Foliar Application Of Potassium Silicate Research Articles

Evaluation of Methods of Adding Chitosan and Potassium Silicate on Some Soil Fertility and Cowpea (Vigna ungiculata) Plant Productivity

This work aims to evaluate two methods of chitosan and potassium silicate application in 10, 15, and 20 days water irrigation on soil fertility and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) productivit. A field experiment was conducted in saline soil located in Sahl El-Hossinia at El-Sharkia Governorate. The location lies between latitude 32° / 00 to 32° / 15, N and longitude 30° / 50 to 31° / 15 E. For two successive summer seasons 2021 and 2022 cultivated with Cowpea, to study the evaluation of two methods applied for chitosan and silicate potassium combined with or without mineral N fertilizers different rate on some soil fertility and cowpea productivity under irrigation water periods. The experiments were carried out in a split-plotdesign with three replicates. Results obtained that the decreases of soil pH and soil salinity, as well as the increase of available macro-micronutrients contents in soil as affected with potassium silicate foliar application combined with mineral N through intervals irrigation period 10 days compared to other treatments. the increase of plant height (cm), No. of pods/plant, No. of branches /plant, weight 100 seeds (g), weight pods (ton/fed), and seeds yield (ton/fed) with increasing mineral N fertilizer rate combined with potassium silicate foliar application under irrigation water interval 10 days compared with other treatments. Also, the highest mean values of N, P, Fe, Mn, and Zn concentrationsin seeds cowpea 4.16, 0.67, 9.20, 40.22 and 24.64 % respectively as affected with potassium silicate foliar application under irrigation water interval of 10 days than other treatments. From the previous results, we found that the method of foliar application of potassium silicate and chitosan under irrigation water at different periods has significant effects on all soil and plant characteristics compared to the soaking method.

Evaluating the Impact of Biochar and Foliar Application of Potassium Silicate on the Growth and Productivity of Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L) Plant Under Water Stress in The Newly Reclaimed Soil Conditions

Evaluating the Impact of Biochar and Foliar Application of Potassium Silicate on the Growth and Productivity of Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L) Plant Under Water Stress in The Newly Reclaimed Soil Conditions

Effect of foliar application of potassium silicate and α-tocopherol on mitigating the adverse impacts of low temperature and salinity stresses on young mango trees

Effect of foliar application of potassium silicate and α-tocopherol on mitigating the adverse impacts of low temperature and salinity stresses on young mango trees

Foliar application of potassium silicate, potassium fulvate and betaine improve summer-time tomato yield by promoting plant nitrogen and potassium uptake

Abstract During the summer months, greenhouse tomato production is challenged by the heat, causing yield reduction; therefore, we conducted a study to test the effectiveness of different foliar spray compositions for the improvement of Lycopersicon esculentum var. cerasiforme ‘Qianxi’ nutrition uptake and fruit yield. Two forms of silicon, two kinds of organic nitrogenous compounds and water as the control factor were two-two paired to become nine different recipes, which were as follows: CK (H2O), ISi (K2SiO3), organic silicon (OSi), potassium fulvate (BSFA), BSFA + ISi, BSFA + OSi, betaine (GB), GB + ISi and GB + OSi. The plants were sprayed three times during the period of the first, second and third truss fruit expansions with a 2-week interval. As a result, BSFA or K2SiO3 generated higher yield in plants compared with the other compositions. Also, K2SiO3 significantly enhanced the total nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium accumulation in fruit and the whole plant. Comparing across the nine recipes, BSFA + ISi, ISi and GB had improved the fruit yield by 17%, 12.7% and 9.5%, performing the best. BSFA + ISi, ISi and GB also improved the plant nitrogen uptake by 8.2%, 18.8% and 9.8%, as well as the potassium uptake by 16.2%, 12.3% and 15.2%, compared with CK, respectively. Thus, K2SiO3, BSFA and GB stimulated the plant nitrogen and potassium uptake, which improved the marketable yield.

