FORMS OF APPLICATION OF CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM SILICATE IN SORGHUM CROP IN A SAVANNAH QUARTZIPSAMMENT SOIL

Abstract

Most of savannah soils are highly weathered and poor in nutrients, demanding chemical correction to  become productive. For this purpose, limestone is usually applied, but silicate sources are also used because, besides correcting soil reaction, it supplies silicon to plants. This research had as objective to evaluate the effect of  silicon levels and forms in soil and sorghum plants. Two forms of silicate application were evaluated: in the planting furrow and in the whole area. For the applications in the planting furrow, the levels of 100 kg ha-1, 200 kg ha-1, and 300 kg ha-1 of silicate were used, while for the applications in the whole area 1000 kg ha-1, 2000 kg ha-1, and 3000 kg ha-1 were used. Both application forms increased sorghum grain yield and Si concentration in soil and plants, differing, statistically, from control, but with no differences among them. The Si levels also promoted yield and Si concentration in soil and plants. The silicate addition promoted pH increase in the soil, confirming its acidity neutralization effect.

KEY-WORDS: Silicon; silicate; sorghum.