity on cucumber grown in a closed hydroponic system. HortScience, 41, 437‒441. DOI: 10.21273/HORTSCI.41.2.437
  41. Tuna, A.L., Kaya, C., Ashraf, M., Altunlu, H., Yokas, I., Yagmur, B. (2007). The effects of calcium sulphate on growth, membrane stability and nutrient uptake of tomato plants grown under salt stress. Environ. Exp. Bot., 59, 173‒178. DOI: 10.1016/j.envexpbot.2005.12.007
  42. Tzortzakis, N.G. (2009). Influence of NaCl and calcium foliar spray on lettuce and endive growth using nutrient film technique. Int. J. Veg. Sci., 15, 44‒56. DOI: 10.1080/19315260802446419
  43. Voogt, W., Sonneveld, C. (2001). Silicon in horticultural crops grown in soilless culture. In: Silicon in agriculture, Datnoff, L.E., Snyder, G.H., Korndörfer, G.H. (eds.). Elsevier, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 115‒131. DOI: 10.1016/S0928-3420(01)80010-0
  44. Xu, C.X., Ma, Y.P., Liu, Y.L. (2015). Effects of silicon (Si) on growth, quality and ionic homeostasis of aloe under salt stress. S. Afr. J. Bot., 98, 26‒36. DOI: 10.1016/j.sajb.2015.01.008
  45. Yaghubi, K., Ghaderi, N., Vafaee, Y., Javadi, T. (2016). Potassium silicate alleviates deleterious effects of salinity on two strawberry cultivars grown under soilless pot culture. Sci. Hortic., 213, 87‒95. DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2016.10.012
  46. Zhu, Y., Gong, H. (2014). Beneficial effects of silicon on salt and drought tolerance in plants. Agron. Sustain. Dev., 34, 455‒472. DOI: 10.1007/s13593-013-0194-1
  47. Zhu, Z., Wei, G., Li, G., Quian, Q., Yu, J. (2004). Silicon alleviates salt stress and increases antioxidant enzymes activity in leaves of salt-stressed cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). Plant Sci., 162, 527‒533. DOI: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2004.04.020
  48. Zuccarini, P. (2010). Biological and technological strategies against soil and water salinization. II – plant. J. Plant Nutr., 33, 1489‒1505. DOI: 10.1080/01904167.2010.489986

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Similar Articles

<< < 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.