This study aimed to determine the capacity of monosilicic acid [Si(OH)4] to mitigate nutritional and metabolic disorders in plants induced by high levels of soil calcium carbonate (CaCO3), which raises soil pH and lowers solubility of soil micronutrients. Plants (Cucumis sativus L.) were grown in a soil with increasing rates of Si(OH)4 at two CaCO3 doses. Biometrical parameters, leaf chlorophyll and leaf and stem nutrients as well as leaf metabolic responses, using a metabolomics approach, were evaluated. Additionally, extractable Si and Si plant availability were examined. Manifestations of Si-induced effects in cucumber were highly CaCO3-dependent. In the –CaCO3 plants, Si(OH)4 addition induced distinct plant-beneficial effects, such as enhanced transport of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) to stems and/or leaves, accompanied with enhanced leaf abundance of metabolites (α-tocopherol, galactinol, threonic and ferulic acids) potentially involved in plant defence mechanisms against diverse environmental stresses. Biostimulant activity of Si(OH)4 was not evident in plants grown in the CaCO3-treated soil, characterized by reduced extractability and bioavailability of Si, compared with the untreated soils. The low physiological effectiveness of Si(OH)4 on the CaCO3-treated soil is likely due to a significant decrease in plant availability of Si, against a background of drastic plant performance impairment at high pH values induced by CaCO3 excess.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)660-670
JournalJournal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
Volume19
Issue number3
Early online date18 Jun 2019
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019

    Research areas

  • Alleviation, Calcium carbonate, Cucumis sativus, Metabolic responses, Monosilicic acid, Nutritional imbalance

    Scopus subject areas

  • Agronomy and Crop Science
  • Soil Science
  • Plant Science

ID: 46275382