Co-fertilization of Silicon and Phosphorus Influences the Dry Matter Accumulation, Grain Yield, Nutrient Uptake, and Nutrient-Use Efficiencies of Aerobic Rice

Abstract

Rice is known to be a nutrient exhaustive crop and the application of silicon (Si) has been reported for the better utilization of plant nutrients from the soil. Hence, the response of the plant to phosphorus (P) could be enhanced by co-fertilization of Si and P. The present study evaluates the dry matter accumulation, grain yield, nutrients uptake, and nutrient-use efficiency of Si and P application in aerobic rice. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted at ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India in a factorial randomized block design, the treatments comprised four levels of Si (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg Si ha–1) and P (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg P2O5 ha–1) application. The results revealed the significant effect of Si and P application on dry matter accumulation, grain yield, and nutrient uptake in aerobic rice. The dry matter accumulation and grain yield of aerobic rice was significantly higher with the combination of 120 kg Si and 90 kg P2O5 ha–1 closely followed by the combination of 80 kg Si and 60 kg P2O5 ha–1. The rate of increase in dry matter accumulation due to different doses of Si and P ranged between 7.6 and 25.6\u2009% over control. A strong positive relationship was observed between different doses of Si and P and concentrations and uptakes of different nutrients, barring zinc. Application of Si and P significantly enhanced the grain concentration of Si, nitrogen, P, and potassium by 25, 16.5, 47, and 25\u2009%, respectively, over control. Overall, the addition of Si and P application in nutrient management could increase the productivity and nutrient use efficiency of aerobic rice.