Shoot Dry Matter Yield Research Articles

Growth and yield of lettuce cultivars under organic fertilization and different environments

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a leafy vegetable that could be grown under mineral or organic fertilizing, being also very influenced by environmental conditions. This study evaluated the growth and yield of lettuce cultivars submitted to different doses of organic fertilization and environmental conditions. The experiment was carried out at the Horticulture Sector of the Campus Cinobelina Elvas, at the Federal University of Piauí (CPCE/UFPI), Brazil. The experimental was carried out in a completely randomized block design, with the treatments distributed in split-split-plot, according to cultivation systems in the plots (with 50% of shading and outdoor cultivation), organic fertilization rates in subplots (0, 20, 40, 60 and 80 t ha-1) and lettuce cultivars in the sub-subplots (‘Delícia’, ‘Babá de Verão’ and ‘Itapuã 401’) with three repetitions and with eighteen plants per experimental unity and four useful plants per plot. Plant height, number of leaves, head circumference, stem length, leaf area, leaves chlorophyll content, commercial fresh mass, shoot dry matter and lettuce yield were evaluated. For the conditions in which the present study was carried out, the use of doses of organic fertilization with cattle manure influenced lettuce growth and yield using 50% of shading and is also suggested the use of the cultivars ‘Delícia’ and ‘Babá de Verão’, in a protected environment (50% of shade).

The Effect of Piriformospora Indica on Shoot and Root Dry Matter Yield and Zinc and Iron Uptake by Wheat in a Calcareous Soil

The Effect of Piriformospora Indica on Shoot and Root Dry Matter Yield and Zinc and Iron Uptake by Wheat in a Calcareous Soil

Contribution of non-exchangeable K in soils from Southern Brazil under potassium fertilization and successive cropping

Intense cropping of plants in pots was used to assess the contribution of non-exchangeable K to plant uptake in different soils of Parana State, Brazil. Surface samples from nine soil types were fertilized or not with K fertilizer and subjected to six successive cropping (i.e., soybean, pearl millet, wheat, common beans, soybean and maize) under greenhouse conditions. The crops were grown in 8-L pots for 45 days, and at the end of the sixth cropping, the soil was sampled to determination non-exchangeable and exchangeable K. Shoot dry matter yield, K taken up, non-exchangeable pool contribution to K nutrition of plants were also determined. Soils differ in the ability to K supply to the plants in the short to medium term, due to the wide range of parent material and exchangeable K and non-exchangeable K pools. When the soils were not fertilized with K, the successive cropping of plants resulted in a continuous process of depletion of non-exchangeable K and exchangeable K pools; however, this depletion was less pronounced in soils with higher potential buffer capacity of K. Concentrations of non-exchangeable K and exchangeable K were increased with the addition of K fertilizers, indicating the occurrence of K fixation in soil. Non-exchangeable K contribution to K nutrition of plants during the six croppings ranged from 50 to 73% and from 1 to 18%, respectively, without and with K fertilizer addition. These data report the importance of non-exchangeable K pools in the supply of this nutrient to plants in agricultural production systems.

Influence of Biofertilizers and Phosphate Sources on the Phosphorus Uptake of Lettuce and Chemical Forms of Phosphorus in Soil

ABSTRACTA greenhouse experiment was conducted with a factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design with three replications. Treatments consisted of two levels of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) (Pseudomonas fluorescens) (with and without inoculation), two levels of vermicompost (0 and 1% w/w), and four phosphate (P) sources (control, rock phosphate powder (RP), tricalcium phosphate (TCP), and triple super phosphate (SP) at 25 mg P kg−1 level). Co-application of PGPR and RP in non-vermicompost treatments significantly increased shoot fresh weight, shoot dry matter yield, shoot P uptake, soil Ca2-P concentration, but it significantly decreased soil Ca8-P and Ca10-P concentrations. The maximum shoot P uptake was obtained in combined application of RP with vermicompost which had no significant difference with the co-application of SP with vermicompost in bacterial and non-bacterial treatments. There was a negative correlation coefficient between shoot P concentration and chemical forms of phosphorus. It may be concluded that application of biofertilizers changed the chemical forms of inorganic phosphorus and increased P uptake by plant.

