Chapter 19 Effects of silicon fertilization on disease development and yields of rice in Colombia

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2001

Abstract

The savannas of Colombia contain soils (Oxisols) constrained by silicon (Si) deficiency. Since upland rice production is expanding into this region, field experiments were conducted over two years on three representative soils to determine the extent to which Si deficiency may constrain rice yields and favor disease development. The experiments were complete factorials and included different levels of Si, phosphorus (P) and cultivars. Sources of Si tested included both calcium metasilicate and slag. Lime was applied to equalize lime value and Ca levels across treatments. Silicon significantly reduced all observed rice diseases. Leaf blast severity and neck blast incidence were reduced from about 26% and 53% in non-amended plots to 15% in Si-amended plots. Leaf scald severity was reduced from 42% to 6% in Si-amended plots, while grain discoloration was reduced from 4.2 to 1.0 in Si-amended plots. Si application increased rice yields by about 40% on all three soils. A residual effect was also noted on both, the reduction of disease development and yield increase. By amending these soils with Si, a very effective and potentially sustainable method for upland rice production and management of rice diseases appears available. © 2001 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Studies in Plant Science

First Page

313

Last Page

322

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