Effect of Combined Application of Foliar Sprays of Orthosilicic Acid (OSA) with Basal NPK Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Effect of Combined Application of Foliar Sprays of Orthosilicic Acid (OSA) with Basal NPK Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Effect of Combined Application of Foliar Sprays of Orthosilicic Acid (OSA) with Basal NPK Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Rice ( Oryza sativa L.) Saidi Rumanzi Mbaraka, Jean Claude Abayisenga, Christian Nkurunziza, and 8 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-457545/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 10 Aug, 2021 Read the published version in Silicon → Version 1 posted 4 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Purpose Benefits of silicon to plant growth and yield in higher plants has been explored recently. This study was conducted to assess the effects combined application of foliar application of Orthosilicic Acid (OSA) with basal NPK fertilizer on growth and yield of rice. Methods The study was conducted in Ntende site at Rwagitima marshland, Gatsibo district in the Eastern province of Rwanda. The field experiment was laid in randomized complete block design with three replications across in two cropping seasons in 2019/2020. Two recommended doses of fertilizer (RDF); 100% RDF (200 kgha − 1 NPK and 100 kgha − 1 Urea) and 75% RDF (150 kgha − 1 NPK and 75 kgha − 1 Urea) were used in combination with different doses of silixol orthosilicic acid (OSA). The Si fertilizers were applied in liquid form at panicle initiation and grain filling stages. Results Combined application of OSA with RDF produced better growth attributes (plant height, number of tillers, root length, flag leaf length and width) compared with using RDF only. Similarly, OSA application showed higher yield components, number of panicles, panicle weight, grain weight per panicle and 1000-grain weight. Highest yield of 5.81 t/ha which equates to 24% increase was obtained when 100% RDF + 4ml/l OSA was applied. Conclusion Rice fertilization with Si helps to stimulate plant growth, yield attributes and yield. Therefore, potential of Si could further be explored among rice farmers in Rwanda. Food Science & Technology Polymer Science Orthosilicic acid Recommended dose of fertilizer Foliar spray Yield Rice Figures Figure 1 1 Introduction Silicon (Si) occupies about 27.8% − 32% of the earth’s crust, and this makes Si second most abundant element in the earth’s crust after oxygen (46%) [ 1 , 2 ]. Si is present in the earth’s crust as quartz (SiO 2 ), which is the most common mineral found in sands [3). However, SiO 2 in its form cannot be utilized by plants [ 4 ]. Plants absorb Si from soil solution in form of Monosilicic acid (H 4 SiO 4 ), which is often synonymously named as orthosilicic acid (OSA) [ 5 ]. Silixol is commonly applied stable formulation of OSA, and has been used as a Si fertilizer to enhance better plant growth and yield in several crops [6, 7). The Si accumulation in plants varies greatly depending on the species and Si content in the soil and normally ranges from 0.1–10% on dry weight basis [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Graminaceous plants such as barley ( Hordeum vulgare ), sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor) and wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) and rice ( Oryza sativa ) have been categorized as high Si accumulators [ 11 ]. Fore instance, rice was found to accumulate 4.17% of Si in its shoot [ 12 ]. Si is the only non-essential nutrient that is included in the guidelines for rice fertilization [ 13 ]. Si fertilization has been reported beneficial to rice plant growth and yield [ 14 ]. Si increases photosynthetic rate [ 15 ], plant leaf area [ 16 ] and chlorophyll content [ 17 ]. Si also has a major role in increasing rice yield attributing characters [ 18 , 19 ]. Additionally, Si has been reported to play a vital role in limiting the adverse effects of abiotic and biotic stresses in rice. Si application can enhance rice resistance to brown spot [ 20 ] and blast [ 21 ]. Si can enhance tolerance of rice to radiation [ 22 ], salinity [ 23 ] and drought [ 24 ]. Application of Si was also reported to reduce accumulation of toxic arsenic [ 23 ] and cadmium [ 24 ] in rice grains. Despite these numerous benefits of Si to the rice crop, many farmers in Rwanda have not explored the potential Si as an exogenous fertilizer for their sustainable rice production. This study was conducted to assess the effects of combined application of different doses of foliar sprays of Orthosilicic acid (OSA) with basal NPK fertilizer of the growth and yields of rice. 2 Materials And Methods 2.1 Experimental Site This study was conducted in Gatsibo district and the field experiments were carried in Rwagitima marshland (1˚52'50'' S latitude, 30˚50'20'' East longitude) in the Eastern Agro-ecological zone, Eastern Province, Rwanda. The experiments were conducted in 2019–2020 in two seasons (February to June) and (September to January) (Table 1 ). The basic properties of the site were; clay-loam type, pH 6.20, EC 361 µS/Cm, CEC 23.4 meq/100g, organic carbon 3.04%, total nitrogen 0.17%, available nitrogen 1.9 ppm, exchangeable calcium 4.92 meq/100g, exchangeable potassium 0.31 meq/100g and exchangeable magnesium 2.07 meq/100g. Table 1 Mean monthly temperatures and precipitation data for the two seasons in 2019 and 2020 Year Month Maximum Temp (°C) Minimum Temp (°C) Precipitation (mm) 2019 February 28.9 15.6 65.6 March 28.2 12.1 80.2 April 26.8 17.0 113.7 May 25.8 17.5 72.5 June 26.6 17.2 73.1 September 28.1 16.8 85.2 October 25.5 16.6 175.5 November 25.8 16.7 132.1 December 25.9 16.9 125.6 2020 January 26.9 17.1 121.1 Source: Rwanda Meteorology Agency 2.2 Treatment Structure and Experimental Design The experiments were laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications and eight treatments. Silixol (a stabilized form of orthosilicic acid (OSA) with 0.6% concentration) was applied as a source of Si element. The treatments were: T 1 (recommended fertilizer dose (RDF); 200 kg ha − 1 NPK (17.17.17) and 100 kg ha − 1 Urea), T 2 (75% of RDF; 150 kg ha − 1 NPK and 75 kg ha − 1 Urea), T 3 (T 1 + 2 ml of silixol per litre of water), T 4 (T 1 + 3 ml of silixol per litre of water), T 5 (T 1 + 4l ml of silixol per litre of water), T 6 (T 2 + 2 ml of silixol per litre of water), T 7 (T 2 + 3 ml of silixol per litre of water) and T 8 (T 2 + 4 ml of silixol per litre of