Respuesta a las aplicaciones de silicio en el cultivo de pepino (Cucumis sativus L) variedad modan, en condiciones de estrés hídrico bajo cubierta en Culiacán, Sinaloa

Abstract

Silicon is the second most abundant element on earth which is not considered an essential but beneficial to the development and growth of plants, as well as to overcome the effects of biotic and abiotic stresses environmental product; It is known as the universal stressing, as no other element has the characteristics of silicon to help plants resist adverse conditions. A factor causing stress in plants is the environment, when drought conditions occur or there is limited availability of water, which is known as water stress. Research has proven the potential of silicon to these conditions, since being absorbed by plants as monosilicic acid is located in the different structures of the plant, acting as insulation against adverse environmental factors. Thus the aim of this research was to determine the response of cucumber crop under water stress Silicon considering applications. The experiment was carried out under protected conditions in the Faculty of Agronomy of the Autonomous University of Sinaloa, where the effects of foliar application of four doses of silicon was evaluated against two irrigation conditions in the interaction of some variables of vegetative growth and productive in growing cucumber variety Modan. The 8 treatments resulted from the combination of two factors: dose silicon [0 ml, 500 ml, 1000 ml and 1500 ml] and Irrigation [50% to 100%], in a factorial design 2 x 4 in a distribution treatments completely random. Applying Silicon in crops growing significantly increased performance variables, without affecting the quality of fruit for all treatments. This increase was due to the role of the gel of silicon that is located between the cuticle and the epidermis of the leaves, which prevents the increase in transpiration by the plant in a situation of biotic or abiotic stress, such as expressed what treatments 2 (Irrigation 50% - 500 ml Si), T3 (Irrigation 50% - 1000 ml Si) and T4 (-1500 ml Irrigation 50% Si), which remained statistically similar results in number and weight of fruit in front the other irrigation treatments had full (100%) and silicon applications. However, there are significant differences for vegetative variables, height, stem diameter and leaf area of plants, where the highest averages in treatments 8 (Irrigation 100% - 1500 ml Si) was obtained met and Treatment 2 ( Irrigation 50% - 500 ml Si). With this finally the higher dose of silicon was noted [1500 ml Si / 100 L water], which influenced the highest averages in most of the variables evaluated during the production cycle of the crop, when complete availability of water had; However, under conditions where irrigation is a constraint, it is acceptable the lowest dose [500 ml of Si], which showed significant results compared to other treatments, so the role of silicon in addition stated in a plan nutritional.