The effects of silicate and silicon nanoparticles on seed germination and growth parameters of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)

The addition of silica increase plant biomass growth. The aim of this study was to find out if silicate and nano silica (SiNP) influence the growth processes in fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) similarly. Plants were grown from seed with 0-2.5 mM of sodium silicate and SiNP in hydroculture for up to 30 days. Germination, seedlings development and other growth parameters in fenugreek plantsas well as Si uptake was examined. The results showed that Si concentration in root and shoot increased with Si addition. Seed germination and vitality index increased with Si at day 4 after seeding, but the effect was then levelled out. Seedlings length and fresh weight (FW), whole plant length and leaf area increased while dry weight (DW) and DW: FW ratio of shoot and radicle length decreased with silicate and SiNP treatment. The root central cylinder increased in diameter in young roots and the lignified tissue of the endodermis cells increased in thickness. The effects by silicate and SiNP was similar but the increase in whole plant length and cell wall thickness and the decrease in DW: FW ratio of shoot and radicle length was slightly more pronounced with SiNP than with silicate.In conclusion, both silicate and SiNP in general have similar effects on plant growth and therefore SiNP can be used instead of silicate.