Effects of Silicon and Selenium in Alleviation of Drought Stress in Rice.

Oryza sativa, king of cereals, is staple food for almost one third of global population. Water deficit is one of the main abiotic factors mitigating its yield potential. Among possible controlling practices, application of Silicon and Selenium are known to affect various physiological and biochemical mechanisms to curtail water deficiency stress. The purpose of the present research was to observe the effects of Silicon (Si) and Selenium (Se) to minimize the harmful effects of water deficient condition. Treatments included control (CK), water stress (40 % water holding capacity, WHC), water stress + Silicon (40 % WHC + 1.5 mM Silicon), water stress + Selenium (40 % WHC + 0.5 mM Se) and water stress + Silicon + Selenium (40 % WHC + 1.5 mM Si and 0.5mM Se solutions). Data of root and shoot length, plant height, root and shoot dry and fresh weight, relative water contents, chlorophyll contents, protein contents, grain length, grain width and grain yield were collected. Application of Si and Se promoted plant growth and development, yield and quality traits under drought stress but maximum performance was observed with co-application of both micronutrients. It is concluded that combine application of Silicon and Selenium alleviates the effect of drought stress on growth and yield of rice by reducing the water loss and improving the chlorophyll contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]