Leaf application of silicon in young cacao plants subjected to water deficit

Aplicação foliar de silício em plantas jovens de cacau submetidas à deficiência hídrica

Abstract:

The objective of this work was to evaluate the physiological and anatomical traits of plants of a cacao (Theobroma cacao) clone in response to water deficit after leaf application of silicon. A randomized complete block design was used, with four replicates, in a 2x3 factorial arrangement of two water regimes (irrigated or nonirrigated) and three silicon concentrations (0.0, 1.5, and 3.0 mg mL^-1) applied in wettable SiO₂ powder. The plants were evaluated 20 days after the irrigation regimes were applied. The use of SiO₂ increased the stability of cell membranes and the photochemical efficiency of the plants under water deficit. The 1.5 mg mL^-1 concentration of SiO₂ increased photosynthetic rate, water use efficiency, and carboxylation efficiency, besides mitigating the effect of oxidative stress. Stomatal density was reduced in nonirrigated plants under the highest concentration of Si. The 1.5 mg mL^-1 concentration of Si is considered optimal for the photosynthetic metabolism of young cacao plants under soil water limitation.

Index terms:
Theobroma cacao; anatomy; antioxidant enzymes; drought; photochemistry; SiO₂