The Interactive Effects of Silicon and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Growth, Physio-biochemical Traits, and Cob Yield of Baby Corn Plants under Salt Stress

Rising salinity in agricultural lands is among the major problems limiting productivity of agronomic and horticultural crops including baby corn (Zea mays L.). Soil application of silicon (Si) and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation have a proven role in alleviating salt stress and improving plant growth and development. However, the potential role of the integrated application of Si and AMF in alleviating salt stress in baby corn has not been thoroughly investigated. The objective of the present study was to determine the potential combined role of Si and AMF on growth, cob yield, and physio-biochemical traits of baby corn under salt stress. A polyhouse study consisting of four soluble Si doses (0, 15, 30, and 60 kg ha(-1)) applied in the form of monosilicic acid, two levels of AMF inoculation (inoculation of AMF [+ AMF] and without inoculation of AMF [-AMF]), and three salinity levels (0.7, 6, and 9 dS m(-1)) was conducted. Data on growth, cob yield, physio-biochemical parameters, and leaf ion concentration were collected. The results revealed that rising salinity severely impacted growth and cob yield of baby corn, and the plants were unable to produce any marketable cob at 9 dS m(-1). The three-way interaction among Si, AMF inoculation, and salinity level was not significant for all evaluated parameters. The sole application of Si and AMF effectively improved growth, yield, and physiological traits of baby corn under different salinity levels. Nevertheless, integrated application of Si (60 kg ha(-1)) and AMF was even more effective for increasing shoot and root dry matter (with a respective increase of 10% and 4% than non-AMF-inoculated plants at the same Si dose), root colonization (132% higher than non-AMF-inoculated plants at the same Si dose), and accumulation of essential ions (K+, Ca2+, and K+/Na+ ratio). Therefore, it is recommended to apply 60 kg ha(-1) of soluble Si along with AMF for baby corn cultivation in salt-affected soils (up to a maximum of 6 dS m(-1) salinity level).