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Abstract <p>Salinity is a major environmental constraint that significantly reduces crop productivity by impairing plant growth, nutrient uptake, and key physiological processes, ultimately leading to inefficient utilization of agricultural inputs and natural resources. This study investigated the potential of silicon (Si) application to alleviate the adverse effects of salinity in maize, with a particular focus on physiological performance, antioxidant defense systems, and nutrient uptake. A 40-day controlled experiment was conducted using the maize hybrid Monsento-6317 under both normal and saline conditions. Foliar silicon was applied as sodium metasilicate (Na₂O₃Si·5&#xa0;H₂O) at concentrations of 0, 100, 250, and 500 ppm. Various physiological and biochemical attributes were evaluated, including photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugars, proteins, free amino acids, and antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and peroxidase (POD), along with macro- and micronutrient uptake (N, P, K, Na, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and B). Salinity adversely affected maize by reducing photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugars, proline, free amino acids, and the uptake of essential nutrients such as Zn and B, while increasing soluble proteins, Na accumulation, certain mineral nutrients (N, P, Fe, Mn, Cu), and antioxidant enzyme activities. Among the treatments, the application of silicon at 500 ppm proved most effective in enhancing salinity tolerance by improving photosynthetic efficiency, osmolyte accumulation, antioxidant activity, and nutrient balance in the Monsento-6317 hybrid. These findings suggest that foliar application of silicon, particularly at 500 ppm, can effectively mitigate the detrimental effects of salinity and may be recommended as a practical strategy for improving maize performance in salt-affected agro-ecological regions.</p> Key Points <p>• Foliar-applied Silicon significantly alleviates the detrimental effects of salt stress in maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.), enhancing plant tolerance.</p> <p>• Silicon application improves physiological processes, such as stomatal conductance, photosynthetic efficiency, and relative water content, under salinity conditions.</p> <p>• Maize plants exhibit enhanced nutrient uptake, including improved absorption and regulation of essential elements like nitrogen, potassium, and calcium, contributing to better growth under stress.</p> <p>• Antioxidant defense mechanisms are activated by Silicon application, increasing the activity of enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), which mitigate oxidative damage caused by salt stress.</p> <p>• Foliar-applied Silicon reduces the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and maintains membrane stability, helping maize plants maintain homeostasis under saline environments.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Silicon Sprays Improve Maize Performance Under Salt Stress by Regulating Physiology, Nutrient Homeostasis, and Antioxidant Activity

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年6月25日

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  • Zahoor Ahmad,
  • Sarfraz Ahmed,
  • Ejaz Ahmad Waraich,
  • Muhammad Ashar Ayub,
  • Muhammad Aamir Iqbal,
  • Yahya M. Alzahrani,
  • Hesham F. Alharby,
  • Hameed Alsamadany,
  • Awatif M. Abdulmajeed

摘要

Abstract

Salinity is a major environmental constraint that significantly reduces crop productivity by impairing plant growth, nutrient uptake, and key physiological processes, ultimately leading to inefficient utilization of agricultural inputs and natural resources. This study investigated the potential of silicon (Si) application to alleviate the adverse effects of salinity in maize, with a particular focus on physiological performance, antioxidant defense systems, and nutrient uptake. A 40-day controlled experiment was conducted using the maize hybrid Monsento-6317 under both normal and saline conditions. Foliar silicon was applied as sodium metasilicate (Na₂O₃Si·5 H₂O) at concentrations of 0, 100, 250, and 500 ppm. Various physiological and biochemical attributes were evaluated, including photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugars, proteins, free amino acids, and antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and peroxidase (POD), along with macro- and micronutrient uptake (N, P, K, Na, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and B). Salinity adversely affected maize by reducing photosynthetic pigments, soluble sugars, proline, free amino acids, and the uptake of essential nutrients such as Zn and B, while increasing soluble proteins, Na accumulation, certain mineral nutrients (N, P, Fe, Mn, Cu), and antioxidant enzyme activities. Among the treatments, the application of silicon at 500 ppm proved most effective in enhancing salinity tolerance by improving photosynthetic efficiency, osmolyte accumulation, antioxidant activity, and nutrient balance in the Monsento-6317 hybrid. These findings suggest that foliar application of silicon, particularly at 500 ppm, can effectively mitigate the detrimental effects of salinity and may be recommended as a practical strategy for improving maize performance in salt-affected agro-ecological regions.

Key Points

• Foliar-applied Silicon significantly alleviates the detrimental effects of salt stress in maize (Zea mays L.), enhancing plant tolerance.

• Silicon application improves physiological processes, such as stomatal conductance, photosynthetic efficiency, and relative water content, under salinity conditions.

• Maize plants exhibit enhanced nutrient uptake, including improved absorption and regulation of essential elements like nitrogen, potassium, and calcium, contributing to better growth under stress.

• Antioxidant defense mechanisms are activated by Silicon application, increasing the activity of enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), which mitigate oxidative damage caused by salt stress.

• Foliar-applied Silicon reduces the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and maintains membrane stability, helping maize plants maintain homeostasis under saline environments.

Graphical Abstract