Bioavailability of Silicon from Different Sources and Its Effect on the Yield of Rice in Acidic, Neutral, and Alkaline soils of Karnataka, South India

ABSTRACTSeveral silicon (Si) sources have been reported to be effective in terms of their effectiveness on rice growth and yield. Apart from that, it is crucial to understand the bioavailability of silicon from different silicon sources for adequate plant uptake and its performances in varying types of soils. In this point of view, a pot experiment was conducted to assess the bioavailability of silicon from three Si sources and its effect on yield of rice crop in three contrasting soils. Acidic (pH 5.86), neutral (pH 7.10), and alkaline (pH 9.38) soils collected from different locations in Karnataka were amended with calcium silicate, diatomite, and rice husk biochar (RHB) as Si sources. Silica was applied at 0, 250, and 500 kg Si ha−1, and the pots were maintained under submerged condition. There was a significant increase in the yield parameters such as panicle number pot−1, panicle length pot−1, straw dry weight pot−1, and grain weight pot−1 in acidic and neutral soils with the application of Si over n...