Farklı Tahıl Türlerinin Çinko Noksanlığına Karşı Duyarlılığının Belirlenmesi

Çinko (Zn) noksanlığı bitkisel verimi özelliklede kireçli topraklarda yetiştirilen tahılların verimini sınırlandıran önemli bir mineral besin elementi sorunudur. Bu çalışma ekmeklik (BDME-10, Bezostaja), makarnalık (Kızıltan Ç-1252) ve çavdardan (Aslım) oluşan değişik tahıl türlerinin Zn noksanlığına karşı duyarlılıklarıın test edilmesi amacı ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Sera koşullarında gerçekleştirilen denemede bitkiler iki farklı Zn dozunda (Zn 0 ve Zn 5 mg kg-1) yetiştirilmiştir. Bitkiler 44 günlük iken Zn eksiklik simptomları gözlenmiş ve 1-5 skalasına göre Zn noksanlık şiddeti için gözlem alınmış ve bitkiler hasat edilmiştir. Çinko noksanlık simptom şiddeti bakımından en fazla Ç-1252 (1.0) ve Bezostaja (2.0) çeşitlerinde, en hafif simptom ise Aslım (4.0) ve Kızıltan (3.0) türlerinde görülmüştür. Çinko uygulaması ile yeşil aksam kuru madde verimlerinde belirgin bir artış meydana gelmiş, bu artış en fazla Ç-1252 (%78,8) ve BDME-10 (%52,5) çeşitlerinde görülmüştür. Tahıl türleri ve aynı türün çeşitlerinin Zn noksanlığına büyük ölçüde farklı reaksiyon verdikleri görülmüştür. Makarnalık buğday Zn noksanlığınndan simptomolijik olarak ve kuru madde verimi açısından şiddetli bir şekilde etkilenirken, ekmeklik buğday orta düzeyde etkilenmiş ve en az da çavdarın etkilendiği görülmüştür. Çinko noksanlık simptomlarının şiddeti ve bitki büyümesine göre denemeye konu olan tahılların Zn noksanlığına karşı duyarlılığı ile ilgili Ç1252>BDME-10>Kızıltan>Bezostaya>Aslım şeklinde bir sıralama ortaya çıkmıştır.

Cropping systems sustainability: Inoculation and fertilisation effect on sulla performances in a new cultivation area

To assess the feasibility of the sulla [Sulla coronaria (L.) Medik] forage legume in a new agroecosystem, its host-specific symbiotic interaction needs to be taken into account. This study aimed to investigate the effects of inoculation and nitrogen (N) fertiliser on productive performances and N-fixation ability of sulla established in a new habitat within a Mediterranean agropastoral area. Sulla plants, previously inoculated (with peat-based, liquid inoculants, and using soil from an existing sulla field) and unfertilised or N fertilised were evaluated in Sardinia (Italy). During 2013-2014, sulla plants were sampled at four growing stages, from vegetative stage to seed set, and shoot length, shoot dry matter (DM) yield and N content were monitored. Moreover, atom% 15N isotopic excess, proportion of N derived from the atmosphere and fixed N of sulla shoots were quantified. Inoculation and N fertilisation both affected growth, DM and N yields, and N-fixation of sulla. Compared to the best inoculated treatment, the DM yield and fixed N of the control only represented 10 to 22% and 2 to 11%, respectively. Nitrogen fertilisation caused temporary decreases in the N fixing ability of sulla. Results pointed out that rhizobial inoculation is essential for the exploitation of sulla outside its traditional cropping area.

Critical pH and exchangeable Al of four acidic soils derived from different parent materials for maize crops

The purpose of this study is to determine the critical soil pH, exchangeable aluminum (Al), and Al saturation of the soils derived from different parent materials for maize. An Alfisol derived from loess deposit and three Ultisols derived from Quaternary red earth, granite, and Tertiary red sandstone were used for pot experiment in greenhouse. Ca(OH)2 and Al2(SO4)3 were used to adjust soil pH to target values. The critical soil pH was obtained by two intersected linear lines of maize height, chlorophyll content, and yield of shoot and root dry matter changing with soil pH. In low soil pH, Al toxicity significantly decreased plant height, chlorophyll content, and shoot and root dry matter yields of maize crops. The critical values of soil pH, exchangeable Al, and Al saturation varied with soil types. Critical soil pH was 4.46, 4.73, 4.77, and 5.07 for the Alfisol derived from loess deposit and the Ultisol derived from Quaternary red earth, granite, and Tertiary red sandstone, respectively. Critical soil exchangeable Al was 2.74, 1.99, 1.93, and 1.04 cmolckg−1 for the corresponding soils, respectively. Critical Al saturation was 5.63, 12.51, 14.84, and 15.16% for the corresponding soils. Greater soil cation exchange capacity and exchangeable base cations led to lower critical soil pH and higher critical soil exchangeable Al and Al saturation for maize.

