SILICON AS A BENEFICIAL ELEMENT FOR SUGARCANE

Abstract

A number of field and greenhouse studies have demonstrated that silicon (Si) is an important beneficial element for sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). Effective management practices utilize Si fertilization on soils deficient in plant-available Si. Thus far, knowledge of the direct effects of Si fertilizers on sugarcane has not advanced as rapidly as for rice. Silica concentration in cultivated plants ranges from 0.3 to 8.4 %. A range of 210-224 million tons of Si or 70-800 kg ha-1 of plant-available Si is harvested with the sugarcane crop from arable soils annually. Crop removal of Si by sugarcane exceeds those of the macronutrients N, P, and K. Usually the concentration of Si in sugarcane leaves varies from 0.1 to 3.2%. Higher yield of sugarcane is associated with higher concentration of Si in the leaves. Field and greenhouse experiments conducted in the USA (Florida and Hawaii) and Mauritius demonstrated that application of Si fertilizers had a positive effect on the disease-, pest- and frost-resistance of sugarcane. It was shown that sugarcane productivity increased from 17 to 30 %, whereas production of sugar rose from 23 to 58 % with increasing Si fertilization. One of the most important functions of Si was the stimulation of the plant’s defense abilities against abiotic and biotic stresses. Literature data demonstrated that improved sugarcane nutrition brought about by fertilization with Si was shown to reinforce the plant’s protection properties against leaf freckle, sugarcane rust, and sugarcane ringspot. In addition, Si fertilization has a more positive effect than liming on the chemical and physical properties of the soil.