Silicon Utilization Efficiency of Different Wheat Cultivars in a Calcareous Soil

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different silicon levels and sources on the efficiency of acquisition and utilization of silicon in seven wheat cultivars in a calcareous soil. The treatments consisted of silicon additions to the soil (control, 200, 400, and 1000 mg/kg as potassium silicate and 0, 50, and 100 mg/kg as nanoparticles) and seven wheat cultivars (Gonbad, Shiroudi, Shiraz, Mahdavi, Marvdasht, Bahar, and Parsi). The factorial experiment was carried out in three replications. The results showed that the application of silicon at different levels and from various sources, as well as wheat cultivars and their interactions with the silicon treatments, led to significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) in the root and shoot dry weights, the silicon concentration in the root and shoot, and the total silicon in the shoot. In addition, there was a significant relationship between the silicon level/source and wheat cultivars with all efficiency indices (at level of 1%). The results also show there is a significant (p ≤ 0.01) relationship between shoot silicon efficiency and silicon acquisition efficiency (0.72). Therefore, considering the role of silicon in stress alleviation, its application in wheat cultivars with higher acquisition efficiency can help the plant growth.