Foliar fertilization with a soluble silicon source can alter pigment production in leaves and increase fruit production in cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L.)

Abstract

Use of silicon (Si) to produce grains, fibers, and vegetables has shown promising results in different agricultural production systems. Si is able to mitigating abiotic and biotic stresses, which result in changes in pigment synthesis and gains in crop yields. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of the foliar application of Si on the cucumber crop’s biometric development, pigmentation, and fruit production. Furthermore, it assessed the differential economic analysis obtained with the foliar application of silicon. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse with cucumber in a completely randomized design. It had five treatments and seven replications. The treatments comprised doses of Si: 0, 2.52, 5.04, 7.56, and 10.08 g L−1 of Si. Stem diameter, pigment production, nutritional status, Si accumulation, fruit yield, and the economic analysis of differential profit were evaluated. The foliar application of Si favored its absorption and accumulation in the cucumber plant, obtaining increases that promoted gains in the dry biomass yield of the whole plant. These increases led to increased production of pigments, nitrogen balance index, and chlorophyll and a reduction in the anthocyanin index at 37 DAT. Foliar fertilization with silicon increases its content in the plant. These increases promoted gains of 25% in productive yield compared to the control and a positive differential profit of US$ 362 ha−1 with the application of 2.52 g L−1 of Si, divided into three sprays throughout the cycle. Foliar fertilization with silicon appears feasible for fruit production in plants considered intermediate accumulators of this element, such as cucumbers.