Author Description

This is a reference book, which describes importance, use and basic information relevant to nitrogen (N) and Silicon (Si) in rice. Application of nitrogen with silicon raises the optimum nitrogen level from its existing level due to its synergistic effect. However, Si is not considered as an essential nutrient for plant growth and chiefly absorbed from soil i.e. several folds higher than those of other essential macronutrients in certain plant species. While it is so difficult to prove the essentiality of Si, experts often call the element beneficial or even “quassi essential”. Apparently applied Si seems to interact favorably with other applied fertilizers e.g. N, P and K and offers the potential to improve their agronomic performance and efficiency such as yield. Si amended rice plants possess varying degrees of ability to tolerate biotic stresses, such as attack of insect, pests and pathogens and abiotic stresses like toxicity of soil Al, Fe, Mn and salts. Si supply also helps to reduce cuticular transpiration and to some extent crop lodging caused by excessive N supply. Present book is basically written for academician, researchers and students in the field of soil fertility.