water) (Table 2 ). NPK (17-17-17) was applied during planting while urea was used for top-dressing at both mid-tillering and at panicle initiation stages. The silixol liquid was foliarly applied both at panicle initiation and grain filling stages using a handheld sprayer. The regular recommended crop management practices were followed for all treatments until harvesting. Table 2 Fertilizer application at different stages of plant growth Planting Mid tillering Panicle initiation Grain filling Treatments NPK (kg ha − 1 ) Urea (kg ha − 1 Urea (kg ha − 1 Silixol (ml l − 1 ) Silixol (ml l − 1 ) T1 200 50.0 50.0 0 0 T2 150 37.5 37.5 0 0 T3 200 50.0 50.0 2 2 T4 200 50.0 50.0 3 3 T5 200 50.0 50.0 4 4 T6 150 37.5 37.5 2 2 T7 150 37.5 37.5 3 3 T8 150 37.5 37.5 4 4 2.3 Growth, Yield and Yield components Plant height, number of tillers per hill and root length data were collected from ten randomly selected hills. The plant height was measured from the bottom to the top most leaf, numbers of tillers per hill were counted and root length was recorded from the base of the plant to the tip of the longest root. For yield attributes, number of panicles, panicle weight, grain weight per panicle and 1000 grains weight were measured. Grain yield was recorded at harvesting. 2.4 Statistical Analysis The data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), GenStat data analysis software. Treatment effects were significant at p ≤ 0.05 and means were separated by Fisher’s protected least significant difference (LSD). 3 Results And Discussion 3.1 Growth Parameters Foliar application of Si fertilizer in combined with different doses of standard fertilizer practice significantly affected growth parameters (Table 2 ). Plant height significantly increased when Si was applied. An increase in number of tillers was also observed among treatments that received Si fertilizer. The effect of Si was highly significant ( P < 0. 01) for root length (Table 2 ), flag leaf width and length (Fig. 1 ). Across all treatments, RDF + 4 ml/l Silixol OSA liquid (T 5 ) resulted into better rice growth attributes compared with controls (RDF only). These results are in agreement with the findings of Pati et al. [ 27 ], who reported an increase in growth attributes of rice as a result of Si addition. Plant height of wheat was also increased by application of liquid silicon [ 28 ]. Moreover plant height is an important indicator of rice grain yield potential [ 29 ]. Increase in plant height might be attributed to Si accumulation in the cell wall that leads to plant erectness [ 30 ]. Increased number of tillers as a result of Si application was previously reported by Hosseini, et al. [ 31 ] and [ 32 ]. The increased number tiller might be due enhanced tillering capacity has been associated with a high supply of silicon [ 33 ]. Our findings are similar to Hattori et al . [ 34 ] who reported the positive effects of Si in increasing root length. Increase in flag area due to Si application was also reported by Dorairaj et al. [ 35 ]. Table 3 Effects of foliar application of combined doses of standard fertilizer practice and Silixol on growth parameters of rice Treatment Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) (kg/ha) Silixol foliar (ml l − 1 ) Plant height (cm) Number of tillers Root length (cm) NPK Urea T1 200 100 0 92.63 a 261 abc 11.5 abc T2 150 75 0 91.25 a 216 a 10.02 a T3 200 100 2 94.33 abc 281 abc 12.57 bc T4 200 100 3 97.65 bc 295 bc 13.17 cd T5 200 100 4 99.02 c 331 c 14.97 d T6 150 75 2 93.53 ab 252 ab 10.67 abc T7 150 75 3 94.48 abc 273 abc 11.83 bc T8 150 75 4 95.78 abc 288 abc 12.75 bcd P Value < .001** 0.003* < .001** SED 1.276 20.26 0.602 LSD 0.05 2.736 43.45 1.291 Means with by different letters are significantly different at 0.05 probability level. 3.2 Yield Attributes and Yield of Rice Several yield attributes such as number of panicles, panicle weight, grain weight per panicle and 1000-grain weight were significantly affected by application Si fertilizer (Table 4 ). Number of panicles increased by about 21% under RDF (100%) + 4 ml/l of silixol treatment compared with control. This treatment also produced highest panicle length of 20.28cm compared to control (18.88cm), although it was not significant. Similarly, about 24% increase in panicle weight was observed with RDF (100%) + 4 ml/l silixol compared with only RDF (100%). Grain weight per panicle and 1000-grain weight were increased by about 21% and 10%, respectively when RDF (100%) + 4 ml/l OSA was applied. Grain yield was not statistically significant with supplemental Si fertilizer application. Generally, Silixol OSA liquid applied in addition to RDF resulted in increased yield attributes and yield compared to the only RDF application (Table 4 ). Similar results depicting positive effects of Si application on yield and yield components were previously reported in rice [ 18 , 36 ]. The increase in yield attributes might be a result of Si improving plant growth, nutrient uptake and tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses [ 37 , 38 ]. Though not statistically significant, the subsequent rice yields were increased in most of the treatments that received Si, and were far greater than the average yield (4.0 t/ha) of paddy rice in Rwanda in 2019 [ 39 ]. Table 4 Effects of combination of recommended fertilizer doses with foliar application of Silixol liquid on yield and yield attributes of rice. Treatment Recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF) kg/ha Silixol foliar (ml/l) Number of panicles Panicle length (cm) Panicle weight (g) Grain weight per panicles (g) 1000-grain weight (g) Yield (t/ha) NPK Urea T1 200 100 0 230 abc 18.88 a 4.64 ab 4.30 ab 27.31 abc 4.69 a T2 150 75 0 204 a 17.88 a 4.27 a 4.06 a 24.52 a 4.35 a T3 200 100 2 245 abc 19.48 a 5.06 abc 4.76 ab 27.49 abc 5.08 a T4 200 100 3 277 bc 19.75 a 5.27 bc 5.00 ab 28.65 bc 5.69 a T5 200 100 4 279 c 20.28 a 5.74 c 5.20 b 30.11 c 5.81 a T6 150 75 2 221 ab 18.02 a 4.62 ab 4.26 ab 25.53 ab 4.53 a T7 150 75 3 241 abc 19.38 a 4.97 abc 4.54 ab 27.21 abc 4.62 a T8 150 75 4 260 abc 19.69 a 5.21 abc 4.80 ab 27.94 bc 5.25 a P Value 0.001** 0.328 NS 0.002** 0.007** 0.001** 0.195 NS SED 14.45 1.051 0.2568 0.2597 0.958 597.2 LSD 0.05 30.99 2.253 0.5508 0.557 2.055 1280.8 Means with by different letters are significantly different at 0.05 probability level. 