Application of silicon foliar spray to increase growth and yield of shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.) under sprinkler and furrow irrigation system

Abstract

Silicon foliar application can help mitigate the negative effects of drought stress and is an important component of climate-smart agriculture. This study aimed to assess the effect of various concentrations of silicon foliar spray (SFS) on shallot growth and yield under two irrigation systems. On-farm experiment was arranged in the randomized block with split-plot design in dryland of East Lombok District of Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTB) Province during dry season of 2018. The main plot was furrow and sprinkler irrigation system, and the sub-plot was four concentrations of SFS (0, 15, 30, and 45 ml) with five replications. In general, plant height, leaf number, bulb number, and fresh biomass of shallot were increased following the increase of SFS concentration, with the optimal dosage being 15 ml/lt for the experiment site. Shallot fresh yield was significantly higher under sprinkler irrigation (3.72 kg/m2) compared to furrow irrigation (2.70 kg/m2). The significant interaction effects were found on plant height (20 and 40 days after planting) and weight loss (after sun-dried and after 90 days of storage to produce bulb seeds). All in all, the sun-dried shallot yield was significantly higher from 14.76% (30 ml) to 28.40% (15 ml) compared to the control.