Eficiência da fluorita como fonte de silício na cultura do arroz

Abstract

Silicon (Si) is a widely abundant element in the Earth's crust and is considered beneficial for plant development, being predominantly absorbed in the form of monosilicic acid (H₄SiO₄). Currently, there are a variety of products available on the market that are commercialized as silicon sources. However, it is necessary to investigate and identify those with the greatest potential, considering factors such as cost, ease of application, levels of soluble silicon, calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate different Si sources regarding dry mass production and nutrient accumulation in rice plants. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse, using a completely randomized design in a 10×3 factorial scheme, consisting of ten soils, two treatments with Si application, and one control without the element. The sources used were wollastonite and fluorite with silicon oxide, applied at a rate of 200 kg ha⁻¹ of Si. The dry mass of the aerial part of the plants and the accumulated Si content were evaluated. No statistical differences were observed in dry mass production between treatments. However, the Si content in the aerial part was higher in plants treated with wollastonite. The highest silicon accumulation was recorded in soil 7 (dystrophic Red Latosol – LVd).