Evaluation of Growth Performance of Tomato in Response to Biochar and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (Amf) Inoculation

Field experiment was conducted in 2013 and 2014 to evaluate growth performance of two tomato genotypes in response to biochar application and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) inoculation at the Teaching and Research Farm, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. The experiment was laid out in a split-split plot design with two tomato genotypes in the main plots, five levels of biochar application in the sub plots and two levels of AMF inoculation in the sub-sub plots. Data on plant height number of leaves and dry matter yields were generated and subjected to analysis of variance and significant means separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at 5 % level of significance. The result shows that mycorrhizal inoculation significantly increased (p< 0.05) the shoot dry matter yield (2935.8 kg ha-1) when compared with non-mycorrhizal plants, there is no significant difference in number of leaves, height and root dry matter yield. Application of 20 t ha-1 of biochar significantly increased (p< 0.05) the shoot dry matter yields and plant height while no significant differences were observed in number of leaves and root dry matter yield. From the results obtained it can be concluded that AMF can successfully be inoculated into biochar amended soil to improve the performance of tomato plant.Keywords: Biochar; AMF; inoculation; tomato; growth performance.

Ayçiçeği Genotiplerinin Demir Noksanlığına Karşı Tolerans Düzeylerinin Belirlenmesi

Demir (Fe) noksanlığı dünyada bitkilerde ve insanlarda görülen önemli bir beslenme problemidir. Bu sorun aynı zamanda Türkiye‘de de yaygın bir beslenme problemi olup ayçiçeği, önemli derecede verim ve kalite kayıplarına yol açan Fe noksanlığına duyarlı bir tür olarak bilinmektedir. Bu çalışmada farklı ayçiçeği genotiplerinin Fe noksanlığına karşı duyarlılığı test edilmiştir. Çalışmada, bitki materyali olarak, TR-6149-SA, TR-3080 ve 6480 genotipleri kullanılmıştır. Bitkiler, Fe‘siz (0 µmol Fe) ve Fe (100 µmol Fe) içeren su kültürü yetiştirme ortamında test edilmiştir. Deneme sonunda bitkilerde simptom derecesi, SPAD değeri, klorofil konsantrasyonu, yeşil aksam kuru madde verimi, Fe-redüktaz enzim aktivitesi, yeşil aksam Fe konsantrasyonu ve büyüme ortamının pH değeri ölçülmüştür. Sonuçlar ayçiçeği bitkisinin Fe noksanlığını etkileyen en önemli faktörlerin Fe alımı ve Fe-redüktaz aktivitesi olduğunu göstermiştir. Çeşitlerin Fe noksanlığına karşı toleransta önemli rolü olan köklerin Fe redüktaz enzim aktivitesinin TR-3080 nolu genotipde Fe noksanlığı koşullarında diğer genotiplerden daha yüksek olduğu bulunmuştur. Sonuç olarak, uygulanan değişik Fe konsantrasyonlarına karşı genotiplerin tepkilerinin önemli derecede farklılık gösterdiği ve Fe noksanlığına karşı tolerant genotiplerin belirlenmesinde Fe redüktaz enzim aktivitesinin önemli rol oynayabileceği ortaya çıkmıştır.

Correlations between spectral and biophysical data obtained in canola canopy cultivated in the subtropical region of Brazil

Abstract: The objective of this work was to identify the spectral bands, vegetation indices, and periods of the canola crop season in which the correlation between spectral data and biophysical indicators (total shoot dry matter and grain yield) is most significant. The experiment was carried out during the 2013 and 2014 crop seasons at Embrapa Trigo, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A randomized complete block design was used, with four replicates, and the treatments consisted of five doses of nitrogen topdressing. Plant dry matter, grain yield, and phenology were measured. The canola spectral response was evaluated by measuring the canola canopy reflectance using a spectroradiometer, and, with this data, the SR, NDVI, EVI, SAVI, and GNDVI vegetation indices were determined. Pearson’s correlations between the spectral and biophysical variables of canola showed that the red (620 to 670 nm) and near-infrared (841 to 876 nm) bands were the best to estimate the dry matter. The vegetative period is the most indicated to obtain the most significant correlations for canola. All the used vegetation indices are adequate for estimating the dry matter and grain yield of canola.

