Growth and productivity responses to the utilization of superior rice varieties and bio-silica application in rainfed land

Abstract

This research aimed to understand response of growth and rice productivity to the utilization of superior rice varieties and the application of biosilica fertilizer on rainfed land at different planting season. The study employed split plot design with three superior varieties of rice as main plot treatment and biosilica application as sub-plot. The growth and rice productivity were observed during dry season and rainy season. The utilization of superior rice varieties was only affected on number of total grains, 1000 grains weight and productivity at dry season meanwhile it affected the variables observed at rainy season. Application of biosilica fertilizer did not affect plant height, number of empty and total grains at dry season meanwhile it affected the variables observed at rainy season. Rice productivities were significantly different in both factors. Result showed that most of variables values obtained with biosilica application were higher. Biosilica fertilizer was able to increase productivity up to 1.08 tons/ha from 6.48 tons/ha to 7.56 tons/ha at dry season and up to 1.92 tons/ha from 8.7 tons/ha to 10.62 ton/ha at rainy season. This result indicated that utilization of superior rice varieties and biosilica fertilizer is recommended to increase rice productivity on rainfed land.