The Effective Role of Nano-Silicon Application in Improving the Productivity and Quality of Grafted Tomato Grown under Salinity Stress
2022
Eman G. Sayed | Abdel Wahab M. Mahmoud | Mohamed M. El-Mogy | Mahmoud A. A. Ali | Mahmoud A. M. Fahmy | Ghada A. Tawfic
This study aims to determine the influence of grafting and nano-silicon fertilizer on the growth and production of tomatoes (<i>Solanumlycopersicum</i> L.) under salinity conditions. A commercial tomato hybrid (cv. Strain B) was used as a scion and two tomato phenotypes were used as rootstocks: <i>S. pimpinellifolium</i> and Edkawy. The rootstock effect was evaluated by growing plants at two NaCl concentrations plus the control (0, 4000, and 8000 ppm NaCl). Nano-silicon foliar application (0.5 ppm) after 20, 28, and 36 days from transplanting was also used to mitigate salinity stress. Antioxidants, hormones, and proline were evaluated for a better understanding of the physiological changes induced by salinity and grafting. The results showed that grafting either on <i>S. pimpinellifolium</i> or Edkawy combined with nano-silicon application enhanced shoot and root growth, fruit yield, and fruit quality. The Edkawy rootstock was more effective than the <i>S.</i> <i>pimpinellifolium</i> rootstock in terms of counteracting the negative effect of salinity. Higher levels of mineral contents, GA3, ABA, and proline were detected in shoots that were subjected to grafting and nano-silicon application compared to the control treatment. This study indicates that grafting and nano-silicon application hold potential as alternative techniques to mitigate salt stress in commercial tomato cultivars.
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