Growth, yield and silicon uptake of rice (Oryza sativa) as influenced by dose and timing of silicon application under water-deficit stress

ABSTRACTTwo experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of dose and timing of silicon (Si) application on rice under limited water supply. The treatments for the first study included five Si doses (0, 75, 150, 300 and 600 kg Si ha–1) under three soil moisture conditions (100%, 75% and 50% field capacity). For the second study, the treatments were four Si application timings [100% basal, 50% basal + 50% panicle initiation (PI), 25% basal + 75% PI and 25% basal + 50% PI + 25% heading] at the dose of 300 kg ha–1 under the same moisture conditions. The highest number of panicle plant–1 (14.6) and grain yield (13.6 g plant–1) were obtained with the dose of 300 kg Si ha–1. Similarly, an increase of 34–45% in grain yield was observed for different Si application timings compared with the control. Shoot dry matter and grain yield had positive linear relationship with shoot Si content. Grain yield and number of spikelet panicle–1 were higher at the 300 kg Si ha–1 dose applied as 100% basal, and hence could be a feasible option for RD57 Thai rice variety under water-deficit conditions.

English

The effect of compost and earthworm production on soil properties, growth and dry-matter yield of maize in crude oil degraded soil was studied. The treatment consisted of 250 g crude oil degraded soil (DS) and 50 g each of four different compost materials mixed differently with 250 g of degraded soil, and the compost were cassava peels (CP), cassava peels + poultry manure (PC), cassava peels + pig manure (GC) and cassava peels + pig manure + poultry manure (PGC) and 10 pieces of sub-adult earthworms (Eudrilus eugenae) were inoculated to each of the experimental pot after 11 days. The five treatments were replicated four times, data generated were subjected to analysis of variance test and treatment means were separated using least significant difference (LSD0.05). The results of the study indicated significant differences between the treatments in soil and agronomic parameters assessed. The application of compost and earthworm activities increased the plant height, leaf area, and number of leaves at 4 weeks after planting (WAP) and 6 WAP, and dry matter yield of maize. The shoot and root dry matter yield was observed to increase in the order PC > PGC > GC > CP > DS. Earthworm production in this study measured by the number survived and biomass weight showed CP and GC as the best culture for earthworm production in oil degraded soil. The degraded soil (DS) did not record any earthworm survival at harvest. The result of the soil analysis indicated less change in the textural class of the soil, and all the chemical parameters tested were enhanced by the compost and earthworm activities. Based on the results of growth rate and yield components of maize as well as soil chemical properties, the PC and PGC cultures having performed competitively better than the other treatments can be considered useful and adequate with the help of earthworm in reclaiming an oil degraded soil for crop production in a tropical environment like Nigeria. Key words: Compost, earthworm, maize, crude oil, soil properties

Growing, physiological responses and Cd uptake of Corn (Zea mays L.) under different Cd supply

The effects of Cd on the growth and Cd uptaking in corn (Zea mays L.) were explored under different Cd stress. The results showed that no reduction in shoot and root dry matter yields were noted when the plants were grown at Cd supply levels ≤100 μmol l−1 nutrient solution. The Cd concentration in the shoots and roots of corn increased sharply with increasing external Cd supply levels, peaked at 50 μmol l−1, and then decreased slowly with further increasing Cd levels due to high Cd toxic effects on root growth. The concentrations of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and chlorophyll a + b in the leaf of corn decreased slowly with increasing external Cd supply levels. Proline concentrations of corn increased when the plants were grown under the external Cd influence. The lower concentration of Cd treatments did not influenced the growth of corn significantly, and increased the uptake of Cd, the higher levels of Cd supply caused significantly physiological resposes and decreased the Cd uptaking.

Effect of chelating agents on phytoextraction of Ni from contaminated Soil by Zea mays

The effects of application of CDTA, (CA), DTPA, NTA and FYM on the growth of Zea mays and its Ni uptake and accumulation were investigated using the pot-culture experiments. Application of chelating agents decreased the dry matter yield of roots of Zea mays while, higher values of dry matter yield (11.35 g pot-1) was observedin case of FYM sewage sludge amended soil at 80 days after sowing. FYM addition was found beneficial as compared to control (Ni90). Dry matter yield of shoots of Zea mays increased over control due to application of CDTA and FYM. The highest value of dry matter yield of shoot (86.05 g pot-1) was observed in case of CDTA withsewage sludge amended soil at 80 days after sowing. Whereas reverse trend was observed in NTA, CA and DTPA treated soils. Chelating agents enhanced the Ni uptake by both roots and shoots, higher values of Ni uptake by roots (3415.44 ?g pot-1 ) and shoots (10104.98 ?g pot-1 ) Was observed in NTA and CDTA treated soil after 80 days of sowing in amended as compared to sewage sludge unamended soil. Application of CDTA followed by NTA was found more effective in enhancing the Ni uptake by Zea mays roots and shoots than any other chelating agents at both the growth stages. The chelating agents are found useful in enhancing phytoextractability of Ni by Zea mays. Hence, marginally Ni contaminated soil may be remediated by adding chelating agents.

