Silicon Amendment Enhances Agronomic Efficiency of Nitrogen Fertilization in Maize and Wheat Crops under Tropical Conditions

Author(s)

Galindo, Fernando Shintate ^[1] ; Pagliari, Paulo Humberto ^[2] ; Rodrigues, Willian Lima ^[3] ; Fernandes, Guilherme Carlos ^[3] ; Boleta, Eduardo Henrique Marcandalli ^[3] ; Santini, Jose Mateus Kondo ^[3] ; Jalal, Arshad ^[3] ; Buzetti, Salatier ^[3] ; Lavres, Jose ^[3] ; Teixeira Filho, Marcelo Carvalho Minhoto ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Nucl Energy CENA, BR-13416000 Piracicaba - Brazil

^[2] Univ Minnesota UMN, Dept Soil Water & Climate, Southwest Res & Outreach SWROC, Lamberton, MN 56152 - USA

^[3] Sao Paulo State Univ UNESP, Dept Plant Hlth Rural Engn & Soils DEFERS, BR-15345000 Ilha Solteira - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: PLANTS-BASEL; v. 10, n. 7 JUL 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Sustainable management strategies are needed to improve agronomic efficiency and cereal yield production under harsh abiotic climatic conditions such as in tropical Savannah. Under these environments, field-grown crops are usually exposed to drought and high temperature conditions. Silicon (Si) application could be a useful and sustainable strategy to enhance agronomic N use efficiency, leading to better cereal development. This study was developed to explore the effect of Si application as a soil amendment source (Ca and Mg silicate) associated with N levels applied in a side-dressing (control, low, medium and high N levels) on maize and wheat development, N uptake, agronomic efficiency and grain yield. The field experiments were carried out during four cropping seasons, using two soil amendment sources (Ca and Mg silicate and dolomitic limestone) and four N levels (0, 50, 100 and 200 kg N ha(-1)). The following evaluations were performed in maize and wheat crops: the shoots and roots biomass, total N, N-NO3-, N-NH4+ and Si accumulation in the shoots, roots and grain tissue, leaf chlorophyll index, grain yield and agronomic efficiency. The silicon amendment application enhanced leaf chlorophyll index, agronomic efficiency and N-uptake in maize and wheat plants, benefiting shoots and roots development and leading to a higher grain yield (an increase of 5.2 and 7.6%, respectively). It would be possible to reduce N fertilization in maize from 185-180 to 100 kg N ha(-1) while maintaining similar grain yield with Si application. Additionally, Si application would reduce N fertilization in wheat from 195-200 to 100 kg N ha(-1). Silicon application could be a key technology for improving plant-soil N-management, especially in Si accumulator crops, leading to a more sustainable cereal production under tropical conditions. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/06002-6 - Inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense associated with the use of silicon and nitrogen doses in corn and wheat crops
• Grantee: Fernando Shintate Galindo
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate