Response of Jatropha integerrima Plants Irrigated with Different Levels of Saline Water to Nano Silicon and Gypsum

Abstract

An open field experiment was carried out during 2015 and 2016 seasons at the experimental nursery of the Ornamental Horticulture Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Egypt. The purpose of present research was to investigate the effect of foliar application of nano silicon with different concentrations and gypsum soil application on growth, flowering and chemical constituents of Jatropha integerrima plants irrigated with different levels of saline water. The concentrations of saline water were (1000, 2000 and 4000 ppm), in addition to tap water (270 ppm) as a control, simultaneously plants were received monthly foliar application of nano silicon 1 and 2 mM or soil application of gypsum at 20 g/plant, either applied individually or in combination.

The results showed that, elevating salt concentration in irrigation water decreased vegetative growth characteristics, flowering traits, leaves anatomy and chemical constituents. In contrast, increasing salinity of irrigation water boosted contents of proline, Ca%, Na%, Cl%, total phenolic and flavonoids. On the other hand, foliar application of nano silicon and soil addition of gypsum treatments either individually or in combination had favorable effects on enhancing vegetative parameters and chemical constitutes, meanwhile decreasing accumulation of Na%, Cl%, total phenolic and flavonoids in leaves. It can be concluded that, foliar spray of nano silicon combined with soil addition of gypsum was the best effective and economic treatment recommended for mitigating the harmful effect of salinity stress on Jatropha plants irrigated with saline water at concentration up to 4000 ppm.