Effects of Silicon-Based Fertilizer on Growth, Yield and Nutrient Uptake of Rice in Tropical Zone of Vietnam

Abstract

Application of silicon (Si) could greatly boost rice yield and mitigate abiotic stress, especially drought. A field experiment was conducted during 2015 at the research farm of Hong Duc University, Thanh Hoa City, Vietnam, to evaluate the effects of five different combined doses of standard fertilizer practice and Si fertilizer on growth, yield and yield components, as well as nutrient uptake of rice. The treatments consisted of the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF, 110kg/hm2 N + 90kg/hm2 P2O5 + 80kg/hm2 K2O) as the control, RDF + 100kg/hm2 SiO2, RDF + 200kg/hm2 SiO2, RDF + 300kg/hm2 SiO2 and RDF + 400kg/hm2 SiO2. The results showed that the growth, grain and straw yields as well as yield components (number of grains per panicle, seed-setting rate and 1000-grain weight) were significantly affected by Si application. The highest grain yield of 3 705kg/hm2 was obtained with the highest level of Si fertilizer in combination with RDF (RDF + 400kg/hm2 SiO2), however, it was statistically at par with the yields obtained with RDF + 300kg/hm2 SiO2 (3 664kg/hm2) and RDF + 200kg/hm2 SiO2 (3 621kg/hm2). The optimum dose of Si fertilizer with maximized grain yield (3 716kg/hm2) was 329kg/hm2 SiO2. The nutrient (Si, N, P and K) uptakes of rice were also significantly enhanced by Si application. Si application at the level of 329kg/hm2 along with RDF would help in the sustainable production of rice in the tropical zone of Vietnam.