Effect of silicon at panicle initiation on the growth of rice (Var. ADT-36) plants at different growth stages

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India during the Rabi (November 1997-March 1998) and Kharif (July 1998-November 1998) seasons to identify the effect of silicon at panicle initiation on the growth of rice plant (Variety ADT-36) at different growth stages. Furnace slag was applied as a silicon source at 2 t/ha at the panicle initiation stage along with other nutrients. The dry matter production was recorded at the active tillering, panicle initiation, booting, flowering, one week after flowering and maturity stages in both the seasons. The total dry matter production was greater in the Kharif season than in the Rabi season. The application of slag at the panicle initiation stage along with N and K at the flowering stage had a significant influence over the dry matter production. A similar trend was observed in both the seasons. The silicon uptake was recorded at the panicle initiation and maturity stages. About 30-40% of the silicon absorbed during the early stages and the maturity stage was present in the shoot, whereas 20-30 % of the silicon absorbed during the maturity stages was present in the leaf blades. Based on the results, it is concluded that the supply of silicon during the panicle initiation stage is most important for plant growth.