4 Conclusion Results of this study indicate that foliar application of Si in combination with RDF resulted in positive effects agronomic and yield-related attributes of rice. Furthermore, application of 4 ml/l of OSA with RDF would improve rice growth and yield in the rice producing regions of Rwanda. Thus, Si-fertilizers have a great potential and are worth exploring for commercial rice production. 5 Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate (Not applicable) Consent for publication (Not applicable) Availability of data and materials The data that support our findings within this paper are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. Competing interests The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest with respect to research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Funding Information This study was funded partially by Privi life Science (Rwanda) Limited and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) through its cooperation with University of Rwanda. Author contributions Saidi Rumanzi Mbaraka : Jean Claude Abayisenga: and Christian Nkurunziza: Conceptualization and Experimental design (lead); Methodology (equal); Investigation (equal); and Writing original draft preparation (equal); Writing-review & editing (equal). Francois Xavier Rucamumihigo: Sylvestre Habimana: and Loc Van Nguyen: Data curation (equal); Formal analysis (equal);, Development of Figures and Tables (equal). Ivan Gasangwa: Jain Neeru: Eularie Mutamuliza: Fabrice Musana Rwalinda : Methodology (supporting); Visualization (supporting); Writing-review & editing (equal); Funding acquisition (supporting). Pascal Rushemuka : Project administration (lead); Funding acquisition (lead); Writing-review & editing (equal). All authors read, discussed the results, commented on the manuscript and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. 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Habimana","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Rwanda College of Agriculture Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Sylvestre","middleName":"","lastName":"Habimana","suffix":""},{"id":25598617,"identity":"4bb3bed0-e6e7-4228-94fa-d2d2c456e8d6","order_by":5,"name":"Loc Van Nguyen","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Vietnam National University of Agriculture","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Loc","middleName":"Van","lastName":"Nguyen","suffix":""},{"id":25598618,"identity":"2255d2ed-c08f-4fd2-b8ea-08e1a55094ad","order_by":6,"name":"Ivan Gasangwa","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Kyushu University: Kyushu Daigaku","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ivan","middleName":"","lastName":"Gasangwa","suffix":""},{"id":25598619,"identity":"41f487cd-ac07-49b8-8ece-ff386aa371f7","order_by":7,"name":"Jain Neeru","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Privi Life Sciences (Rwanda) Ltd","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Jain","middleName":"","lastName":"Neeru","suffix":""},{"id":25598620,"identity":"c87d532d-09e3-4ff9-adad-99ed82790cdd","order_by":8,"name":"Eularie Mutamuliza","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Rwanda College of Agriculture Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Eularie","middleName":"","lastName":"Mutamuliza","suffix":""},{"id":25598621,"identity":"c00d142f-a70e-40d8-aa70-c0a203203920","order_by":9,"name":"Fabrice Musana Rwalinda","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"University of Rwanda College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Fabrice","middleName":"Musana","lastName":"Rwalinda","suffix":""},{"id":25598622,"identity":"d1a39c55-f76d-4aa4-ad0a-79c4f1cfe5cb","order_by":10,"name":"Pascal Rushemuka","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Sciences","correspondingAuthor":false,"submittingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Pascal","middleName":"","lastName":"Rushemuka","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2021-04-24 09:19:37","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-457545/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-457545/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-021-01308-9","type":"published","date":"2021-08-10T15:08:02+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":9022339,"identity":"b62d2c24-1114-4d6a-acad-bce2b8ed9339","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2021-05-10 22:11:41","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":292101,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"Effect of combined application of Si and NPK basal fertilizer on flag length (a) and flag width (b).","description":"","filename":"fig1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-457545/v1/7d8c42fc8c11bbfc2f4f9848.png"},{"id":15673334,"identity":"a0e14def-dfb2-4c7c-a7d5-d0b7a0ff530a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2021-11-18 14:17:28","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":794784,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-457545/v1/3df69760-4012-4eaf-9200-1a7f97cd0fed.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003eEffect of Combined Application of Foliar Sprays of Orthosilicic Acid (OSA) with Basal NPK Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Rice (\u003cem\u003eOryza sativa\u003c/em\u003e L.)\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"1 Introduction","content":" \u003cp\u003eSilicon (Si) occupies about 27.8% \u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;32% of the earth\u0026rsquo;s crust, and this makes Si second most abundant element in the earth\u0026rsquo;s crust after oxygen (46%) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e]. Si is present in the earth\u0026rsquo;s crust as quartz (SiO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e), which is the most common mineral found in sands [3). However, SiO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e in its form cannot be utilized by plants [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e]. Plants absorb Si from soil solution in form of Monosilicic acid (H\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003eSiO\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e), which is often synonymously named as orthosilicic acid (OSA) [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e5\u003c/span\u003e]. Silixol is commonly applied stable formulation of OSA, and has been used as a Si fertilizer to enhance better plant growth and yield in several crops [6, 7).