The Application of Silica Fertilizer to Increase Resistance of Chili Pepper Plant (Capsicum annuum L.) to Waterlogging Stress

Abstract

Chili pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a horticultural commodity widely cultivated in paddy fields, and often suffers from waterlogging stress due to flooding. One effort to overcome this problem is silica nutrients application. This study aimed to determine the role of silica in increasing chili pepper tolerance to waterlogging stress. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse owned by Universal PT Tempu Rejo, Jember, East Java from October to December 2021. The study was carried out using a factorial completely randomized design (4x4) with 3 replications. The first factor was the silica fertilizer dose, D0 = 0 mL, D1 = 0.15 mL, D2 = 0.30 mL, and D3 = 0.45 mL per plant. The second factor was waterlogging stress, W1 = 50-70%, W2 = >70-90%, W3 = >90-110%, and W4 = >110-130% field capacity. The results showed that the effect of interaction between silica dose and waterlogging stress treatments was not significant on plant height, leaf number, and leaf area, but was significant on the relative water content, H₂O₂, proline, and chlorophyll content. Silica fertilizer was able to increase chili pepper resistance against waterlogging stress as indicated by a positive correlation between silica and chlorophyll and proline content and a negative correlation between silica and H₂O₂.