查看文章

Salinity stress impedes plant growth and productivity. In this study, the alleviating role of potassium silicate (K₂SiO₃) under saline conditions was addressed. Geranium plants were grown at three salinity levels (1.8, 4 and 6 ds/m by using NaCl), where K₂SiO₃ was weekly applied at different concentrations (0, 0.5 or 1 mM). Plant biomass, root volume, leaf pigment (chlorophyll, carotenoids) content and essential oil yield were assessed. Electrolyte leakage, lipid peroxidation, proline content, as well as antioxidant enzyme (catalase and peroxidase) activities were also evaluated. Increasing the salinity level from 1.8 to 4 ds/m, as well as from 4 to 6 ds/m, led to significantly smaller plants, with lower pigment content and reduced essential oil yield. Plants grown under more saline solution also suffered from increased electrolyte leakage and lipid peroxidation. These effects were related to decreased antioxidant …