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe Si accumulation in plants varies greatly depending on the species and Si content in the soil and normally ranges from 0.1\u0026ndash;10% on dry weight basis [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e8\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e9\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e10\u003c/span\u003e]. Graminaceous plants such as barley (\u003cem\u003eHordeum vulgare\u003c/em\u003e), sorghum (\u003cem\u003eSorghum bicolor)\u003c/em\u003e and wheat (\u003cem\u003eTriticum aestivum\u003c/em\u003e) and rice (\u003cem\u003eOryza sativa\u003c/em\u003e) have been categorized as high Si accumulators [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e11\u003c/span\u003e]. Fore instance, rice was found to accumulate 4.17% of Si in its shoot [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e12\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eSi is the only non-essential nutrient that is included in the guidelines for rice fertilization [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e13\u003c/span\u003e]. Si fertilization has been reported beneficial to rice plant growth and yield [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e14\u003c/span\u003e]. Si increases photosynthetic rate [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e15\u003c/span\u003e], plant leaf area [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR16\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e16\u003c/span\u003e] and chlorophyll content [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR17\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e17\u003c/span\u003e]. Si also has a major role in increasing rice yield attributing characters [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR19\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e19\u003c/span\u003e]. Additionally, Si has been reported to play a vital role in limiting the adverse effects of abiotic and biotic stresses in rice. Si application can enhance rice resistance to brown spot [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR20\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e20\u003c/span\u003e] and blast [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR21\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e21\u003c/span\u003e]. Si can enhance tolerance of rice to radiation [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR22\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e22\u003c/span\u003e], salinity [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e] and drought [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e]. Application of Si was also reported to reduce accumulation of toxic arsenic [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR23\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e23\u003c/span\u003e] and cadmium [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR24\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e24\u003c/span\u003e] in rice grains.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDespite these numerous benefits of Si to the rice crop, many farmers in Rwanda have not explored the potential Si as an exogenous fertilizer for their sustainable rice production. This study was conducted to assess the effects of combined application of different doses of foliar sprays of Orthosilicic acid (OSA) with basal NPK fertilizer of the growth and yields of rice.\u003c/p\u003e "},{"header":"2 Materials And Methods","content":" \u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.1 Experimental Site\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis study was conducted in Gatsibo district and the field experiments were carried in Rwagitima marshland (1˚52'50'' S latitude, 30˚50'20'' East longitude) in the Eastern Agro-ecological zone, Eastern Province, Rwanda. The experiments were conducted in 2019\u0026ndash;2020 in two seasons (February to June) and (September to January) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). The basic properties of the site were; clay-loam type, pH 6.20, EC 361 \u0026micro;S/Cm, CEC 23.4 meq/100g, organic carbon 3.04%, total nitrogen 0.17%, available nitrogen 1.9 ppm, exchangeable calcium 4.92 meq/100g, exchangeable potassium 0.31 meq/100g and exchangeable magnesium 2.07 meq/100g.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMean monthly temperatures and precipitation data for the two seasons in 2019 and 2020\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYear\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMonth\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMaximum Temp (\u0026deg;C)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMinimum Temp (\u0026deg;C)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePrecipitation (mm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2019\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFebruary\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMarch\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eApril\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e113.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMay\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e72.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJune\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e73.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeptember\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e85.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eOctober\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e175.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNovember\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e132.