Silicon application improves drought tolerance in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under variable planting densities.

Silicon fertilization increased most shoot growth parameters in greenhouse-grown peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under both 60% WHC and 20% WHC, with proline rising 312.7% under drought.

• Why it matters: The combined impact of silicon and planting density on peanut performance under drought is poorly understood, despite each factor separately showing benefits for growth and yield.
• What they did: In a greenhouse experiment, peanut plants were grown under two water regimes (60% WHC and 20% WHC) with silicon at 0, 50, 100, or 200 ppm and planting density at 5, 10, or 15 plants pot-1.
• The result: Higher density (15 plants pot-1) reduced most shoot growth traits while promoting root attributes across water treatments, and proline was positively correlated with peroxidase activity (r = 0.46, P < 0.01).

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