2.1. Growth analysis
Total dry mass was substantially reduced at the highest salinity
treatment (680 mM NaCl) but it was not affected in plants treated
with 500 mM Si (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.05; Fig. 1A). Similar trends
were evident in mean relative growth rate (RGR) (Fig. 1B), with 33%
of RGR reduction in plants grown at the highest salinity and no
additional Si. Leaf elongation rate decreased with salinity concentration
in both Si treatments (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.05), but this
effect was more acute in the absence of Si addition (Fig. 1C). Mean
tiller height did not show any statistical relationship with salinity
or Si concentration, but overall it was greater for plants