Photosynthetica X:X | DOI: 10.32615/ps.2026.017

Modulation of growth and photosynthetic efficiency in common buckwheat through combined seed priming and foliar application of silicon under drought

M.R.H. RAIHAN1, F. AHMED2, A. RASTOGI1
1 Department of Bioclimatology, Faculty of Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Piątkowska 94, Poznań 60-649, Poland
2 Department of Vegetable and Mushroom Growing, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Villányi út 29-43, 1118 Budapest, Hungary

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of silicon (0.5 and 1.0 mM), applied through seed priming, foliar spray, and their combined application, in enhancing drought tolerance in buckwheat under 30% field water capacity by modulating key physiological mechanisms. Drought markedly reduced growth attributes and impaired PSII efficiency and gas exchange. Under drought conditions, the combined 1.0 mM Si treatment increased fresh and dry biomass by 54 and 96%, respectively, and enhanced leaf thickness by 39% compared with untreated plants. The photosynthetic rate increased from -0.22 to 1.87 µmol(CO2) m-2 s-1, stomatal conductance and transpiration rose nearly 13-fold, intercellular CO2 concentration decreased by 32%, and key PSII parameters improved markedly, with the effective quantum yield of PSII increasing by 112% and the performance index by 2.65-fold. Overall, the results demonstrate that combining Si-seed priming with foliar application effectively enhanced plant drought resilience.

Additional key words: chlorophyll a fluorescence; minor cereal; photosynthesis; silicon; water deficit.

Received: May 14, 2026; Revised: June 6, 2026; Accepted: June 17, 2026; Prepublished online: July 9, 2026 

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