Ebrahim Fani - Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Behbahan Khatam Alanbia University of Technology, Behbahan, Iran

Purpose: Purslane plant is used in the pharmaceutical and food industries. This study aimed to study some physiological and biochemical reactions of Portulaca oleracea to salinity stress and the effect of silica fertilizer application in reducing the harmful effects of salinity stress on climatic conditions of Behbahan city in southwestern of Iran. Research Method: Purslane seeds were planted in plastic pots. Salinity treatment was considered at two levels of ۰ and ۲۰۰ mM NaCl and silica fertilizer treatment were considered at two levels of ۰ and ۲g/l. Findings: Results revealed that with increase salinity concentration, plant height, amount of soluble sugar, amount of soluble protein and chlorophyll b significantly decreased. The use of silica fertilizer had a positive effect on the mentioned traits in comparison with its non-use. Based on the results, the use of silica fertilizer increased plant height, soluble sugar, and soluble protein by ۱۶.۱۹, ۲۵.۳۵ and ۲۸.۷۴%, respectively, compared to its non-use in salinity conditions on the Portulaca oleracea plant, which is very important due to the salinity of a large areas of agricultural lands in Iran. Research limitations: No limitations were founded. Originality/Value: This study showed that silica fertilizer, compared to its non-application, increased plant height and photosynthetic pigments and reduced the harmful effects of salinity stress on Portulaca oleracea. Therefore, both in the condition of lack of salinity and in the condition of salinity stress, the use of silica fertilizer is suggested in comparison with its non-use in order to improve the measured traits.

Photosynthetic pigments, Plant height, Protein, Soluble sugar