The effect of potassium silicate on pest resistance and postharvest longevity in chrysanthemum plants

Chrysanthemum is one of the most beautiful flowers and probably the oldest plant grown commercially in different parts of the world. Chrysanthemum, like all other plants, is susceptible to attack by various pests and diseases. The use of silicon has been shown to minimize damage caused by insect and also increase shelf life. Thus, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of potassium silicate in pest resistance and postharvest longevity of chrysanthemum. The experiment was carried out in the experimental area of the Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Espírito Santo - Itapina Campus, the treatments consisted of four doses of potassium silicate - Sifol® (2, 4, 6 and 8 mL L−1) and a control treatment without foliar application of potassium silicate applied to chrysanthemum cv. Zembla. Leaf application of potassium silicate reduced the incidence of cercosporiosis and thrips in chrysanthemum leaves. Chrysanthemum leaf and flower longevity increased when potassium silicate doses were applied. It is recommended for chrysanthemum cv. Zembla applications of 0.6 and 0.8 mL L−1 potassium silicate.

Silicon Fertilization: A Step towards Cadmium-Free Fragrant Rice.

Soil contamination with toxic cadmium (Cd) is becoming a serious global problem and poses a key hazard to environments and the health of human beings worldwide. The present study investigated the effects of foliar applications of three forms of silicate chemicals (calcium silicate, sodium silicate, and potassium silicate) at four rates (0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1.0%) at tillering stage on rice growth and the accumulation of Cd under Cd stress (30 mg kg−1). The results showed that Cd stress reduced the yield-related traits and enlarged Cd contents in different rice organs. The leaf gas exchange attributes and yield traits were enhanced, and the Cd accumulation and bioaccumulation factor in rice organs were reduced, especially in grains, through silicon application. In shoots, roots, and grains, foliar spray of Si reduced Cd contents by 40.3%, 50.7%, and 47.9%, respectively. The effectiveness of silicate compounds in reducing Cd toxicity varied with the kind of chemicals and doses of foliar applications. Foliar application of potassium silicate, at a rate of 0.5%, at tillering stage, showed the best effectiveness in improving grain yield, while mitigating Cd accumulation in rice grains. The outcome of this study provides a promising practicable approach in alleviating Cd toxicity in rice and preventing the entrance of Cd into the food chain.

Foliar silicate application improves the tolerance of celery grown under heat stress conditions

Temperature rise is one of the most challenging climate change impacts that increase the intensity of heat stress. In this investigated the production of celery (Apium graveolens var. rapaceum F1 hybrid)) was tested during the late season. The experiment was carried out during the two successive summer seasons of 2019 and 2020 in Giza Governorate, Egypt. The experimental design is a split-plot, the main plots consist of three low tunnel cover treatments, and three spray treatments with three replicates in sub-main plots. Results showed that the use of white net cover gave the highest vegetative growth and yield followed by the black net. Values of plant yield were 951, 765, and 660 g/plant for white, black and without cover, respectively, in the first season. The foliar application of 3 mM of potassium silicate produced the highest vegetative growth and yield compared to the control treatment. Referring to the effect of spray foliar application of potassium silicate on yield 1.5 mM (S1), 3 mM (S2), and control were 892, 795, and 689 g/plant in the first season, respectively. The best combination that delivered the highest vegetative growth and yield was a cover low tunnel with a white net combined with S2 foliar application.

Evaluation crop indices of canola spring genotypes in terminal drought stress conditions and foliar application of Potassium silicate

Introduction Drought is a restriction in crop production in arid and semiarid regions. It is forecast that climate change may cause droughts shortly. After oxygen, silicon (Si) is the second most common element in the soil. In reducing both biotic stress (e.g., plant diseases and pest damage) and abiotic stresses such as salinity, drought, aluminum toxicity, heavy metal toxicity, nutrient imbalance, lodging, radiation, high temperature, wounding, and freezing. Materials and Methods In order to study the effects of terminal drought stress and foliar application of potassium silicate on yield and canola spring genotypes components, a factorial split-plot test was conducted in Karaj, Iran in a full randomized block configuration with three replications for two years of cultivation (2016-2018). The irrigation was performed at two levels in this study, including routine irrigation (control) and interruption of irrigation from the pod formation stage. Potassium silicate foliar application at two levels comprised of 0 and 4 g liter-1 in factorial status in main plots and five Brassica napus L. genotypes including OG × AL, RGS × SLM, DALGAN, RGS003 and RGS × Okapi in subplots. SAS Ver 9.1 statistical analysis was used for variance analysis. Results Combined variance analysis showed that the impact of the year on some characteristics seed number in silique, silique length and seed yield was significant. Also, the effect of irrigation was significant on seed yield. The effect of genotype on plant height was significant indicating that the genotypes had different reactions. The interaction effect of irrigation × genotype on Harvest index was significant. The interaction effect of Irrigation × Potassium Silicate × Genotype on branch number, silique number, silique length, seed number in silique, seed weight, biological yield, seed yield, oil content and oil yield was significant. The mean comparison of irrigation and Potassium silicate interaction demonstrated that the most grain yield was observed in normal irrigation and the least value related to cut off irrigation at pod formation stage. The results indicated that, irrigation, foliar application of Potassium silicate and their interaction had significant effect on growth and agronomic traits and increased them. Conclusions Finally, our study showed the beneficial effects of Potassium Silicate in improving the drought tolerance of canola plants, especially at the end of the season. This can provide a basis for attempting new strategies to reduce the damage from drought and create a functional link between the role of silicon, physiological response and tolerance to drought stress in canola plants. According to the results, in the case of application of Potassium Silicate and normal irrigation, the promising genotype of OG×AL, with the highest seed and oil yield, is recommended as standard. Also, in the case of application of Potassium Silicate and late-season drought stress (restricted irrigation from the pod formation stages), RGS × SLM and DALGAN with the highest seed yield, is recommended.

