The Effect of Si Fertilizer and Si Fertilizer with Straw Return on Soil K Availability and Grain Yield on Spring Maize (Zea mays L) in Northeast China

Aims: To investigate the effect of silicon (Si) fertilizer and Si fertilizer with straw return in potassium (K) and maize grain yield.

Methods: In 2018 and 2019, two field experiments were established in Nong’an county, Jilin province. Four treatments were arranged in a randomized block design: JS3 (straw return + Si), WS3 (no straw return + Si), JS0 (straw return + no Si) and WS0 (no straw return + no Si).

Results: In comparison with WS3, the average soil available K for WS0 was 22.1% lower. Similarly, compared with JS3, the average soil available K for WS3 was even decreased by 3.1%. The plots amended with Si fertilizer (15.9% WS3) significantly increased K uptake than that of WS0, and the total uptake of K under JS3 increased by 7.5% compared with that under WS3. The total dry matter and grain yield were significantly higher under WS3, which increased by 6.5% and 4.8% respectively, and JS3 significantly outperformed WS3 by 2.9% and 1.3% for total dry matter and grain yield.

Conclusions: Our results indicate that the application of Si fertilizer improves K availability, uptake and crop yield, and the use of Si fertilizer with straw return sustainably improves K release to meet crop requirements while increasing crop productivity.