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDecember\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e125.6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2020\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eJanuary\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e121.1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"5\"\u003eSource: Rwanda Meteorology Agency\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2 Treatment Structure and Experimental Design\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe experiments were laid in a randomized complete block design with three replications and eight treatments. Silixol (a stabilized form of orthosilicic acid (OSA) with 0.6% concentration) was applied as a source of Si element. The treatments were: T\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e (recommended fertilizer dose (RDF); 200 kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e NPK (17.17.17) and 100 kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e Urea), T\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e (75% of RDF; 150 kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e NPK and 75 kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e Urea), T\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e (T\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;2 ml of silixol per litre of water), T\u003csub\u003e4\u003c/sub\u003e (T\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;3 ml of silixol per litre of water), T\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e (T\u003csub\u003e1\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4l ml of silixol per litre of water), T\u003csub\u003e6\u003c/sub\u003e (T\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;2 ml of silixol per litre of water), T\u003csub\u003e7\u003c/sub\u003e (T\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;3 ml of silixol per litre of water) and T\u003csub\u003e8\u003c/sub\u003e (T\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4 ml of silixol per litre of water) (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). NPK (17-17-17) was applied during planting while urea was used for top-dressing at both mid-tillering and at panicle initiation stages. The silixol liquid was foliarly applied both at panicle initiation and grain filling stages using a handheld sprayer. The regular recommended crop management practices were followed for all treatments until harvesting.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFertilizer application at different stages of plant growth\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlanting\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eMid tillering\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c5\" namest=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePanicle initiation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrain filling\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatments\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNPK (kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUrea (kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUrea (kg ha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSilixol (ml l\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSilixol (ml l\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50.0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.3 Growth, Yield and Yield components\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant height, number of tillers per hill and root length data were collected from ten randomly selected hills. The plant height was measured from the bottom to the top most leaf, numbers of tillers per hill were counted and root length was recorded from the base of the plant to the tip of the longest root. For yield attributes, number of panicles, panicle weight, grain weight per panicle and 1000 grains weight were measured. Grain yield was recorded at harvesting.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.4 Statistical Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), GenStat data analysis software. Treatment effects were significant at \u003cem\u003ep\u0026thinsp;\u0026le;\u003c/em\u003e\u0026thinsp;0.05 and means were separated by Fisher\u0026rsquo;s protected least significant difference (LSD).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e "},{"header":"3 Results And Discussion","content":" \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.1 Growth Parameters\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eFoliar application of Si fertilizer in combined with different doses of standard fertilizer practice significantly affected growth parameters (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e). Plant height significantly increased when Si was applied. An increase in number of tillers was also observed among treatments that received Si fertilizer. The effect of Si was highly significant (\u003cem\u003eP\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.\u003c/em\u003e01) for root length (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e), flag leaf width and length (Fig.\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Fig1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e). Across all treatments, RDF\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4 ml/l Silixol OSA liquid (T\u003csub\u003e5\u003c/sub\u003e) resulted into better rice growth attributes compared with controls (RDF only). These results are in agreement with the findings of Pati et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR27\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e27\u003c/span\u003e], who reported an increase in growth attributes of rice as a result of Si addition. Plant height of wheat was also increased by application of liquid silicon [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR28\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e28\u003c/span\u003e]. Moreover plant height is an important indicator of rice grain yield potential [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR29\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e29\u003c/span\u003e]. Increase in plant height might be attributed to Si accumulation in the cell wall that leads to plant erectness [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR30\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e30\u003c/span\u003e]. Increased number of tillers as a result of Si application was previously reported by Hosseini, et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR31\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e31\u003c/span\u003e] and [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR32\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e32\u003c/span\u003e]. The increased number tiller might be due enhanced tillering capacity has been associated with a high supply of silicon [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR33\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e33\u003c/span\u003e]. Our findings are similar to Hattori \u003cem\u003eet al\u003c/em\u003e. