Increase in Silicate Fertilization Improves the Biomass of Drought-Tolerant Contrasting Cultivars Without Prejudicial effects in Nutrient Uptake in Sugarcane

Abstract

Studies are still scarce about silicate fertilization as a silicon (Si) supply to drought-tolerant contrasting sugarcane cultivars. The objective was determined whether the increase of Si rates up to 1000 kg ha −1 Si improves the Si in soil, Si uptake, and biomass of aerial part and root system of sugarcane without prejudicial effects in chemical attributes of soil and in nutrients absorption and whether Si concentration and biomass of drought-sensitive are increased similar to that of drought-tolerant sugarcane cultivar in the function of Si rates. An experiment was conducted in randomized blocks with cultivars (RB86-7515 = drought-tolerant; RB85-5536 = and drought-sensitive) and Si rates (0, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 kg ha −1 Si) using silicate in sandy soil. Fertilization increased Si contents in soil, Si contents and biomass of straw and stalks, Si in green leaves, and biomass of roots, independent of cultivars. The Si rates improved also the Ca in green leaves and Mn in straw, but reduced Ca and Mg in the soil and Mg concentration in the straw. Lower biomass and higher Si concentration were found in RB85-5536, and it was also true in RB86-7515 for the roots. Fertilization with Si rates up to 1000 kg ha −1 Si as silicate in sandy soil was not excessive, increasing Si availability, Si uptake in straw, green leaves, and stalks, and aerial part and root biomass, independently of cultivar without prejudicial effects in chemical attributes of soil and nutrient uptake in sugarcane.

Impact of Si on C, N, and P stoichiometric homeostasis favors nutrition and stem dry mass accumulation in sugarcane cultivated in tropical soils with different water regimes

“…In order to ensure adequate silicate nutrition for the crop, most studies have evaluated its effects on stem production using Si in solid form with sources of very low solubility in water (calcium silicate), implying the use of the element in high doses (Camargo et al, 2017(Camargo et al, , 2019(Camargo et al, , 2020Clemente et al, 2019). However, there were doubts whether fertigation with Si in concentrations diluted with soluble sources.…”

Silicon Application Enhances Sugarcane Growth by Impairing the Development of Larval Sugarcane Borer

“…The deposition of silica in the epidermal cells of the thatch increases its hardness and abrasiveness, providing a mechanical barrier to the penetration of D. saccharalis larvae into the thatch of early-stage plants [58,59]. Considering that Si accumulates in the stalk of sugarcane plants [35,60], i.e. the feeding site of D. saccharalis larvae, increased tissue hardiness may had impaired the feeding of larvae through increasing mandible abrasion as observed for Spodoptera spp.…”

“…The planting fertilization with N, P and K was done with the equivalent of 60 kg ha − 1 of N as ammonium sulphate, 180 kg ha − 1 of P 2 O 5 as simple superphosphate, 100 kg ha − 1 of K 2 O as potassium chloride, according to [35]. After 30 days, super cial fertilization with N and K took place with same rates in the planting fertilization.…”

Nutrient availability affected by silicate and Azospirillum brasilense application in corn–wheat rotation

“…Although silicate application was effective to correct soil acidity and increase Si availability, the use of Si had no effect on corn and wheat grain yield. According to Camargo et al (2020) positive response to Si application is more likely to occur in soils with Si content below 10.0 mg kg −1 (Ca chloride 0.01 mol L −1 ). In this study, the available soil Si contents was close to this range (9.4 at 0-0.20 m and 10.2 mg kg −1 at 0.20-0.40 m).…”

“…According to Camargo et al. (2020) positive response to Si application is more likely to occur in soils with Si content below 10.0 mg kg −1 (Ca chloride 0.01 mol L −1 ). In this study, the available soil Si contents was close to this range (9.4 at 0–0.20 m and 10.2 mg kg −1 at 0.20–0.40 m).…”