Silicon Uptake Level of Six Potted Plants from a Potassium Silicate-supplemented Hydroponic Solution

Abstract

This research was carried out to investigate silicon (Si) uptake levels by six potted plant species from a nutrient solution supplemented with K2SiO3. Uniform rooted plants of Dendranthema grandiflorum Ramat., Spathiphyllum patinii N.E. BR., Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Hedera helix L., Dianthus caryophyllus L., and Euphorbia pulcherrima Willd. were grown in 350 mL boxes, one plant per box, containing a nutrient solution supplemented with either 0, 2.7, or 5.4 mM Si as K2SiO3. The nutrient solution in each container was adjusted to EC 1.5 mS.cm(-1) and pH 5.6. The solution in each container was aerated by an 1 m-long polyethylene tube, all connected to a vacuum pump. After 15 days of cultivation in a glasshouse Si contents in the roots and shoots were measured using the colorimetric molybdate method and amount of remaining Si in the nutrient solution was measured using the ICP-AES to calculate the amount of absorption. A simple regression analysis was performed to observe the changes in Si contents in the roots and shoots as affected by concentration of Si supplied to the solution. Among the six species tested, carnation had the greatest and poinsettia the lowest tissue levels of Si concentration in the root, whereas carnation had the greatest and kalanchoe the lowest tissue levels of Si concentration in the shoot. Based on the Si content in the whole plant, Si uptake levels by poinsettia, kalanchoe, and chrysanthemum were low, whereas those by spathiphyllum were intermediate, and those of English ivy and carnation were high. These results indicated that the uptake level of Si by the plant vary depending on plant species.