Effects of silicon application on growth and transpiration rate of maize

The experiment studied the effect of silicon(Si) on the growth,transpiration rate and leaf abscisic acid(ABA)content in maize(Zea mays L.Nongda 108)in pot soil culture.The results show that Si has no significant effect on shoot dry weight of maize under both water and non-water stress.Water stress significantly reduces shoot dry weight,regardless of Si supply.Compared with non-Si treatment,Si application significantly decreases the transpiration rate of maize plants,regardless of water treatments.Water stress also decreases transpiration rate, gradually with duration of water stress.Si application increases leaf ABA content in maize compared with non-Si treatment,with or without water stress.Water stress also increases leaf ABA content regardless of Si application.