Optimizing silicon fertilization for improved growth and yield in Boro rice

In the present era, sustaining rice productivity is increasingly challenged by various biotic and abiotic stresses, nutrient imbalances, and climate variability, prompting interest in beneficial elements like silicon (Si) for enhancing plant resilience and improving yield. To evaluate the impact of silicon on Boro rice (cv. Binadhan-25), a field experiment was conducted during the 2024 Boro season at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The study comprised eleven treatments where recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF) were applied combining with 0 to 200 kg SiO2 ha-1 in 20 kg increments. This research was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results revealed that the application of 40 kg SiO2 ha-1 alongside RDF significantly improved plant height, effective tillers hill-1 and grain yield outperforming all other treatments. Grain yield increased by about 25.7% with the application of 40 kg SiO2 ha-1 compared to no silicon application to the soil. These findings emphasize the beneficial role of moderate silicon supplementation in enhancing growth and yield of Boro rice and suggest 40 kg SiO2 ha-1 as the optimum dose for productivity enhancement. Future research should explore the long-term effects of silicon on soil health and crop sustainability across different rice varieties and agro-ecological zones, considering the limitation that this study focused on a single variety under one growing season.