Effects of silicon nutrition on the physiological parameters of maize

Silicon is not an essential element for plant and commonly recognized as "quasi-essential" elements, however its beneficial effect on the plants growth has been well known. In present study the effects of 0, 0.2, 1, 2, 4 and 6 mM of Si on the 5-weeks old maize plant under hydroponic condition were investigated and the data was analyzed by heatmaps. The results showed that the application of Si 1 and 2 mM increased the growth rate and pigments content of plant. Increases of pigments contents of plant by Si may be contributed to the improving of plants growth rate. Application of moderate concentrations of Si also increased the antioxidant enzymes activity (CAT, SOD and APX) of plants, but decreased its proline content. A positive correlation was observed between K content of plant and its biomass, and therefore Si probably improved the growth rate of maize by increasing of the potassium absorption. Silicon also may regulate the iron absorption by plant.