Silicon fertilization for disease management of rice in Florida

Although silicon is not considered an essential element; plant development, growth and yield has been increased in many graminaceous and some nongraminaceous crop species. Silicon also is known to reduce plant diseases especially in rice. Silicon fertilization has become a routine practice in Florida rice production. The information within provides an overview on the history of silicon in Florida, application of silicon and disease suppression by silicon and its interaction with fungicides and rice genotypes. Although the focus is on rice and organic soils, this information should be of interest to those working on other grass crops on organic soils as well as rice production on weathered, low-silicon mineral soils. An outlook and future research needs also are presented.