Edaphic silicon nutrition of tomato biostimulates their growth, yield and antioxidant composition under greenhouse conditions

Abstract

Silicon (Si) has multiple benefits in crops. Most of the studies on Si have been carried out by applying some type of stress. It has even been suggested that the positive response of Si is determined by the degree of stress in the plant, and there is little information on Si and its effect on the plant when there is no induced stress factor. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of edaphic Si on the growth, production and concentration of antioxidants in tomato under greenhouse conditions without induced stress. The treatments were three doses of Si (0.06, 0.12 and 0.18 g/plant) and a control (0.0 g/plant). The treatments were distributed in a completely randomized design with four repetitions. The addition of Si in tomato plants increased biomass production, the number of fruits and yield. In addition, in the treatments with the highest dose of Si, the concentration of antioxidants increased, as well as the total antioxidant capacity. It is suggested to include Si in tomato fertilization programs as a sustainable alternative to improve crop growth and productivity.