The use of Silica fertilizer to increase the effectiveness of N,P,K fertilizer on rice plant growth

Abstract

One of the impacts of climate change is drought, which will disrupt plant growth. Silica can increase plant growth even in drought-stress conditions, but few rice farmers use Si fertilizer. This study aims to determine the effect of silicate combined with NPK fertilizer on the growth of rice plants. The study was conducted experimentally using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 9 treatments and 3 replications, namely 7 treatments of NPK fertilizer and Si fertilizer combinations and 2 treatments in the form of control and NPK fertilizers (Urea 300 kg ha-1 , SP 20 180 kg ha-1, and KCL 100 kg ha-1). The results showed that the use of Si (silica fertilizer) combined with NPK fertilizer increased the growth of rice plants, as indicated by the growth of plant height 4.30% higher in the application of ¾ NPK Fertilizer + 1 Silica Fertilizer dose and the number of tillers 1.55% more in the application of ¾ NPK fertilizer + ¼ silica fertilizer dose compared to the standard NPK treatment at the maximum vegetative period.