Enhancement of Canino Apricots Yield and Quality by Foliar Application of Potassium Silicate, Salicylic Acid and Citric Acid

Enhancement of Canino Apricots Yield and Quality by Foliar Application of Potassium Silicate, Salicylic Acid and Citric Acid

Using of Potassium Silicate to Alleviate Drought Stress Effect on Peanut as Grown in Sandy Soil

Two field Experiments were conducted at Abd El-Maneim Ryad, South Tahrir, El- Beheira Governorate, Egypt, during the summer growing seasons of 2017 and 2018 to study the role of foliar application of potassium silicate for alleviating drought stress effect on peanut grown in sandy soil. This experiment carried out in a split plot design with three replicates where the drought stress treatments (irrigation after depletion of 40%, 55%, 70% and 85% Available soil water were occupied main plot, while potassium silicate concentration (control, 500, 1000 and 1500mg/l silicate) was allocated in sub main plot. Results revealed that irrigation after depletion of 55% available soil water recorded the highest mean values of yield and yield components i.e. (100-pods weight, no. of pods/plant, pods yield/fed, biological yield/fed and straw yield/fed during both seasons, while, the irrigation after depletion of 40% available soil water recorded the highest mean values of harvest index percentage during both seasons). Foliar application of potassium silicate at 1500 mg/l silicate recorded the maximum 100- pods weight, no. of pods/plant, pods yield/fed, biological yield/fed and straw yield/fed, while, control treatment recorded the highest mean values of harvest index percentage during both seasons. Chemical compositions i.e. (oil percentage and oil yield/fed) recorded the best values with irrigation after depletion of 40% available soil water, while, proline content recorded the highest mean values at irrigation after 85% depletion of available water; in addition, potassium silicate at 1500 mg/l silicate recorded the highest percentages of oil and oil yield/fed, while, proline content recorded the best values with control treatment, during both seasons. Water use efficiency recorded the highest mean value with irrigation after depletion of 85%available soil water during both seasons; with regard, potassium silicate at 1500 mg/l silicate gave the highest mean values of water use efficiency as compared with control treatment which recorded the lowest mean values of WUE during both seasons

Effect of Soil Amendments and Foliar Application of Potassium Silicate on Wheat Plants Grown under Sodicity Conditions

Nowadays, degraded soils reclamation e.g., sodic soils is the main target for Egypt Government to face the great gap between food production and consumption. The high exchangeable sodium on soil colloids is a plant stress factor due to its role in reducing soil aggregates. To face this challenges, two field experiments were carried out aiming at evaluating the impact of soil amendments as main plots i.e. sugar lime mud and agricultural gypsum, and foliar application of potassium silicate at different rates [0.0 (control), 750 and 1500 mg L-1K2SiO3] as sub-plots on wheat plants grown on soil having ESP value of 15.9%. Both soil amendments improved sodic soil properties, where the superior amendment was gypsum followed by sugar lime mud compared to untreated soil, and this improvement reflected on plant performance. The rate of 1500 mg L-1 K2SiO3 possessed the best performance, while the rate of 750 mg L-1K2SiO3 came in the second-order and lately control treatment. Generally, the best performance of wheat plants grown under sodicity condition was realized when plants were treated with gypsum and potassium silicate at rate of 1500 mg L-1, while the lowest performance was recorded when plants were not treated (without soil and foliar applications). The studied materials enhanced the synthesis of chlorophyll in wheat plant tissues, and this may be the reason for increasing the ability to tolerate sodicity. Also, sugar lime mud has a great opportunity to be included in the fertilization programs for degraded soil especially from an economic point of view.

