Improving rice plant using Si materials on P and Si uptake, growth and production in Ultisols

Abstract

Silica plays a role on nutrient uptake as increasing soil available P and increasing plant resistance on abiotic and biotic stresses. The purpose of this research was to find out the effect of silica material application on P, Si uptake, rice growth and production. A pot experiment was carried out under greenhouse condition. The experiment was set up in completely randomized design with six treatments and four replications. The treatments used five silica materials, including palm nutshell compost, volcanic ash, palm nut shell ash, coal fly ash, and waste media of mushroom. Urea (200 kg ha−1), SP-36 (75 kg ha−1) and KCl (50 kg ha−1) were applied as basal fertilizer. The results showed that the application of silica material had a significant effect on P and Si uptake in rice plants. The highest of P uptake was in the palm nut shell compost treatment compared to the control. Meanwhile, the highest Si uptake was in coal fly ash treatment compared to the control. Silica applications could increase the growth and yield of rice. The highest yield for the 1,000 grain weight and the straw yield were obtained in the palm nut shell compost and coal fly ash treatments compared to the control.