Impact of nano-silicon and sodium silicate on wheat grown after preceding crops

Abstract Aims Understanding how preceding crops affect subsequent ones is crucial for designing effective crop rotations. This study aims to investigate the often-overlooked impact of preceding crops on soil silicon (Si) dynamics, particularly in the cultivation of Si-accumulating plants like wheat. Methods Two successive experiments were conducted in a randomized design in pots. First, it was planted 7 crops (sunflower, vetch, maize, chickpea, sugar beet, wheat and rice) and fallow treatment. After the harvest, 2 Si fertilizers; Sodium silicate (Na-Si) and nano-silicon (Nano-Si) were applied in the same soil samples before planting wheat. Nano-Si was obtained from rice husk waste and characterized using SEM, XRD and FTIR techniques. Results Despite being grown in the same soil, the preceding crops showed significant differences in Si concentration and the amount of Si removed from the soil. Specifically, rice, wheat, and maize, known as Si accumulators, contained more Si and removed higher amounts of Si from the soil compared to other plants. Consequently, the available Si in the soil was lower after these plants. Wheat grown after Si-accumulating crops had lower weights compared to other treatments, and the Si content in wheat was also lower after these plants. Nano-Si proved to be a superior Si fertilizer source compared to Na-Silicate. Conclusions Based on the results of this study, the necessity of Si fertilization in the cultivation of Si-accumulating wheat, particularly after other Si-accumulating plants, and the effectiveness of biogenic Nano-Si as a Si source have been concluded.