Determination of the effects of silicon applications on cauliflower under deficit irrigation conditions

Agricultural production system is more effective with the appropriate use of existing resources.Climate change will have adverse effects on crop production depending on water sources scarcity in the future besides, Si may reduce this effect.The aim of this study is to analyze vegetative growth and yield of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var.botrytis L.) with different levels of irrigation and Si doses applications.For this purpose, field experiments were conducted during 2022 and 2023 growing seasons in the Mediterranean environmental conditions.Treatments consisted of four Si doses (150, 100, 50 kg ha -1 and 0 kg ha -1 as control) and four irrigation treatments designed as pan coefficients (I1.00:Ep 1.00; I0.75: Ep 0.75; I0.50: Ep 0.50; I0.25: Ep 0.25).Experimental design was completely randomized with split-plot system with four replicates.For both growing seasons Si150-I1.00interactions produced the highest marketable yields as 4.61 and 4.48 t ha -1 , respectively, while the lowest values were found from Si0-I0.25 as 1.12 and 1.41 t ha -1 respectively.The highest crown diameter and body length values of 16. 19-17.13 and 15.70-15.88cm were recorded with I1.00 treatment across the two growing seasons.As a result of Si application, the efficiency of the cauliflower crop increased as the effects of water deficit decreased.According to research results in both years, water deficit up to 25% stress and 50 and 100 kg ha -1 Si doses in cauliflower cultivation improves crop yield-related characteristics.