The Effective Role of Nano-Silicon Application in Improving the Productivity and Quality of Grafted Tomato Grown under Salinity Stress

Abstract

This study aims to determine the influence of grafting and nano-silicon fertilizer on the growth and production of tomatoes (Solanumlycopersicum L.) under salinity conditions. A commercial tomato hybrid (cv. Strain B) was used as a scion and two tomato phenotypes were used as rootstocks: S. pimpinellifolium and Edkawy. The rootstock effect was evaluated by growing plants at two NaCl concentrations plus the control (0, 4000, and 8000 ppm NaCl). Nano-silicon foliar application (0.5 ppm) after 20, 28, and 36 days from transplanting was also used to mitigate salinity stress. Antioxidants, hormones, and proline were evaluated for a better understanding of the physiological changes induced by salinity and grafting. The results showed that grafting either on S. pimpinellifolium or Edkawy combined with nano-silicon application enhanced shoot and root growth, fruit yield, and fruit quality. The Edkawy rootstock was more effective than the S. pimpinellifolium rootstock in terms of counteracting the negative effect of salinity. Higher levels of mineral contents, GA3, ABA, and proline were detected in shoots that were subjected to grafting and nano-silicon application compared to the control treatment. This study indicates that grafting and nano-silicon application hold potential as alternative techniques to mitigate salt stress in commercial tomato cultivars.

Improving Yield Components and Desirable Eating Quality of Two Wheat Genotypes Using Si and NanoSi Particles under Heat Stress

“…Silicon (Si) is one of the elements that has a valuable effect on plant growth and improves plant resistance to biotic stresses and abiotic stresses [ 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. However, the involvement of Si nanoparticles (Si-Np) in the alleviation of heat stress is not yet well known.…”

Rootstock Priming with Shikimic Acid and Streptomyces griseus for Growth, Productivity, Physio-Biochemical, and Anatomical Characterisation of Tomato Grown under Cold Stress

“…In particular, under low temperature, the use of GS hybrid as rootstock was associated with a significantly higher fruit weight and total yield compared to S. cheesmaniae rootstock. It should be noted that the rootstock genotype had a significant role in the performance of the grafted tomato under stress conditions [ 34 ]. The combination of grafting with SA application was associated with a significantly higher fruit number, fruit weight, and total yield per plant values under cold stress conditions.…”

“…The scion of Peto 86 exhibited higher nutrient availability and photosynthetic rate when grafted onto GS hybrid rootstock and S. cheesmaniae rootstock compared to self-grafted plants. There is a significant contribution made to growth by the shoot genotype [ 34 ]. Cross-grafting involves tissue wounding and reconnection, similar to what is seen in wound healing or self-grafting; hence, it may be assumed that certain compatibility variables may contribute to increased stress tolerance.…”

Tomato salt tolerance mechanisms and their potential applications for fighting salinity: A review

“…Notably, combining NPs with other strategies may be more effective in improving salt tolerance in tomato. For example, nano-silicon application combined with grafting enhances shoot and root growth, fruit yield and quality of tomato under salt stress, and increases the contents of mineral, GA3, ABA, and Pro, indicating that this method holds promise as alternative techniques for alleviating salt stress in commercial tomato cultivars ( Sayed et al, 2022 ). Overall, nanobiotechnology has a strong potential to modulate ROS homeostasis in plants and improve salt tolerance, contributing to sustainable agriculture ( Liu et al, 2021 ).…”