| ABSTRACT Silicon and proline play important physiological, metabolic and functional roles in plants, especially under water deficit conditions. Their application can mitigate the adverse effects of stress in crops by increasing water use efficiency and antioxidant activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate silicon (Si) as attenuator of the effects of water deficit on cowpea cultivars, through physiological, biochemical and growth indicators. The experimental design was randomized blocks with four cultivars (BRS Guariba, BRS Itaim, BRS Aracê and BRS Rouxinol) and four irrigation treatments associated or not with Si application (W100 - 100% ETo; W50 - 50% ETo; W50+100Si and W50+200Si, with 100 and 200 mg L-1 silicon, respectively), in a 4 x 4... |
