Although silicon is not an essential nutrient, its application is beneficial for plant growth and development. To evaluate silicon sources in relation to agronomic efficiency and economic viability in rice crops (Oryza sativa L.), a greenhouse experiment was conducted, Quartzipsamment soil, in a completely randomized experimental design (n = 4). Treatments were 12 silicon sources and a control. Silicon was applied at the rate of 125 kg Si ha -1 . Data were compared to a standard response curve for Si using the standard source Wollastonite at rates of 0, 125, 250, 375, and 500 kg Si ha -1 . All treatments received CaCO 3 and MgCO 3 to balance pH, Ca and Mg. One hundred and fifty days after sowing, evaluations on dry matter yield in the above-ground part of plants, grain yield, and Si contents in the soil and plant tissues were performed. Wollastonite had linear response, increasing silicon in the soil and plants with increasing application rates. Differences between silicon sources in relation to Si uptake were observed. Phosphate slag provided the highest Si uptake, followed by Wollastonite and electric furnace silicates which however, did not show differed among themselves. The highest Si accumulation in grain was observed for stainless steel, which significantly differed from the control, silicate clay, Wollastonite, and AF2 (blast furnace of the company 2) slag. Silicate clay showed the lowest Si accumulation in grain and did not differ from the control, AF2 slag, AF1 slag, schist ash, schist, and LD4 (furnace steel type LD of the company 4) slag. Key words: slag, metallurgical aggregate, silicate, oryza FONTES DE SILÍCIO PARA A CULTURA DO ARROZ RESUMO: O silício, mesmo não sendo essencial do ponto de vista fisiológico, traz inúmeros benefícios para o crescimento e o desenvolvimento das plantas. Com o objetivo de avaliar diferentes fontes de Si quanto à disponibilidade do nutriente para plantas de arroz (Oryza sativa L.), foi realizado um experimento em Neossolo Quartzarênico Órtico típico, em casa-de-vegetação em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com doze fontes de silício aplicadas na dose de 125 kg Si ha -1 e uma testemunha (n = 4). Dados experimentais foram comparados a uma curva padrão de resposta para silício, utilizando a fonte padrão (Wollastonita) nas doses de 0, 125, 250, 375 e 500 kg Si ha -1 . Visando equilibrar os valores de pH, Ca e Mg, todos os tratamentos foram balanceados com CaCO 3 e MgCO 3 . Após 150 dias do plantio, foi avaliada a produção de matéria seca da parte aérea, produção de grãos e teores de Si no solo e nas plantas. A Wollastonita, usada como fonte padrão, apresentou comportamento linear, aumentando o Si disponível no solo, conseqüentemente, a absorção pelo arroz com o aumento nas doses aplicadas. A fonte que proporcionou maior absorção de Si pelas plantas de arroz foi a escória de fósforo, seguida da Wollastonita e de forno elétrico que não diferiram entre si. A fonte Aço Inox foi a que apresentou maior extração de Si pelos grãos, diferindo da testemunha, da argila...

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Few studies have focused on water deficit for sugarcane, whose damage could be reduced with Si, as shown in other crops. This study aimed to determine whether Si fertilization enhances the best recovery of sugarcane after two periods of the formative phase (tillering and early grand growth) for RB86-7515 (drought tolerant) and RB85-5536 (drought sensitive), and which growth phase is beneficial for each cultivar. It was investigated: 1) the effect of Si fertilization on total Si uptake, and on soluble Si in soil; 2) whether Si uptake could provided increased stalk yield, juice quality, dry biomass compared to well-watered treatments. Two experiments were conducted in pots under greenhouse: one with RB86-7515 and another with RB85-5536. Treatments were: 1-Non-Deficit+Si, 2-Non-Deficit-Si, 3-Early Deficit (ED)+Si, 4-ED-Si, 5-Late Deficit (LD)+Si, and 6-LD-Si. Silicon fertilization provided best recovery of sugarcane (superior sugar, stalk yield, and dry biomass) after early and late water deficit compared to its absence for both cultivars. For RB85-5536, Si fertilization propitiated similar recovery for water deficit and continuous irrigation treatments. No differences were observed between periods of water deficit. Therefore, Si fertilization at planting should be considered another tool for reducing the damage caused by water deficit in sugarcane.

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The solubility and availability of silicon can be influenced by soil reaction. A pot experiment with a clayey textured Rhodic Acrustox was conducted under greenhouse conditions to evaluate the effect of soil reaction on silicon availability to rice plants. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized design, using a factorial scheme (4 × 4) with four materials (calcitic lime, calcium and magnesium silicate, pure silicic acid, and wollastonite), four rates (0, 2500, 5000 and 7500 mg per 5 kg-pot) and four replicates. After 60 days, dry matter yield and silicon absorption by the rice shoot plants, pH CaCl2 , and soluble silicon (0.5 mol L -1 acetic acid and 0.01 mol L -1CaCl 2 ) in the soil were evaluated. The materials increased soil pH as the applied rates increased, except silicic acid. Soluble silicon extracted by 0.5 mol L -1 acetic acid also increased with applied rates. For calcium chloride, soluble silicon increased in the soil only with wollastonite and calcium and magnesium silicate, agreeing with its total content. Silicon absorption by the above-ground part of the rice plants was linearly correlated with rates of wollastonite, followed by calcium and magnesium silicate, silicic acid and calcitic lime. Soil pH increase with lime was not sufficient to provide silicon to the rice. The 0.01 mol L -1 CaCl 2 soluble silicon had the best correlation with silicon absorption by plants. More studies are necessary under field conditions and other soils to corroborate the presented results. Key words: Oriza sativa, soil, calcitic lime, silicate REAÇÃO DO SOLO E ABSORÇÃO DE SILÍCIO PELO ARROZRESUMO: A solubilidade e disponibilidade de silício podem ser influenciadas pela reação do solo. Com o objetivo de estudar o efeito da reação do solo sobre a disponibilidade de silício para a cultura do arroz, foi conduzido experimento em Latossolo Vermelho álico textura argilosa em casa-de-vegetação. O experimento foi conduzido em fatorial 4 × 4, delineamento em blocos inteiramente casualizados e quatro repetições. Quatro materiais (calcário, silicato de cálcio e magnésio, ácido silícico puríssimo e wollastonita) foram aplicados em doses equivalentes a 0, 2500, 5000, 7500 mg por vaso de 5 kg. Após 60 dias, foram avaliadas produção de matéria seca, absorção de silício da parte aérea do arroz, pH CaCl2 , silício extraído em ácido acético (0,5 mol L ) no solo. Os materiais aumentaram o pH do solo com as doses, exceto o ácido silícico. O silício solúvel em ácido acético foi crescente com as doses dos materiais. Para o CaCl 2 , apenas houve aumento de silício solúvel no solo com as doses de wollastonita e silicato de cálcio e magnésio, concordando com seu teor total. A absorção de silício pela parte aérea do arroz foi linearmente crescente com as doses da wollastonita, seguida do silicato de cálcio e magnésio, ácido silícico e calcário. O aumento do pH do solo com calcário não foi suficiente para fornecer silício ao arroz. O silício extraído com CaCl 2 0,01 mol L -1 apresentou maior correlação com a absorção de si...

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