Background: Conducting applied research in order to provide solutions for managing water consumption in the agricultural sector and improving the growth and performance of crops under water stress conditions has always been considered. Snapdragon flower is one of the ornamental plants used in urban landscapes, whose growth and flowering in tropical regions can be negatively affected by heat and water stresses. Therefore, providing a solution to increase its resilience in the conditions of water deficiency can increase the use of this beautiful plant in the urban landscaping of water-deficient areas.
Aim: In this study, the effect of silicon nano-fertilizer application, drought stress, and their interaction on growth, and physiological and biochemical traits of snapdragon flower have been investigated. This study has sought to answer the question of whether the application of silicon nano-fertilizer can have a positive effect on the resilience of snapdragon flower against drought stress?
Methodology: A split-plot experiment was conducted in a completely randomized block design in six replications. The experimental treatments consisted of the application of silicon nano-fertilizer in two forms, foliar spraying at 0 (control), 2, and 4 ml/L, and fertigation at 0 (control), 0.1, and 1 ml/L six times during the vegetative growth. After the application of the last nano-silicon treatment, water (drought) stress was imposed at 0 (control), 25%, and 50% of the soil field capacity (FC) for one month. At the end of the experiment, morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits were measured. Finally, the data were subjected to analysis of variance and the mean comparison was done by Duncan's multiple range test at the 5% probability level. Findings: The independent effects of drought stress and the application of silicon nano-fertilizer for all traits were significant at the 1% probability level. Also, the interaction effect of drought stress and application of silicon n