Productivity and Post-Harvest Fungal Resistance of Hot Pepper as Affected by Potassium Silicate, Clove Extract Foliar Spray and Nitrogen Application.

In the present study, growth and productivity of hot pepper planted in the two successive summer seasons of 2017 and 2018 were evaluated under the effect of foliar spray of variable doses of potassium silicate (PS), and clove water extract (CWE) with different rates of nitrogen (N) fertilization application. The post-harvest resistance of hot pepper fruits to Alternaria alternata fungal infection, was also evaluated. Maximum plant height was achieved with the application of the highest rates of N, PS and CWE, while the intermediate rates were sufficient to reach the maximum number of branches, the highest leaf dry matter and chlorophyll accumulation. Fruit yield progressively increased with increasing the applied N rate. The foliar application of PS and CWE exerted a limited, yet positive effect on fruit yield. Generally, the least amount of fruit yield, amounting to 18.84 and 18.00 t ha−1, resulted from the application of the lowest N rate (144 kg ha−1) in the absence of PS and CWE. The highest significant fruit yield, amounting to 31.71 and 31.22 t ha−1, for 2017 and 2018, respectively, accompanied the application of the maximum levels of the three factors. The application of high N rates increased the post-harvest Alternaria fruit rot severity. The positive effect of CWE application in counterbalancing the negative effects associated with the high rates of N and PS may be related to the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds ellagic acid, benzoic acid, catechol gallic acid, rutin, myricetin, quercetin, apigenin and kaempferol as identified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

Effects of Foliar Application of Potassium Silicate and Nanoparticles (silicon + zinc) in Different Stages of Growth and Development on Quantitative Yield and Grain Enrichment of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Introduction: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the three major food crops worldwide. Approximately 50% of the world’s population uses rice as a staple food. Silica and zinc among nutrients play a key role in improving plant nutrition and increasing rice growth, so that a lack of these elements reduces growth and consequently reduces yield. Also fortifying rice with silicon and zinc can correct deficiencies of these elements in humans who consume rice. Materials and Methods: This experiment was conducted as factorial based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at the private farm located in Babol (North of Iran) during the years 2017-18 and 2018-19. Measured values of electrical conductivity, soil acidity, organic carbon, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, zinc content and soil texture for the first and second years were 2.33 dS m-1 and 1.27 dS m-1, 7.48 and 7.26, 3.27 % and 2.16 %, 0.32 % and 0.21 %, 11 mg kg-1 and 6 mg kg-1, 320 mg kg-1 and 238 mg kg-1, 0.96 mg kg-1 and 0.89 mg kg-1, Clay and Clay, respectively. The treatment included three levels of foliar application (Potassium silicate, Silicon nanoxide, and Zinc nanoxide) as the first factor and five levels of developmental stages (T1: beginning of tillering + middle of tillering + late of tillering + end of panicle emergence, T2: middle of tillering + late of tillering + end of panicle emergence, T3: late of tillering + end of panicle emergence, T4: late of tillering and T5: end of panicle emergence) as the second factor. Results and Discussion: The results showed that none of the studied traits were affected by the year. Maximum grain yield was obtained by foliar application silicon nanoxide (7733 kg ha-1) and zinc nanoxide (7498 kg ha-1), which was, respectively, due to increasing the total number of spikelets and the percentage of filled spikelets (1420.0 spikelets and 95.53%, respectively) and increasing the total number of tillers and 1000-grain weight (19.73 tillers and 26.80 g, respectively). The highest grain yield (7716, 7700 and 7492 kg.ha-1) and the percentage of filled spikelets (94.83, 94.72 and 93.89%) were obtained under T1, T2 and T3 treatments, respectively. By foliar application of silicon nanoxide and zinc nanoxide, the highest biological yield (19213 and 18986 kg ha-1, respectively) and, the highest grain silica concentration (3.13%) and grain zinc concentration (15.97 mg kg-1) were recorded. The minimum 1000-grain weight (24.11 and 24.00 g), the maximum total number of spikelets per panicle (143.1 and 143.2 spikelets) and the highest concentration of grain silica (3.00 and 2.97%) were obtained under T1 and T2 treatments, respectively. However, the highest total number of tillers per hill and the highest number of grain were obtained under T1 and T2 treatments, respectively. The interaction between treatments showed that the maximum total number of spikelets per panicle was obtained by foliar application of potassium silicate under T1 treatment (151.5 spikelets) and foliar application of silicon nanoxide under T2 treatment (153.3 spikelets). Also, the highest concentrations of silica and zinc in grain were obtained by foliar application of silicon nanoxide under T1 treatment (3.97%) and zinc nanoxide under T2 treatment (21.67 mg kg-1), respectively. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, we found that grain yield increases with the application of nanoparticles as well as foliar application during crop growth and development. In order to enrich rice grains, foliar application of nanoparticles in the middle of tillering, late of tillering and end of panicle emergence is also necessary.

