Zinc, silicon and potassium application on rice

ABSTRACT: The low application and not using of Zn and Si fertilizers has become a common problem in rice production systems in Iran and has led to nutrient imbalances, inefficient use other fertilizers and high decreases to yield. The experiment was carried out as factorial experiment with four replications in Iran in 2011. The factors were Zn, K and silicon application, with two levels of Zn 0 and 20 kg Zn ha_1, 0 and 250 kg K ha_1and Si0 and Si5, respectively. K and Zn were applied to the soil and silicon using a sprayer applying on leaves. The results showed that the grain yield response of rice to Zn and K application were 3878 and 3863 kg/ha, respectively. Zinc was the nutrient most limiting yield components, followed by K and then Si. Zn and K application had increased grain yield and harvest index 4 and 3 % the relation to check, respectively. Si content had increased 24% the relation to check with increasing Zn application while with increasing K application had no significant difference. Zn content had increased 21% in relation to the check with increasing Si application. Zn application had significant increased on 1000-grain weight and also there was a significant interaction effect with other fertilizers. Therefore, grain yield and harvest index had similarly increased with K application and without or with Zn application. Generally, it seem that there was relationship replacement between Zn and K fertilizer in rice because grain yield had severe decreased without K and Zn application.