Growth indices, Yield, Nutrient Uptake and Soil Enzyme Activity of wheat as Affected by Residual Effect of Phosphorus and Silicon

Abstract Silicon (Si) is known as a beneficial or quasi-essential element particularly for graminaceous crops, as Si increases dry matter accumulation and enhances resistance to lodging and drought. However, the combined application of phosphorus (P) and Si has a tremendous impact on the growth and yield of various crops. While the residual effect of Si and P application on growth, yield and soil biological activity in wheat were not ascertained. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the residual effect of Si and P on growth indices, yield, nutrient uptake, and soil enzyme activities of succeeding wheat crops. The four levels of Si (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg Si ha− 1) and P (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg P2O5 ha− 1) were applied to the preceding aerobic rice crop and their effect was evaluated in succeeding wheat crop. The results demonstrated a significant effect of Si and P on wheat growth, yield, nutrient uptake, and soil enzyme activities. The residual effect of 120 kg Si and 90 kg P2O5 ha− 1 significantly improved the grain yield of the succeeding wheat crop by 24–45%. Further, the residual Si and P remarkably improved Si, N, P, and K concentration in wheat grain by 35, 13.2, 45, and 56 %, respectively, over control. Similarly, an increase in the microbial biomass carbon, dehydrogenase, fluorescein diacetate, and alkaline phosphatase activity by 17.2, 33.5, 12.4, and 37.5%, respectively were observed in the residual application of 120 kg Si and 90 kg P2O5 ha− 1 over control. Therefore, the inclusion of Si and P could have great potential to improve soil enzyme activities and productivity of the wheat crop.