Treating Rice Plants with Zeolite Soil Addition and Foliar Application of Potassium Silicate to Mitigate The Expected Water Scarcity in North Nile Delta, Egypt

Due to limited water resources in Egypt, the researchers should find various ways to save irrigation water without a reduction in rice yield. So, two field experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of three irrigation intervals as main plots [ irrigation every 6, 8 and 10 days], three addition levels of zeolite as sub-plots [0.0 (without addition), 7.0 and 10.0 ton fed-1], foliar application of potassium silicate as sub-sub plots [0.0 (without foliar application) and 2.0 g K2SiO3 L-1] and their interactions on performance and yield of rice plant. Also, post-harvest soil analysis was done. The results indicated that water stress (irrigation every 8 and 10 days) led to raising phenol content and superoxide dismutase activity in rice plant leaves, while zeolite and potassium silicate led to a decline of the plant's requirement from these antioxidants. Both zeolite and potassium silicate beneficially affected rice growth, yield and its components. Soil addition of zeolite at rate of 7.0 and 10 ton fed-1 before sowing under watering rice plants every 8 days realized better results for growth, yield and its components than non- soil addition of zeolite under watering every 6 days (traditional irrigation) in presence and absence of K₂SiO3. Usage of zeolite improved soil total porosity, CEC and FC values.It can be concluded that both potassium silicate as a foliar application and zeolite amendment represents an attractive option to mitigate the expected water scarcity.

RESPONSE OF TAGETES PATULA PLANTS TO FOLIAR APPLICATION OF POTASSIUM SILICATE AND SEAWEED EXTRACT UNDER VARIOUS IRRIGATION INTERVALS

This study was carried out during the two successive seasons of 2018 and 2019 at Somosta, Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt, to evaluate the effect of irrigation intervals, foliar application of potassium silicate and seaweed extract on vegetative and flowering growth parameters and essential oil percentage of Tagetes patula plants. Plant height (cm), number of branches, stem diameter (mm),leaf area (cm2), plantfresh and dry weights (g), flowering date, number of inflorescences/plant, inflorescence diameter (cm), inflorescence fresh and dry weights/plant (g) and vase life/days were significantly decreased with rising intervals of irrigation. Irrigation regime of four days interval gave the earliest flowering. The results cleared that, foliar applications of seaweeds extract at 3 ml/l and 5 ml/l, potassium silicate at 3 ml/l and 5 ml/l significantly affected all studied parameters compared with control. The magnitude of increase is more pronounced by applying combination between potassium silicate and seaweed extract treatments at the high concentration. The most pronounced effect for the interaction was that found between potassium silicate at 5 ml/l plus seaweeds extract at 5 ml/l when plants irrigated every one or two days where the highest vegetative and flowering growth parameters and essential oil percentage were recorded in both seasons. So, it is advisable, to reduce the effect of drought stress, treating tagetes plants with high concentration of potassium silicate and/or seaweed extract each at 5 ml/l

Influence of Irrigation Levels, In Presence of Potassium Silicate Sprays Treatments on Growth, Flowering and Chemical Constituents of Marigold (tageteserectal.) Plant.

