The Effect of Silicon Fertilizer on the Growth of Chives

Abstract

Potted plants of chives to explore the growth effects of applying silicon fertilizer with 5 levels (0,180,360,540,720 mg/kg) for 3 weeks. Variables measured of plant development included fresh weight of whole plants, leaves,stalks; plant height; moisture and chlorophyll content in leaves. The results showed that the application of silicon fertilizer during 180-540 mg/kg concentration could improve the biomass weight and the growth height, increase chlorophyll and moisture content of chives leaves. The optimum effective silica concentration was 360 mg/kg, whereas the plants growth were decreased and even negatively affected with the increase of silica concentration to 720 mg/kg. This study provided a research foundation for the promotion of silicon fertilizer in the cultivation of chives and the further broadening of the application of silicon fertilizer. Funded by: Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology (XMUT), Fujian Province University.