Crescimento, biomassa e qualidade fisiológica do arroz em função da aplicação foliarde silício

Abstract

Rice plants are silicon accumulators (Si), so the use of foliar fertilization of high solubility in low doses can improve the nutritional and physiological state of the plants, besides promoting gains in productivity. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of Si on rice crop. The study was conducted in a greenhouse with a completely randomized design, consisting of five doses of silicon (0 (control), 0.84, 1.68, 2.52 and 3.36 g L-1 of Si), applied in the form of sodium potassium silicate, with four replicates. In each treatment the solutions were equilibrated in potassium in order to isolate the effect of Si. Growth, biomass production, Si accumulation and physiological quality were evaluated. Leaf silicon application does not affect the relative chlorophyll index and the biometric variables, except for the foliar area, which increases at doses no higher than 1.68 g L-1 of Si. The physiological variables of rice plants are practically non-existent are affected by foliar Si doses, with the exception of the internal CO2 concentration. The increase in Si accumulation by rice plants does not increase the production of dry biomass, and from the dose of 1.68 g L-1 of Si there is a reduction in the efficiency of use, with decreases in the production of biomass, suggesting that this is the maximum dose for rice cultivation.