Field experiment was conducted at the nursery and Experimental farm of El-Qanater ElKhayria Horticultural Research Station, Qalubiya Governorate, Egypt, In cooperation with the Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, during the two growing successive seasons of 2017 and 2018.This work aimed to investigate the response of Marigold Tageteserecta L.seedlings grown under irrigation regime levels to foliar spray of different concentrations of potassium silica on vegetative growth, rooting, flowers yield and chemical constituents.Results illustrated that, the highest irrigation levelI1(percentage of Available Soil Moisture Depletion ASMD was 25%), gave the maximum values of vegetative, flowering, roots parameters and chemical constituents in both seasons. Therefore, potassium silicate Si4 (4.0mlL-1) as foliar spray scored the highest values of parameters mentionedabove.Further more, the highest values of these parameters were observed when plants were sprayed with 4mlL-1potassium silicate and grown under irrigation condition I1 (25 % ASMD), while these values were minimum in Marigold at I3 (75 % ASMD) and sprayed with potassium silicate treatment (0.0%) in 1st an 2ndseasons. Conclusively, it could be concluded that foliar application of potassium silicate (0.0,2.0 and 4.0 mlL-1) may be an effective strategy in reducing drought stress treatments (25, 50 and 75 % ASMD) effects with superior for at 4 mlL-1 which enhanced all parameters were studied Marigold (Tageteserecta L.) plant. Therefore, application of K2SiO3 sprays is recommended for improving growth and chemical composition of Marigold under water-stress conditions, highest irrigation rate (25% ASMD.) has the lowest economic water productivity and potassium silicate sprays could alleviate water stress.

Effect of foliar application of silicon on leaf nutrient content and flowering of banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) cv. Grand Nain

The present experiment was conducted at Regional Horticultural Research Station, ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari during 2017-18 and 2018-19. An experiment was laid out in a randomized block design, comprising of three levels of potassium silicate and silicic acid (1, 2 and 3 ml/l/plant) along with control. The treatments were replicated thrice. The effects of foliar applications at 2nd, 3rd and 4th months after planting of different levels of potassium silicate and silicic acid on leaf nutrient content and flowering of banana cv. Grand Nain were recorded. The results indicated that foliar application of potassium silicate @ 3ml/l/plant at 2nd, 3rd and 4th MAP recorded significantly the maximum leaf nutrient content viz., N, P, K and chlorophyll content. The same treatment significantly reduced the number of days to harvest after flower initiation and crop duration whereas number of days to flowering was found non-significant.

Response of soybean to silicon in vertisol

A Field experiment was conducted in kharif season 2018-19 at experimental farm of College of Agriculture, Badnapur to study effect of silicon on soybean. The results emerged out clearly indicated that various parameters like plant height, number of pods, number of nodules, dry matter kg ha-1, oil content, seed yield and straw yield was increased due to foliar application of potassium silicate @ 2 %. Along with RDF.

Yield and yield attributes of banana (Musa paradisiaca L.) cv. Grand Nain influence by foliar application of silicon

The present experiment was conducted at Regional Horticultural Research Station, ASPEE College of Horticulture and Forestry, Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari during 2017-18 and 2018-19. An experiment was laid out in a randomized block design, comprising of three levels of potassium silicate and silicic acid (1, 2 and 3 ml/l/plant) along with control. The treatments were replicated thrice. The effects of foliar applications at 2nd, 3rd and 4th months after planting of different levels of potassium silicate and silicic acid on yield and yield attributes of banana cv. Grand Nain were recorded. The results indicated that foliar application of potassium silicate @ 3ml/l/plant at 2nd, 3rd and 4th MAP recorded significantly the maximum length and girth of bunch, weight of bunch,number of hands per bunch, fingers per bunch, weight of 3rd hand, length of finger and finger weight from 3rd hand and fruit yield.

Effect of Irrigation Intervals and Foliar Application of Potassium Silicate on Growth of Maize

Two field experiments were carried out at Etay El-Baroud Station, El-Beheira Governorate, Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Egypt to evaluate the effect of the three irrigation intervals and potassium silicate of the maize grown in the 2017 and 2018 seasons. The treatments of the two factors were distributed in a split-plot design in the four replications. Where three irrigation intervals (10, 15, and 20 days) were assigned in main plots, meanwhile the four foliar applications of potassium silicate (once spray at 40 days after sowing), twice sprays at 40 and 60 days after sowing, three sprays at 40, 60 and 80 days after sowing) and control (water spray) were allocated in a subplot in both seasons. The results revealed that irrigation every 15 days gave the highest values of growth of maize. Foliar application three times of K- silicate gave the highest values of growth characters. However, irrigation every 15 days with foliar application of K- silicate at three times recorded the highest values of the most growth characters in both seasons.