Functional relationship between photosynthetic leaf gas exchange in response to silicon application and water stress mitigation in sugarcane

Background Water stress is one of the serious abiotic stresses that negatively influences the growth, development and production of sugarcane in arid and semi-arid regions. However, silicon (Si) has been applied as an alleviation strategy subjected to environmental stresses. Methods In this experiment, Si was applied as soil irrigation in sugarcane plants to understand the mitigation effect of Si against harmful impact of water stress on photosynthetic leaf gas exchange. Results In the present study we primarily revealed the consequences of low soil moisture content, which affect overall plant performance of sugarcane significantly. Silicon application reduced the adverse effects of water stress by improving the net photosynthetic assimilation rate (A(net)) 1.35-18.75%, stomatal conductance to water vapour (gs) 3.26-21.57% and rate of transpiration (E) 1.16-17.83%. The mathematical models developed from the proposed hypothesis explained the functional relationships between photosynthetic responses of Si application and water stress mitigation. Conclusions Silicon application showed high ameliorative effects on photosynthetic responses of sugarcane to water stress and could be used for mitigating environmental stresses in other crops, too, in future.

Automated summary

Silicon application mitigates the adverse effects of water stress on sugarcane by improving the net photosynthetic assimilation rate, stomatal conductance to water vapor, and rate of transpiration. Mathematical models explain the functional relationships between photosynthetic responses to Si application and water stress mitigation. Silicon application shows high ameliorative effects on photosynthetic responses and has potential for mitigating environmental stresses in other crops.