Effect of silicon source and application method on growth of kalanchoe 'Peperu'.

The effect of different source silicon (, , and ) and their application methods (foliar application and subirrigation) on the growth of potted kalanchoe was investigated. Rooted terminal cuttings of Kalanchoe blossfeldiana 'Peperu' were transplanted into 10.5 cm plastic pots containing a commercial growing medium. Then, a nutrient solution, containing 0 or Si as , , or and adjusted to EC 1.4- and pH 6.0, was supplied through subirrigation along with the nutrient solution or by a foliar application. Plants were grown in a glasshouse under a mean temperature of and RH of 70-80%. After 12 weeks of cultivation, plant growth characteristics and leaf tissue contents of P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, S, and Si were measured. Both subirrigational supply and foliar application of Si decreased the plant height and flower stem length. However, the plant condition in the foliar application resulted in disease-like soft rot on the leaf. Among three silicon sources tested, supplied through a subirrigation system increased shoot tissue contents of Si and chlorophyll as compared to the or treatment. Shoot tissue contents of Ca, K, and Na increased when the plant was supplied with , , and , respectively. Subirrigational supply of and decreased the shoot tissue contents of Ca and Mg, and K and Ca, respectively. Therefore, supplied through a subirrigation system could improve plant quality of kalanchoe 'Peperu' making compact potted plants.