Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Agronomy Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafr El-Sheikh university, Egypt.
2
Rice Research Department, Field Crops Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza 12619, Egypt
3
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El- Shaikh
4
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh 33516, Egypt
5
Agricultural Botany Department, Faculty of Agriculture (Saba Basha), Alexandria University
6
Crop Physiology Department, Field Crops Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Egypt
Abstract
Water deficit is a major environmental stress that has a tremendous effect on the physiological processes and productivity of rice. Thus, it is crucial to enhance rice tolerance to drought stress, especially under unpredictable climate changes and the increasing global population. This investigation aimed to study the impact of foliar-supplied nano-silica (Si-NPs) and potassium sulfate (K-sulphate) on some physiological, agronomic characters and crop water productivity of rice plants under water deficit and well-watered conditions during two summer seasons. The experimental design was a spilt block in four replications. The main plots were designated to two irrigation treatments every 4 days (well-watered) and 12 days (water-deficit) after transplanting. The sub-plots were distributed to the three foliar treatments, namely, untreated control (distilled water application), foliar application of Si-NPs, and K-sulphate. The results displayed that the foliar applications, irrigation treatments, and their interactions had a significant influence on all the evaluated traits. Drought stress significantly reduced number of panicles per plant, number of grains per panicle, 1000- grain weight, and grain yield. However, water deficit considerably elevated antioxidant enzymes (CAT and POD) and proline content compared to well-watered conditions. The foliar application of Si-NPs and K-sulphate was efficient in boosting drought tolerance by promoting antioxidant enzymes (CAT and POD) as well as proline accumulation compared with untreated plants. These positive influences were displayed in improving grain yield and its related traits as well as crop water productivity under drought stress conditions. Consequently, the utilization of foliar-applied Si-NPs and K-sulphate represents an applicable approach to enhance and yield traits and crop water productivity of rice under water shortage conditions.
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