Effect of Active Silica on Growth and Profitability of Maize under Organic Farming
2022
Prajapat, Bhawani Singh | Kaushik, M.K. | Sharma, S.K. | Chaudhary, R. | Bairwa, Dilip Singhand Deen Dayal
Irrational use of agro chemicals decreases the ecological diversity and increases the biotic and abiotic stresses, ultimately affects the crop yield. The use of active silica counters such ill effects and also enhances the crop yield especially under organic farming. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted during the Kharif season of 2018 and 2019 at Organic Unit of Instructional Farm, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur (Rajasthan). The experiment consisting of six soil application in main plots (0, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 kg ha⁻¹) and six foliar application of active silica in sub plots (no spray, water spray, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75and 1.0%) was carried out in split plot design. The significantly higher chlorophyll content, plant height, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index, crop growth rate, relative growth and net assimilation rate was observed with 150 kg ha ⁻¹ active silica application. Similarly, higher biological yield, net return, B C ratio and available P in soil was recorded at 150 kg ha⁻¹ active silica application. Among foliar application, the spray of 1.0% active silica significantly enhanced the chlorophyll content, plant height, dry matter accumulation, leaf area index, crop growth rate between 60 to 75 DAS, net assimilation rate, biological yield, economics and available P in soil in maize under organic production system. Overall, the use of 150 kg ha⁻¹ active silica through soil or 1.0% foliar spray may be recommended to increase the maize growth and economics under organic farming condition.
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