Potassium and Silicon Improve Yield and Juice Quality in Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) under Salt Stress

作者：Ashraf M; Rahmatullah; Ahmad R; Afzal M; Tahir M A; Kanwal S; Maqsood M A

来源：Journal of Agronomy and Crop Science, 2009, 195(4): 284-291.

DOI：10.1111/j.1439-037X.2009.00364.x

• abiotic stress
• juice quality
• nutrient balance
• potassium
• salt stress
• silicon
• sugarcane
• yield

Soil salinity is a major abiotic stress which adversely affects the yield and juice quality in sugarcane. However, the mineral nutrient status of plant plays a crucial role in increasing plant tolerance to salinity. We investigated the effects of K and/or Si on plant growth, yield and juice quality in two sugarcane genotypes differing in salinity tolerance. Addition of K and Si significantly (P < 0.05) increased K and Si concentrations and decreased the accumulation of Na(+) in plants under salt stress. Cane yield and yield attributes were significantly (P < 0.05) higher where K and Si were added. Juice quality characteristics like Brix (% soluble solids in juice), Pol (% sucrose in juice), commercial cane sugar (CCS) and sugar recovery in both sugarcane genotypes were also significantly (P < 0.05) improved with the supplementation of K and Si. For most of the growth parameters, it was found that K either alone or in combination with Si was more effective to alleviate salt stress in both sugarcane genotypes than Si alone. Moreover, the beneficial effects of K and Si were more pronounced in salt sensitive genotype than in salt tolerant genotype. The results suggested that K and Si counteracted the deleterious effects of high salinity/sodicity in sugarcane by lowering the accumulation of Na(+) and increase in K(+) concentration with a resultant improvement in K(+)/Na(+) ratio which is a good indicator to assess plant tolerance to salinity.

• 出版日期2009-8