Effects of Silicon on Yield Contributing Parameters and Its Accumulation in Abaxial Epidermis of Sugarcane Leaf Blades Using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis

Abstract

2 Effects of silicon (Si), supplied as calcium silicate (Ca-silicate) fertilizer on yield contributing parameters in sugarcane like chlorophyll content, gas exchange characteristics, leaf nutrient concentrations and its effects on soil fertility were evaluated. Seven rates of 20, 40, 60, 80, 120 and 150 g pot −1 ) were applied with traditional fertilizers and plants were grown in a greenhouse. The added Ca-silicate increased photosynthesis, transpiration and stomatal conductance significantly over the non-amended treatment. Leaf tissue contents of phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sodium (Na) did not differ remarkably. With increasing silicate application, iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) contents significantly decreased in both leaf tissue and soil contents. Si amended treatments significantly increased yield in dry matter (26 to 70%) and in cane yield (30 to 66%) per pot over non-amended. The Si content up to 2.64% per dry mass was found in top visible dewlap (TVD) leaf tissues when amended with Ca-silicate fertilizer in our 12 months study. Soil pH, soil Si, and leaf tissues silicon content progressively increased with increasing rate of Ca-silicate. The available S, exchangeable potassium (K), Na, Ca and Mg increased more or less progressively as rate of Si application increased over non-amended. Nevertheless, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX) revealed that different rates of Ca-silicate responded differently in accumulation of Si and other elements in epidermal cells, silica cells and stomata cells.

Applying Limestone or Basalt in Combination with Bio-Fertilizer to Sustain Rice Production on an Acid Sulfate Soil in Malaysia

“…However, silicic acid released by the dissolution of basalt would be taken up by the rice plants [30] that resulted in prevention of rice blast [31]. This phenomenon was confirmed by the study of Massey and Hartley [32].…”

Properties and Management of Acid Sulfate Soils in Southeast Asia for Sustainable Cultivation of Rice, Oil Palm, and Cocoa

“…Rice accumulates Si in its tissues (Bokhtiar et al, 2010). The dissolution of basalt under acidic conditions had released SiO 4 4À into the solution, which was subsequently hydrolyzed to release OH À and monosilicic acid (H 4 SiO 4 ), the form that can be taken up by the rice plant.…”

“…The dissolution of basalt under acidic conditions had released SiO 4 4À into the solution, which was subsequently hydrolyzed to release OH À and monosilicic acid (H 4 SiO 4 ), the form that can be taken up by the rice plant. Silicon was able to increase plant photosynthesis, transpiration, and stomatal conductance (Bokhtiar et al, 2010), which translates into good growth of the crop. In the control treatment, the Si concentration was 1.46% as compared to 2.14% for the basalt treatment (Shazana, 2012).…”

Silicon fertilization improves the maize (Zea maysL.) performance under limited moisture supply

“…The ameliorative role of Si to adverse effects of drought has been examined in different crops e.g. sugarcane (Bokhtiar et al 2012), rice (Chen et al 2011), wheat (Karrou et al 2012), tomato (Aranda et al 2006), cowpea (Mali and Aery 2008), sorghum (Ahmed et al 2011) and soybean (Hamayun et al 2010). Plants deprived of Si often show poor development and reproduction, but it depends on the type of plant species.…”