Influence of silicon on growth,yield, and lodging resistance of MR219, a lowland rice of Malaysia |
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| Authors: | Deivaseeno Dorairaj Mohd Razi Ismail Uma Rani Sinniah Tan Kar Ban |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia;2. Laboratory of Food Crops, Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia;3. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia |
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| Abstract: | Lodging has limited yield and potential of increasing yield in rice. Lodging could be minimized by increasing the mechanical or physical strength of the rice culm. Silicon (Si) is associated with sturdiness and rigidity. Therefore, the objectives of this experiment were to evaluate the effects and optimum rate of Si application to improve yield, growth, and lodging resistance of MR219, a popular rice variety in Malaysia. Si, in the form of fertilizer, was applied at the onset of reproductive stage as topdressing. All Si-treated plants showed an increase in number of tillers, number of spikelets per panicle, number of effective tillers, percentage of filled spikelets, and weight per panicle in Si-treated plants as compared to control. Lodging resistance was higher in plants treated with Si as shown by bending parameters. Si-treated plants showed significant increase in flag leaf area, chlorophyll content, and Si content. |
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| Keywords: | Silicon lodging resistance yield growth MR219 |
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