Effect of Silicon and Sulphur Fertilization on Growth and Yield of Rice

Abstract

Silicon is considered an agronomically essential element for sustainable rice production (Savant et al. 1997a) and reported that adequate supply of Si increased the number of panicles, the number of grains per panicle, the percentage ripening and the light-receiving posture of rice plants and also improved the availability and utilization of P by rice plants. Si is absorbed as PAS by rice plants in far larger quantities than the macro nutrients, 108 % greater than nitrogen uptake. A rice crop producing a yield of 5000 kg ha-1 removes 230-470 kg Si ha-1 and it has the potential to raise the optimum rate of N (Elawad and Green 1979). It develops resistance and/or tolerance to abiotic stresses and could tolerate Fe, Al and Mn toxicities, and the increased mechanical strength of the culm helps reduce crop lodging (Takahashi 1995).