Plant Soil Environ., 2012, 58(11):481-486 | DOI: 10.17221/213/2012-PSE

Silicon-induced increase in chlorophyll is modulated by the leaf water potential in two water-deficient tomato cultivars

O.N. Silva1, A.K.S. Lobato1, F.W. Ávila2, R.C.L. Costa3, C.F. Oliveira Neto1, B.G. Santos Filho3, A.P. Martins Filho1, R.P. Lemos1, J.M. Pinho1, M.B.C.L. Medeiros1, M.S. Cardoso1, I.P. Andrade1
1 Nucleus of Basic and Applied Plant Research, University Federal Rural of the Amazon, Paragominas, Brazil
2 Center for Agriculture and Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, USA
3 Laboratory of the Physiology Advanced, University Federal Rural of the Amazon, Belém,

This study aims to explain the effects of silicon on chlorophyll and to measure gas exchange and carbohydrate levels in two Lycopersicon esculentum cultivars that are exposed to drought. The experimental design used in this study was a randomised combination of five different water and silicon conditions (control, water deficit + 0.00 μmol Si, water deficit + 0.25 μmol Si, water deficit + 1.00 μmol Si, and water deficit + 1.75 μmol Si) applied to the two cultivars (Super Marmante and Santa Cruz). Parameters measured were gas exchanges, chlorophylls, and total soluble carbohydrates. Silicon at concentrations of 0.25, 1.00, and 1.75 μmol induced a gradual increase in the total chlorophyll levels. A correlation analysis revealed a linear, positive interaction between the leaf water potential and the total chlorophyll (r = 0.71; P < 0.05). This study confirmed the hypothesis that silicon has a beneficial effect with regard to chlorophyll. Under water-deficient conditions, both cultivars showed an increase in chlorophyll a when treated with silicon in addition to changes in the total chlorophyll levels. These results were supported by the change in leaf water potential. In addition, a reduction of the effects of water restriction was also observed in the transpiration rate, the stomatal conductance and in the levels of total carbohydrates.

Keywords: Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.; water deficit; Si; photosynthetic pigments

Published: November 30, 2012  Show citation

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Silva ON, Lobato AKS, Ávila FW, Costa RCL, Oliveira Neto CF, Santos Filho BG, et al.. Silicon-induced increase in chlorophyll is modulated by the leaf water potential in two water-deficient tomato cultivars. Plant Soil Environ. 2012;58(11):481-486. doi: 10.17221/213/2012-PSE.
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