Effects of Indigenous Sources of Silicon on Soil Fertility

Silicon (Si) effects on mineral nutrient status in soil as well as plants are not well investigated. Application of Si could greatly boost rice yield & mitigate abiotic stress, especially draught. It is known that Si has a favourable effect on plants under stressed conditions. A field experiment was conducted at research farm of KrishiVigyan Kendra, Gumla, to evaluate the "Effects of silicon sources and levels on soil fertility, production potential and quality of rice (Oryza sativa L.) under lateritic soil of Jharkhand" during Kharif season of 2017-18 and 2018-19. The treatments included 3 doses of Si (50 kg, 100 kg, 150 kg Si ha-1) as Calcium silicate (T2 to T4), fly ash (T5 to T7) and paddy straw (T8 to T10). The experiment was laid out in a complete randomized design with three replications. The available nutrients content in soil was found to increase with graded levels of Si application. Different Si sources used in this study varied greatly in their physico - chemical properties and behavior in soil. Among the chemical (pH, EC, and Organic C) and fertility (available N, P, K, S, Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu, and Si) parameters.