Effects of Different Forms and Doses of Sulphur Application on Wheat

Deficiency of sulphur (S) is an important limiting factor of plant growth for sustainable agricultural production. The decline in sulphur dioxide emission, decrease in S-containing fertilizer consumption due to the high cost of S-fertilizers, breeding of new high yielding species are the well known causes of S-deficiency. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of several doses of K2SO4-S, CaSO4-S and elemental-S applied on growth, shoot dry matter yield, S and N concentrations of wheat cultivar. The experiments were conducted in three soils differed from available S concentrations. Effects of different S-treatments (0, 25, 50 and 100 mg S kg-1) and S-forms had significant effects on shoot dry matter yields of plants. Sulphur from different S-sources did not increase shoot S-concentrations in Eskisehir and Konya soils, but increase was significant obtained in the Harran soil. Shoot S-concentration in Harran soil for zero K2SO4 treatment was 0.09%, the values were 0.22, 0.26 and 0.27% respectively for 25, 50 and 100 mg kg-1 treatments. The results indicated significant effects of S-treatments on plant growth and yield mostly based on soil properties, especially the available S-levels

Produtividade agronômica de genótipos de amendoim Virginia cultivados com diferentes espaçamentos entre fileiras no canteiro

Aims of this work were to know the yield capacity and the net income of two peanut genotypes grown under three spacing between rows. Treatments were arranged as 2 x 3 factorial scheme in randomized blocks design, with five repetitions. The harvest was carried out at 227 days after sowing. The interaction between genotypes versus row spacings did not demonstrate correlation. The highest fresh and dry matter yield of shoot (branches + leaves) were of plants of Pintado peanut that significantly exceeded in 70,42% and 78,76% respectively the than Marrom peanut. Highest weight of fresh and dry matter yield for commercial pods, non-commercial pods, and seeds was not significant statistically for genotypes and the spacing between rows. The genotype Pintado produced 39,46% more than Marrom of fresh matter yield (g) of 50 pods, and percentage yield seeds were 12% higher for Marrom than Pintado, both of the results with significant difference. For fresh matter (g) of seeds (relative to 50 pods) and number of seeds/pods did not have significant difference between spacing and genotypes.

English

The aim of this study was to assess soil moisture and water use efficiency in cotton plants (Gossypium hirsutum L.) grown in different row spacing in the Cerrado, Brazil. The crop was irrigated by drip irrigation, and the amount of supplied water was equal to 90% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). Spacing of 0.4, 0.7 and 1.0 m between rows were assessed. Soil moisture was assessed up to 1.0 m deep, and water use efficiency for seed cotton and shoot dry matter yield was assessed based on the total water supplied to the crop (rain + irrigation). Soil moisture variations were minimal from 0.6 m deep, regardless of the spacing used. From this same depth, the soil cultivated under the denser system (0.4 m) was drier than the other spacing. In traditional planting (1.0 m), the cotton plant has lower water use efficiency for both seed and shoot dry matter yield. Water use efficiency is optimized in 0.6 m spacing, although the nitrogen dose applied should be observed. Key words: Gossypium hirsutum L., drip irrigation (SDI), moisture profile.

Application Of Nitrogen And Boron On Growth And Nutrient Contents Of Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus L.) Grown On Soil

A pot experiment was conducted in the net house of the Department of Soil, Water and Environment, University of Dhaka to find out the interactive effects of nitrogen (0, 30, 60 and 120 kg/ha) and boron (0, 0.5, 1 and 2 kg/ha) fertilizers on the growth and nutrient contents of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). The increase in height of okra was significant (p<0.05) due to combined application of nitrogen and boron fertilizers. Maximum height, shoot and root dry matter yield and uptake of nutrients in root and shoot of okra were observed in treatment 30 kg N/ha with 1 kg B/ha (N30Bi). But, higher doses of fertilizer combinations (60 and 120 kg of N/ ha with B) responded differently. Higher doses of fertilizer combinations significantly (p<0.05) reduced shoot and root growth as well as the concentration and uptake of nitrogen, phosphorus potassium in okra. It could be concluded that the treatment combination of 30 kg N/ha with 1 kg B/ha can be used for better growth of okra.
 Asiat. Soc. Bangladesh, Sci. 41(2): 173-181, December 2015

