Effects of Silicic Acid Foliar Spray on Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Chai Nat 1 Rice

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of silicic acid foliar spray on growth traits, grain yield and yield components of Chi Nat 1 rice grown in cement containers at the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Rajaphat Maha Sarakham University during February to August 2018. A 4×4 factorial experiment with completely randomized arrangement of the treatments and three replications was carried out. Four silicic acid rates (0, 50, 100 and 150 ml/20 L) were assigned as factor A, and four spray timings (1 time at 30 days after emergence (DAE), 2 times at 30 and 60 DAE, 3 times at 30, 60 and 75 DAE and 4 times at 30, 60, 75 and 90 DAE) were assigned as factor B. Data were recorded for growth traits, grain yield and yield components such as plant height, number of tillers, SPAD chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR), number of panicles, number of filled grains, number of unfilled grains, 1,000-grain weight, grain weight, weight of dry straw, total dry weight and harvest index. Applications of silicic acid at the rates of 50, 100 and 150 ml/20 L had higher SCMR at 30, 60 and 90 DAE than did untreated control. Applications of silicic acid at all rates were significantly higher than untreated control for number of panicles, 1,000- grain weight (grain size) and grain weight. Spray timing did not have significant effect on growth traits, grain yield and yield components. The interactions between rate and timing were not significant for all
parameters.