Purpose Interactive impacts of silicon (potassium silicate: K2SiO3) and potassium fertilizer (potassium thiosulfate: K2S2O3 and potassium sulfate: K2SO4) on wheat growth and quality in cadmium (Cd)-polluted soil under various irrigation levels were carried out. This study assessed the interaction of two sources of nutrients (silicon and potassium fertilizers) in enhancing wheat quality and yield to maintain food safety and quality assurance in presence of Cd stress. Methods The study was carried out with two irrigation situations: F1 (full irrigation, 60–70% WHC) and F2 (limited irrigation, 40–50% WHC). The simultaneous application of silicon and potassium fertilizers markedly enhanced wheat growth and crop quality in soil contaminated with Cd. Results The combination of K2SiO3 and K2S2O3 resulted in most significant enhancement in both quality and growth of wheat compared to all other treatments. The association between K2SiO3 and potassium fertilizer markedly influenced available Cd levels in soil and wheat. shoot biomass, grains number plant− 1, as well as grain yield enhanced by 22.9%, 16.2%, and 50.7%, respectively, under F1, and by 29.8%, 20.9%, and 55.1%, respectively, under F2, with application of K2SiO3 and K2S2O3compared to their respective controls. The treatments with K2SiO3 or K2S2O3 enhanced growth of wheat by elevating silicon levels in wheat tissues, diminishing available Cd concentrations, alleviating Cd-induced stress, and enhancing nutritional value. Conclusions The synergistic use of K2SiO3 and K2S2O3 yielded the most favourable results in this study. Combined effect of K2SiO3 and K2S2O3 markedly diminished activity of POD in comparison to the control at both irrigation levels. The data trend for the activity of POD was as follows: K2SO4 (9.1%) > K2S2O3 (14.9%) > K2SiO3 + K2SO4 (22.8%) > K2SiO3 (27.7%) > K2SiO3 + K2S2O3 (34.9%) under F1 and K2SO4 (11.9%) > K2S2O3 (17.6%) > K2SiO3 + K2SO4 (26.1%) > K2SiO3 (32.2%) > K2SiO3 + K2S2O3 (40.3%) under F2, in comparison to their respective controls. Silicon and potassium fertilizers can be utilized concurrently to enhance wheat yield and advance crop cultivation in Cd-contaminated regions, thereby can contribute to safer wheat production in Cd-contaminated soils. This simple approach can assist farmers in managing soil contaminated by Cd.

Co-application Impacts of Silicon and Potassium Fertilizers on Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Growth and Nutritional Attributes in Cadmium-contaminated Soil Under Two Irrigation Regimes

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年1月29日

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Ghulam Murtaza,
Najmaldin Ezaldin Hassan,
Muhammad Rizwan,
Qamar uz Zaman,
Gang Deng,
Zeeshan Ahmed,
Javed Iqbal,
Mohamed S. Elshikh,
Humaira Rizwana,
Shabir Ahmad,
Lala Gurbanova,
Rashid Iqbal

摘要

Purpose Interactive impacts of silicon (potassium silicate: K₂SiO₃) and potassium fertilizer (potassium thiosulfate: K₂S₂O₃ and potassium sulfate: K₂SO₄) on wheat growth and quality in cadmium (Cd)-polluted soil under various irrigation levels were carried out. This study assessed the interaction of two sources of nutrients (silicon and potassium fertilizers) in enhancing wheat quality and yield to maintain food safety and quality assurance in presence of Cd stress. Methods The study was carried out with two irrigation situations: F1 (full irrigation, 60–70% WHC) and F2 (limited irrigation, 40–50% WHC). The simultaneous application of silicon and potassium fertilizers markedly enhanced wheat growth and crop quality in soil contaminated with Cd. Results The combination of K₂SiO₃ and K₂S₂O₃ resulted in most significant enhancement in both quality and growth of wheat compared to all other treatments. The association between K₂SiO₃ and potassium fertilizer markedly influenced available Cd levels in soil and wheat. shoot biomass, grains number plant^− 1, as well as grain yield enhanced by 22.9%, 16.2%, and 50.7%, respectively, under F1, and by 29.8%, 20.9%, and 55.1%, respectively, under F2, with application of K₂SiO₃ and K₂S₂O₃compared to their respective controls. The treatments with K₂SiO₃ or K₂S₂O₃ enhanced growth of wheat by elevating silicon levels in wheat tissues, diminishing available Cd concentrations, alleviating Cd-induced stress, and enhancing nutritional value. Conclusions The synergistic use of K₂SiO₃ and K₂S₂O₃ yielded the most favourable results in this study. Combined effect of K₂SiO₃ and K₂S₂O₃ markedly diminished activity of POD in comparison to the control at both irrigation levels. The data trend for the activity of POD was as follows: K₂SO₄ (9.1%) > K₂S₂O₃ (14.9%) > K₂SiO₃ + K₂SO₄ (22.8%) > K₂SiO₃ (27.7%) > K₂SiO₃ + K₂S₂O₃ (34.9%) under F1 and K₂SO₄ (11.9%) > K₂S₂O₃ (17.6%) > K₂SiO₃ + K₂SO₄ (26.1%) > K₂SiO₃ (32.2%) > K₂SiO₃ + K₂S₂O₃ (40.3%) under F2, in comparison to their respective controls. Silicon and potassium fertilizers can be utilized concurrently to enhance wheat yield and advance crop cultivation in Cd-contaminated regions, thereby can contribute to safer wheat production in Cd-contaminated soils. This simple approach can assist farmers in managing soil contaminated by Cd.