Enhancing Salinity Stress Tolerance in Finger Millet [Eleusine coracana L. (Gaertn.)] Through Silicon Supplementation: a Study On Seed Germination, Seedling Growth, and Antioxidant Response

Finger millet [Eleusine coracana L. (Gaertn.)] holds significant importance as a cereal crop in India due to its superior nutritional profile compared to that of other cereals. Salinity stress poses a substantial challenge to crop growth and yield. Silicon (Si) supplementation has been shown to mitigate both biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. This study investigated the impact of silicon supplementation (ranging from 0 to 25 ppm) on the tolerance of finger millet landraces to salinity stress induced by 200 mM NaCl. The addition of Si enhances seed germination and seedling growth in two finger millet landraces (ST-JA-SM: stress sensitive; ST-JA-WA: stress tolerant). Among the various Si concentrations tested, 10 ppm silicon was effective at alleviating salt stress. Compared with the ST-JA-SM landrace, the ST-JA-WA landrace exhibited greater osmolyte and carotenoid accumulation. Membrane lipid damage is more pronounced in the ST-JA-SM landrace, whereas antioxidative enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, APX, and GPX) are more prominent in the ST-JA-WA landrace. In conclusion, silicon amendment mitigates stress by activating the antioxidant enzyme machinery and reducing membrane damage in finger millet landraces.