Effects of silicon (Si) on growth, quality and ionic homeostasis of aloe under salt stress

The physiological characteristics of aloe irrigated with brackish water and the relationship with ameliorative effects of silicon (Si) nutrition were studied. Results of cultivation and analysis showed that 2.0 mmol . L-1 added Si significantly alleviated growth inhibition and quality reduction of aloe under 100 mmol . L-1 NaCl stress; added Si significantly reduced Na+ content while increased K+ content and K+/Na+ ratio of salt stressed aloe plant, especially absorption and translocation selectivity of aloe root to K+ and Na+ were promoted, and ion homeostasis of aloe plant was kept well. Results of cross-sectional X-ray energy dispersive spectrum microanalysis of aloe root and leaf further confirmed the above findings. One of the mechanisms of silicon was its improvement to activity of plasma membrane H+-ATPase, tonoplast membrane H+-ATPase and H+-pyrophosphates of aloe root under salt stress. (C) 2015 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.