Physiological and Epigenetic Reaction of Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to the Foliar Application of Silicon under Soil Salinity Conditions

Abstract

Soil salinity is an important environmental factor affecting physiological processes in plants. It is possible to limit the negative effects of salt through the exogenous application of microelements. Silicon (Si) is widely recognized as an element improving plant resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. The aim of the research was to determine the impact of foliar application of Si on the photosynthetic apparatus, gas exchange and DNA methylation of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) grown under salt stress. Plants grown under controlled pot experiment were exposed to sodium chloride (NaCl) in the soil at a concentration of 200 mM, and two foliar applications of Si were made at three concentrations (0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2%). Measurements were made of relative chlorophyll content in leaves (CCl), gas exchange parameters (Ci, E, gs, and PN), and selected chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm, Fv/F0, PI and RC/ABS). Additionally, DNA methylation level based on cytosine methylation within the 3′CCGG 5′ sequence was analyzed. Salinity had a negative effect on the values of the parameters examined. Exogenous application of Si by spraying leaves increased the values of the measured parameters in plants. Plants treated with NaCl in combination with the moderate (0.1%) and highest (0.2%) dose of Si indicated the lowest methylation level. Decrease of methylation implicated with activation of gene expression resulted in better physiological parameters observed in this group of barley plants.

Comparison between different lines reveals that Ipomoea cairica (L.) in mangrove wetlands acquires the ability to resist salt through phenotypic plasticity

“…We also observed a greater increase in NPQ in the non-halophyte under salt treatment, which protected the photosynthetic apparatus from damage by dissipating excess light energy in the form of heat through nonphotochemical processes(Wei et al 2006; Moinuddin et al2017;Abideen et al 2022). Salt stress may disrupt the biochemistry of photosynthesis, which decreases the e ciency of PSI and PSII owing to disturbances in the integrity of chloroplasts(Ibrahim et al 2015;Stadnik et al 2022…”

Analysis of the Free Amino Acid Profile of Barley Grain from Organic Fertilisation with Ash from Biomass Combustion

“…The dynamics of demand for phosphate fertilisers in recent years have flagged, mainly for environmental reasons but also due to changing crop sensitivity to phosphate fertilisers [ 26 ]. Contemporary trends in agriculture focus on searching for alternative sources of phosphorus fertilisation, especially when accompanied by other mineral components that beneficially affect farming efficiency and crop quality while ensuring a sustainable impact on the environment [ 27 , 28 , 29 ]. In recent years, not only the chemical composition of mineral mixtures introduced into soil but also the form and method of fertilisation have changed.…”

Physiological, Biochemical, and Epigenetic Reaction of Maize (Zea mays L.) to Cultivation in Conditions of Varying Soil Salinity and Foliar Application of Silicon

“…The detection of methylation content during plant growth under biotic and abiotic stress has become popular and a valuable marker of plant response to stress. For maize plants, analyses of the level of DNA methylation in response to stress conditions were performed with respect to different stress conditions, such as: salinity [ 16 , 17 ]; herbicide treatment [ 18 ]; osmotic stress [ 17 ]; drought [ 19 ]; cold [ 20 ]; or ion treatment or deficiency [ 21 ].…”