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR34\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e34\u003c/span\u003e] who reported the positive effects of Si in increasing root length. Increase in flag area due to Si application was also reported by Dorairaj et al. [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR35\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e35\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffects of foliar application of combined doses of standard fertilizer practice and Silixol on growth parameters of rice\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"7\"\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecommended dose of fertilizer (RDF)\u0026nbsp;(kg/ha)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSilixol foliar\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e(ml l\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePlant height (cm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNumber of tillers\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRoot length (cm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNPK\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUrea\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e92.63\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e261\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.5\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e91.25\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e216\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.02\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e94.33\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e281\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.57\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e97.65\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e295\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.17\u003csup\u003ecd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e99.02\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e331\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.97\u003csup\u003ed\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e93.53\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e252\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.67\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e94.48\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e273\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.83\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e95.78\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e288\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.75\u003csup\u003ebcd\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e Value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.003*\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;.001**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSED\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.276\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.602\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD\u003csub\u003e0.05\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.736\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.291\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"7\"\u003eMeans with by different letters are significantly different at 0.05 probability level.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2 Yield Attributes and Yield of Rice\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eSeveral yield attributes such as number of panicles, panicle weight, grain weight per panicle and 1000-grain weight were significantly affected by application Si fertilizer (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). Number of panicles increased by about 21% under RDF (100%)\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4 ml/l of silixol treatment compared with control. This treatment also produced highest panicle length of 20.28cm compared to control (18.88cm), although it was not significant. Similarly, about 24% increase in panicle weight was observed with RDF (100%)\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4 ml/l silixol compared with only RDF (100%). Grain weight per panicle and 1000-grain weight were increased by about 21% and 10%, respectively when RDF (100%)\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4 ml/l OSA was applied. Grain yield was not statistically significant with supplemental Si fertilizer application. Generally, Silixol OSA liquid applied in addition to RDF resulted in increased yield attributes and yield compared to the only RDF application (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e). Similar results depicting positive effects of Si application on yield and yield components were previously reported in rice [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR18\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e18\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR36\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e36\u003c/span\u003e]. The increase in yield attributes might be a result of Si improving plant growth, nutrient uptake and tolerance to abiotic and biotic stresses [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR37\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e37\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR38\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e38\u003c/span\u003e]. Though not statistically significant, the subsequent rice yields were increased in most of the treatments that received Si, and were far greater than the average yield (4.0 t/ha) of paddy rice in Rwanda in 2019 [\u003cspan citationid=\"CR39\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e39\u003c/span\u003e].\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eEffects of combination of recommended fertilizer doses with foliar application of Silixol liquid on yield and yield attributes of rice.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"10\"\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTreatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colspan=\"2\" nameend=\"c3\" namest=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eRecommended dose of fertilizer (RDF)\u0026nbsp;kg/ha\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSilixol foliar (ml/l)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNumber of panicles\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePanicle length (cm)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePanicle weight (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrain weight per panicles (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1000-grain weight (g)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\" morerows=\"1\" rowspan=\"2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eYield (t/ha)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eNPK\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eUrea\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT1\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e230\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.88\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.64\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.30\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.31\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.69\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e204\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.88\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.27\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.06\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.52\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.35\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e245\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.48\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.06\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.76\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.49\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.08\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e277\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.75\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.27\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.00\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.65\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.69\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e279\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.28\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.74\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.20\u003csup\u003eb\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.11\u003csup\u003ec\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.81\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e221\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.02\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.62\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.26\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25.53\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.53\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e241\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.38\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.97\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.54\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.21\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.62\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eT8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e260\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.69\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.21\u003csup\u003eabc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.80\u003csup\u003eab\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.94\u003csup\u003ebc\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.25\u003csup\u003ea\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eP\u003c/em\u003e Value\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.001**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.328 NS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.002**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.007**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.001**\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.195 NS\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSED\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.051\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2568\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.2597\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.958\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e597.2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eLSD\u003csub\u003e0.05\u003c/sub\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.253\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.5508\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c8\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.557\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c9\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.055\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c10\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1280.8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003ctfoot\u003e \u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd colspan=\"10\"\u003eMeans with by different letters are significantly different at 0.05 probability level.\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tfoot\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e "},{"header":"4 Conclusion","content":" \u003cp\u003eResults of this study indicate that foliar application of Si in combination with RDF resulted in positive effects agronomic and yield-related attributes of rice. Furthermore, application of 4 ml/l of OSA with RDF would improve rice growth and yield in the rice producing regions of Rwanda. Thus, Si-fertilizers have a great potential and are worth exploring for commercial rice production.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"5 Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics approval and consent to participate (Not applicable)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent for publication (Not applicable)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability of data and materials\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data that support our findings within this paper are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting interests\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest with respect to research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding Information\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study was funded partially by Privi life Science (Rwanda) Limited and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) through its cooperation with University of Rwanda.