Performance Evaluation of Different Sources and Rates of Silicon in Rice at Eastern Gangetic Coastal Plains

• Published in: Journal of soil science and plant nutrition 2023-12, Vol.23 (4), p.5084-5096
• Main Authors: Haque, Mohammad Asadul, Hoque, Md Fazlul, Jahiruddin, Md, Hossain, Md Baktear, Satter, Md Abdus, Haque, Md Enamul, Bell, Richard William
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acids; Agricultural production; Agriculture; Agrochemicals; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Calcium; Calcium silicates; Cereals; Coastal plains; Crop yield; Crops; Ecology; Efficiency; Environment; Experiments; Fertilizers; Field tests; Floods; Food security; Grain; Hydroxyapatite; Life Sciences; Nutrient sources; Original Paper; Performance evaluation; Plant Sciences; Polynomials; Production increases; Rice; Salinity; Seasons; Silicic acid; Silicon; Sodium; Soil Science & Conservation; Soils; Wind
• ISSN: 0718-9508; 0718-9516
• DOI: 10.1007/s42729-023-01520-z

Silicon (Si) is recognized as a beneficial nutrient element especially for cereals; however, suitable sources and optimum rates of its application as a chemical fertilizer are not yet recommended. The purpose of this study was to identify the suitable source as well as the optimum rate of Si for achieving sustainable higher rice yield in eastern Gangetic coastal plains. Field experiments were conducted in two successive years of 2021 and 2022 during April–August (early monsoon season) using a popular rice variety, BRRI dhan48. The study comprised of two-factor randomized complete block design model with replicated thrice. Three sources of Si, such as silicic acid, sodium meta silicate, and calcium silicate, and seven rates of Si, viz. 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 40 kg Si ha −1 , were tested. The result of this study reveals that calcium silicate, sodium meta silicate, and silicic acid recorded grain yield of 4.70, 4.58, and 4.44 t ha −1 in 2021, 4.65, 4.54, and 4.61 t ha −1 in 2022, and 4.67, 4.56, and 4.52 t ha −1 based on pooled yield, respectively. Among three tested sources, based on yield performance and fertilizer price, calcium silicate was better followed by sodium meta silicate and silicic acid. The 20 kg Si ha −1 had the highest grain yield of 4.82, 4.87, and 4.85 t ha −1 in 2021, 2022, and pooled yield, respectively, although it was statistically similar with 10 kg Si ha −1 rate. However, based on quadratic polynomial model, 25 kg Si ha −1 is recommended for calcium silicate and sodium meta silicate, and 30 kg Si ha −1 for silicic acid. Calcium silicate, sodium meta silicate, and/or silicic acid at 10–20 kg Si ha −1 is recommended for rice at eastern Gangetic coastal plains.