Effect of Potassium Silicate on Tuber Yield and Biochemical Constituents of Potato Plants Grown Under Drought Stress Conditions

Abstract

Adopting experimentation ideas for alleviation drought stress is a must in the light of globally fresh water shortage. Therefore, this experiment was carried out during the two growing seasons of 2016 and 2017, at the experimental farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Shoubra ElKheima, Kaliobia, Egypt, to assess the effect of foliar spraying by potassium silicate on tuber yield and quality and biochemical constituents of potato plants cultivated under drought stress conditions. The results indicated that spraying potassium silicate at 2000 ppm on irrigated plants when depletion 55-60% of available soil water conferred the highest leaf area and chlorophyll fluorescence readings, haulm fresh and dry weight, total soluble carbohydrates and protein and free amino acids in the plant leaves meanwhile free proline recorded the lowest values compared to other treatments. The results proved that the combination of irrigation after depletion of either 55-60% or 70-75%of available soil water and foliar application of 2000 ppm potassium silicate considered the most favorable treatment where increasing the tubers yield per plant and per feddan mild drought stress without showing obvious stress on the plants.