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSaidi Rumanzi Mbaraka\u003c/strong\u003e: \u003cstrong\u003eJean Claude Abayisenga:\u003c/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eChristian Nkurunziza:\u003c/strong\u003e Conceptualization and Experimental design (lead); Methodology (equal); Investigation (equal); and Writing original draft preparation (equal); Writing-review \u0026amp; editing (equal). \u003cstrong\u003eFrancois Xavier Rucamumihigo:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSylvestre Habimana: and Loc Van Nguyen:\u003c/strong\u003e Data curation (equal); Formal analysis (equal);, Development of Figures and Tables (equal). \u003cstrong\u003eIvan Gasangwa: Jain Neeru: Eularie Mutamuliza: Fabrice Musana Rwalinda\u003c/strong\u003e: Methodology (supporting); Visualization (supporting); Writing-review \u0026amp; editing (equal); Funding acquisition (supporting). \u003cstrong\u003ePascal Rushemuka\u003c/strong\u003e: Project administration (lead); Funding acquisition (lead); Writing-review \u0026amp; editing (equal). All authors read, discussed the results, commented on the manuscript and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are grateful to Privi life Science (Rwanda) Limited for providing the Silixol OSA liquid fertilizer and facilitating field works.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"6 References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEhrlich HL (1981) Geomicrobiology. Marcel Dekker Inc. p\u0026nbsp;393. 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J Plant Physiol 206:125\u0026ndash;132\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTripathy S, Rath LK (2017) Silicon induced resistance expression in rice to Yellow stem borer. J Entomology Zoology Studies 5:12\u0026ndash;15\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCuong TX, Ullah H, Datta A, Hanh TC (2017) Effects of silicon-based fertilizer on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of rice in tropical zone of Vietnam. Rice Sci. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsci.2017.06.002\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNISR (National Institute Statistics of Rwanda) (2019) Seasonal Agricultural Survey annual report\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":true,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"silicon","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scon","sideBox":"Learn more about [Silicon](https://www.springer.com/journal/12633)","snPcode":"12633","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/12633/3","title":"Silicon","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false},"keywords":"Orthosilicic acid, Recommended dose of fertilizer, Foliar spray, Yield, Rice","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-457545/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-457545/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003ePurpose\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eBenefits of silicon to plant growth and yield in higher plants has been explored recently. This study was conducted to assess the effects combined application of foliar application of Orthosilicic Acid (OSA) with basal NPK fertilizer on growth and yield of rice.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study was conducted in Ntende site at Rwagitima marshland, Gatsibo district in the Eastern province of Rwanda. The field experiment was laid in randomized complete block design with three replications across in two cropping seasons in 2019/2020. Two recommended doses of fertilizer (RDF); 100% RDF (200 kgha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e NPK and 100 kgha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e Urea) and 75% RDF (150 kgha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e NPK and 75 kgha\u003csup\u003e\u0026minus;\u0026thinsp;1\u003c/sup\u003e Urea) were used in combination with different doses of silixol orthosilicic acid (OSA). The Si fertilizers were applied in liquid form at panicle initiation and grain filling stages.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eCombined application of OSA with RDF produced better growth attributes (plant height, number of tillers, root length, flag leaf length and width) compared with using RDF only. Similarly, OSA application showed higher yield components, number of panicles, panicle weight, grain weight per panicle and 1000-grain weight. Highest yield of 5.81 t/ha which equates to 24% increase was obtained when 100% RDF\u0026thinsp;+\u0026thinsp;4ml/l OSA was applied.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusion\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eRice fertilization with Si helps to stimulate plant growth, yield attributes and yield. Therefore, potential of Si could further be explored among rice farmers in Rwanda.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Effect of Combined Application of Foliar Sprays of Orthosilicic Acid (OSA) with Basal NPK Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L.)","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2021-05-10 22:11:40","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-457545/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2021-05-11T09:59:00+00:00","index":0,"fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2021-05-06T20:53:00+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2021-05-06T15:16:00+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Silicon","date":"2021-04-23T02:32:38+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"silicon","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"scon","sideBox":"Learn more about [Silicon](https://www.springer.com/journal/12633)","snPcode":"12633","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/12633/3","title":"Silicon","twitterHandle":"","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"Springer Hybrid","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":false}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"204839c3-da25-4596-988a-d32410716858","owner":[],"postedDate":"May 10th, 2021","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[{"id":4226854,"name":"Food Science \u0026 Technology"},{"id":4226855,"name":"Polymer Science"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2021-08-22T15:32:24+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-457545","link":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-021-01308-9","journal":{"identity":"silicon","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Silicon"},"publishedOn":"2021-08-10 15:08:02","publishedOnDateReadable":"August 10th, 2021"},"versionCreatedAt":"2021-05-10 22:11:40","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1007/s12633-021-01308-9","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-021-01308-9","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-457545","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-457545","identity":"rs-457545","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"pf3fE39SIOqb-0xH_OWvX","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}