Silicon significantly alleviates the growth inhibitory effects of NaCl in salt-sensitive 'Perfection' and 'Midnight' Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.)

The study was conducted to clarify the effects of silicon on the salt-sensitive 'Perfection' and 'Midnight' Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.). The 400 mM NaCl treatment reduced shoot length, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root as well as relative water content and chlorophyll and carotenoid content in both cultivars. The NaCl caused an increase in electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde concentration and H2O2 in both cultivars. This physiological interferences and visually noticeable disturbances in Kentucky bluegrass were significantly alleviated by the addition of silicon after salt stress. In 'Perfection', for example, 0.1 mM silicon application after NaCl treatment significantly increased in the shoot length by 48%, the fresh weight of the shoot by 72%, the relative water content by 61%, and the total chlorophyll content by 57%. Compared to the NaCl-only treatment, significant reduction in the electrolyte leakage and the concentration of malondialdehyde and H2O2 were observed in silicon treatment.