Background
Silicon in plants is a structuring element that promotes water and
saline stress tolerance and decreases transpiration. The silica
accumulated in the cuticle establishes a physical barrier and helps
fight against pests and diseases. The present study aimed to evaluate
the development of ipê-roxo (Handroanthus
impetiginosus) seedlings in different environments,
and the application of potassium silicate and its efficiency in
mitigating the attack of pests and diseases.
Methods
The experiment was carried out in an agricultural greenhouse and
under full sun with silicic doses of 0 and 7.15 mg per plant in a
completely randomized design arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme, with
6 replications of 4 seedlings per plot. Plant height, chlorophyll, stem
diameter, number of leaves, shoot dry matter, root dry matter, total dry
matter, height-diameter ratio, root-shoot ratio, root-plant ratio,
Dickson quality index, disease severity, and pest intensity were
evaluated.
Results
Silicon application did not confer biometric qualities to the
seedlings. The application of silicon conferred 24.6% higher protection
against disease severity at a 90% probability level. The protected
environment promoted 48.8% more protection against the attack of pests
on the seedlings. The silicon application decreases the intensity of
pests in the protected environment by 36.3%. Seedlings in a protected
environment increase the production of chlorophyll but are 29.6% more
susceptible to the severity of diseases. The full sun promoted greater
diameters, phytomass, and Dickson quality index by 18%, 73%, and 195%,
respectively.
Conclusions
The bestHandroanthus
impetiginosusseedlings were obtained under full sun.
Silicon mitigated the attack of pests and diseases
onHandroanthus
impetiginosusseedlings.