The amount of silicon accumulated by plants depends on the concentration of available silicon, and this of the soil pH. Silicon absorption and accumulation in grasses is possibly associated with the rhizosphere pH. This study evaluated the effect of rhizosphere pH on Si absorption and accumulation in upland rice (Epagri 109 vr.). The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse in a 5 x 2 factorial design. The five treatments (TR) consisted of a single N dose (200 mg kg-1) applied in the following N-NH4+ / N-NO3- proportions: TR1 = 0.0:1.0; TR2 = 0.25:0.75; TR3 = 0.50:0.50; TR4 = 0.75:0.25; TR5 = 1.0:0.0. The subplots were fertilized with 200 mg kg-1 Si. Calcium nitrate and ammonium sulfate were used as N sources (with nitrification inhibitor) and silicon tetrachloride as Si source, applied to an Ustoxic Quartzipsamment. The pH in the rhizosphere decreased with the increasing N-NH4+ concentration. The rhizosphere pH values influenced the Si concentration in the soil significantly: the higher the pH, the greater the Si availability. The Si concentration in the aboveground plant parts varied according to soil Si.
Oriza sativa; nitrate; ammonium
