Study of Potassium Silicate and Silica Solubilizing Bacteria and its Impact on Yield and Quality of Sugarcane under Water Stress Condition

Anitha, R.; Gayathry, G.; ., S. Thiruvarasan; Mary, P. Christy Nirmala; Jayachandran, M.

doi:10.20546/ijcmas.2019.811.152

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Although we observe that T4 solution was effective in field conditions, several steps are still needed towards a full implementation and acceptance by farmers. First, it is necessary to extend this study to other sources of Silicon in cooperation with microorganisms and to pinpoint the mechanisms behind this symbiotic relation [2,3]. The objective with understanding the mechanisms is to identify in which conditions the microorganisms will be more active than others.…”

Section: Limitations and Future Developmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biofertilizers and Silicon fertilization as a sustainable option for maize production

Besharat

Pinto²,

Fernandes³

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Due to the rapid growth of human population and increasing living standards, there is a continuous increase in the gap between food productivity and demand. At the same time there is a global reduction in freshwater availability for agriculture. Several options have been proposed along the way to increase water use efficiency in the field. One promising possibility is the adoption of fertilization with silicon (Si) combined with biofertilizers (microorganisms). Si is estimated to impact on the root volume and distribution, while microorganisms added to the soil in the rhizosphere also impact directly on root growth. In this work we have tested the influence of Si fertilization (magnesium silicate + diatomaceous earth) combined with biofertilizers and a reduction of 20% of NPK fertilization in the growth of maize and the soil water balance on a field trial located in Companhia das Lezírias (Portugal). Data on soil water content was collected regularly and root analysis was performed at harvest. The water balance was calculated through the model HYDRUS, using root growth model calibrated for maize in the present conditions. Results showed that using an alternative source of fertilization (Si + microbes) while reducing NPK fertilization impacted on root growth development, with roots growing more horizontally, while conventional NPK fertilization resulted in deeper roots. As a consequent, root water uptake increased and evaporation losses were lower in the treatment supplemented compared to the conventional, without compromising the yield obtained. Using biofertilizers combined with Si sources resulted in higher water use efficiency (2.64 kg m− 3) than the NPK fertilization, normally applied for maize growth (2.56 kg m− 3). The results imply that the supplementation + biofertilization allows a potential save of 206 m3 ha− 1 water and 157 kg NPK ha− 1 fertilization in a growing season keeping the same yield as obtained with the conventional NPK fertilization (18.64 ton ha− 1). Implications are high for Portuguese agriculture, where maize is one of the most important cereals cultivated, especially in Centre and Southern part of the country where water is a scarce resource.

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Section: Limitations and Future Developmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%