Effect of Silicon Fertilizer on the Morphology, Yield, and Quality of Rice

Taking Jihong 9 and Jinongda 853 as test varieties, the effects of silicon fertilizer application on rice growth, morphology, yield and quality at young panicle formation stage under water-saving conditions were studied. The leaf blade angle was larger in ( +) than in (-) plots, and this tendency was more pronounced in the lower leaves. The leaf color showed the same tendency as the leaf blade angle. There was a large difference in leaf color among the cultivars, with Jinongda 853 clearly darker than Jihong 9. The leaf length of Jihong 9 was longer than that of Jinongda 853 at all leaf positions. The breaking resistance related to lodging was significantly higher in Jinongda 853 than in Jihong 9 and with sheaths than without sheaths. Lodging resistance also showed the same tendency as breaking resistance. Yield in S plot decreased by nearly 15% in 2020 compared to F plot. The application of silicon fertilizer increased the yield by nearly 7% in 2020 and by nearly 5% in 2021.The decrease in yield in S plot was avoided by treating with silicon fertilizer. The appearance quality did not change much depending on the cultivation method and the application of silicon fertilizer. The reactions of physicochemical characteristics to cultivation methods and treatments were complex, and no definite tendency was found. Among the varieties, Jinongda 853 was clearly inferior in terms of physicochemical characteristics.