Silicon modulates nitro-oxidative homeostasis along with the antioxidant metabolism to promote drought stress tolerance in lentil plants

Abstract

Lentil is the fifth most important grain legume growing in arid/semi-arid regions of the world. Drought is one of the major constraints leading up to 50% of production losses just in lentil. Application of silicon (Si) has been shown to be a promising solution to improve drought tolerance; however, the biochemical mechanisms and interactions involved are not fully understood, especially in legumes. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Si on drought stress tolerance of lentil genotypes. Seven lentil genotypes with different drought tolerance levels (tolerant, moderately tolerant and sensitive) were subjected to moderate and severe drought stress at the onset of the reproductive ..