A Study of Boron and Silica Foliar Application on Growth and Yield of Rice in High Boron Content Media

Abstract

The low level of micro nutrients will cause a deficiency in plants, but even the slightest excess will be toxic. This research aimed to know the possible physiology effect of foliar application of boron, silica and their interaction on growth and yield of rice in high boron content media. The research was conducted in the Integrated Green house Field Laboratory, College of Agriculture, University of Lampung from October 2014 to March 2015. The treatments were arranged in a 3 x 5 factorial by applying in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two replications. The first factor was boron applied with concentrations of 0, 10 and 20 ppm, respectively. The second factor was silica applied with concentrations of 0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 ppm, respectively. The homogeneity of variance was tested using Bartlett’s test and the non-additivity of model using Tukey’s test. The differences of treatment mean were analyzed using orthogonal contrast and polynomial at 5% and 1% probability level. The results showed that the foliar application of boron, silica and their interaction did not affect growth and yield of rice in high boron content media. The high formation of wax in the cuticle layer supported by high levels of boron may cause boron and silica which was applied through the leaves difficult to be absorbed by plants.