Abstract:
The present review describes the benefical effects of diatomite ( siliceous skeletons
of archaic microscopic algae – diatomei) application for improving the plant tolerance to drought
and salinity. There are numerous publications on the role of diatomite in mechanical and chemical
protection of plants against unfavorable environmental conditions, however, the mechanisms of such a
protective effect of diatomite are poorly understood. Diatomite application improved photosynthesis,
biosynthesis of soluble proteins, abscisic acid and proline, antioxidant-enzymes, superoxide dismutase
(SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) as compared to both
control and stressed plants maintained at bothlevels of water regime.
