The effect of silicon on germination and some growth characteristics of salt-stressed canola seedling

Abstract The effects of salinity and supplemental silicon on germination and some seedling traits of canola, cv. Talayeh was investigated in a complete randomized block design. The first factor was 5 levels of potassium silicate (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 g/l) and different levels of salinity as second factor (including 0, 60, 180, 120, and 250 mM NaCl). Results showed that radicle length, plumule length, radicle dry weight and plumule dry weight influenced by salinity and silicon. The highest germination percentage, germination ratio and the lowest mean germination time were observed in non saline treatment. Application of 2 g/l treatment of silicon showed the highest value for germination percentage and germination ratio and the lowest one for mean germination time compared to other treatments. Moreover, 2 g/l treatment of Si with 60 mM concentration of NaCl led to highest length of radicle and plumule. Salinity had significantly negative effect on the all studied characteristics, but application of supplemental Si improved those traits. The lowest means among treatments was in 180 and 250 mM concentration of salinity in non-Si treatment. application of Si showed no significant effect at higher concentration.