Effect of Different Forms of Silicon on Growth of Spring Wheat Cultivated in Organic Farming System

Application of silicon (Si) could greatly boost wheat growth and yield by mitigating abiotic stress, especially drought. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of silicon products in different forms and methods of its application on growth and yield of spring wheat cultivated under organic farming regime. A field experiment was conducted in the period of 2017–2018 on a research farm. The impact of different methods of application of powder and liquid forms of Si products to soil, leaves and combined methods of application (to soil and leaves) on growth parameters and yielding of spring wheat was evaluated. The treatments consisted of the recommended doses of two Si products - Adesil and ZumSil at 10 kg and 0.3 l/ha, respectively. The effect of silicon was assessed by measuring emergence and height of plants, number and weight of ears, as well as the SPAD index and yield. The number of plants emergence (316–321 seedlings per 1 m2), the number of spikes and the height of plants were the highest after application of the liquid form of silicon, regardless of the method of application. The yield was statistically higher after the combined and foliar applications of liquid form of silicon (4.97 and 4.84 t/ha, respectively). The powder silicon form was similar effective when was used as the combined application (to soil and leaves) (5.35 t/ ha). Si stimulates growth of wheat enhancing number of ears and plant height, increases yields of organically grown spring wheat, a liquid Si formulation (solution of monosilicic acid) is more effective than a powder Si formulation (diatomaceous earth). Soil and foliar Si application is more effective than soil or foliar application.