Abstract
Potted chrysanthemum is one of the most important floriculture plants which commercially produced in greenhouses where silicon (Si) is available in limited concentration because of using several substrates as growing media. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the supplemental effects of Si nutrition on growth, flowering, flower longevity as well as shelf life and nutrients content of potted chrysanthemum in relation to Si application. Moreover, the effects of Si treatment on some physiological parameters i.e. chlorophyll content, stomatal resistance, membrane stability index (MSI) and total carbohydrates were also investigated. Si application as K2SiO3 was added whether as foliar application at 25, 75 and 125 mg L-1 Si or soil drenches at 50, 100 and 150 mg L-1 Si. Except plant height and leaf area, the other vegetative growth and flowering characters were improved as a result of both Si supplementation methods compared with untreated control. Flowering was earlier and shelf life was longer in Si-supplemented than non supplemented plants. Generally, Si application increased the macro and micronutrients concentrations (except Ca) estimated in this study. Chlorophyll content, stomatal resistance, MSI and total carbohydrates were increased among Si treated plants. Improving the floricultural traits, extending longevity and shelf life of greenhouse grown chrysanthemum may give an impact of its greenhouse commercial production if appropriate level was used.