Interaction between silicon and organic matter improves mineral nutrition and production of sour passion fruit in a semi-arid region of Brazil.

Introduction: Water restriction and low soil fertility under semi-arid conditions, particularly in sandy soils prone to nutrient imbalance and sodium accumulation, limit the yield and fruit quality of sour passion fruit. The application of silicone (Si) and organic matter (OM) has been proposed as a strategy to mitigate these constraints by improving plant nutrition and ionic balance. This study evaluated the effects of Si and cattle manure on the nutritional status, yield, and fruit quality of sour passion fruit. Methods: A field experiment was conducted in a randomized block design in a 5 × 2 factorial scheme, consisting of five Si doses (0, 27, 54, 81, and 108 g plant Results: A significant interaction between Si doses and cattle manure was observed, with the combined application enhancing plant nutrition and fruit production. Silicon increased leaf concentrations of P, Ca, B, Mo, and Si while reducing Na accumulation, whereas cattle manure enhanced leaf N, K, Mg, S, and Fe contents, although it also increased Na levels. In addition, Si improved fruit quality by increasing titratable acidity and soluble solids. The highest fruit yield (15.69 kg plant Discussion: Overall, the integrated use of Si and cattle management is an effective strategy to improve nutrient uptake, ionic balance, and the performance of sour passion fruit cultivated under sandy semi-arid conditions. combined with cattle manure provided the best overall agronomic performance, ensuring a more balanced improvement in nutrient status, yield, and fruit quality.