Effect of Silicon Application on Different Fractions of Silicon and Productivity of Maize Zea mays L on Typic Haplustepts

Abstract

newline A field experiment entitled Effect of Silicon Application on Different Fractions of Silicon and Productivity of Maize (Zea mays L.) on Typic Haplustepts was conducted at Instructional Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Udaipur during kharif seasons of 2022 and 2023. The experiment was laid out in split plot design with three replications having four fertility levels (control, 50, 75 and 100% RDF) in main plots and four silicon levels (control, 100, 200 and 300 kg DE ha-1) in subplots. newlineThe experimental results revealed that the application of 100% RDF recorded higher growth parameters, yield attributes, yield, nutrient content, uptake and protein content in grain as well as net return. However, the highest B-C ratio was recorded under 75% RDF. The organic carbon, CEC, available N, P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, soil enzymatic activities, microbial population in soil were significantly increased whereas, the pH, electrical conductivity, bulk density, particle density, porosity, water holding capacity and silicon fractions were found to be non- significant after harvest of the crop with application of fertility levels. newlineOn the other hand application of 300 kg DE ha-1 also recorded significantly higher growth parameters, yield attributes, yield, nutrient content and uptake, protein content in grain, net returns and B-C ratio. The electrical conductivity, organic carbon, CEC, available N, P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, soil enzymatic activities, microbial population and fractions of silicon in soil viz., mobile Si, adsorbed Si, occluded Si, organic Si and amorphous Si increased significantly whereas, the pH, bulk density, particle density, porosity and water holding capacity were found to be non- significant after harvest of the crop with application of silicon levels. newlineThe combined application of 100% RDF with 300 kg DE ha-1 (F100Si300) was more beneficial for grain yield (5808 kg ha-1), stover yield (8391 kg ha-1), biological yield (14199 kg ha-1), nutrient content and uptake. newlineThe maximum available phosphorous and