SILICON FERTILIZATION FOR DISEASE MANAGEMENT OF RICE IN FLORIDA

Although silicon is not considered an essential element; plant develop ment, growth and yield has been increased in many graminaceous and som e nongraminaceous crop species. Silicon also is known to reduce plant diseases especially in rice. Silicon fertilization has become a routin e practice in Florida rice production. The information within provides an overview on the history of silicon in Florida, application of sili con and disease suppression,by silicon and its interaction with fungic ides and rice genotypes. Although the focus is on rice and organic soi ls, this information should be of interest to those working on other g rass crops on organic soils as well as rice production on weathered, l ow-silicon mineral soils. An outlook and future research needs also ar e presented. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.