Silicon Uptake and Distribution under Rice–Maize Cropping System: Effects on Soil Availability and Crop Productivity

Abstract

Silicon (Si) is a beneficial element in soil for crop growth and survival. Incorporating silicon into modern crop management practices offers a promising pathway to balance increased agricultural output with ecological sustainability, a critical goal in addressing global food security challenges. The role of Si in plant health is principally providing resistance against different biotic and abiotic stresses. Si is supposed to increase the yield in Poaceae crops like rice, wheat etc. The present study has been conducted to find the role of Si on rice yield, its uptake characteristics and its distribution in different soil depths. Five soil treatments of Si (0 to 125 kg Si ha-1) and two foliar sprays (0.5% and 1% Si) with a control treatment has been selected for the experiment, conducted in the farm area of Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya. Soil samples collected from different soil depths and crop growth stages showed distribution of Si in soil. Application of Si in higher dose has resulted in higher maize yields with respect to control treatment. Higher yields have been achieved with increasing Si application in the soil, as well as, in the foliar sprays although the difference is not found to be significantly different. In comparison to the control (S1), Si application @125 kg ha-1 (S6) has resulted in 11.19% yield increase in rice. With increasing soil depths, the available pool of Si is found to increase and highest availability is found in the 30-45 cm soil depth. Higher dissolution results in higher Si availability in panicle initiation stage. Higher uptake has been observed with increasing Si application rate, although non-significantly yield increased in rice suggesting no direct impact of Si in increasing yield. The present study can be can be helpful to find effects of Si on rice production under stressed conditions.