Effects of extracted Si from rice hull ash on rice seed germination and growth

Abstract

The silicone (abbreviated Si) extracted from rice hull ash by base-dissolving acidification method was used to analyse its effect on rice seed germination and growth with different concentrations through germination and pot culture experiment. Results showed that within a Si concentration range from 4 to 16%, both total absorption area and active absorption area of rice roots increased with the decreasing of Si concentration, the highest value of absorption area was at treatment B with Si content 8% diluted 300 times, followed by diluted 400 times and the lowest value was at treatment D diluted 100 times. Leaf chlorophyll content also showed similar trends as root absorption area when the Si content was lower than 8%. By foliar spraying of two materials – one (Si) was from rice hull ash and the other (Si fertiliser) was from Si liquid – the characteristics of rice growth changed from control: the heading stage of rice advanced two to three days and yield increased by 19.6% on average, which were significant differences. Extracted Si from rice hull ash has the same molecular structure as the conventional Si liquid fertiliser, increasing one or two dumbbell Si cells on the surface of a leaf. The results showed that when the level of Si reached 8% and the dilution was from 300 to 500 times, it could promote the seed vigour, and it was beneficial to seed germination and rice growth. It was found important to reuse rice hull ash for agriculture.