Increasing Sugarcane Salinity Resistance with Silicon Fertilizer by Preventing the Absorption of Na+ and Cl- and Improve Antioxidant Defense System

Abstract Aims Irrigation with saline water is becoming increasingly common in arid and semi-arid environments, where irrigation is necessary for crop production. However, the high demand for sugarcane and limited access to water in these areas pose significant challenges. This study aims to determine the effect of powdered silicon fertilizer on the ability of sugarcane to withstand salinity stress. Methods This study uses a split-split plot design within a completely randomized design (CRD). The main plot factors included three levels of salinity: control of 1.4±0.2 dS.m-1 (S0) from the river water source, salinity stress of 4.1±0.2 dS.m-1 (S1), and salinity stress of 8.2±0.2 dS.m-1 (S2) from the drain water source, with a sub-factor of variety treatment (CP73-21 (V1) and CP69-1062 (V2)). Results The results indicated that salinity stress led to a reduction in stem height, SPAD index, relative water content, stomatal conductance, and photosynthesis rate compared to the control by 65.5%, 27%, 10.8%, 38.5%, and 41.8%, respectively. In addition, the concentrations of Na+ and Cl- in the leaves, electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, and proline, increased by 75%, 50%, 22.7%, 81.5%, and 67%, respectively. Conclusions However, nutrition silicon one month before salinity stress improved physiological, biochemical, and cell membrane stability characteristics and maintained leaf photosynthesis. Overall, the results illustrate that feeding sugarcane with silicon (Si) fertilizer can improve its tolerance to salinity stress by enhancing physiological processes, antioxidant enzymes, and ionic homeostasis.