Silicon mitigates salinity effects on sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor × Sorghum sudanense) by enhancing growth and photosynthetic efficiency.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether silicon (Si) supply was able to alleviate the harmful effects caused by salinity stress on sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor × Sorghum sudanense), a species of grass raised for forage and grain. Plants were grown in the presence or absence of 150 mM NaCl, supplemented or not with Si (0.5 mM Si). Biomass production, water and mineral status, photosynthetic pigment contents, and gas exchange parameters were investigated. Special focus was accorded to evaluating the PSI and PSII. Salinity stress significantly reduced plant growth and tissue hydration, and led to a significant decrease in all other studied parameters. Si supply enhanced whole plant biomass production by 50%, improved water status, decreased Na⁺ and Cl⁻ accumulation, and even restored chlorophyll a , chlorophyll b , and carotenoid contents. Interestingly, both photosystem activities (PSI and PSII) were enhanced with Si addition. However, a more pronounced enhancement was noted in PSI compared with PSII, with a greater oxidation state upon Si supply. Our findings confirm that Si mitigated the adverse effects of salinity on sorghum-sudangrass throughout adverse approaches. Application of Si in sorghum appears to be an efficient key solution for managing salt-damaging effects on plants. Soil salinity is a worldwide environmental constraint that affects crops growth and productivity. Silicon supply has been observed to ameliorate crops growth under various stresses. In this study, silicon supply was found to significantly enhance the decline the growth of sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor × Sorghum sudanense) under salinity stress, increasing productivity and enhancing plants vigour throughout many aspects. Hence, silicon seems to be a promising approach to strengthen agriculture yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]