Effects of Silicon Application and Groundwater Level in a Subirrigation System on Yield of a Three-Cut Meadow

Abstract

The increasing demand for food and animal products makes it important to ensure that animals have sufficient fodder obtained from grassland. Unfortunately, there has been a recent decline in grassland areas, which makes it essential to find solutions to increase the grassland’s productivity and the quality of the fodder it yields. One of these solutions may be the use of appropriate irrigation and fertilization. The present study investigated the effect of the foliar application of silicon fertilizer and the groundwater level in a subirrigation system on the yield of a three-cut meadow. Four different experimental plots were used: high groundwater level (HWL), high groundwater level with silicon application (HWL_Si), lower groundwater level (LWL), and lower groundwater level with silicon application (LWL_Si). The analyses showed that silicon significantly reduced the amount of dry matter obtained in each of the three meadow cuts during the year. Furthermore, the plot with a higher groundwater level had an annual yield of 12.69 Mg·ha−1, whereas when silicon was applied to this area, it was 10.43 Mg·ha−1 (17.8% reduction in dry matter). A similar trend was noted at lower water levels, in which silicon also caused a dry matter reduction. However, the experiment did not indicate a statistically significant effect of silicon application on plant height and NDVI values. These results show that further research is still needed to better understand silicon’s effect on meadow sward.

Climate, Water, Soil

“…Kocięcka et al [20] tested the foliar application of silicon fertilizer in interaction with the level of groundwater in a sub-irrigation system to study the effect on the yield of a three-cut meadow. A reduction in dry matter during the year due to silicon application was reported.…”

Use of anti-transpirants in maize cultivation as a potential novel approach to combat drought stress in the wake of climate change. A systematic review

“…Antitranspirants are chemicals or substances applied to plant leaves to reduce water loss (transpiration) without significantly altering different critical functions of the plant, like photosynthesis and development [40]. Antitranspirants are classified into three types depending on their mode of action [41]. They include the following; Film-forming antitranspirants, reflective anti-transpirants and stomata closing Antitranspirants [42].…”

“…The Film antitranspirants (AT) are water-emulsifiable polymers that provide a physically waterproof covering to seal stomata, hence minimizing water loss through transpiration [43]. It increases leaf resistance to the diffusion of water vapour [41]. Metabolic /Stomatal closing antitranspirants are chemicals that have hormone-like effects on guard cells, causing partial stomatal closure [42,44].…”

Effect of Subirrigation and Silicon Antitranspirant Application on Biomass Yield and Carbon Dioxide Balance of a Three-Cut Meadow

“…The field water capacity (FWC) for the 0-20 cm soil layer equals 49%. A more detailed soil characterization for the study area is described by Kocięcka et al [30].…”

“…All biomass samples were weighed and dried at 105 • C to obtain the dry matter volume. Then, the results were converted into kg•ha −1 to assess yield [30].…”