The study of silicate fertilization in crop roses is justified with the purpose of reducing the use of defensives, increasing yield, and enhancing the quality of stem flowers in harvest and postharvest. The uptake of silicon is different among species. There is evidence that silicates involved in resistance induction can occur with the participation of silicon itself, reinforcing cellular wall (apoplast) structures and increasing lignification. Based on the benefits of this element, an assay was carried out to evaluate the effect of silicate fertilization on the chlorophyll content of rose leaves, cultivar Versília®, in a commercial greenhouse. The effect of potassium silicate with and without phosphite (1:1) in four silicon (Si) concentrations: 0; 427.5; 855 and 1285.5 mg L-1, that corresponds to 0; 0.25; 0.5 and 0.75% in foliar spray were tested. The treatments were laid out in randomized blocks in a (2x4) factorial scheme. The use of 0.25 and 0.5% potassium silicate in leaf spray in crop rose, influenced the content of chlorophyll a, b, and total chlorophyll of leaves, providing higher levels than other treatments.
Rosa spp.; silicon; cut flower; ornamental plant
