Evaluation of Silicon Nutrition on Yield, Growth Attributes and Available Nutrient Status of Paddy in Coastal Zone of Odisha

A field experiment was conducted in the central farm, Regional Research and Technology Transfer Station, Coastal Zone OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India during kharif 2020 using cv-Lalat variety of Rice. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with ten treatments and three replications. In this experiment BOF (Basic Oxygen Furnace) slag was used as a source of silica for application to rice crop. 200, 300 and 400 kg SiO2/ha was applied in combination with 50% STD (Soil Test Dose) and 75% STD to assess the efficacy of Silica with reduction in fertilizer dose by 50% and 25%. It was shown that increase in number of effective tillers (7.8) per plant and length of the panicle (25.8 cm), but no significant increase was marked in case of 1000 grain weight (gm.) over control. In case of grain yield, straw yield and harvest index, 100% STD (T4) registered maximum (36.9q/ha) grain yield which was 29.4% more than that of control. Of course, grain yield in case of T9 i.e., 75% STD+300 kg SiO2/ha was at par 36.2q/ha indicated efficacy of silica application by reducing fertilizer dose. Harvest index was not affected by Si treatments. However, maximum HI (0.478) was observed in T9. Available N, P, K and S status in post-harvest soil was increased due to application of silica along with fertilizer over control indicated better availability of nutrients which plays a vital role in increasing production and productivity of rice. The study revealed that the DTPA extractable Fe and Mn content decreased, and Cu and Zn content increased with increased application of silica. Though 100% STD (T4) was found to be very effective as compared to other treatments but 75% STD + 300kgSiO2/ha was also equally effective so far as yield, growth attributing characters, available nutrient status of paddy.