Salt stress is one of several major abiotic stresses that affect plant growth and development, and there are many evidences that silicon can ameliorate the injuries caused by high salinity. This study presents the results of an assay concerning: (1) the effect of in vitro NaCl-induced salt stress in cape gooseberry plants and (2) the possible mitigating effect of silicon in saline conditions. For that, nodal segments were inoculated in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium under salinity (0.5 and 1.0% NaCl) with different silicic acid concentrations (0, 0.5 and 1.0g L-1). Phytotechnical characteristics, photosynthetic pigments content, and leaf anatomy were evaluated after 30 days. Shoot length, root length, number of leaves and buds, fresh and dry weight, pigment content, stomatal density and leaf blade thickness were drastically reduced by increased salt level. The supply of silicon (1.0g L-1) has successfully mitigated the effect of salinity at 0.5% NaCl for chlorophyll, carotenoids, stomatal density and leaf blade thickness. When salt stress was about 1.0%, Si was not effective anymore. In conclusion, we affirmed that, in in vitro conditions, salt stress is harmful for cape gooseberry plants and the addition of silicon showed effective in mitigating the saline effects of some features.

The objective of this study was to determine the silicon concentration that would provide good growth in passion fruit plants. Passion fruit seeds were sown in polystyrene. After 60 days, when they were approximately 15 cm tall, the plants were transplanted into polyethylene pots containing 1.1 kg Tropstrato® substrate. Treatments consisted of four concentrations (0, 0.28, 0.55, and 0.83 g pot^-1) of silicon applied as a silicic acid solution 1%. This solution was applied around the stem of the plants (drenched), with the first application being administered 15 days after transplanting. In total, three applications were made at intervals of 15 days. After the last application, the plants were subjected to chemical analysis to determine the silicon concentration and to X-ray microanalysis and flow cytometry. Phytotechnical analyses were performed during the applications. The use of silicon in concentrations of 0.28 and 0.55 g pot^-1 provides better growth of the passion fruit, and the absorption and deposition of the silicon in the passion fruit leaves are proportional to the availability of this element in the plant. The roots of the passion fruit plant are silicon accumulators, and the DNA stability and amount are preserved in the silicon-treated passion fruit plants.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of silicon fertilization on gas exchange, leaf anatomy, and ultrastructural characteristics of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis). The treatments comprised four concentrations of silicon (0, 0.28, 0.55, and 0.83 g per pot) at 1% silicic acid solution (SiO₂.XH₂O). This solution was applied around the stems of the plants. The first application was made 15 days after seedlings were transplanted. In total, three applications were made at 15-day intervals. The pots that constituted the control treatment received water in the same amount. After the final application, the plants were subjected to analyses of gas exchange, anatomical changes, and ultrastructural characteristics. The use of silicon promotes anatomical changes in passion fruit seedlings, such as increased adaxial epidermis thickness, reduced palisade parenchyma, and increased polar diameter/equatorial diameter ratio, which is related to stomata functionality. The concentrations of 0.55 and 0.83 g silicon per pot provide higher rates of photosynthesis, of transpiration, and stomatal conductance. The concentration of 0.83 g silicon per pot results in the greatest deposition of silicon in the abaxial epidermis of leaf surface.

The objective was to evaluate morphological and physiological differences in anthurium plants in vitro, with the use of silicon added to the culture medium. Nodal segments were inoculated in Pierik with different sodium silicate concentrations (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 mg L^-1). After 100 days in a growth room, phytotechnical characteristics were evaluated, physiological concentrations of silicon, photosynthetic pigments and microanalysis X-ray. A higher yield of chlorophyll a and b, was observed in plants supplemented with 2.0 mg L^-1 of sodium silicate. Anthurium plants showed better growth development with an increase in the number of leaves, dry weight and length of the aereal part in plants supplemented with 0.5 and 2.0 mg L^-1 sodium silicate. It was also observed an increase in the number of roots of plants supplemented with 1.0 mg L^-1 of sodium silicate. The use of sodium silicate in culture medium improves the quality of plantlets with an increased absorption of nutrients in the plant Anthurium.

As espécies tropicais apresentam grande importância no mercado de flores, mas informações sobre colheita e procedimentos pós colheita ainda são limitados. Para a maioria das espécies tropicais, existem poucas informações sobre soluções a serem utilizadas para condicionamento ou manutenção após a colheita. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a durabilidade e qualidade pós-colheita de hastes florais de bastão-do-imperador em concentrações de sacarose na solução de condicionamento e diferentes estádios de abertura floral. Hastes florais foram colhidas no início da manhã e tratadas com solução de condicionamento com sacarose nas concentrações 0 (controle), 10, 20, 30% por 24h, nos três estádios de abertura floral: inflorescências com as brácteas 1/3, 2/3 ou totalmente abertas. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 4x3x6, com 3 repetições em parcela subdividida no tempo. As avaliações foram realizadas em intervalos de 3 dias, determinando-se a massa fresca das hastes florais e avaliação de qualidade das inflorescências por meio de notas, em escala de 0 a 4. Observou-se que a durabilidade comercial das hastes florais é maior (10 dias) quando as inflorescências são colhidas com 1/3 das brácteas abertas. Recomenda-se a realização de condicionamento em hastes florais de bastão-do-imperador com concentração de 20% de sacarose por 24h para inflorescências colhidas com 1/3 e 2/3 das brácteas abertas.