Effects of silicate application on soil fertility and wheat yield

An improvement in soil chemical properties and crop development with silicate application has been confirmed in several plant species. The effects of silicate application on soil chemical properties and wheat growth were investigated in the present study. The experiment was carried out in 8-L plastic pots in a greenhouse. Treatments were arranged in a randomized block design in a 3 × 5 factorial: three soils [Rhodic Acrudox (Ox1), Rhodic Hapludox (Ox2) and Arenic Hapludult (Ult)] and five silicate rates (0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 Mg ha–1 of calcium/magnesium silicate), with four replications. The plant length, number of spikes per pot, shoot dry matter and grain yield, were measured after 115 days of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth. Changes in the soil chemical properties (pH, H+ + Al3+, Al3+, P, K, Ca, Mg, Si, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) were analyzed after wheat harvest. Application of calcium/magnesium silicate reduces the potential acidity (H+ + Al3+) and Al3+ phytotoxic; and increases the soil pH, available Ca, Mg and Si, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and soil base saturation. Silicate application did not affect the available P, exchangeable K and availability of micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) in the three soils. The application of calcium/magnesium silicate in an acid clayey Rhodic Hapludox improves the development and yield of wheat; however, the silicate application in soil with pH higher to 5.3 and high Si availability does not affect the agronomic characteristics and grain yield of wheat. An improvement in soil chemical properties and crop development with silicate application has been confirmed in several plant species. The effects of silicate application on soil chemical properties and wheat growth were investigated in the present study. The experiment was carried out in 8-L plastic pots in a greenhouse. Treatments were arranged in a randomized block design in a 3 × 5 factorial: three soils [Rhodic Acrudox (Ox1), Rhodic Hapludox (Ox2) and Arenic Hapludult (Ult)] and five silicate rates (0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 Mg ha–1 of calcium/magnesium silicate), with four replications. The plant length, number of spikes per pot, shoot dry matter and grain yield, were measured after 115 days of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) growth. Changes in the soil chemical properties (pH, H+ + Al3+, Al3+, P, K, Ca, Mg, Si, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) were analyzed after wheat harvest. Application of calcium/magnesium silicate reduces the potential acidity (H+ + Al3+) and Al3+ phytotoxic; and increases the soil pH, available Ca, Mg and Si, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and soil base saturation. Silicate application did not affect the available P, exchangeable K and availability of micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) in the three soils. The application of calcium/magnesium silicate in an acid clayey Rhodic Hapludox improves the development and yield of wheat; however, the silicate application in soil with pH higher to 5.3 and high Si availability does not affect the agronomic characteristics and grain yield of wheat.

Effects of silicate application on soil fertility and wheat yield

<p>An improvement in soil chemical properties and crop development with silicate application has been confirmed in several plant species. The effects of silicate application on soil chemical properties and wheat growth were investigated in the present study. The experiment was carried out in 8-L plastic pots in a greenhouse. Treatments were arranged in a randomized block design in a 3 × 5 factorial: three soils [Rhodic Acrudox (Ox1), Rhodic Hapludox (Ox2) and Arenic Hapludult (Ult)] and five silicate rates (0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 Mg ha–1 of calcium/magnesium silicate), with four replications. The plant length, number of spikes per pot, shoot dry matter and grain yield, were measured after 115 days of wheat (<em>Triticum aestivum </em>L.) growth. Changes in the soil chemical properties (pH, H+ + Al3+, Al3+, P, K, Ca, Mg, Si, Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) were analyzed after wheat harvest. Application of calcium/magnesium silicate reduces the potential acidity (H+ + Al3+) and Al3+ phytotoxic; and increases the soil pH, available Ca, Mg and Si, cation exchange capacity (CEC) and soil base saturation. Silicate application did not affect the available P, exchangeable K and availability of micronutrients (Cu, Zn, Fe and Mn) in the three soils. The application of calcium/magnesium silicate in an acid clayey Rhodic Hapludox improves the development and yield of wheat; however, the silicate application in soil with pH higher to 5.3 and high Si availability does not affect the agronomic characteristics and grain yield of wheat.</p><p><strong> </strong></p>