Response of vegetative phase growth of very early maturing rice plant to the application of liquid biosilica in paddy field

Abstract

An increase in the cropping index causes the land to be cultivated more intensively and has impact on decreasing Silica content (Si) so that it is necessary to add Si to support the growth of rice plants, especially on intensive land. This research aims to study the effect of biosilica on the growth of the vegetative phase of several very early maturing rice varieties. The research was conducted from September to December 2022 in Gorontalo using a Split Plot Design. The variety as the main plot and dose of liquid biosilica as a subplot. The results showed that the treatment of Inpari 19 variety with biosilica dose of 4.5 L ha-1 had the highest number of stomata and stomata density. Individually, the Cakrabuana variety has the highest plant height, the highest number of tillers and the smallest flag leaf angle. Meanwhile, biosilica at a dose of 4.5 L ha-1 had the highest plant height and the smallest flag leaf angle. In addition, treatment of Inpari 13 and Inpari 19 varieties with biosilica dose of 3.0 L ha-1 gave the best effect on the development of blast disease intensity.