IIMYC   23581
INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACIONES MARINAS Y COSTERAS
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
congresos y reuniones científicas
Título:
Silicon fertilization and its role in physical and chemical soil properties in Southeastern Buenos Aires
Autor/es:
FRAYSSINET, CELIA; OSTERRIETH L. MARGARITA; BORRELLI, NATALIA; CIARLO, ESTEBAN
Reunión:
Congreso; 7th International Conference on. Silicon in Agriculture; 2017
Resumen:
Silicon is a major component in soils. In addition to playing an important role in the conformation of matrix aggregates, and consequently in structural stability; is an essential element for the development of certain crops producing silicophytoliths. Although there are studies that report the effect of silicate fertilization on crops such as rice, there is no researches in soils of the Pampean Plain that have suffered the negative effects of intense agricultural activity for more than 150 years. Within this agricultural activity stands out the cultivation of wheat (Triticum aestivum), with an average annual production of 350 tons over the last 45 years. Therefore, the aim of this work is to evaluate the content of silicon and its role in the physical and chemical properties of agricultural soils cultivated with wheat in southeastern Buenos Aires. Field tests were carried out with the application of two kinds of silicate fertilizers (one powder: Silfix and another liquid: Quicksol). Surface soil samples were taken and morphological, physical (texture and structural stability) and chemical properties (pH, organic matter, phosphorus and available silicon content) were determined in two plant stages (vegetative and post - harvest), using standard metodologies. One-way analysis of variance were performed to determine the effect of fertilization on the variables measured in each trial. The results indicate that the contribution of Si to the soil solution would be similar for both types of applied fertilizer (from 598 to 728 ppm.), as well as its dynamics of behavior over time. Such fertilization would not significantly affect the organic matter content of the soils analyzed. With regard to pH values, a positive relationship between pH values and the availability of silicon in solution could be inferred. Silicon fertilization could modify the availability and / or dynamics of the available phosphorus in the analyzed soils, presenting an inverse relationship since the availability of the phosphorus (P) decreases as the silicon content increases. Plots that received silicon fertilization showed values of available P that ranged from 13 to 20 ppm presenting half of the content when compared to control plots (from 20 to 42 ppm). The composition of the fertilizers, as well as their granulometric characteristics, could influence the slight modifications registered in the structural stability and the texture of the fertilized soils, presenting more adequate values for both variables those plots that received the fertilizer Quicksoil. Regarding the structural stability variable, it is worth noting that the decrease in that property correlates with a higher content of silicon in solution, which could be related to a higher release of silicon to the soil solution due to the lower stability of the aggregates. Although this work shows the first results between the effect of silicon fertilization and the physico-chemical properties of typical Argiudolls of Southeastern Buenos Aires; it is necessary to deepen the studies in order to know the effect of silicate fertilization on plant development, soil quality and biogeochemistry in natural environments and agroecosystems. This work was supported by PICT-1583/2013-EXA 741/15-UNMDP; PIP 11220130100145CO.