Silicon application improve maize (Zea mays L.) performance through ionic homeostasis and ameliorating adverse effects of brackish water

Water scarcity is an alarming issue in arid and semi arid regions of Pakistan, which cause drought stress and reduced plant growth. A pot experiment was conducted to study the effective role of Si for the growth of maize hybrids (FH-922, FH-949, FH-988 and FH-1137) with brackish water application. The physical parameters like plant height, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight; number of leaves per plant and chlorophyll contents (SPAD Value) were recorded. The ionic parameters like sodium (Na), potassium (K), silicon (Si) concentration and K: Na ratio were also recorded. The results revealed a relatively different response of four maize hybrids among all the studied parameters. Among all the variable maize hybrids, FH-988 showed the considerable increase in plant height; shoot fresh and dry weight and leaf chlorophyll contents. However, maize hybrids FH-922 and FH-1137 were more sensitive as compared to FH-988 and FH-949 due to less production in dry matter, chlorophyll contents, K concentration and K: Na ratio.