Effect of Different Silicon Sources on Yield and Silicon Uptake of Rice Grown under Varying Phosphorus Rates.

Flavia B Agostinho,Flavia B Agostinho,Lawrence E Datnoff,Brenda S Tubana,Murilo S Martins

doi:10.3390/plants6030035

Abstract

A series of pot experiments were conducted to: (1) evaluate the effects of different Si sources (soil- and foliar-applied) on grain yield and Si accumulation of rice supplied with varying P rates, and (2) evaluate Si absorption of rice using foliar- and soil-applied Si fertilizers. Three P rates, (0, 112, and 224 kg ha−1) combined with five Si treatments (wollastonite and slag applied at 4.5 ton ha−1 and one foliar Si solution applied at 20, 40 and 80 mg Si L−1) and a check were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The presence of P and Si in the soil created a synergistic effect on soil Al, Mn, and As (P < 0.01), but not on rice growth and P uptake. Wollastonite and slag application were most effective in raising rice Si content than foliar applied Si (P < 0.001). While there was an improvement in biomass (42%) and tiller production (25%) for rice receiving foliar Si, no supporting evidence was obtained in these experiments to verify leaf surface Si absorption. The application of Si-rich materials to soil still remains the most effective method for enhancing Si uptake by plants.

Highlights

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a staple food crop that accounts for more than 22% of world’s population calorie intake, with Asia and Africa as the largest consuming regions [1]
While P application increased soil P level, there was no impact observed on the agronomics of rice
Both agronomics and Si uptake of rice responded to Si treatments

Summary

Introduction

Rice (Oryza sativa) is a staple food crop that accounts for more than 22% of world’s population calorie intake, with Asia and Africa as the largest consuming regions [1]. For the third consecutive year, rice consumption was reported to exceed production, and ending stocks in 2015/2016 are expected to decline. 15% from a year earlier, the lowest global ending stocks since 2007/2008 [2]. Climate changes such as extreme weather, unexpected temperature and rainfall fluctuations have affected crop productivity [3,4]. Abdullah [5] reported that a 1 ◦ C increase in daily average temperature in the peninsular nation of Malaysia might reduce rice yield by 10%. According to Tao et al [6], rice yield reduction would range from 6% to 19%, 14% to 32% and 24% to 40% for global mean temperature increase of 1,. Other negative effects were noted for atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2 )

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Discussion

Conclusion