الفهرس 
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Abstract
The present investigation was conducted at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture (Saba Basha), Alexandria University, Egypt, during the two successive summer seasons of 2019 and 2020, to study the response of four maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids to silicon (Si) under soil as affected by salinity.
The preceding crop was Egyptian clover (Trifoluim alexandrinum L.) in the first and second seasons.
Two field experiments were designed as split plot design. Where, the main plots were allocated by maize hybrids (SC2066, SC2055, SC3062, and TWC352), while the subplots were occupied by foliar application of (Si) concentrations (spray water, 100, 150 and 200 mg/l).
Each plot size was 10.5 m2 included 5 ridges each 3.5 m in length and 0.70 m in width. Sowing take place on May 20th and 25th in 2019 and 2020 seasons, respectively.
The kernel were planted at the rate of 2 grains/hill. Holes were made on the north side of each ridges. The grains of the maize genotypes were gained from Misr High Tech International Seed Co. and Pioneer overseas International Seed Co. which obtained from Agricultural Extension - Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Cairo, Egypt.
The obtained result could be summarized as follow:
5.1. Growth characters:
There was a significant difference among the four maize hybrids in plant height (cm), where maize hybrid SC3062 gave the highest mean values, while the lowest ones were recorded with SC 2066 in both seasons.
The highest value of plant height recorded with the highest rate of Si 200 mg/l comparing to the other treatments, while the spray water gave the lowest ones in both seasons.
Planting SC 3062 with foliar application of Si at the rate of 200 mg/l achieved the highest mean values of plant height (cm) in both seasons. While, the lowest ones recorded with SC 2066 plus untreated treatments (spray water) in two seasons.
Maize hybrid SC3062 gave the highest mean values, while the lowest ones were recorded with SC 2066 in both seasons.
Increasing Si concentration from 0 to 200 mg/l increased crop growth rate (CGR) in both seasons. An increase of crop growth rate (CGR) may be due to the vital role in growth of the plant.
Planting SC3062 with foliar application of Si at the rate of 200 mg/l achieved the highest mean values of CGR in both seasons. While, the lowest ones recorded with SC 2066 plus untreated treatments (spray water) in two seasons.
Maize hybrid SC3062 gave the highest mean values, while the lowest ones were recorded with SC 2066 in both seasons.
Increasing Si concentration from 0 to 200 mg/l increased leaf area index (LAI) in both seasons. An increase of leaf area index (LAI) may be due to the mean role in growth of the plant.