Effect of nano-silicon on the salt and boron toxicity tolerance on wheat and barley

In this study, the effect of nano-silicon (Nano-Si) derived from rice husk at different doses on the tolerance and development of barley and wheat plants grown under salt and boron (B) toxicity conditions in greenhouse was investigated. For this purpose, Nano-Si was applied to barley and wheat plants at different doses (0, 25, 50, 100 mg kg-1) from the soil and harvested at the end of the 12-week development period, fresh and dry weight, proline amount, leaf water holding capacity (LWHC), relative water content (RCW), membrane permeability, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll amount, Silicon (Si), Potassium (K), Sodium (Na), Chlorine (Cl) and B concentrations were determined. According to the results obtained, the treatments significantly increased the fresh and dry weight of the barley plant. The amount of plant proline also increased with increasing Nano-Si application. While the amount of plant chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll increased statistically significantly, the amount of chlorophyll-b was found to be insignificant. Increasing levels of Nano-Si application increased the Si and B concentrations of the barley plant, while decreasing the K, Na and Cl concentrations. With increasing doses of Nano-Si applications, no considerable change was detected in the fresh and dry weight of the wheat plant, while an increase was determined in the amount of proline, LWHC and membrane permeability. The amount of chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll of the plant also increased. Nano-Si treatments increased Si and K concentrations, while Na, Cl and B concentrations decreased in wheat plants. In the light of this study, it is thought that the Nano-Si application in different plants and in the long term may affect plant growth positively.