Silicon Application on Standard Chrysanthemum Alleviates Damages Induced by Disease and Aphid Insect

Abstract

To elucidate the role of silicon in biotic stress such as pests and diseases, standard chrysanthemum was grown in pots filled with soil without application of pesticide and fungicide. Si treatment was largely composed of three groups: K2SiO3 (50, 100, and 200 mg･L-1), three brands of silicate fertilizer (SiF1, SiF2, and SiF3) and tap water as a control. Si sources were constantly drenched into pots for 14 weeks. Application high concentration K2SiO3 (200 mg･L-1) and three commercial Si fertilizers for 14 weeks improved growth parameters such as plant height and the number of leaves. In the assessment of disease after 4 weeks of Si treatment, percentage of infected leaves was not significantly different from that of control. After 14 weeks of Si treatment, however, the infected leaves were significantly reduced with a 20-50% decrease in high concentration (200 mg･L-1) of potassium silicate and all commercial silicate fertilizers. Colonies of aphid insect (Macrosiphoniellas anborni) were also reduced in Si-treated chrysanthemum, showing 40-57% lower than those of control plants. Accumulation of silicon (approximately 5.4-7.1 mg･g-1 dry weight) in shoots of the plants was higher in Si-supplemented chrysanthemum compared to control plants (3.3 mg･g-1 dry weight). These results indicate that using potassium silicate or silicate fertilizer may be a useful for management of disease and aphid insect in soil-cultivated chrysanthemum.

Petunia (Petunia ×hybrida) Cultivars Vary in Silicon Accumulation and Distribution

“…As mentioned previously, these differences may be due to the growing system (soilless substrate vs. hydroponics), Si application method, environmental growth conditions, or cultivar. Other floricultural crops, including low and high Si accumulators, have also exhibited an increase in foliar Si in response to potassium silicate supplementation (hydroponic or drench application), including snapdragon 'Bedding Rocket White' (Frantz et al, 2011), rose (Rosa hybrida 'Meipelta') (Gillman et al, 2003), chrysanthemum (Dendranthema grandiflorum 'Shinro') (Jeong et al, 2012), gerbera (Gerbera hybrid L. 'Acapella') (Kamenidou et al, 2010), sunflower 'Ring of Fire' (Kamenidou et al, 2008(Kamenidou et al, , 2011, and zinnia 'Oklahoma Formula Mix' (Kamenidou et al, 2009). Highest Si concentrations in Sisupplemented plants were localized in roots, followed by leaves, and then lower (but similar) values in flowers and stems (analysis not shown).…”

Effect of Silicon on Growth and Temperature Stress Tolerance of Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Corditas’

“…However, recent studies have shown that the Si nutrition enhanced growth traits in carnation (Bae et al, 2010), chrysanthemum 'Backwang' (Moon et al, 2008), gerbera (Kamenidou et al, 2010;Savvas et al, 2002), kalanchoe (Bae et al, 2010), sunflower (Kamenidou et al, 2008), rose (Ehret et al, 2005;Hwang et al, 2005), and zinnia (Kamenidou et al, 2009). Furthermore, application of Si has been shown to be able to control diseases (Rodrigues et al, 2003;Voogt and Sonneveld, 2001) and pests (Jeong et al, 2012;Ranganathan et al, 2006), alleviate toxicity of some heavy metals (Shi et al, 2010), and enhance resistance to drought (Chen et al, 2011), salinity (MateosNaranjo et al, 2013), and temperature stresses (Epstein, 1999;Ma and Yamaji, 2006).…”

Nutrition and Quality in Ornamental Plants

“…Regarding Si mediated resistance to insect pests, potassium silicate drenches at 200 mg.L -1 Si or greater reduced leafminer (Liriomyza trifolii) emergence from infected Chrysanthemum plants (PARELLA et al, 2007). A 40 to 57% reduction in naturally occurring aphid (Macrosiphoniellas anborni) colonies was noted in Si treated Chrysanthemum plants as compared with control plants without Si (JEONG et al, 2012). Potassium silicate drenches led to modest yet significant reductions in fecundity of green peach aphids (Myzus persicae) feeding on Zinnia elegans (RANGER et al, 2009).…”

“…Calcium silicate supplementation decreased Botrytis infection of Helianthus annuus 'Ring of Fire ' (KAMENIDOU et al, 2002). Potassium silicate as well as three other commercially available Si fertilizers reduced naturally occurring disease incidence of Chrysanthemum 'Shinro' when examined 14 days after transplanting (JEONG et al, 2012). Potassium silicate drenches as well as two organic substrate amendments containing Si, rice (Oryza sativa) hulls and chopped Miscanthus x giganteum) straw reduced incidence of powdery mildew on Zinnia elegans up to 8 weeks after inoculation with the disease (LOCKE et al, 2010).…”